forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Forum Archive Storage => Des Delatorre International Memorial Group Build => Topic started by: petero on February 17, 2019, 04:32:24 AM
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Welcome to my contribution to Des' Group Build. The subject is a British Mark IV Male tank, which has been captured and used by the German tank corps. Although this forum is dedicated primarily to aircraft, Des was a supporter of all WW1 modeling, so I don't feel a tank would be out of place here.
I had an enticing package in my mailbox today...
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2725.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2725.jpg.html)
Voila!
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2727.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2727.jpg.html)
Here are the raw materials:
Takom 1/35 Mk. IV Male WWI Heavy Battle Tank
Takom 1/35 Mk.IV Workable Tracks
The kit's track links have 5 pieces each, times 92 links, times 2 tracks. That's a non-starter for me! The workable track links are single pieces that simply clip together - well worth the $15 or so to avoid endless hours of frustration.
For reference:
Haynes Mk.IV Great War Tank
Tankograd Beute-Tanks Vol. 1 & 2
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2728.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2728.jpg.html)
I'm not normally an armor modeler, so this will be a learning experience for me. Since I'm still in the process of moving into my new house, my modeling aerie (it's on the 2nd floor, so it's not a cave) isn't set up yet, so it'll be a few weeks before I can start building.
Peter
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Something attractive from the trenches, looking forward for your build.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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Happy to see something that does not fly being built for the tribute (don't get me wrong, I love planes, but this is cool).
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Really great to see someone tackle a Tank and the MK. IV is my favorite!
RAGIII
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good choice about those tracks, I did the original version, before the workable version came out. I can tell you they a b**ch to complete... the 5 parts per link are not the problem, lining them up really is and nobody will ever see your hard work again...
apart from that, great kit with amazing details, was a lot of work but a pleasure to build.
good luck!! Hidde from Holland
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Thanks everyone for your encouragement!
Even though my workshop isn't set up yet, I decided to tackle the tracks. The individual links aren't attached to sprues, so it was a straightforward task to count out 92 links:
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2730.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2730.jpg.html)
There are definitely plenty of extras, since the tracks are made to fit the longer Tadpole tanks too, so I won't have to worry about breaking or losing a few. Then I started clipping them together:
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2732.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2732.jpg.html)
I found it was easier to link them if I held them tread side towards me, at an angle so I could see the pins and holes at the edge. In no time at all, the first track was complete:
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2736.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2736.jpg.html)
Here's my lovely assistant Kioko, making sure the links are properly secured ;D
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2733.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2733.jpg.html)
The total time to assemble one track was less than a half-hour. I shudder to think how much time it would have taken to build the original 5-piece track links! Once I've assembled the other track, I'll have to put the project aside for a few weeks until my workshop is set up. See you then!
Peter
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A really quick start and a lovely looking subject! I'm sure Des would love it! Enjoy! Marc
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The tracks look great. I can see why you did the substitution!
RAGIII
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That's an interesting one. Those tracks look to be a mind saver!!
Steve
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Yes, I'm still alive! ;D. After a year without modeling, I'm finally moved into my new model room, and equally importantly, my wife has her sewing/quilting room set up. We're both happy campers!
I've made a start on the hull of the Mk.IV. My plan is to wait until the tank is complete to start painting it. That goes against my grain as an aircraft modeler - and especially as a WNW builder - but it seems to be a successful method that many armor modelers use.
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2886.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2886.jpg.html)
I've also started on the sponsons and cannons, which are in the background. The captured tanks were re-gunned with Maxim cannons, which had a smaller-diameter gun shield. The drawings in the background are from Tankograd's Beute-Tanks Volume 1, page 62, showing the modifications to the sponsons. That's way down the road though.
