RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Great job. I also hate those molded tools

It would be great to get the mg sound back, how did you manage do it?

Here are some shots of my screens. I am able to get my smoke and all three guns to function on my radio. If I left something out please feel free to ask questions. OpenTx is a real headscratcher sometimes. Sometimes I don't even know how I got to where I was that made it work.

Many thanks for that, I’ll give it a go.

Hi To Everyone,

Time for an update on the build, it’s been a while but I’ve made some steady progress.

Upper Hull Weld Seams & Some Extra Hull Detailing:

The weld seams have now been added to the upper hull, they were made using Milliput & some tools that I made from Brass tube to replicate the weld patterns.

I added some missing extra details to the upper hull, lifting hooks, tow cable clamps, front & rear track guard hinges, horn/headlight wiring, tool box hinges & clasps. I also cutout & opened up the brake vents.

Please see photos below:

Note:
The additional work I’ve done & extra detailing I’ve added is more apparent when viewed before any paint has been applied.


Track guard hinges, headlight & horn wiring, the opened up brake vents Etc.


The incorrect front centre lifting hook was removed & a new hook made & fitted


New spare track holder & track guard hinges, toolbox extra details.


The upper hull consists of two separate sections, the front upper hull & the rear engine deck, with a distinct line separating the two. This missing detail was added by cutting a groove between the two sections.


Tow cable brackets, rear track guard hinges & weld seams Etc.


Front upper hull & engine deck lifting hooks.


Next Up - Turret Storage Bin With Some Extra Detailing

Well That’s All For Now Folks…..

Hi all,

Turret Storage Bin With Some Extra Detailing:

I replaced the oversized original storage bin (it just had to go ) with a correct scale sized storage bin.


Completed turret storage bin.


Before removing the original storage bin, I had to check that the gun recoil unit had enough room to still work correctly. The flash unit would need relocating, not a lot of spare room in the turret, but with some planning I could see that everything would fit into the turret ok.


I removed the original storage bin, this left a large opening in the rear of the turret that would need some extra work.

I cleaned up & re-shaped the area where I’d removed the old storage bin & started making a new rear turret section from thick plastic card.


Turret storage bin fixing points.


Size comparison - original storage bin & new storage bin.


I decided to make the new storage bin removable, so I fitted it using locating pins & small nuts & bolts.

I worked out the storage bin mounting location on the rear of the turret using my reference books etc & clamped it in position ready for marking & drilling the fixing points.


The new storage bin although more accurate than the original storage bin, it still needed some extra work, it took quite a lot of filling & re-shaping to ensure that it’s was as close as possible to the correct size & shape, I also added some extra details.

I retained the opening lid in order to be able to get to the fixings, also I need somewhere to keep my sandwiches.


Next Up - Adding The Turret Weld Seams & Some Extra Details

Correcting The Gun Mantlet


That’s all for now everyone………

Cheers Martin

Careful, exacting, precise and beautiful work. Your Pz III is fast becoming the standard by which we measure others.

Great work,

Ralph

Thanks Ralph

Hi Guy’s

Adding The Turret Weld Seams & Some Extra Details:

Correcting The Gun Mantlet:

I couldn’t use Milliput for the weld seams on some parts of the metal turret, so I had to experiment with various options. I found that using very thin strips of plastic card superglued in place worked well. After glueing in place I softened the plastic with liquid cement & then added the weld pattern with the brass tools I’d made.


See top edges of turret - the thin plastic strip added for the weld seam before applying the weld pattern with the brass tool.


See top edges of turret - the thin plastic strip added for the weld seam & then after applying the weld pattern with the brass tool.


See top rear edges of turret - the thin plastic strip added for the weld seam before applying the weld pattern with the brass tool.


See top edges of turret - the thin plastic strip added for the weld seam after applying the weld pattern with the brass tool. Turret storage bin attachment points.


Turret lifting hooks (before cleaning up)


Turret lifting hooks.


Completed turret & storage bin.


Correcting the problems with the gun mantlet:.

The gun mantlet didn’t sit quite right or line up correctly, also with the top of the mantlet left open & the elevation mechanism on view the model looked unfinished. I decided to correct the alignment problem & also improve the appearance by making a cover to replicate the top of the mantlet in order to close up the opening.

It looked like a quick & easy job!!!

As it turned out correcting the alignment wasn’t to difficult, but I found it quite challenging to get the cover to fit correctly & not interfere with the elevation mechanism. The cover turned out to be quite complex, as it had to be hinged at one end & be able to slide in order to allow the gun elevation to still work correctly, after some perseverance & some trial & error I managed to get it working ok.

I can now see why Taigen left the top of the gun mantlet open.

For photos of the completed mantlet please see my later post (19 Nov 2022)

Please see photos below:


Next Up - Time For Some Painting - Priming & Base Coat

That’s all for now……..

Cheers Martin

Applying The Primer & Base Coats To The Tank:

The primer & base coat was applied before the model was assembled.

I’ve used AK Grey Metal Primer for all the metal parts & AK Grey Plastic Primer for the plastic parts.

Next a light coat of AK German Grey, followed by a base coat of AK Dunkelgelb (DAK Dark Yellow) - Ref: AK1023.

With the base coat applied any imperfections are more apparent, these are then rectified before any further paintwork is applied.


Next Up - Painting & Weathering the Panzer III

That’s all for now……