Tamiya 1/35 Panzerkampfwagen IV

[Jantk14]

Next build. Someone else is also doing the same kit.

 

[mustang1989]

I'm down for this one and you can't go wrong with a Tamiya kit.

 

[Jantk14]

I got one of the tracks on. Man there has got to be a better way.

 

[BarleyBop]

a better way

... hold the line brother, you're halfway there!

Unfortunately, if there is a better way, it'll be your next build!

 

[Jantk14]

Got them both on. Second one wasn't much easier. I also discovered I screwed up putting on the piece that holds the drive sprocket to the hull. Somehow the right one is sitting higher than the left. Awesome. Really no way to fix it at this point

 

[BarleyBop]

higher

That's just camera angle... "yeah, that's the ticket, photographic forshortening, yeah, that's what it is!"

 

[Jantk14]

Ha yea that's it

 

[Jantk14]

Fixed it. Most of the track broke off but I was able to get the piece off easily. Some touch up needed but it will get plenty of mud so it won't be seen.

 

[BarleyBop]

Good on you. I'd a done the same.
Once you notice something like that, hard to unnotice, and will ruin the rest of the build in your eyes.

 

[Jakko]

Man there has got to be a better way.

There is: single-piece tracks. Which have the disadvantage of looking poor on just about any model

It may just be that previous experience is colouring my view, but I thought the tracks on this kit were about as easy as they get, especially because of Tamiya's clear instructions on how to fit them. (That said, if I were to build another I would replace them with workable tracks because of the difficulty I had in painting it on this kit.)

 

[Jantk14]

I was going to get workable tracks but wanted to give these a go. Problem I had is I would get one piece on and break off another. My own fault yes, but it happened a bunch of times. Overall now that they are on they look pretty cool.

 

[Jakko]

Just like the other one of these being built on this forum, you appear to have painted the tracks before installation, which is almost certainly why they kept breaking.

My own mistake was glueing the inner wheels to the tank and the track to them. What I should have done was left the wheels loose, glue the tracks around but not to them, and then removed everything for painting.

 

[BarleyBop]

left the wheels loose

I tried that once, unfortunately they kept falling off; rereading your comment, maybe a dab of white glue might have helped me?

 

[Jantk14]

I was going to do it like that but I figured taking them off and trying to get them back on in one piece, without breaking them, would be just as difficult. But since my way didn't work so well, next time I will try it that way.

 

[Jakko]

TBH, I didn't do it like that either because I'm afraid I'll break them when removing them or when painting them

 

[Jantk14]

Got the upper hull and part of the turret done. Upper hull is just dry fit. Will remove to paint.

 

[BarleyBop]

Nice! It has found its inner Panzer!

 

[Jantk14]

Got the base coat and preshading. Now I need to do the camo.

 

[BarleyBop]

Nice! anxious to see how that builds on the shading... I've only ever done brush post shading...

 

[Jantk14]

Got the camo done

 

[BarleyBop]

Striking... nice contrast... almost like lightning fanning out over the vehicle!

 

[Jantk14]

It is an interesting contrast the grey and the yellow. One of the reasons I went with the kit. Looks better in person than the pictures. Not sure how historically accurate it is. The kit says the tank is from an unknown unit on the eastern front 1942. I just followed the camo guide in the instructions.

 

[Ron2]

Got the camo doneView attachment 177526View attachment 177527

Looks good!

 

[Pantherman]

Got the camo doneView attachment 177526View attachment 177527

Nice, looking good. Pantherman

 

[Ron2]

Just like the other one of these being built on this forum, you appear to have painted the tracks before installation, which is almost certainly why they kept breaking.

My own mistake was glueing the inner wheels to the tank and the track to them. What I should have done was left the wheels loose, glue the tracks around but not to them, and then removed everything for painting.

I thought there was a technique where you don't glue the wheels but do glue the tracks to the wheels and then remove that all as one piece. I have not tried that but am wanting to. Last tank build I tried painting the tracks on the tank and did not like it at all.

 

[Jantk14]

I thought there was a technique where you don't glue the wheels but do glue the tracks to the wheels and then remove that all as one piece. I have not tried that but am wanting to. Last tank build I tried painting the tracks on the tank and did not like it at all.

I think no matter how do you tracks like this there is going to be an obstacle to overcome. Mine was the tracks weren't securely glued because I painted them first. But I still think it was easier than trying to put them on and glue them, take them off, paint them, and get them back on without breaking them apart.

 

[Jakko]

I thought there was a technique where you don't glue the wheels but do glue the tracks to the wheels and then remove that all as one piece.

That's also a possibility, but IMHO it's only barely better than glueing everything to the tank. I've not tried it either, but I figure you'll still have great difficulties getting paint everywhere it needs to go — you just have slightly better access because you can reach it from both sides instead of only from one.

 

[Pantherman]

I think no matter how do you tracks like this there is going to be an obstacle to overcome. Mine was the tracks weren't securely glued because I painted them first. But I still think it was easier than trying to put them on and glue them, take them off, paint them, and get them back on without breaking them apart.

I have always painted tracks off the tank and added them back once most of the camo is done.

That's the same for all the different styles of tracks I have fitted. It's just easier.

There is usually some making good or repairs to do but I find that less frustrating than struggling with getting paint into all the little parts. Pantherman

 

[Ron2]

I have always painted tracks off the tank and added them back once most of the camo is done.

That's the same for all the different styles of tracks I have fitted. It's just easier.

There is usually some making good or repairs to do but I find that less frustrating than struggling with getting paint into all the little parts. Pantherman

I honestly felt like I was just slopping paint on.

 

[Jantk14]

Pre weathering. Considering doing the figures and calling it done. See how I feel in the morning. I'm afraid I'll bust the tracks and other pieces off weathering it.