Hello all, Ive just recently gotten back in to modeling, use to build autos now I’m into WWII everything.[:)] I am building a Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf D, and all the reference material I have come across is either in b&w or to small to make out the colors of the pioneer tools or the jack, bolt cutters etc., can any of you all by chance have this info. Thanks.
Everything should be steel and wood. Have a look at what biffa did:
Figures I saw his thread right after I posted mine[:I] I have to admit that that gentleman does some fine work, and the colors on his equipment is reallistic and just the way I thought it should look.
You bet! I personnally thinks he’s the best modeler/artist among us down here.
I hope to be at least half as good, but with the free time I have to invest in my hobby, it may take a while, plus I’m a perfectionist which makes it slow going at times.[censored]
I like to think of myself as a perfectionist, unfortunately it doesn’t always carry over to my builds. [V]
Don’t feel bad Eric…I don’t think I’ve ever had a build that I was 100% satisfied with…but there’s a point where you just let it go and check it off as finished…either that or leave it at 99% and put it in a box. [:D]
One item I’d like to bring up are the wire cutters. I’ve seen a set that had black bakelite handles, unpainted dark metal other parts. That’s one interesting variation – lots of natural wood tools and a black wire cutter!
I have to agree with wbill76, we will allways be our own worst critics, but I guess if we didn’t strive to be better what would be the use of doing it, as long as we do better with each build, we grow with our craft[:D] And that gentlemen is one of the many joys of building.When you stop learning,you die.
I’ve notice that most of the hand tools are usually common wood handles, but what I was wondering is on newer tools they may have wood handles but the color of the metal, some are gunmetal some steel, and the jacks. From what I can tell from my reference photos they seem to be the color of the vehicles, camo or not. Is this correct, and the fire extinguishers are they black or Panzer gray?
I like to substitute the plastic for matchstick wood on the tool handles. Real wood (genuine balsa!) for the jacking block as well. Here is a set up I did for my Panther II:
A little NMF drybrushing on the shovel and tool heads works well too.
regards,
Steve
One reason for using "bakelite " may be for its insulation against conducting electricity when the wire cutters could have been used for cutting downed electrical lines that could be energized still . A wooden handle is also non -conductive normally but with exposure to dirt and moisture wood is capable of conducting some current ,especially at higher voltages . Anyway thats my [2c]
SB
I think you’re right about the jack and extinguisher, they should be same color as the tank.
Fire extinguishers are generally dark green in color, with the exception of the labels, being white with black writing
On the subject of the wire cutters:
Check out this thread. http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/658713/ShowPost.aspx
On his site he has this http://sdkfz7.free.fr/esdkfz10cisaille.htm
I asked him about the handles and his answer is here: http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/509168/ShowPost.aspx
Hope that helps.
Thanks matthew9 .
SB
Seems to me I remember either seeing, reading or being told about an interview with an old fella who was a panzer crewman once upon a time, wherein he was specifically asked about tool handles, and he said they were painted the same as the base color of the tank. Unfortunately, however, I can’t provide my source on that, so take it for what it’s worth.
Even if it’s correct, that’s not how I paint mine. I just think the bare wood looks cooler. You know, mo’ gooder.
~J
I think a lot of AFV’s ended up with their pioneer tools painted the same as the vehicle, but I too always paint mine to look like wood and steel.