Panzer IV Ausf. H (Revell 1/72)
Basic texture for the thicker plates was added using mr surfacer
I put on the turned aluminium barrel and started building up the mountings for the turret skirts
The tank will be very fragile, so I will likely assemble the suspension next, as I do not want to fiddle around with tracks and wheels with all of the hull mounts for the Schürzen in place
As feared, I had to use some platic parts from the kit, as I experienced a little problem with some of the PE.
However, with some further PE-parts, the platic won´t look all out of place... I hope
The "rebuilt" turret after it became forcefully aquianted with my air-ventilation-tube falling down...
Here, I am mapping out the dimensions of the diorama/vignette using paper, cardboard etc.
The black cardboard represents a building that I will build from scratch, 3D-printing and whatever else it takes
The green plastic part represents the position of the third figure
I started working on the diorama base and the house
Some further work on the house made it look much more intricate. I still have to blend the back side with the diorama base properly though...
The building is fitted to the base. I also added muddy ground texture from Ammo and put pieces of ripped carboard in as a stone walkway (inspsiration from Uncle Nightshift). As for the roof, I might end up doing the tiles by hand to achieve some irregulary sized squares, as that may be more suited to achieve the look I´m after than using finely printed regular tiles...
Figures and the base in their primed state. The building recieved an irregulary tiled roof to add to the rural look. I also build a small door from textured styrene.
I basecoated the wooden parts of the building as well as the ground. Deck tan seems to be a proper foundation to work from when recreating old and worn wood
The wooden parts were treated with a brown acrylic wash to give them more intensity and provide me with a roadmap for further work with acrylics. Bricks and tiles got a basecoat from red brown Vallejo paints and plaster with some grey paint was then worked into the recesses. Further work will be done to distinguish individual bricks and give a more worn look.
Bricks and tiles have been distinguished using a variety of Vallejo paints.
Wooden panels were treated with acrylics and glazes made from those helped to change the overall tone of certain Panels.
Most of the painting on the figures is done. Only the boots, silver parts and minor details remain to be finished here.
Basic camouflage is done. Still need to brushpaint some highlights, then I can go to weathering.
Decals and detail painting has progressed on the Panzer IV
Next thing will be varnishing and weathering
Progress! After a coat of varnish, I added the basic dirt coat. Main focus is the lower hull
The same three enamel products as used on the tank are applied on the base to better match the tone of the weathering. Note the grass tufts and bushes made from fine natural material.
The base layer on the vehicle was enhanced with some AMMO splashes to give some more texture and a darker enamel wash to give the impression of areas having retained more moisture
Lichen on the roof was represented with AMMO streaking effects. Oil paints also do the trick. The effect was applied by splattering it from a brush.
Building upon the precious effect, I added moss toward the edges of some tiles using AMMO´s slimy grime. It is certainly worth to consider adding some very fine flock to add more texture. Yet, everything I had was too coarse to fit the overall look I envisioned and I was haapy with the result I got with the enamel
Moss and dirt splatters were also added to the stone pathway and parts of the walls
Some grime on the wod parts boosted the "aged" look. It is advisable to concentrate on areas where moisture would collect.
Some flocking was added to the bushes
Buildings are super intersting... on this little house, there are three distinctly different surfaces: The roof tile, wooden planks and the brickwork. Definetly going to explore further buildings in the future
Overall the scene is set during a wet season (spring), thus the colour pallette doesn´t inklude any too dusty colours. I am really hoping that this fact does not end up making it look too "dark".
Finished! Put the tank onto the vignette after a little bit of chipping. I am actually rather happy with the result 🙂
Comments
35 4 August 2021, 20:39
Tom B.Little update here, the PE parts for the hull skirts are giving me some trouble. I might have to resort to mixing the aber PE and original kit parts there. Otherwise this could turn into a real mojo-killer :/
7 August 2021, 15:12
Tom B.The turret unfortunately got damaged when my air-duct from the airbrush cabin fell down :/ I have to sideline it for now, but I will likely make a little restoration of the vehicle as a Bergepanzer IV...
11 August 2021, 17:21
Tom B.EDIT: I managed to save the turret (somewhat) by rebuilding the skirt-holders using the kit plastic, some PE, lots of TLC and prayers to the modelling-gods 🙂 Thus: We are back on track 👍
13 August 2021, 18:26
Tom B.The figures are from CMK´s 1944 German Tank Crew set. Be advised however, that there were some casting issues on them.
15 August 2021, 20:35
Tom B.Yep. Glacial pace is also some form of speed😛 I initially wanted to get the basic colors on the Panzer also, but ran out of suitable thinner. Apparently my Home-brew does some weird clumping with AK Real Colors…. at least that was a reason to order some good Levelling Thinner🙂
1 September 2021, 18:57
Simon Nagorsnikthey look realy good, you also use oil paints for the finish or only acrylics?
of which brand are they?
3 September 2021, 14:48
Tom B.I used Vallejo ModelAir and Ammo acrylics for those. I am however having some issues with the Ammo paints separating in the model and not behaving the way I want. Oils weren't used here, although I tried to do color transitions with acrylic wet blending and heavily thinned paints. However I am considering to expand my paint storage with more of Vallejos Model Color or AKs third gen paints for brushwork… Anything you guys recommend?
3 September 2021, 15:44
Tom B.Thank you all for the kind comments... the project dragged a little for various reasons, but it finally seem s to work out quite alright. I just have to place the figures and do some finishing touches for it to be complete 🙂
18 September 2021, 20:18
Simon NagorsnikYou're on a very good way
Like the mud effect and the building is top work
Also the vegitation fists perfectly into the scene👌
18 September 2021, 20:21
Robin (WhiteGlint)Nice stuff. I love it already 👍
Very much looking forward to your progress.
18 September 2021, 20:25
Simon Nagorsnikthe whole composition fits perfectly together and i really like the whole dio
I think this is a well thought-out job´mate !!
maybe there would be a few muddy footprints on the horizontal surfaces a good idea
21 September 2021, 20:36
Bruce HuxtableMany thanks for all your tips and guidance. I think the palette of colours and textures you have brought together work very well. I'm really enjoying looking closely at your handiwork 🙂
21 September 2021, 21:13
Tom B.Thanks for your kind comments 🙂 @Simon: Looking at the pictures I do really see your point... in my intent to not overweather and make the whole paintjob "muddy", working in some footprints or other highly noticeable dirt stains slipped under my radar. But i guess that wouldn´t be th hardest thing ever to add.... thanks for pointing it out 👍
22 September 2021, 17:26
Album info
Building Revells Panzer IV Ausf. H with some ABER photoetch and a RB models barrel. I also did some texture.
The vehicle will find a way onto a vignette or a little diorama later. All of the PE-fiddling will be interesting 🙂
I did an article on my blog regarding the base on the shed: tomsstuffscalemodels..ropean-ww2-shed.html
A gallery article is also there: tomsstuffscalemodels..ignette-gallery.html
