Mato Metal Panzer III - the tank I never knew I wanted

[MrChef]

I Really like that camo pattern.So much so that I may borrow it one day.

[tankme]

I Really like that camo pattern.So much so that I may borrow it one day.

I was really just random right out of my head, but be my guest. I was just finishing up the turret when I over angled my airbrush. I didn't have the cap on the reservoir and green paint spilled right onto the top deck. I had put the turret back on and the paint ran all the way around the turret ring to the other side. Some explicatives were used. OK, not some...all of them. I had to remove the mounting screws on the turret gear, remove the turret, clean up all the spilled paint, gently sand down the affected area, reapplied the yellow, and then had to fix the green. I just about threw in the towel last night when that happened.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

You had the sort of klutzy paint disaster, Derek, at which I am an expert. Since German camouflage was often done "in the field," I wouldn't be surprised if spills were incorporated into many of the camouflage schemes without even the kind of careful clean-up you accomplished. I think you have made a fantastic recovery! I like it a lot!

[Raminator]

I finally got tired of the metal hull and started painting this little guy. I started out trying to mimic the actual camo on the vehicle the decals will represent, but then it just looked like a Cheetah with green spots. This is what the reference photo looked like:

https://i.imgur.com/jCkcZFG.png

I didn't care for it so I started connecting the dots and this is what I ended up with:

https://i.imgur.com/fLeTapZ.jpg

Great work with the freehand camo pattern, I think it turned out beautifully! I know the three-colour camouflage is the most popular for German stuff, but I think the dunkelgelb/olivgrün combo looks better.

[Ecam]

Great work with the freehand camo pattern, I think it turned out beautifully! I know the three-colour camouflage is the most popular for German stuff, but I think the dunkelgelb/olivgrün combo looks better.

Totally agree (now). One of the best camo versions I've seen!

[tankme]

Great work with the freehand camo pattern, I think it turned out beautifully! I know the three-colour camouflage is the most popular for German stuff, but I think the dunkelgelb/olivgrün combo looks better.

Thanks. I don't mind the German 3-tone camo or even the ambush camo, but I was trying to make it close to the original vehicle and consistent with it's actual pattern. When that didn't work, I made up my own rules... After connecting the dots on the turret, I just made up rules in my head to follow so that the rest of the pattern looked logical from what was started on the turret. I just tried to follow those rules the best I could on the rest of the tank. Kinda did the same concept on the T49 only using different rules. At least it makes the pattern consistent to itself.

Totally agree (now). One of the best camo versions I've seen!

Thanks. I think I'm finally getting better with this airbrush. The Iwata HP-CS is a much better brush than the original Paasche Talon I started with. The Talon was harder to clean and harder to keep running well for some reason. The Iwata seems to be much more forgiving with my crappy airbrush skills.

[Ecam]

You have convinced me to place an order for the Iwata HP-CS air brush. I bought a combo pack of three brushes and a compressor from Amazon. In fairness I've had good results thus far but I tend to only build things in that glorious color that Herman Bix hates of OD (Army green). Other than paint volume and the ability to thin paints for shading, my air brushing isn't far off a rattle can. I've not attempted camo jobs yet mostly due to a lack of adjustment in the spray pattern. I read (since your post) of the Iwata HP-CS's adjustment between fine and wide spray patterns, justifying the extra cost from my $15 USD guns.

[tankme]

I bought the Iwata since it was rated one of the best airbrushes for the price. I also experimented with a cheapo Chinese airbrush even before the Talon. That one actually leaked paint while I was using it. I read a ton of reviews which is why I bought the Iwata.

[Ecam]

I bought the Iwata since it was rated one of the best airbrushes for the price. I also experimented with a cheapo Chinese airbrush even before the Talon. That one actually leaked paint while I was using it. I read a ton of reviews which is why I bought the Iwata.

Sorry and THANKS for your experience! I would not have switched except or your recommendation. Thank you for jumping in and getting your boots muddy!