Peter
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Hello, Peter,
Although I've built several aircraft models on the Forum, I'm very interested in your choice of subject. Many years ago I was a member of our Armoured Corps, and trained on vehicles such as the Centurion tank, the Lynx reconnaissance vehicle, the early version American M113 armoured personnel carrier and the Ferret scout car. All of these, by the way, can now only be found in Museums! ;D
Best of luck with this build. I'll be visiting often to see how you get on with it and I'll be very interested in comments on the kit itself. For example, you chose to use aftermarket tracks, a very wise choice given the description I saw of the kit offerings! You've made a very good start to the build, and I hope that this good start carries on throughout your project. 8)
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Nice start and an interesting change!!
Steve
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Thanks for your comments, gents! I hope my build lives up to your expectations :o
I've now completed the center hull. The exhaust system and shroud will be painted separately and installed afterward, which means the equipment box on the back must be left off too. Fortunately that box will cover the nasty fingerprints I got on the back of the roof plate.
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2891.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2891.jpg.html)
The major hull plates were built up using one side frame as a jig to ensure the angles were correct:
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2894.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2894.jpg.html)
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2893.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2893.jpg.html)
Having each plate separate makes for great detail, but I could've used 5 hands for sure! The nose plates are the most critical, since they have to fit between a raised plate on the side frame, and the raised guide on the inside:
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2896.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2896.jpg.html)
All of the seams between plates are somewhat fiddly, but the only really poorly fitting plate is the front of the driver's cab:
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2892.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2892.jpg.html)
That may be my own fault, but that was the best I could make it fit. The instructions say to build the cab first, then add it to the top plate, but online builds recommended that it be built after the major plates were joined, and that's what I did.
The front Lewis gun was a loose fit into the ball, so I wrapped a bit of Scotch tape around it for a press fit. Gator's Grip acrylic cement was then dabbed around the inside joint to secure the barrel.
I've left extra background area at the bottom of each photo, to hopefully keep the annoying Photobucket watermarks off of the important parts. We'll see!
Peter
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Looking great to me. The fit and assembly looks a lot better than the OLD Emhar kit 8)
RAGIII
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Nice update, with the hull under development and the gunnery modification. Looking forward for next updates.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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Petero, I had the same issue with the separate hull plates....just take your time and dry fit.
The tracks are fantastic and easy to put together.
Ryan
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"All of the seams between plates are somewhat fiddly, but the only really poorly fitting plate is the front of the driver's cab:"
Hi, Peter,
As to the plate fitting on the side of the driver's cab, have you tried "Perfect Plastic Putty"? It's a water-based filler that dries quickly, sands easily and can be smoothed into the required final shape with a damp cotton bud/Q-Tip. I've used it on a number of difficult filling/sanding areas and have found it very useful. It's available from www.deluxematerials.com. Hope this helps! 8)
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Gary, I haven't tried Perfect Plastic Putty yet, but I've heard lots of good things about it. My usual filler of choice for large gaps is CA to mostly fill the gap, and Mr. Surfacer to finish filling it. It's easy to work with a Q-Tip or microbrush and Tamiya Lacquer Thinner.
My next step was to mount all the bogies along the bottom edge of the track frame. Each bogie consists of an axle and two rollers, all of which are loose fits, and which fit loosely into the holes in the frame.
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2924.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2924.jpg.html)
At this point, I realized I had several problems to deal with. Firstly, just setting the other side of the frame onto all those loose axles, gears and the idler and drive wheels was extremely difficult. Then, once I'd done that, it was difficult to get all of the framework to line up with the grooves and shoulders they fit around. Finally, I realized that I could not reach most of the seam above the bogies to glue it.
So I took it all back apart, pondered awhile, then got out my edge cutters and a saw, and went to work. Out came the excess, invisible gears, the slanted vertical plates on the edges of the sponson hole and other extraneous bits. Then I removed much of the inboard side of the track frame, in order to give access to glue the bottom seams.
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2935.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2935.jpg.html)
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2936.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2936.jpg.html)
I used the center hull to ensure that I didn't cut away too much.
