Pz IV F2 Dragon 6360 with Middle East buildings

[Steve Hutchinson]

Morning

Started at last, I'll keep you company Philipp!

The Dragon Pz IV F2 is a smart kit which reduces the parts count with no loss of detail.

Apart from an RB turned barrel it will be OOTB build.



Loads of builds and reviews on the interweb and lots of references too.

The burning question for a DAK Pz IV F2, also known as the Mark IV special, is

What is the base colour?

So far, it would be reasonable to have it as a RAL 8020 and not the Pz Grey with a field applied sand brown coat.

I shall progress on this basis, and will attempt the RAL 8020 sand brown and RAL 7027 grey 2/3, 1/3 camo scheme.

This will reduce the need to have a heavily chipped finish, and I shall try to replicate a heavily loaded vehicle trying to get to Tunis to escape, during late 42 early 43.

That's the plan, lets see what 2019 gifts us with.

The base for the scenario will be



The MiniArt buildings and base will be fun, and I still get to do a base as part of the GB.

Finally, I get to load this one up, due to an untimely laptop death, and my lack of mobility, due my new right knee,
its taken longer than I thought it would, 3 weeks in fact!

So, Pz IV F 2 tub and tracks done,



buildings started



Is there room for a kubel too?



We have started so lets see how it goes

Regards

Steve H

[Philipp Gross]

Nice start Steve! Looks like you've been busy

A RAL 8020 basecoat with RAL 7027 sounds about right for 1942/43. If the tank has a visible camo pattern, it's the second scheme. If it looks like a single colour, it's either that or the old scheme using RAL8000 and RAL7008, which were very similar shades.

Philipp

[Steve Hutchinson]

Morning Philip

Wish I could say I have been so busy, what you see is some foresight, before my operation on 181218, I took everything I thought I might need for both GB's out of the attic, and plenty of "just in case" stuff along with all the reference books I have.

This is almost everything I have cobbled together since 010119, between pain meds, physio and recovering from the op.

I will probably have another 4-6 weeks off , which should be more productive, as I have both a clearer head, and a new laptop!

Though the time will be split between 3 GB's, the 2 here with 2 kits each and a base too.

The 3rd is a Toon tank, on Scale Model Forum, which is supported and founded by my closest LHS, in Halifax 10 miles away.
I shall convert a Pz III N into a Stug III.

I'll blog that too

More over the weekend as Its snowing and icy and there is !!NO WAY!! I am going out with my new knee!
Operation scar photos available on request LOL

More soon?

Steve H

[Shawn Ramsey]

Glad to have you joining in Steve. The Pz IV will be a great build. Have you not had enough of those Mini art building. Ya, I know looks who is talking. Every time I build one , I tell myself I wont do it again, then it just happens.

Shawn

[Vincent Power]

Nice big project you have there Steve. Most impressive. I hope everything is going well with your knee.

Vincent

[Adam Durrant]

Interested to see how you do the MiniArt buildings Steve, I have a couple in the stash but have never been game enough to try one

[Steve Hutchinson]

Evening chaps, sorry for the delay, its been an interesting few weeks.

The proposed colour selection, Philipp



Should work out nicely and no need for the heavily chipped/weathered Panzer grey undercoat.

Perhaps next time.

The vacuformed MiniArt Buildings, the pain/pleasure of the double pack build.

My 3rd Shawn, Adam, they are an experience you need to have at least once, it will be a substantial project when its completed Vincent!

I've used 2 jars of liquid cement and 2 tubes of filler, but Its looking reasonable with a black primer.

I have followed quite a few tips from this build blog

Middle Eastern Village build

I have had the local builders re-plaster all the OTT battle damage, so it looks more like general wear and tear.

Some shots of the work which has taken quite some time

One build review said it could be built in an afternoon, no bl**dy way!









The black primer is from 3 different cans.

There is a balsa framework under the base to support it, just in case it sags.

I shall leave all the back areas in black, as its all about the Pz IV F2, crew and Kubel, though I might not be able to squeeze the Kubel in?

Thanks for popping by

I shall, hopefully get the AB out soon, along with the Toon Stug conversion and the T-34 builds.

Lots of variety!

More soon

Regards

Steve H

[Vincent Power]

You have made a lot of progress Steve and the buildings look impressive. From the pics, I don't think you need to have the Kubel in the scene Steve. The buildings and the Panzer will fill the space nicely I think.

Vincent

[Adam Durrant]

Nice work Steve, each building and room in itself is a kit!

[Philipp Gross]

Wow, I had no idea the scenery would be this big! Looks like a tight fit for the Panzer IV?

Would make for a nice scene, the tank crew and some pioneers discussing if they should go around or just blow the whole thing up?

Philipp