HL/Trumpeter Panzer IV Beob ausf J Hybrid

[MonsieurTox]

I've started the camo of the PAnzer IV, going for the 3 tones camo. Here is a preview Pic, this is the early stage, I still have a lot to do. That's my first 3 tones camouflage and the first time I was using the LP Tamiya paints. Hairspray doesn't work with those paints for the chips so they have to be do one at a time by hand but I got real chipping paints which looks as good, even maybe better than with the hairspray technique.

[BarryC]

Paint work is looking awesome!

Barry

[SCHWEREPANZER]

I agree. Very nice work. Tell us what colors you';re using.

[MonsieurTox]

Thank you guys, I'm using Tamiya lacquers, LP 55 dark yellow 2, LP 56 dark green 2 and LP 57 dark brown 2.
They are very nice, mainly the dark yellow, maybe the dark brown lacks some red in it but still nice!
Since they are lacquers, they are pretty tough which means the water can't reach the hairspray but the hairspray is useful because, even if it doesn't dissolve, it helps the lacquers to chip with an x-a to blade because the paint stick less to the hairspray than it would if sprayed directly on the primer. Primer is the Tamiya red oxyde primer.
I'm using AK stuff for weathering (washes, panel accents etc), artist oil paints and Tamiya lacquers and revell paints for the small stuff I have to paint with a brush.

[SCHWEREPANZER]

Tres bien. Very helpful. Thanks

[jarndice]

I have not modified the cupola mount as you have but as far as I know the Bore sight was a standard fit on all PZ4 Turrets and it can be found on the latest Taigen PZ4 Turret,
But what a great build
Talking of Bore sights the Tiger 1 had a bore sight mounted above the Main gun mantlet in the form of a steel marker which was removed in later models.
I have never seen it on any 1/16 model by Heng Long/Taigen/Tamiya.
Whereas the Fording screen which was removed very early in the Tiger 1s service is included in all the Taigen/and Heng Long builds including the "late".

[MonsieurTox]

I have not modified the cupola mount as you have but as far as I know the Bore sight was a standard fit on all PZ4 Turrets and it can be found on the latest Taigen PZ4 Turret,
But what a great build
Talking of Bore sights the Tiger 1 had a bore sight mounted above the Main gun mantlet in the form of a steel marker which was removed in later models.
I have never seen it on any 1/16 model by Heng Long/Taigen/Tamiya.
Whereas the Fording screen which was removed very early in the Tiger 1s service is included in all the Taigen/and Heng Long builds including the "late".

Thanks Jarndice, the cupola is straight out of the box and the bore sight is included in the kit as a PE part.
I thought that bore sight was only on the Beob with the Stug cupola, thanks for pointing out it was standard on all Panzer IV!

[jarndice]

M Tox I have not exhausted my research on the Panzer 4 and it's various marques so it is quite possible that some variants did not have a Bore sight fitted although I am reasonably sure by virtue of photographic evidence that the Ausf F/G/H and J did have the fit,
The modifications on German armour was constant both in the factory as well as field modifications,
This actually plays into our hands because we can add or omit all manner of fixtures and fittings and after 77 years it would be difficult to prove or disprove the Mod
I have really enjoyed your build what is next I wonder?

[MonsieurTox]

I'm not a Panzer IV expert but I've learnt that many combinations of parts regarding the version are possible!
When it comes to the Beob you have even more freedom because they were not well documented, pictures are very rare. The first ones were modified ausf H then early ausf J which still had many features of the H (exhaust muffler, tubular idler wheel, 4 return rollers, schurzen brackets), I think it's hard to reproduce one Panzer IV in particular if you don't have WWII pictures of it under all angles. I highly doubt any Panzer IV has been documented that well.

[MonsieurTox]

I've worked a bit more on the weathering. It's taking forever and I'm not done yet!