Currently Browsing: Frank Glackin

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #10

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #10
Building the base vol.III The last stage of the base is painting it. I’m not as masochistic as to attempt to paint every brick and detail individually, so this was an exercise in doing as much as possible as simply as possible, with the airbrush, dry-brushing and washes. I sprayed everything first...

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #09

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #09
Building the base vol.II Working without a set plan is never a good idea when you have an active imagination. Things tend to stray. Even though this was meant as a simple display for both panzer IVs, I wanted to give it more effect, so I added a split level to the groundwork. The walls are built at...

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #08

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #08
Building the base vol.I This base started out life, as a method of displaying the two Pz.Kpfw.IVs and not a diorama. The idea was to make natural setting where they could be placed. I had also been watching the work of Carlos Elias Llop, and his amazing creations with cork as the main medium, so this...

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #07

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #07
Tamiya Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D The images here show the Tamiya kit (can it be called a Tamiya kit?) fully painted. As mentioned in part 5, the base paint is Tamiya and sprayed on. All detail painting is using Humbrol enamels and/or oils. For those wanting to read more on the detail painting process, please...

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #06

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #06
Tristar Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D The images here show the Tristar kit fully painted. As mentioned in the previous post, the base paint is Tamiya and sprayed on. All detail painting is then made using Humbrol enamels and/or oils. For those wanting to read more on the detail painting process, please see part...

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #05

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #05
Air brushing Every modeller has certain tools that they could not do without, and for me one of them is the airbrush. In the beginning I used aerosol cans for the base colour and hand painted the rest. Although it got the job done, I never managed to get the effects I seen other modellers accomplish....

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #04

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #04
On Display. It’s hard not to compare two different kits of the same model, and check them out, side by side when they are sitting there in front of you. The Tamiya kit definately stands out with all the contrasting colours and shiny etch that was used. But does this make it a better model? No, not...

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #03

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #03
The Tamiya Kit (# 35015) vol.II Next I used the some extra Dragon drive sprockets, magic tracks and fixed the upper hull in place. The tracks are slightly wider than those in the Tristar kit, and didn’t fit either Tristar or Dragon’s drive sprockets. I’m not sure what kits the Dragon parts came...

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #02

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #02
The Tamiya Kit (# 35096) vol.I With the advent of all these new super kits, and the vast improvement of details, older kits really show their age and have become, more or less, redundant. And also retiring at the same time is the vast array of aftermarket parts that went with them. Over the last few...

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #01

2 x Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf. D #01
The Tristar Kit (# 35015) I have been asked several times about images and info of this older build, so I have resurrected the old Blog that originally appeared on Armorama about three years ago. I apologise for the grainy images in the early photos … I had a new camera at the time that was a disaster...

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #10

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #10
The Base – Vol.III The rubble has been fixed to an insert which allows easier access to add details, both to the insert and to the wall. In the image above, the first steps of building up the rubble are made. I just used some bits and pieces from the spares box, bits of plastic profiles and more...

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #09

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #09
The Figures – Vol.I I don’t know what it is that attracts me to build armor models … over aircraft, cars or anything else represented in plastic kit form, but in my vision of what a model should be … a base and figures are part of the package. Where the base offers a foundation that sets...

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #08

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #08
The Base – Vol.II With the polystyrene foam added to bulk up the base for rubble, I also needed to make sure the Brummbär conformed to it somehow. My solution was to insert two sections of cork so that the positioning would be fixed, even before the rubble was added. For the nearest side where...

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #07

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #07
The Base – Vol.I Usually a base should be planned in advance and details worked out. It’s also wise to let the scene decide the base size, rather than letting the base size decide the scene. Neither of these even entered the equation this time. I was having fun and decided to build a wall …...

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #06

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #06
The Schurtzen The last stage of this build sees the addition of the protective side-armour or schurtzen. These are stamped out from some very thin plastic material. Even though they are thin and look very fragile, they are quite rigid and hold their shape well. When cutting these from their sprue,...

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #05

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #05
More Details I went back to the start of the instructions again and added any details I missed or skipped over earlier. Having finished all the major assemblies in the previous steps, this was no problem at all. I was enjoying the build at this stage as everything worked out so well. I added wiring...

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #04

Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV #04
Adding the Details I now went around the “frame” and added the details, starting at step five. Overall this went pretty well … there were no real issues worth reporting. Some of the hatch doors needed a slight sanding to get in place as the fit is so snug. There is a metal tow rope included in...

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