Panzer IV

[Guest]

Actually opening the hatch wouldn't be too difficult. I would cut off the hinge and the vent/scoop thing (whatever its called,) with a razor saw, and then cut or grind the remaining hatch portion out without trying to save it. that was you can be extra careful with the surrounding plate. Score the joints very carefully on the hinge itself to get the two parts separated. This would be the trickiest part, but would work.


Then, just scratchbuild a new hatch with a more appropriate scale thickness with plasticard. Voila! New hatch to be used in any position you want.

[Robert1968]

Ok I'm looking beyond the build now and looking towards accessories in tools. The kit comes with a few jerry cans the odd helmet but the tools are needing upgrading plus also there is a grenade box that is missing from the kit ( does not include one but the F1/F2 had this feature on the rear of the tank?


Also smoke discharges on the turret. Any help there?


Have ordered Tamiya on vehicle stowage ( Italieri stuff getting put in spare drawer )

[Guest]

I might have a few pioneer tools lurking about the place Robert - but they'll likely to be Dragon ones without the clasps. Although I probably have some spare PE clasps?


Smoke dischargers ... there just might be some in my Panzer III box! They might fit ...


I'll have a rummage!

[Robert1968]

I might have a few pioneer tools lurking about the place Robert - but they'll likely to be Dragon ones without the clasps. Although I probably have some spare PE clasps?
Smoke dischargers ... there just might be some in my Panzer III box! They might fit ...


I'll have a rummage!

Most thankful Patrick any help would be grand. I've ordered the Tamiya tool set anyway x 2 but on a read of the italeri kit it lacks certain detail and well yes I can scratch build from photos but getting the right look is all important as I'm sure you understand.


Not sure I know why they would have a grenade rack at the rear of the panzer ( 1 being near the exhaust) 2 near a hot engine ( heat and explosives surely don't mix?


Do you have any pics of this grenade rack/ box as my searches have come up empty so far.


Cheers


Robert

[Guest]

Most thankful Patrick any help would be grand. I've ordered the Tamiya tool set anyway x 2 but on a read of the italeri kit it lacks certain detail and well yes I can scratch build from photos but getting the right look is all important as I'm sure you understand.
Not sure I know why they would have a grenade rack at the rear of the panzer ( 1 being near the exhaust) 2 near a hot engine ( heat and explosives surely don't mix?


Do you have any pics of this grenade rack/ box as my searches have come up empty so far.


Cheers


Robert

No worries mate!


But what's this grenade box you're talking about? I can't remember anything like that on there ....

[Robert1968]

I'm not sure I've looked at many sites on Panzers and I can't see it anywhere. however on one such site a comment was made that they incorporated storage boxes/ crate like things arrached to the side ( I suppose like the spare wheel crates? I'm not worried as I'm making it a destroyed tank so a few boxes etc I'll source will be scattered about the wreckage ( like allied soldiers have looted what's left ( of you get my meaning)


So far I've only made headway with lower hull and started drilling shell holes and a bit of surgery with bent plastic ( should the shell holes be inward or exploded outward? ) making some damage to the mudguards too


I'll try getting pics on tomorrow of progress.


Cheers


Robert

[Guest]

Ok I've found a few bits & bobs dunno if they'll be of any help.


The smoke dischargers are complete - there's the brackets, tubes & the smoke grenades.






I've got some other tools, but they're not very good.


As for the grenade box, do you mean the bit I've circled? (badly!)

[takeslousyphotos]

Ok I'm looking beyond the build now and looking towards accessories in tools. The kit comes with a few jerry cans the odd helmet but the tools are needing upgrading plus also there is a grenade box that is missing from the kit ( does not include one but the F1/F2 had this feature on the rear of the tank?
Also smoke discharges on the turret. Any help there?


Have ordered Tamiya on vehicle stowage ( Italieri stuff getting put in spare drawer )

I have some Tamiya German Jerry cans and fuel drums (Tamiya set 186) you can have if you want them Robert. I've used a few but you're welcome to the rest.