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2940.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2940.jpg.html)
Finally, I notched the front of the idler wheel adjustment slots, so I could (hopefully) install the idler after assembling the track frame, and be able to adjust the idler so the track fits properly.
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2943.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2943.jpg.html)
I'll let you know how all that worked when I get the frame assembled again!
Peter
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Ye Gods! Changing a track on a Centurion was challenge enough. What it was like on a Mark IV I can only guess at, seeing the number of "road wheels" involved! :o
Good work so far, Peter. I'll be interested to see the result of fitting the sides together while at the same time "trapping" the wheels into place. Best wishes for much success with that phase! 8)
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Thanks, Gary! I'll bet the tons of mud all over the running gear didn't make the task any easier either!
I've managed to get the assembly together without too much fuss ;D. I used Pro-Weld solvent cement, which sets very quickly. I glued it in sections, and held each section for a couple of minutes before moving on. The seams above and below the sponson hole were clamped to make sure they ended up flat, with no bows in the outer surface.
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2945.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2945.jpg.html)
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2944.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2944.jpg.html)
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2947.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2947.jpg.html)
After laying the track around the perimeter, I noticed that the rear slope would not sit properly in one spot.
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2952.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2952.jpg.html)
The supports at that point interfere with the track, so I'll shorten them or pull them off, whichever turns out easier, and I'll omit them on the other side.
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2946.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2946.jpg.html)
Whew! :o. That side was much more fiddly than I had anticipated. I'm hoping that the other side will be much easier with the benefits of lessons learned! I'm sure my lack of armor modeling skills is to blame for most of the difficulties.
Peter
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You are doing an excellent job in overcoming he issues you are encountering. Looking forward to the next step!
RAGIII
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Only just seen this - very interesting to have an armour subject, about which I know next to nothing! Fitting all of those bogies and then the tracks looks to have been a real challenge/nightmare... Still you managed to do it well so perhaps the other side will be easier. This will make avery intersting alternative subject. Are you going to include a small dio display?
Stephen.
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Sorry, Stephen, I'm not into diorama building, so it will be a stand-alone model.
Thankfully, the second side has turned out to be much easier. I left out a lot of invisible details, and the bogie axles fitted much better, which made aligning everything simple. Here is what the side looks like without the bogies. Everything that won't be seen, as well as excess structure, has been omitted.
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2978.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2978.jpg.html)
The bogie axles are a snug press fit into their holes on this side, so I'll describe how they're fitted, since the sequence is important. The instructions call for the bogie sets to be assembled first, then installed in the side frames. That doesn't work well, since the flanged A type bogies interleave with the cylindrical B bogies. Instead, all of the B axles and the first row of B bogies were set up first:
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2979.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2979.jpg.html)
Next, the A axles and first row of A bogies were fitted:
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2981.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2981.jpg.html)
The second row of A bogies was dropped onto the axles next:
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2984.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2984.jpg.html)
Finally, the second row of B bogies was dropped in place. If you have a set of B parts left, you've forgotten the bogie on the top of the track toward the rear.
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2985.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2985.jpg.html)
With the axles staying in place this time, it was easy to lay the other side of the frame on, then glue it in place. The two side frames were then glued to the center hull, and voila! It's a tank!
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2987.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2987.jpg.html)
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2988.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_2988.jpg.html)
Well, the beginnings of a tank, anyway. The next step will be to figure out how to modify the cannons and mounts in the sponsons.
Peter
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That is a lot of wheels to have to clean up , dame , take me forever . Nice job so far :)
Terri
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Excellent progress and really looking good!
