Tamiya Panzer III Ausf. L in 1:35 Scale
While working on a different model that I had purchased from a fellow model club member, I was getting frustrated with the endless number of photo-etched parts and small details. I will hopefully finish that one (Academy Stuart M3) in time for the AMPS (Armor Modeling & Preservation Society) International Convention next month. In the meantime, I decided I needed a quick win. I stopped by my local shop and decided a nice Tamiya kit would do. That kit is the Panzer III Ausf. L. I have wanted to do a Panzer III for a while so this worked out great.
I have never done a tank in German grey before and decided now was my time to try it out. While I knew the kit would go together well and the paint scheme was easier than I have attempted before, I always try to incorporate new techniques into my builds so that I am always improving. The tasks I chose to learn this time were replicating welded seams, making radio aerials, using Quick Tracks for the first time, and putty for rough texture.
For the weld seems I tried a couple different techniques. On the top of the turret I tried epoxy putty from the hardware store. I should have waited and gotten the Tamiya stuff but it turned out ok. I also tried doing them with stretched sprue on the sides of the turret. This was easier for me and I liked the result. I still have to practice some more to carve it more realistically, but it was not bad for a first try.
The radio antenna is actually a string from my guitar. I had new strings but they are curved coming out of the package so I took the small E string that was already on my guitar because it was very straight. I think it works very well and I have plenty more for my other builds.
Next, I ordered Quick Tracks from Poland. They arrived relatively quickly and watching the tutorial was all I needed to get them snapped together. They are very detailed and I love the way I can adjust them to sag a bit between the rollers. They give you plenty for accidental breakage (They can be a bit fragile) and for stowage track.
The last thing was creating extra texture with Tamiya Putty. I followed some online tutorials for using the putty with thin cement and it added that little bit of texture I was looking for. I was worried that the decals would silver on the rough surface but using the right solutions made it all work.
Overall I think things turned out well and I have my confidence back so I can return to finishing out my other frustrating build. More on that when I am finished.
Extremely realistic finish. The subtle rust is superb- I’ve never achieved anything like it.
Thanks @markhedrick. The key for that was the oxide red primer coat and then some AK chipping fluid before the grey. It has taken some practice, but I am liking my results now. The rust on the tools and tracks was the rust washes from Lifecolor. It really is a game changer.
A wonderful result, Joel!
This is s gorgeous Panzer!
Thank you, Spiros @fiveten. That means a lot.
Nice build, Joel!
Thank you.
Joel, it is wonderful to see an armor that replicates a used and not abused condition. Very nice.
Thank you. It is definitely a delicate balance. I know I have gone overboard in the past.
Excellent work on this Panzer, Joel @wintermodeller
Very realistic.
Thank you, John.
Well executed. You weathered it just right. That primer really makes it, Joel.
Thank you. Ya I love that little bit of red popping through. I was afraid it would chip too much, but it turned out like I was intending.