Panzer IV Ausf G - continued

Photo updates of the Panzer IV G.

First photo was taken after a thin wash of yellow orche oils to harmonise the colors. This was then followed by pin washes of raw umber in the deep shadow areas. Limited streakings were applied to nuts and bolts.

Second photo was taken after a liberal coat of Tamiya XF-57 Buff was applied to the entire under-carriage to prepare for the application of "mud". A diluted buff coat was also applied to the entire model to simulate paint fading in the hot Russian summer of 1943.

Fallshirmjager mortar crew, Italy 1944

Glad to know that my Vallejo paints are not dried up after more than 1 year neglect. Put 2 Hornet head and a stock DML head to the torture of my brushes. The Mortar tube was airbrushed with Gunze's Mr Color.

Panzer IV Ausf G - continued

Final highlights hand painted on raised details such as rivets, hatches etc. The harsh highlights will eventually be muted down when the camouflage green is applied.

Green patches were applied onto the model to represent a typical vehicle belonging to 2nd Panzer Division participating in summer offensive of the Kursk salient in 1943. Spare tracks were hand painted with red brown at this point.

Next step: filters and washes!

A new module.....

Hopefully the last of the "Imperial" series kits that I will build. This entry is to document the my application of the "color modulation" technique in its initial stages.

Completed model ready to be primed, note that the spare tracks are not fixed at this stage. I was still meddling with them and trying to find a logical way to have these spare tracks sit naturally in their position.

Model primed with Gunze Sanyo's Mr Surfacer 1200.

Gunze's hull red applied to the model.

Base coat comprising of a mixture of Gunze dark yellow and hull red applied. While it is not evident in this picture, the hull red was allowed to show through in the deep shadow areas.

3 layers of progressive highlights applied giving the impression of the light source coming from the upper front of the model.

Panzer IV F2 - Completed shots

Completed shots of Panzer IV Ausf F2 also belonging to Pz Rgt 204 during Fall Blau, Germany's 1942 summer offensive in the Eastern Front.

Panzer IV Ausf E, Pz Rgt 204 22 Panzer Division, Kerch Penisula 1942

Completed shots of a Panzer IV Ausf E belonging to the Pz Rgt 204 of 22 Panzer Division during the Battle of Kerch Penisula.

Panzer IV Ausf E, Pz Rgt 204 22 Panxer Division, Kerch Penisula 1942

Coincidentally, I applied markings of Pz Rgt 204 on this model. This represents the appearance of Pz Rgt 204 tanks in Spring 1942 when participating in the Battle of Kerch Penisula, Crimea in Spring 1942.

Similar to the Ausf F2, this was painted using the color modulation technique. I have also avoided the use of pigment dusts as I found them to be fairly messy to clean up after.

Geez, it took me more than 2 years to get my act together to paint this... gotta work faster!

Almost there!

The old Dragon Panzer IV Ausf F2 almost completed. The model was finished as a vehicle from Pz Rgt 204 of the 22 Panzer Division in the summer of 1942. 22 Panzer Division participated in the 1942 Summer Offensive against Soviet forces in the Don River region leading up to the Battle for Stalingrad.

Tried out the color modulation technique so often discussed and I must say that I am truly bought over by the subtle effects of this technique in highlighting details. Overall, the time invested in the painting phase was well spent.

More pictures to follow when fully complete.

One year on....

Model building continues. Some of the contruction work completed in 2010