RAGIII
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Now it's time to start the sponsons. The Germans replaced the British cannons with their own, as described in this page from Tankograd's Beute-Panzers Volume 1. This wonderful drawing by Rainer Stasheim gives all the information a modeler needs.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/5.7cm%20Maxim%20mounting%20for%20Male%20beute%20-%2050%20pct.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/5.7cm%20Maxim%20mounting%20for%20Male%20beute%20-%2050%20pct.jpg.html)
My goal is to have the guns still be able to translate and elevate as in the original kit, so I'll make new gun shields and mount them on the original kit mounts. The first step is to lay out and cut the new gun shield, per the Tankograd drawing. A section of pool noodle formed a back stop to roll the plastic, using a section of brass tubing to press and roll on the plastic.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3035.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3035.jpg.html)
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3037.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3037.jpg.html)
Stiffeners were then added, made from 0.060 Evergreen channels. These are particularly important alongside the gun mantle hole, to prevent the edges from bowing outward. The end channels made it easier to control the piece while gluing it.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3038.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3038.jpg.html)
The inside diameter of the bottom ring was cut to match the diameter of the kit's gun mounting. It was glued on one edge of the shield, and then the shield was wrapped and glued the rest of the way around. Finally the top ring was added.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3039.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3039.jpg.html)
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3040.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3040.jpg.html)
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3042.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3042.jpg.html)
Here is how the new shields will be set into the sponsons. Some of the build reviews I've read say that the kit's shields need to be shimmed against the roof of the sponson so they don't pull up from the poly caps, so I've made the new shields go all the way to the roof.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3044.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3044.jpg.html)
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3045.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3045.jpg.html)
The next step will be modifying the kit's gun mount to fit the smaller shield. Hmmm... ???
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Outstanding scratch building on the armor shield! It is really coming together in a superb manner!
RAGIII
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yes, indeed !
your gun mount is really super!
can’t wait to see how it will unfold!
ciao
edo
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Thanks for the kind words, guys! The best part of all is that I get to do the whole thing again on the other side :o
Peter
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Nice gun shield, interesting modification.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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Coming along nicely so far with the mods :)
Terri
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Now that the gun shields are done, it's time to add the extra armor that was added to fill the gaps between the larger British gun shields and the smaller-diameter German shields.
The top and bottom pieces were fashioned first. They were made as full circles, to hold the rotating shields in place when all is finished.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3121.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3121.jpg.html)
Next, the side pieces were made and fitted. Nothing was glued yet, so everything was labeled so it would go back together properly. The gun enclosures are not symmetrical, which was something I'd never noticed before building the model.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3159.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3159.jpg.html)
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3160.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3160.jpg.html)
The final detail is a sill at the top and bottom, made from rolling Evergreen strip stock and cutting to length.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3163.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3163.jpg.html)
These strips have to be glued to the top and bottom rings, but not to the gun shield. Tape wrapped around the inner diameter, with the sticky side out, held the strip for gluing and prevented any glue from reaching the shield.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3179.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3179.jpg.html)
Rivets were punched out of 0.010" sheet and glued in a plausible pattern, final fettling was done, and everything was glued in place. After the glue had dried, the top and bottom rings were cut to allow the guns to be removed. The upper rings will be reassembled later, to hold the tops of the shields in position as they rotate.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3188.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3188.jpg.html)
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3189.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3189.jpg.html)
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3190.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3190.jpg.html)
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3186.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3186.jpg.html)
That's it for now. Thanks for watching!
Peter
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Awesome work on the mounts and shields. Very Impressive!
RAGIII
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Your mods look great, cannot wait to see more.
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That is one BEAUTIFUL piece of model engineering!
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Thanks for the kind words, Gents!
With the new guns completed, it's time to mount them. The poly caps on the bases of the gun mounts don't hold the guns very securely, leaving them free to wobble around when the guns are trained, and potentially work loose and fall back into the sponsons. The new gun shields were made tall enough to reach the top plates of the sponsons, to prevent the guns from riding up on the poly caps. Now they need to be restrained from tipping backwards. The circles for the top and bottom added armor, which had to be cut to remove the guns in the last update, have been re-glued in place. Now the guns are held securely, but can still be trained and elevated.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3221.jpg) (https://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3221.jpg.html)
Fortunately all that ugly stuff will be invisible on the finished model. If I'd started with Meng's Mk.V with full interior, I'd be in trouble!
