Opinions needed!

[Ex_Pat_Tanker]

Hi John,
I agree a wash of dirt does make all the difference, I'd just like to get the base paint right before I move on to that stage. If it were acrylic then no problem - just dunk it in windex and wipe it off! As I've already had 2 unsatisfactory attempts at hand brushing enamel on this one, I'm starting to lose surface details etc due to the paint buildup 

Don't worry about offering opinions on my work - its been about 15 years since I last painted anything on a regular basis and I'd never airbrushed anything prior to 6 months ago, I'm just looking for advice from you guys right now! 

Cheer's guys, 
Mart

[Mackem]

Hi Mart,

If you use pastels or a weathering kit to lift the detailing and emphasise the cammo
you can wipe off with a damp cloth if you over do it.

Here's a pic of a PzIV, those lads didn't have a stencil. 

John

[Tailend charlie]

I am doing the Tiger 1 142 of the 501 Kompany. I first painted it the same way you are. I used Model Masters 2102 Afrika Braun '42 for the base and 2103 Afrika Dunkelgrau '42 for the disruptive pattern. The Afrika Dunkelgrau '42 was very light. I did several coats and it really didn't make a difference, but after further investigating the 142 was delivered to Africa in Nov. '42 and was only painted Afrika Braun . It wasn't til March '43 that they were painted the way you are doing. The 142 was destroyed in Feb. '43. I think once you weather it and dullcote it will make a difference. Here is a pic of mine painted with the same colors, before the repaint.

[Ex_Pat_Tanker]

Hi John!

My research suggests that 12th SS Pz were the exception rather than the rule when it came to stencils or standards - as most of their ranks were filled by 18 yo kids they didn't have much in the way of experience or artistic merit. 

(As an aside - the unusually high turret numbers used by 12th SS Pz Div  were a result of the officer corps being drawn from the veterans of the 1st SS Pz Div, who had learned on the Russian front that the Soviet Tankers had figured out their numbering scheme and actively targeted low numbered tanks because they were more likely to contain unit commanders)

My (shelved for now) PzIVH will be a 12th SS example, probably 626 as there is a good colour plate of that in Panzer colours III. Add that to my (also shelved) 217th StPz Abt Sturmpanzer IV and a late model Michael Wittmann Tiger and I'm ready to fight the battle of Normandy 

Hi Tailend charlie,

I'm using the same paints as you, I'm going for a late version to match either Tiger 724 or 813 - those are the 2 late campaign options available in the Elite Armour decal set.

So, it seems the general consensus here is to weather it and see how it goes?
I'll take some pics in the daylight tomorrow and ask again, we all know economy bulbs lie, right  ?

Thanks for the advice guys, I really appreciate it! 
Mart

[Tailend charlie]

Starting in Spring of '43 they were painted a base coat of 7021 Dunkelgrau (dark grey) then top coat of Dunkelgelb (dark yellow). Which will give it a green or olive tint. Very common in  Tunisian.       

[Ex_Pat_Tanker]

Hi Tailend charlie,
You have been misinformed  : Dunkelgelb auf English ist dark yellow - Dunkelgrau ist dark grey.
(9 years of working for an Austrian company finally pays off  )
I got my paint info from here:
http://www.miniatures.de/colour-ral-farben.html

There are 2 Dunkelgelb's listed but the Tamiya standard is XF60 - XF55 is way off base for most vehicles I've seen - except for the sSS Pz Abt 501 King Tigers deployed in the Wacht am Rhein offensive maybe - but all of the colour pics I've seen are postwar repaints so who can tell if they're authentic?

Still looking for a Decal source folks - anybody know of one?
Thanks for the input guys!
Mart

[Tailend charlie]

I stand corrected. I meant 7021 Dunkelgrau. Sometimes my head says one thing and the hands  type another. What about Model Master Panzer Dunkelgelb '43 #2095. Looks real good. What decals are you looking for?

[Ex_Pat_Tanker]

something like the attached - maybe 112 or 114, I'm struggling to find a number that's valid after sPz Abt 501 became integrated with 10th Pz Div tho?
I have some pots of 2095, but I can't find any tanks that match - not that some of the artwork in earlier editions of "Panzer colours" is entirely acurate, especially when I'm using a 20 yo edition  :-\
I have the "crouching tiger" unit markings, just need valid numbers.

Thanks for your help, 
Mart

[Tailend charlie]

I don't know if you have tried here. http://www.rctank.de/index.php?cPath=26. They have a lot, but not my 142.

[971wright]

Hi I think the base colour is good apply decals then it needs weathering now scatching  and rusting pencil around the edges dark wash then highlighting finish with coat of matt varnish.


        regards pete