From MartinN: Panzer IV Ausf. A (20 pts.)

We're just into the second week of this challenge and I already got a second entry in *enter canned applause here*. Somehow I doubt it'll last though...

One thing that was sorely lacking in my Early War German force was a Panzer IV of one of the earlier marks. For some obscure reason I settled onto an Ausführung A variant instead of the more usual B/ C/ or D variants, which were all around and in greater numbers for the Invasion of France. Be that as it may, on first sight this Ausf. A can do service as a D just as well, the overall shape being the same.

Also, nobody likes button (rivet - ed) counters anyway ;-)

The model is a 3D print from Night Sky Models over on www.wargaming3d.com and I can recommend their files for their quality. 

I should have probably gone for the grey-brown two tone camouflage it was only at the end of July of 1940 that Panzergrau was to be used as the only color. Yet, while some pictures clearly show the earlier two tone camouflage, just as many seem to show plain Panzergrau. Given that dark brown and grey would be hard to identify correctly on all but the best black and white pictures, it might just as well be that they all still sported two tone camouflage. And frankly, I couldn't be bothered to dig deeper into it.

As I wanted this latest addition to fit in with the rest of my early German motor pool, grey it was to be anyway.

The decals on the turret were a b*tch to apply, due to the curvature on the back and the vision ports on the front. But after many a swear word and a few failed attempts we got there thanks to the liberal use of Micr Sol and Micro Set. I might have overdone the weathering just a little bit, but by May 1940 this old warrior had in all likelihood already seen combat in Poland. As it helps to make the otherwise rather dull looking vehicle look more interesting, I think it's permissable to go a little overboard. 

1x 28mm vehicle = 20 pts.

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Fabulous work on this early Mark IV Nick! I've always like the look of the earlier panzers as they seemed less ferocious and more interesting in their design than the later cats. Your panzer grey looks spot on and I love the weathering that you've gone with, especially that dodgy exhaust system. While the decals may have given you some trouble you managed manfully and they look terrific. A lovely clanker, my friend, indomitable in France but doomed to be made into a smoking pile of slag on the Eastern Front. 

- Curt

From Nick: 20mm Panzer IV Ausf. H (15 points)

Finally got around to finish this 1/72 Panzer IV Ausf. H by Zvezda. The kit is nice enough and despite some rather fragile parts, like the rails for the side skirts, it should be sturdy enough for wargaming. But it comes with the hatches molded closed, something I really can't stand. It's not like separate hatches are so super difficult to handle during assembly. That said it's something that seems surprisingly common in 1/72 scale modeling tanks. 

The kit was painted using the Real Colors range by AK Interactive. While I can't attest for the tonal accuracy the manufacturer claims, the paints work rather well through an airbrush. Much less of a hassle than acrylic paints. That said I miss the ready made modulation sets you get in acrylics. Means you've got to work more with pre-shading in black and white or mix your own modulation colours. Both things I don't really have the patience, nor the desire for.

For a more realistic look I skipped the combined edge highlighting/ micro scratch method I went with for my more recent vehicles but only used a sponge to apply some wear and tear here and there. Not fully convinced though, as a) I find the sponge very hard to control and b) it looks less 'defined', less visually interesting, especially at arms length.

For most of the weathering I used AK Interactive Weathering Pencils. Quite an interesting tool, especially as you can create different effects depending on wether you apply them dry or wet. Only the rust effects didn't really convince me, as they look somewhat off compared to the same effects done in enamels. So they're (of course) not the deal changer they're marketed as, but another useful tool in the tool box.

Points: 15

Well, she looks simply gorgeous. I recall doing 1/72 models as a youngster. All the road wheels and tracks were a nightmare. Your sponge and pencil technique works well- I struggle with vehicles and will keep my eyes open for a set.

Barks

From ScottM: The Armoury - Panzers! (60 points)

Moving deeper into the dungeon, we enter the Armoury. For this I went with a pair of early war German Panzer IVs. These 28mm resin and metal figs are from Warlord Games. I like my tanks, vehicles and guns dirty and worn, so these reflect that.

So that should be:

2 - 28mm vehicles + Chamber bonus = 60 points

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Armoury? Armouries are for muskets and pistols and boarding pikes and axes - not tanks! They belong in the motor pool. What kind of shenanigans and weirdness is this claim Scott?

Duplicitous as it seems, I suppose they are more like guidelines after all...

Cap'n Wednesday