Here are the sponsons all closed up, ready to stick onto the sides of the hull.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3222.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3222.jpg.html)
I'm certainly glad to have the gun modifications behind me! It was a simple task to attach the sponsons to the hull, being careful to get them on the correct sides.
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3224.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3224.jpg.html)
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3225.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3225.jpg.html)
(https://oi999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3226.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3226.jpg.html)
Hey, it looks like a tank now! With the gun work done, I finally feel like I'll finish it. It's off to the paint shop next. Thanks for looking!
Peter
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Looing Amazing! Can't wait to see some paint on this one!
RAGIII
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Cool work! The modifications are superb done! Lokking forward to your next steps.
Bye,
Manni
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Great engineering on the gun mounts. Will they be movable?
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Outstanding Peter, looking forward to you laying down paint. :D
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That is a really neat piece of modification. Nobody would know that you have done it if they do not know of the kit and see it for the first tiem.
Stephen.
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Great engineering on the gun mounts. Will they be movable?
Thanks! To answer your question...
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3254.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3254_1.jpg.html)
(https://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/petero380/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3255.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/petero380/media/Mk%20IV%20Tank/IMG_3255.jpg.html)
Peter
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Peter , she looks fantastic so far ! Great job on the gun mods :)
Terri
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Thanks to everyone for the kind remarks. My paint booth and vents have been set up, so it's time for a bit of airbrushing. The last airbrushing I did was in March of last year, just before my workshop was packed up to move. Hopefully I'll remember which end of the airbrush to hold on to and not squirt myself in the eye :o
(https://i.imgur.com/Ku2DZXf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5i0mcyC.jpg)
The treads were airbrushed Tamiya Red Brown, and the tank is Tamiya Field Grey. I didn't try for even coverage, since these base colors will be thoroughly covered, weathered, washed and mudded before it's done. As long as the plastic was covered, that was close enough. The camo will be random blotches of beige, red-brown and green in roughly equal amounts overall.
On an irritating note, Photobucket has changed their terms of service for free accounts yet again, so it looks like my previous images will be shown fuzzy once I've exceeded some minuscule amount of bandwidth each month >:(. Rather than giving in to their extortion, I've switched to Imgur. I'll reload the images as I get the chance, from newest to oldest. If there's a particular image you want to see, just tell me which reply number it's in, and I'll get to it sooner.
Peter
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This build is really cool. 8)
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Looking great Peter. Would say that nozzle was pointing in the right direction. ;D ;D ;D
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Really coming along well! Seems your Airbrush is working as it should as are your skills. I am looking forward o the next color application!
RAGIII
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For a first coat that looks perfectly good to me. I am waiting in anticipation to see how you add the camouflage and weathering - it should be worth the wait.
Stephen.
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This build is really cool. 8)
That it is :)
Terri
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Just a quick update. Yes, I'm still alive! I had to take a break and finish another build, as a present to my wife for our anniversary next month. Now that's done, and I can get back to the Beute-Panzer.
I've started painting the camo. The Tankograd volumes have photos of at least two different Heinzes. Rather than try to faithfully replicate the camo pattern, I've decided to make a representative pattern. As for colors, the concensus of opinion is that Belgian Railway colors were used, since the depot that rebuilt the Mk.IVs was a former Belgian Railway workshop. As for the actual colors, nobody seems to know, so I'll use a red-brown, light green and beige that I've got on hand.
The first color is PollyScale Italian Camo Brown #2, which is a very reddish red-brown. It was applied with just a drop of water in 3 ml of paint to thin it slightly, and sprayed at about 10 psi. I did have to clean the needle fairly often with lacquer thinner, so next time I'll use a drop of Tamiya acrylic thinner instead of water and see if that prevents clogging.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZYuUGOY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tOjuX2h.jpg)
That's it for now. Thanks for looking!
