Dear All,
IMHO, tools (shovels, barrel cleaning rods, fire extinguishers etc:
German armor models usually carry plenty) that are provided
with most of the plastic models do not look very cool. What is more
upsetting, all the clasps and clamps that hold them in place are
already molded on. If you want to use nice photoetched clamps to
hold the tools (and that’s what I’d want to do), you have to remove
the molded ones which is a dangerous procedure. However, if I look
at the photos in Tony Greenland’s book I can see that he uses some
very good looking white metal tools. I’m just wandering: do these come
only as part of expensive high-end resin kits or can they be purchased
separately? It seems that many panzer modelers are using Tamiya’s
Pz. Kwf. IV set but it has all the problems mentioned above. I’ve done
an extensive reseach at Great Models store website but I have found
only very few cool aftermarket tool upgrades (no axes, shovels or
hammers whatsoever). Elephant makes some nice metal barrel rod kits
which look great (I’ve got one for my Stug IIIB) but that’s about it.
I would really appreciate more advice on where other cool looking
tools can be found or, maybe, how to scratch build some of them.
Thanks,
Serge
try www.squadron.com
do a search for the tank you are working on.
Most photo-etched detail sets include tools, as well as photo-etched detail for the rest of the model.
There are separate tools available on the market too. I know of Sovereign 2000 who have a nice collection, however those might not be easily available iutside the UK. But there must be others out there!
If you are poor in everything but time, you can improve the existing tools and straps. Molded-on tools can be scribed around to undercut them and increase the appearance of being separate. Washes help, too. Undercutting the straps helps, but they are usually still too thick. They can be replaced with heavy duty aluminum foil, as well as with the traditional lead foil. Lead foil is easier to work into place, but it is a little harder to come by, especially if your wine budget is more in the screw-top category.
Re: lead foil
I find that the foil top on yogurt containers is pretty good to work with. It’s quite heavy and also comes with a pretty good snack. The ones we buy have a bit of ‘texture’ to the foil which can either be a good or bad thing. If you don’t want the texture, just press the foil out with a piece of wood (or something similar) until it is totally flattened.
Give it a try. I’ve used this for seat-belts in airplanes and it looks pretty good (at least to my eyes…)
M.
Just to clarify my question a little bit more: I’m already
using photoetched parts, so that whatever tool upgrades
are possible with photoetch (this includes nice clamps
that hold stuff in place) – I have them. I’m interested in
something that goes beyond photoetch upgrades: like
special tool sets, hopefully without any junk molded onto
the handles. Or am I snobbishly demanding too much? [:D]
Thanks, everyone, for your replies!
Cheers,
Serge
Yes you are, shame on you. 
i use aber photo etch tools of 10 dollars what the hell it’s only money take care everyone
Another thing on the issue of tools–on a tank in the field they should look used. Most tank crews spent more time working on the tank than they did riding in it, especially the Germans with their complicated suspensions. The metal tools should look scratched and worn, and the shovels and axes should have sun-bleached handles and silvery blades. Look at the shovels in your shed to see how they wear on the handles and blades.