[Robert1968]

Your a star ( that's it I only found one pic of pzr4 or 3 with this on and it's puzzling me. 1/it's not in the kit( italeri lacking in detail, I may try getting some pe clasps and handles to upgrade this kit a bit too. The tools and the smoke discharges are very helpful. You let me know what you want for this and I'll pm you and PayPal you??


According to ref the Pzr 4 was kept at the rear of the assaults in Africa with the shorter barrelled pzr3 in the lead and because the Pzr 4 having greater range with the longer barrel could take out enemy tanks easier, but this made them a little vulnerable to flanking attacks from the side ( weak point) in armour and seeing as they had a lot of ammo on board tended to explode or catch fire easily. I'm very grateful for your ongoing help

[Robert1968]

I have some Tamiya German Jerry cans and fuel drums (Tamiya set 186) you can have if you want them Robert. I've used a few but you're welcome to the rest.

Thanks Peter that would be very handy ( there are 3 I think with this kit but a few more couldn't do any harm.


Thanks again


Robert


Ps your tommies are on the way ( posted today )

[Guest]

To be honest, I'm not sure the one I posted is a smoke grenade dispenser. It's mounted below the rear section & looks nothing like the pic you've shown. More research is needed!


Don't worry about any money, I'll pop them in the post, probably on Thursday as I'm busy tomorrow. PM me your address if you would. I'll stick some of the PE clasps that I haven't used on my Jagdtiger too - you'll have fun putting them together!

[takeslousyphotos]

Thanks Peter that would be very handy ( there are 3 I think with this kit but a few more couldn't do any harm.
Thanks again


Robert


Ps your tommies are on the way ( posted today )

I`'ll chuck them in the post then.


I've packed them ...and I found a sprue with a couple of German figures, weapons tin hats and accesories you can have as well.

[Robert1968]

I`'ll chuck them in the post then.

Thanks Peter Your a star


Cheers


Robert

[Robert1968]

Been doing more research on colours for DAK and it looks like the Wehrmachtafter some extensive research I have Magee to obtain a generic painting code for German DAK


I know there are several brands out there all depicting Dessert colours but I wanted to research for accurate colours. Below is an article I have copied for paint assists


Early war 1938- 1940


Dunkelbraun No 45


Dunkelgrau No 46


On 7 Nov 1938 it was ordered that all vehicles were to be repainted by the individual units. At the same time it was specified that the pattern should be a base coat of dunkelgrau 45 with one third of the vehicle coveted in Dunkbraun 46


The colour was very dark (dunkelbraun) so it is hard to distinguish the different colours on b/w pics


Mid war and North Africa 1941-1942


After 12 June 1940 until they stopped buying paint from supplyers, instead paint was issued directly to the unit with dunkelgrau being the only colour issued.


On 31st July 1940 to save paint only armour should be painted dunkelgrau.


On 10th Feb 1941 the RAL colours were re numbered with dunkelgrau being RAL 7021


On 17march 1941 all vehicles in North Africa a base coat of gelbbraun RAL 8000 ( yellow brown)


With one third of the vehicle covered by graugrun RAL 7008( gray green ) with feathered edges


To save paint however the areas covered by graugrun were not to be covered with the gelbbraun base colour


Small items should only be painted in one colour


On 25 of March 1942 gelbbraun and graugrun were replaced by Braun RAL 8020 and Grau RAL 7027. Once existing paint stocks were depleted with no change in pattern


Some vehicles were also seen in Europe1941 with the two tone 8020/ 7027.


The best explanation is that these vehicles were redirected from Africa to European units


I hope this helps and I'll be ordering if I can from John SMS


Cheers


Robert

[takeslousyphotos]

I posted off the Jerry cans and figures today Robert. I also found three 1/35 scale ammo type boxes / lockers.... Three different sizes. You might be able to use them for your grenade box.