Peter
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Looking great with some color added! I am looking forward to the next color application!
RAGIII
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Thanks, Rich! Your wish is my command :).
After more than a month with no updates, now I've made two the same day! I decided to press on with the other two colors before I lost my touch.
(https://i.imgur.com/GdfIufC.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XZrMBju.jpg)
I tried to keep the four colors about even without favoring any of them. The bright green is PollyScale Depot Olive, and the beige is Tamiya Wooden Deck Tan. It looks quite stark now, but some grime, dust and mud will tone it down considerably. Once the paint has cured for a few days, I'll spray on Alclad Aqua Gloss to seal it and add the decals.
Thanks for looking!
Peter
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I Love the camo! Looking forward to that dirt and grime 8)
RAGIII
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That's looking great, Peter. I was hoping to see more of this build!
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Well done so far, with great gunnery work and camouflage painting.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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That looks super even without the mud and grime.... This is a very different model but still a most interesting one.
Stephen.
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Nice progress. Looking forward to the weathering.
Steve
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Thanks for your interest and comments!
The decals have been applied per the kit instructions. They're thin, but they don't like to conform to the rivets. When initially applied and gently pressed down, the rivets punch through them rather than the decal stretching. I've applied several rounds of Gunze Mr. Mark Setter, pricking the offending spots between applications, and it will probably take another 2 or 3 doses to make them sit properly. Then I'll need to do black and white touch-ups.
The kit includes a white circle unit marking, but the Tankograd books say Heinz's Beute-Abteilung 14 used light blue, so I masked and sprayed it. It's not as vivid as the photos make it look though.
(https://i.imgur.com/5D4RI6c.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qOsvP6Z.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lYGT4IY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KDpRqgx.jpg)
For some reason, this just doesn't look like effective camouflage for a sea of brownish/greenish mud ???
Peter
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Love the markings...now weather that SOB up :o
RAGIII
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yeah , real dirty like and all . :D
Terri
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Looking very good, Peter. Well done so far, and much good luck with the stains, mud, smoke, water and other assorted "weathering-up" applications to come! 8)
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The weathering has begun! The first step was a wash of acrylic Burnt Umber and Raw Umber.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZEQs592.jpg)
The acrylics were thinned with tap water and just a drop of Windex to break the surface tension. It was slopped on with a small brush - skill and precision not required! The markings were also brushed over to start cutting their brightness. I had planned to touch up the markings first, but if I'm going to get it all worn and crummy, I might as well leave the spots where the rivets have broken through.
(https://i.imgur.com/7HgJJ5o.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ttY20FF.jpg)
Now, I have a question for those of you who regularly build tanks. Should I attach the tracks at this point, and add the dirt and mud to everything, or weather the tracks separately? I'm thinking the moving tracks would have different amounts of mud and crud (as well as bare metal areas) than the tank's surfaces.
Thanks for looking!
Peter
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She is looking might dirty so far . :)
Terri
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The washes have certainly worked well! As for the track question I would go ahead and mount them...but I am not a real Armor builder so hopefully someone More Knowledgeable will chime in :-\
RAGIII
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Hi, Petero,
When I build a tank, nine times out of ten I fit the tracks onto the model before applying heavy weathering such as dirt accumulation, mud and so forth. The reason for this is that hull and suspension design plus vehicle speed are factors regarding how much weathering accumulates, and where on the vehicle. A fast tank can throw mud and grime in almost any direction, while a slow vehicle (and the Mark IV certainly was slow) would tend to accumulate the clag mainly around the track areas. From there, weather such as rain liquefies the mud, causing vertical streaks on the hull and anywhere else the muddy water can run.
