1/72 PSC Panzer IVH (Part 2) The Camo

The PSV MkIV H gets the "three tone" hide me treatment courtesy of the traditional Tamiya Dark Brown, Olive Green and Desert Yellow trio. A colour combination that stretches back to my childhood and the start of a deep yearning for ESCI kits that was never quite fulfilled. Each base colour is highlighted to give more depth to the overall pattern (see below, side view facing right):

The long barreled 75mm gets a Vallejo Dark Shade wash with a Vallejo Gun Metal Grey highlight, with the Panzer commander getting the German tank crewman black [basic Airfix black acrylic 33, with a tiny touch of Vallejo Game Color Stone Grey to lighten it] treatment (see below, side facing left):

The tank exhaust is highlighted up from Vallejo Game Color Dark Flesh by adding a touch of Tamiya XF-3 Yellow in a couple of shades. The jerry cans receive  grey highlight also (see below, facing rear):

Finally "Panzer Pete" is touched up with grey/white and red piping/insignia (see below, front facing):

I enjoyed that but hiding away in the loft are another five, all with air filters in the wrong place. For skirmish purposes I am finished but I will have to come back to the rest in the New Year if I want to complete a CD III company.

Next: A Sexy 'Big Cat'

1/72 PSC Panzer IVH (Part 1) The Basic Yellow

Working up from the Airfix Grey undercoat the MkIV H is washed with Vallejo Dark Shade Wash to get that harder shadow edge feel (see below):

Tamiya Yellow Sand XF-60 is then used as a base layer, leaving the Dark Wash to pick out the recesses (see below):

There are times when the Internet comes to your rescue. With the best of intentions I had put together the six PSC Pz IV H's well over a year ago. In my haste I had made a dubious choose of "rear engine" arrangement. The more I looked at other people's versions of MkIVs the less and less I became confident that I had done it correctly (see below):

Thanks to the blogosphere there were answers aplenty. My rear engine housing was really an 'air filter' that should really go on the side (see below):

From the other side (see below, with the classic spare rollers on the side):

Once fixed we can put the skirts on (see below):

Many thanks to the following blogs for their help and inspiration (see below):

• http://www.legionsgames.com/minipaint/momini.htm
• http://miniaturesterrainpage.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/plastic-soldier-company-panzer-iv.html?showComment=1447621539799#c5204424394510329936
• http://figurfanatikern.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/plastic-soldier-company-172.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4Fbv0pdB3A
• http://kingsleypark64.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/plastic-soldier-company-ltd-panzer-iv.html
• https://meeples.wordpress.com/2011/09/02/miniature-review-plastic-soldier-company-172-ww2-german-panzer-iv/
• http://panzermarch.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/pz-iv-platoon-plastic-soldier-company.html

Next: Three tone camo (again)

Plastic Soldier Company StuG III

The German workhorse StuG III with the long barreled 75mm, a defensive cheap version of a "tank" in eyes of Albert Speer (aka an accountant/economist say no more). The PSC company version is a lovely snap together, highly detailed but simple model which easily goes together in a single modelling session (see below):

No fuss to build and a mean looking tank killer (see below):

It has plenty of scope to add additional campaign clutter over all those flat surfaces (see below):

The best bit is you get three in one box giving you an instant CD II/III company (see below):

There are enough subtle variations (MG mount variants and main gun types, even a 105mm StuH 42 - which I declined to use because I already have one model) to the basic kit model to add that "element of variety" that keeps the interest level up (see below): 

An other section of tanks now waiting for the spray can!

Plastic Soldier Company Panther

The "killer cat with zimmerat!" Note: The brown bits are pieces of wood jammed in to hold the tracks down while the glue sets (see below):

It is a very, very nice model to make indeed (see below):

It goes together like a dream (see below):

I think the PSC Fireflys would have to get the first shot in from ambush position to stand a chance (see below):

All in all a nice addition to the Panther collection I have amassed (see below):

Note: It's getting a little crowded in the CD II Panther Battalion box, just two off the 1944 regimental requisite of fifteen tanks, amassed it has to be said over twenty years of on and off collecting (see below):

Their time on the painting tray will come!

Plastic Soldier Company (PSC) Panzer Mk IV H

As the beer advert goes, "Probably the best ... experience I have had putting a Panzer IV kit together"! Another bullseye for the Plastic Soldier Company (PSC) and no I am not on a commission (see below): 

The side skirts have been temporarily left off, but for late 1944 Panzer IV's they certainly look the part!

The only mysterious (where does this go?) part was the 'exhaust(?)' filter that goes on the rear, top left side of the engine compartment. A dream to fit together and I think it will even survive the roughest of wargamers hands. I still have flashbacks of putting the side and turret skirts on an Esci Pz IV (Ausf H) together.

All part of the Command Decision OrBat for my "1944 Panzer IV German Tank Battalion" project, to be continued.

PS My plastic"heap" is at last shrinking :)