1944 Porsche 'P' Turret King Tiger w\Commander

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Welcome back from Treatmentville, Painless. I am glad you are showing your efforts to add Zimmerit to the Königstiger. I will watch and hope to learn. Who knows, maybe someday I will actually get to that project.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning!
Thank you for the kind Regards. They are all appreciated!!
Last night, I removed the ancient HL Decals/Stickers from the Turret. I used a new type of razor blade, a plastic one, perfect for Hobby purposes. Some light sanding using 800 grit paper removed the last of the residue. The whole process was easier than I had anticipated. Time for new Cement and ATAK application.
regards,
Painless

[Herr Dr. Professor]

How interesting and encouraging: I am surprised that the original HengLong stickers can be removed without damaging the underlying and surrounding paint. The top photos shows a remarkably clean turret side. Perhaps HengLong has been using stickers; whereas, I have never used HengLong markings and have only rarely used Taigen/Torro dry transfers, which I thought were the same, but which are press-fit and act as a paint-like marking.
And what are these plastic razor blades. Are the blades themselves plastic, or are they single-edged blades with plastic handles of some sort? They sound useful!

[PainlessWolf]

Good Evening, Herr Doc!
The HL markings certainly felt like stickers. Just very thin and fine ones. Not really like Dry Apply or Wet Decals like you mention. I know Taigen uses Decals. I've had enough of them age and crack and have to be replaced. Whew! The plastic razor blades are all plastic ( of some incredibly hard material ) and are much safer for whatever you are removing stickers or dried adhesive from. A company called Titan makes them and I found these at Hobby Lobby.
regards,
Painless

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Thanks, Painless. I have a number of Taigen tanks: all the Taigen/Torro markings I have seen included are not water soak decals, but dry transfers. Of course, they are not always accurate, but the few I have used (or even kept) rub on flawlessly.

[PainlessWolf]

Morning again,
Herr Doc, I completely agree with you about the Dry Apply markings. If it was not for Stencil Sets like Rad provides, Dry Apply markings would be all that I would use. Even Peddinghaus Wet Decals crack with time and exposure to the crazy amounts of sun that we get up here. I need to replace the ones on my PzKw IV early F once I can get around to it.
regards,
Painless

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I just put some Peddinghaus decals on two figures (I will post photos in the right section as soon as I do a bit of weathering). Peddinghaus decals are touchy, but these have given me a bit less trouble than ones I have used previously for rank and unit markings (Tamiya also makes such decals). I have no trouble with the decals once I beat them into place with a decal setting solution. Then I use a clear flat coat lacquer or acrylic to cover any decals and even painted markings using Rad's stencils. But, then, I live in Vitamin D Land; i.e., take vitamin D supplements because you won't see much sunlight.

Oh, I found those plastic razor blades and ordered a whole buncha 'em.

[kapalek]

is it possible to change shape of the canon mount into proper one? The henglong preproduction cannon mount is quite incorrect comparing to real one

[PainlessWolf]

Good Afternoon,
The original 'P' turret mantlet from Heng Long can be disassembled (I know since I just repaired damage done to mine from years ago in the factory ) There should be aftermarket pieces available from Sites like Ludwigs or Tank Modelbau. Or you can go Louis' route and rebuild the original HL mantlet correctly.
regards,
Painless

[PainlessWolf]

Good Afternoon all,
More Turret Work on the 'P'. ATAK applied and spare track holders(drilled and glued into place). A little modeling work was needed on the ATAK rear hatch piece. I drilled out the access holes and put false hinge bars in there as well as replaced the handle nub with an original wire one. On to details and Brass work next...
regards,
Painless

20250204_175112.jpg (1.61 MiB) Viewed 1159 times

20250204_175137.jpg (2.1 MiB) Viewed 1159 times

20250220_163359.jpg (2.19 MiB) Viewed 1159 times

20250206_170032.jpg (2.49 MiB) Viewed 1159 times

20250220_154510.jpg (2.96 MiB) Viewed 1159 times

20250224_192533.jpg (2.64 MiB) Viewed 1159 times

20250221_164620.jpg (2.25 MiB) Viewed 1159 times