The type of dirt also is a factor. In warm, dry terrain, you would see dust more than mud, and dust can settle over almost all of the vehicle. Winter months pose other challenges as well. All to say that I think it best to apply your heavy weathering with the tracks fitted, taking care to appreciate how the clag would get to where it ends up, and what happens to it thereafter: carried up by the tracks, clods drop off onto the sponson (or roof) due to the vibration of an unsprung hull, and muddy rain streaks then resulting from...rain! Here is a Sherman III in the summer of 1944, Normandy. Some dust and dirt streaking, a bit of heavier dirt here and there, some wearing on the tracks and some accumulation on the road wheels.
(https://i.imgur.com/c7H72lS.jpg)
I hope that this might help a bit. Good luck as you progress with your build. Very nice so far! 8)
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That is looking very impressive. In my opinion and from what I have seen in photos I would add the tracks and then add the mud and grime - those tanks certainly got very dirty indeed.
Stephen.
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Thanks everyone for your kind words and suggestions! Gary, that's a fine looking Sherman you've got there. (And that's the first time I've heard "clag" since NBC stopped broadcasting Formula 1 ;) ) One thing I don't have a good feel for is how large a Mk.IV was compared to WWII armor, so I'm looking forward to getting the Beute-Panzer on the shelf next to the few other tanks I've built. Back around 2009 I went on a tank-building spree, completing a Jagdpanther, Sturmtiger and Sherman within a few months... and I haven't built a tank since ::)
I've gone ahead and added the tracks, as well as the muffler and exhaust on the roof. The tracks are Tamiya Red Brown, drybrushed with Tamiya Metallic Gray. The muffler and exhaust were sprayed with various dark Alclad metallics, then chipped with colors from Vallejo's Rust, Stain & Streaking set. The machine gun barrels are a roughly 25%/75% mix of Metallic Gray and Flat Black.
(https://i.imgur.com/GQ7A2jl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WdSGl6S.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2K9Kvtc.jpg)
Thanks for looking and commenting!
Peter
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The tracks look excellent in place. You are making great progress. A while back I built a Tadpole version and it Dwarfs My Sherman on the shelf ;D
RAGIII
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Those tracks do look excellent , sure looks the part and gives the build a nice blend .
Terri
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Thanks, Rich and Terri!
It's starting to get dirty here. I've used AMMO By Mig Europe Earth Pigment to streak the tank overall. The pigment was mixed with tap water to a slightly thick wash, then applied with a flat brush. This left much too much pigment, so a clean, damp brush was used to spread the pigment and remove the excess. The great thing about the pigment is that it can be totally removed with water, so there's no worry about botching it :)
(https://i.imgur.com/qQzYtdQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/aB2AuSc.jpg)
I'd planned to use the pigment for mud also, but to my eye it's much too light to be earth tone. It's almost the same color as the beige camouflage. I've ordered Vallejo thick and thin mud pigments for the next step in dirtying. Vallejo has excellent YouTube videos demonstrating their use, so I won't have to figure out how to do it on my own.
Thanks for watching!
Peter
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It's starting to come alive now, Peter.
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I really like where you are going with this. The pigment is working great!
RAGIII
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I've had a bit of a detour in the weathering. My plan had been to complete the weathering, then spray a final matte coat over everything, to kill the previous gloss coat and seal the weathering. My friend Eric recommended I test that plan first, since the flat coat would affect how the weathering looks. I realized that too, but didn't think it would make a big difference. Boy, was I wrong :(. Once I sprayed the flat coat on a test piece, the streaking all but disappeared.
So, I changed my plan. I'll spray the overcoat first, then do the streaking and mud, and leave it uncoated. Here's what the tank looked like after spraying it with Alclad Klear Kote Matte lacquer, just heavily enough to kill the underlying gloss coat:
(https://i.imgur.com/7LPOqqs.jpg)
Streaking? What streaking? ???
And here it is one more time, after redoing the streaking. I had to change my method because of the flat coat. Instead of using water with a drop of Windex to break the surface tension, I had to use a drop of Dawn dish washing liquid. On the flat coat, the Windex mix just beaded up and wouldn't spread out, but the Dawn worked just fine.
