Panther 214 Stoumont Dec 16, 1944

Here is an update on the Uscha. Rech's Panther 214 I was doing back in 2010 but never quite finished. I removed the original Magic Tracks and put on a new set of DS tracks and replaced the idler with the correct 655mm larger Idler that was actually on Panther 214. I had originally hand painted the camo scheme but with some new information and the new Panther book from Canfora  in hand I took a stab at spray painting the camo scheme on. In order to get the tight pattern of the camo I had to do multiple passes with my my airbrush. I did not use any masks during the painting process. For the basecoat I used my Iwata AB with a .35mm needle while for the camo I used my badger AB with a .20mm needle which gave me tighter control of my lines and minimized the over spray. The turret took 3 hours to paint and hull about 2 hours.

Here are some shots of the new paint scheme. I had originally weathered the road wheels in  my first attempt. The next step will be to add the decals and weathering of all surfaces.

3rd Armored Division M4A3(75)W

I have posted updates on a few sites but  here is the latest. Base coat is on along with some initial filters and washes. For the Filter I used a grey filter made from Windsor and Newton Black and White. For the wash I used AK Interative's Dark brown wash for green vehicles.

3rd Armoured Division M4A3

While working on my U.S. 4th Armoured Division M4A3E8 I received a set of Sherman dished road wheels I ordered from Great Models. Looking at the Tamiya M4A3(75)W I had on the shelf I decided to take it down and give it a go. Besides, I  would like to pick up the new Dragon M4A3(75)W but figured I should get this one done first.

This is the kit.

I decided to model a 3rd Armoured Division M4A3 that served with Courtney Hodges U.S. First Army in Northwest Europe. The 3rd began adding  extra amour to their tanks in August/September 1944 which were often taken from destroyed Shermans. Many of their M4's and M4A3's had applique armour added to the turret and Glacis, while others had just applique armour added to the turret. In my case I am going to model an M4A3 with applique armour added to the turret. The 3rd armoured division was a heavy division with 2 armoured regiments as opposed to higher numbered  U.S. armoured divisions which possessed one armoured regiement. The division was also a big proponent of camouflage and crews often painted their tanks in OD/Black a process which  began during Operation Cobra and the subsequent breakout in France.

Here's a picture of a 3rd Armoured Division M4A3(75)W during operations in Cologne near the end of the war. Note the Applique Armour on the turret which was  most probably taken from the turret of a destroyed Sherman. I am going to loosely base my project on this tank.

And here are a couple of shots of my work in progress.

Turret Complete. Added casting marks, sighting vain, pads for lifting rings

M4A3E8 Update

Here is another update on my M4A3E8. I got the stowage done and added the national insignia. I hope you like it. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Cheers,
Dave.

Firefly IC Makeover

While working on my M4A3E8 I came across some discussions about the paint colours of Sherman Firefly's and discovered Mike Starmer's suggestion for SCC No.15 (which Firefly's were painted in) using Tamiya paints in the mixture of XF-61, XF62, XF2 at a ratio of 5:2:2. So, I decided to take a break from the easy eight and re-do my Firefly IC which was the second kit I did since returning to the hobby. My painting and weathering  skills I believe have improved and I figured this would be a good opportunity to improve the look of the kit.

Improvements: New set of T54E1 tracks from Dragon's Magic Track set, Driver's hatch is from Tasca, extra spare track from the original kit, tarp made from apoxie sculpt.

More pictures can be seen on my fototime gallery. Just click on the link to my gallery.

                                                                  The original kit

The makeover

New Update on M4A3E8 build

New Update on M4A3E8 build

Got a fair amount of work done on my M3A3E8.

Please see my build log over on Armorama.

http://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=174373&page=1

Tasca Sherman M4A3E8 "Easy Eight"

Here's my new project. Tasca's M4A3E8.  I will post some additional comments in the near future but needless to say this kit is a beauty!

Panzer IIIN with Winterketten

Here is my latest project that I recently completed. it is the Dragon Panzer IIIN with winterketten. the tank represents a Panzer IIIN of s.Pz. Abt. 503 during the winter of 1942-43 serving with Army Group South.  Initially, the battalion was a mixed composition of  Panzer III's and Tiger tanks as there was a shortage at the time of the latter due to it being newly introduced into service. However, prior to the battle of Kursk in the summer of 1943 the battalion would receive its full complement of Tigers. Eventually the 503rd heavy tank battalion would go on to become the highest scoring heavy tank battalion of the Geman armed forces during the second world war. Among it cadre of tankers was the highest scoring ace of them all Kurt Knispel with 168 tanks destroyed.

If you wish to check out the build log I did on Track-Link please follow the below link.
http://www.track-link.net/blogs/165

For additional photos please click on the picture of the Tiger tank under my gallery to the right of this page.

Panzer IIIN winter Camo applied.

Panzer IIIN with Winterketten Basecoat

Here are some shots of the Panzer IIIN with winterketten I am doing a build log on for Track Link. I will be doing Tank 142 from  s.Pz. Abt. 503 which went on to become the highest scoring Tiger Tank Battalion of World War 2 with more than 1000 enemy tanks destroyed.