Dragon Panzer IV Ausf J (WIP)

Dragon’s kit # 6556, my first time with side skirts. It will be part of a large dio, in a repair shop w/burnt out engine, and prob a SD.KFZ.151. Anyway, here’s where she stands.

Looks good so far brutus,who’s interior set you using? And whats up with the driver and radio operators roofsection,was it surgically removed for some reason in particular? Gotta say I am looking forward to more!

I’m using the Verlinden interior set, and i was thinking of having a cpl figures with torches doing …I’m not sure. I know I’m gonna scratchbuild an overhead crane removing the turret and maybe the upper plate, just to see the interior. To be honest, I hav’nt made up my mind on the details.

Interesting concept t be sure. If you’re going to do that–with them removing the hull top or whatever, you ought to make sure that you show some damage that they’d have an interest in replacing. I can’t think of any circumstances by which the field shop would cut away an entire sheet of armor beside possibly replacing a cracked piece of armor?

Of course, if the armor was hit strongly enough to crack the armor, it would have interior damage as well,

If you don’t mind, I would like to offer an opinion on your diorama idea. It’s an interesting idea, but I think you should pause and ask yourself exactly what you’re trying to portray? A dio should make some sense in the storyline after all. If you build it with them removing the top, I guarantee you, the first thing people are going to comment on is “What are they doing that for?” In a god diorama, you have a clear storyline that speaks directly to the viewer. If you have to explain it, you’ve missed your mark.

I’ll be interested to see what you finally decide to do with this?

Thank you, Doog(don’t let it go to your head, but I’m always takin notes w/you… ) The basics I have so far are, 1) a german workshop, 2) Train tracks coming in, lower elevation than the shop floor, oron the same elevation and continuing into the actual shop, 3) an overhead crane/hoist holding the turret or upper plates. I like the idea of cracked plates, maybe ding up( in a big way) under the turret, that’s fuel tanks, I assume ??

The specifics I have’nt decided on are walls, either brick w/plaster falling off, or corrugated metal. Problem is, I’m gonna use metal for the roof,and exposed metal trusses, so I think metal walls would be too much. I see this thing(the tank) just coming in, dirty, tracks off on at least one side, but still attatched. Workbenches, Oxygen/Acetylene bottles, etc…I have already “destroyed” the engine area, It’s got soot and “explosion” damage done. Maybe the schurzen being removed or off to the side

Maybe title the dio “inspection” or assessment.

As always, thanks for any input.