DML 1/35 Flakpanzer IV Kugelblitz

[Adam Baker]

One of my current projects that I'm trying to get finished up.

DML/Dragon Pz IV Kugelblitz.

A fairly decent kit, fit isnt too bad. Along w/ the kit, using part of a PE set from On The Mark (not sure its around anymore).

So far I have the first coat of paint on the model, and then realized I should have gotten the track links done before painting, so I've held off on more paint until the tracks are done.

Unfortunately, its 101 links per side, and w/ 2 sprue connections and 2 punch marks on each link, clean up is slow and agonizing. I managed to finish the clean up of the first side on Friday night, and I've spent about an hour today working on assembling the first run of links.

Anyway, onto the pic's.

Assembled, prior to paint

Painting in progress in the paint booth

And about how it sits right now

And assembling the first run of links. Using a tip from Iron Mike, wrapped a piece of tape around the road wheels, to get an idea of the length of links needed.

 

[Tony lee]

Looks like a real clean build,just the way I like em.

Tony lee

 

[jknaus]

Very nice. Wicked cool paint booth too.
James

 

[Iron Mike]

Show those tracks who's boss, Adam! Looking good!

 

[moon puppy]

Alright Adam! That is a wicket paint booth and respirator you got :

Tank is looking good also.

 

[Adam Baker]

Knocked out the left side tracks after posting. Got a picture of it, but never got it off the camera. I'll post it up tomorrow. Was able to get some sag in the tracks that I hope is realistic.

Thanks a ton for your tip on the tracks w/ the liquid glue. Instead of using the Testors Glue you mentioned, I used Ambroid & my Touch-N-Flow, w/ 2 drops on each link mating point, let it sit for a couple minutes, and then pulled them off the tape, and it stayed solid, but was very flexible, and the best part was that not a single joint came apart while I was forming it. So I will absolutely be using this method in the future when working w/ individual link tracks.

Show those tracks who's boss, Adam! Looking good!

Thanks! I have to say I love the booth, it makes painting so much easier, and now that I have it plumbed w/ a dedicated vent line out of hte house, its even better. And the respirator is great, picked it up at a local discount store w/ 3 sets of filters, and it works great.

Alright Adam! That is a wicket paint booth and respirator you got :

Tank is looking good also.

 

[Plastik Smurff]

 

[Adam Baker]

Just a quick update, w/ the first set of links assembled and installed.

Used a couple micro brushes to help get some sag in the links

 

[Iron Mike]

Looking great, Adam!

 

[reconron]

Looking great, Adam!

Just have to quote Mike!

Greetings,Ron.

 

[Adam Baker]

Made a bit more progress on this build.

This past week I was able to finish the second set of track links, and got both painted. Worked on weathering them some as well, but unfortunately to me it looks like they look almost exactly like they did when I started, so I dunno about those, or what to do next.

I started by painting them w/ Tamiya Metallic Grey, then used Pro-Modeler Black Wash, and then dry brushed them w/ Tamiya Chrome Silver.

Then a couple nights ago, I started laying down the second of the 3 colors on this build, and Im honestly stuck at this point. The jury is still out as to whether I really like how it looks right now. Im seriously contemplating either painting over what I've done, or stripping it and starting again.

When you guys do multi-color schemes, what do you use to lay it out? Im thinking about going back and very lightly using a pencil to outline what I want, but I'm kinda worried that maybe the pencil might still show through the paint.

Any suggestions on masking? I dont have enough silly puddy to mask this off, or I'd consider doing it that way.

 

[Tony lee]

The ones i've read about who use pencil use some sort of colored pencils. The same color as the paint they are spraying or close to it. Graphite might not cover to well.

Let me know if you find out
Tony lee

 

[moon puppy]

I'm getting the itch to do some tracks. Hope they turn out this clean.

 

[jknaus]

When I do it I paint free hand.
James

 

[Adam Baker]

Well, I made the decision to paint over the brown paint and start over again. Got the first coat of the base color down, gonna take at least 1 more to cover the brown, and then tomorrow or Monday I might try again w/ the second color.

I think this time around I might try making some basic masks to try matching the paint guide on the instruction sheet, or I might try laying it out w/ some thin strips of tape or something. I dunno yet.

 

[Gene]

 

[kryptosdaddy]

I'm getting the itch to do some tracks. Hope they turn out this clean.

My 88 will blow up your tank- BOOM! lol

 

[Kreighshoer]

Im thinking about going back and very lightly using a pencil to outline what I want, but I'm kinda worried that maybe the pencil might still show through the paint.

DON'T do that! the pencil will shine through!

my suggestion would be to draw the outlines of the green with a thin brush and thinned down paint, then you can fill the areas with your ab easily!

 

[Adam Baker]

Yea, that was what I was afraid would happen. I figured if I were going to try that, I'd do it on a piece of sheet styrene, to see how it reacted, before I risked it happening on the model.

Im thinking about going back and very lightly using a pencil to outline what I want, but I'm kinda worried that maybe the pencil might still show through the paint.

DON'T do that! the pencil will shine through!

my suggestion would be to draw the outlines of the green with a thin brush and thinned down paint, then you can fill the areas with your ab easily!

 

[Adam Baker]

Finally got some progress made tonight.

Started by masking off w/ Silly Putty

Painted

And the SP removed.

I masked off the rest of the upper body, and then painted it.

Its sitting in the paint booth right now drying. Later I'll pull the SP off and take another picture.

I have to say I like this method, it certainly came out a whole lot better than my free hand attempt.

*edit*

Just pulled all the silly putty off, and I have to say I really like the outcome.

I still have to do the lower half of the body, that will most likely get done on Saturday. Tomorrow night is my monthly model club meeting, so no painting progress tomorrow.