(https://i.imgur.com/s4ozkNg.jpg)
Now that I've got that sorted, it's on to the mud, using Vallejo European Thick Mud and Splattering Mud. First, though, I'll need to experiment to find out how to do the bottom of the tracks, so I don't stick the tank to my workbench. Plastic food wrap or parchment paper should do the trick and peel off afterward.
Thanks for looking!
Peter
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Your Mk. IV is really looking Outstanding! I love it Now and can't wait to see the Mud!
RAGIII
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Make sure it's European mud or it probably won't work! ;D
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Make sure it's European mud or it probably won't work! ;D
It turns out that the AMMO by Mig "Europe Earth Pigment" is, to my eyes, much too light. It looks much more at home in North Africa rather than Europe. Vallejo's "European Mud" color is more of an earthy color.
Peter
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Wow, looks great. :D
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Shes gradually becoming a weathered veteran.
Steve
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The final weathering step is the mud. Vallejo Weathering Effects Thick European Mud is pre-mixed to a pasty consistency, and has various grain-size bits in it that give it a gritty feel. A flat brush was used to scoop it out of the bottle and slop it onto the treads. It loses quite a bit of its volume as it dries, so overdoing it was not a problem.
The mud was applied to the treads and the areas adjacent to them where it would drip and spatter as the tank moved.
(https://i.imgur.com/MdyXdKS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DHnvYv6.jpg)
I'd originally planned to finish the weathering with Vallejo Splash European Mud and some rust. However, I like the way it looks now, so I'm calling it done before I screw it up :). Photos of Heinz from the Tankograd volumes show him without the unditching beam, so I'll ditch that also.
I'll take some good photos and post them sometime this week. I've had a lot of fun with this departure from my usual aircraft and real space modeling. I hope you enjoyed the build, and thanks for all your comments.
Peter
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Outstanding Finish to your build!
RAGIII
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Nice finish and thanks for the departure from aircraft!
Looking forward to seeing the final pictures.
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Whew - I made it with a week to spare :). Not bad, considering we've spent the past six months having our new house finished and moving in.
(https://i.imgur.com/iCIu4DG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ECFSK8z.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pKF0mml.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cyQEMUf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EMUeAnc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/aJv3jbc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2TYyUZW.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/A4GZki9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CQ4t0O8.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Fzullza.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3eWFjid.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/fwIqzTw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LCGLoxS.jpg)
I've often wondered just how large a WW1 "heavy" tank was, compared to the WW2 tanks most of us are familiar with. Here's the answer, posed alongside my entire collection of tanks. From the left: Sturmtiger, Jagdpanther, Pacific Theater Sherman, and the Beute-Panzer. The other three were all built in 2009, so I'll need to build two more to get my three tanks for this decade :)
(https://i.imgur.com/YFwzCkT.jpg)
I had a lot of fun with this build, especially with researching and making the new cannon turrets, and I've enjoyed playing in the mud :). I think Des would approve. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Peter
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What a super build and a change from aircraft too. The finish with the mud is realistic to write the least. A very interesting thread to follow and a lovely photo of your tanl collection to finish. What not to like?
Stephen.
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Congrats on finishing such a Fantastic Panzer! Your work on the Armament and turrets was/is superb as is the painting and weathering. I Love the Mud!!
RAGIII
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Peter , your build was a joy to follow along and the end results are.. well...Awesome ! I don't think Des wouldn't have mind you playing with mud , in fact he would have encouraged it ;)
Terri
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Outstanding result, Peter. I enjoyed following your build, which was a nice departure from aircraft.
The mud application looks realistic to me.
Good work on the gun turrets, BTW.
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Nice and grubby!!
Steve
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Wonderful! Congratulations!
Cheers
Alistair
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Very nice work. Cool camo scheme and mud.
Bye,
Manni
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Nicely done and a great addition to your collection. Cheers Matt