Seeing as I have over 5 odd weeks to kill before I can begin work on my Panzer III N for the much anticipated Panzer III GB run by Andy Deafpanzer (GB Start date July 1st) I’ve decided that I can’t wait that long before I start work on a new build!
I’ve still got the little base to build up for my StuG but that should be an afternoon job as I’m keeping it very simple and I can’t start work on the base scenery until my figure arrives. I’ve got the Dragon Marder III M still to complete but I’m honestly not feeling much love for that kit right now and don’t want to tackle it yet so I thought to myself “what can I build in the meantime that will be quick and enjoyable”?
I’m not busting open anything new from the stash so I popped to the LHS and was hoping to pick up a Tamiya 1/48 build but the pickings were VERY slim [:S] so I had a good look about and was really taken by the Dragon 1/72 Mid Production Brummbar!
It was nice and cheap and I already have one in 1/35 which is a slightly different variant from this one iirc so I bought it!
I got her home and had a look and I was very impressed. DS tracks, some PE (unfortunately the Shurzen is plastic but it is very slim and well detailed), nice two pice road wheels where you paint the rubber outer portion then paint the separate inner hub and pop them together. All in all a VERY nice little build that I think with some sensible brush work could look superb [Y] It won’t take up too much room in my cabinet too!
The one thing it is missing is the Zimmerit detail. I’m not sure if I should be bothered by this? I’m quite happy to spread some putty on the side walls of the casemate and zim it up but I don’t know if I need to. I’ll be using the Shurzen so the lower hull walls won’t be seen anyway.
I’ll be starting tomorrow and will hope to have this little beastie wrapped up by the start of the Panzer III GB on July 1st.
Any tips on building these small scale pieces would be very much appreciated. Would you recommend I paint her with brushes and well thinned paint so the detail is not obscured or would I be ok to use this same paint applied in a couple of layers through my airbrush on a low pressure setting and sprayed from a good distance?
Also, what should I do about priming her and What would you guys do re the Zim?
Box art:
Some of the box contents:
Thanks for looking guys - any advice, hints or general useful stuff would MASSIVELY appreciated (especially where the painting/priming is concerned)!
That’s a very nice project. My tip for you would be to carefully examine the little parts and do some math - many things can/should be replaced with wire, thin styrene (like the one taken from the throw-away cold beverage cups), etc. or could be added, if they are simply missing.
If you wish, you could visit my thread here for inspiration. Hope it helps, good luck with your build, and have a nice day
The “mid” designation refers to a set of 80 vehicles produced between Nov '43 to May '44 when zim was standard and these 80 were produced on new chassis, so zim is a must I’m afraid for it to be accurate.
Looks like a fun project and should keep the ‘edge’ off your building desire until the GB starts. [B]
Yep - I’ve got Dragons 'Mid Production, Brummbar in 1/35 which I built a long time ago and that came pre-zimmed OOB.
I’ve decided that seeing that this is my first ever very small scale build I’m probably not going to attempt to re-create a decent Zim pattern this time round. Hell, it’s hard enough trying to slap on and texture Zim on 1/35 armour.
I’ll build it for what it is - a cheap, well detailed little kit that should be fun to build!
That said, I might see what I can do with the casemate but if it just looks messy I’ll have to remove it. I definately won’t be doing the lower hull walls behind the running gear.
Hi, Ben, great subject, pity that accuracy requires a zimmed vehicle but as I was reading thruogh the thread I was wondering how much of a great exercise zimming up this little kit would be. I mean from the point of actually masking up the un zimmed areas and using a great putty, i would try Halfords knifing putty ( real cheap) thinned down with humbrol liquid poly, its a great experience/ exercise eeven to try on a piece of scrap, even if the putty starts to cure the liquid poly bruhed over it will soften it up.
As expected it’s been a pretty simple assembly up until now. I’ve been really busy working from home for the past two weekends so there hasn’t been much bench time as such. The photos below show the results of 2 hours work!
I’m all back to normal now so will easily be able to get the basic assembly completed next weekend. All that’s left to do is assemble the roof for the casemate and the rear engine deck. The wheels are those genius wheels where you can paint the tyres and the hubs totally separately then fit together later on.
I’ve got some Superfine White Milliput which I’ll have a go at zimming the casemate with along with the front section and maybe the lower hull walls behind the running gear. I’d like to Zim the casemate and will have a real good go at it - I’ve a selection of Exacto blades and one has a head of about 0.5" which is totally flat and will make a great small-scale applicator for the Zim. I’ve also got a selection of Tamiya raking tools which range from big and chunky to superfine so marking it won’t be a problem.
I don’t know whether to apply a VERY light rattlecan primer coat or to apply a light coat of Vallejo Model Air ‘Mahogany’ through the AB then basecoat it with a well thinned DY. The only only cammo effect will be some VERY fine Red/Brown streaks like on the box art. The Model Air will make a good primer as it’s nice and thin and should pre shade well too but whatever I do I need to be careful or any detail will be totally lost.
I don’t think I’m going to use the Schurzen but am going to install the Schurzen brackets all the same.
Here’s a few quick photos - the casemate was obviously just dry fitted whilst the pictures were taken:
Thanks for looking guys - as usual all comments and critiques all very welcome [Y]
WOW! That was quick! Perfect choice to keep yourself busy for next four weeks. Good luck putting on the zimm. I will be doing the same on my Pz IV this week. [:P]
Ooooh! I didn’t know Dragon had this one in 1:72!! Looking forward to how it turns out! Zim at that scale can be tough; kudos to you for giving it a go!
