Bandai PanzerIV Kitbash

[grompix]

Hi folks.

This is a retrospective re-build of my old 1/15th scale Bandai Panzer IV. I think everyone knows just how bad this kit is but in the days before Heng Long and before Tamiya belatedly brought out their own Panzer IV-J, this was the only way to own a 1-15th/16th scale RC Panzer IV.

I bought it way back in 2001 with the intention of kit-bashing it into a more accurate representation of a PzKwIV-F2. After a considerable amount of work I managed to get it looking OK(ish) and fitted Tamiya motors and electronics into it. It's been happily motoring around my back garden since then and has had metal tracks, sprockets and idlers fitted too.

Since Heng Long and Tamiya brought out their own versions of the PzKwIV, I've grown dissatisfied with my old Bandai and have wanted to "kit-bash" it a bit more (Ok, a LOT more!) . Especially after reading all the excellent PzKwIV build threads on this forum.

So here are the photos of the "bash"

Cheers
Chris 

[grompix]

Painting and Weathering...

[grompix]

More details and additional features...

Here is a video clip of the model running in the snow. This was before it was fully finished and before I bounced it down the stone garden steps! Aaaggh!
Now I know how Pete Wright felt! I needed to replace the bent rear idlers and it runs OK now (I think!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_yOcgh9JP0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hope you like it.

Cheers
Chris 

[tiger205]

hi chris
           if you need to do anymore kit bashing i have a big hammer you can borrow , so far what you have done is great, a lot of work has gone on there, but it has paid off in my book, youre right, that halfords grey is a close match for german grey, its nice to know halfords are good for something ::)

                Tony

[Mackem]

That's a great PzIV you've got there Chris.
I've had that model and I know how much work it took to make it look that good!
Well done.

John

[grompix]

Thanks John, Tony.

I think I've just about finished my PzKwIV (at least for now - when are our tanks ever really finished?)

I've added a TC made from Tamiya's King Tiger figure with a Milliput feldmutze (no hammer needed this time!) and 'rusted up' my 'cigar tube' exhaust cylinder with 'Scenic Rust' from my local(ish) model shop. Pricey (as you can see) but the stuff works really well.

Here's the pics...   

Cheers
Chris 

Oh, I nearly forgot to mention the ubiquitous bucket! I bought this from a garden railway supplier on the internet. It's made from tin-plate and shows the dents and rust beautifully!

[Mackem]

Hi Chris,

I see you've opened up the vision port on the turret front. That job is on my list for today.
Can you explain how you hinged it and what you used please?

Cheers
John

[tiger205]

hi chris that really is a cracking build, its so life like, that rust stuff you got is dear, but not as dear as the stuff i got from rc tank.de, and it does a great job, the shop you got it from, have they got a web shop?

          Tony

[grompix]

Many thanks for your comments guys. Much appreciated.

I got the rust kit from a place called ModelActive Tony. They do have a website :-

http://www.modelactive.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've included a little diagram (hasty scribble more like!) of my vision port hinge John. Hope you can read it OK. Originally I used the port to house a tiny cctv video camera but with the rebuild I've had to use the space behind the port for the hidden TBU PCBs. I might open up the opposite port sometime and try and put a CMOS CCTV camera in there.

I'll be going to the club this Thurs and I'll take the Panzer IV with me if you need a closer look. 

Cheers Guys
Chris 

[grompix]

Video clip of the finished tank can be seen here:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5-V8ja-X5E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Chris