Dragon Panzer IV H (Smart Kit)

[Paul Senter]

All

I have almost completed the Dragon Smart Kit for the Pz IV. Decided to do a DAK vehicle and have completed it just about to weathering stage. A few phots below:



I have yet to add the support wheels and have not yet painted the machine guns and spare tracks. Once addedd the weathering process can begin.

So far I have just dry brushed German Grey over high traffic areas and on the edges where the sand paint is likely to be worn away.









I have left the sub structure grey to simulate an incomplete paint job - once the weathering and dust has been applied much of the grey will go anyway. You will also note that a few track links need painting too - addedd at the last minute to make the track meet (98 links my ar**)

Further phots to follow once it is ready for the weathering - comments welcome.

Paul

[foxy]

Hi Paul.

Looking good mate so far.

I like the gouges in the front glas plate, had some heavy fighting already lol, just wondered why the cross on the left side placeing.
Seriously it looks the job .

Nice to see it in its combat condition/Finish.

Great stuff.
Frank

[Paul Senter]

Frank

Thanks - I had to widen the holes to accept the spare track links on the front - to be honest I forgot about thinning the plastic to give it some battle damage - perhaps I can 'McGyver' something later.

I was a little worried about the cross too - a bad case of blindly following the instructions - tempted to remove it and bang on another in a more logical place.

Paul

[iansadler]

Hi Paul , looking very good so far . Was it a straight forward kit build or did you come across any problems ? cheers ian

[Paul Senter]

Hi Ian

No, no real problems at all. I have had my eye on this kit for ages and finally managed to get my hands on one some time ago - great fan of the Dragon Smart Kit concept as I hate too much PE after a very traumatic experience with a B17 cockpit. I had to open up the holes to take the spare track a little on the glacis plate and added a couple of links to the tracks so that it reached without forcing it, but other than that nothing.

Highly recommend it to anyone.

Paul

[foxy]

Hi Paul Have the Dragon Pz IV G Kharkov one to do yet, this is a smart kit, with only minimal PE.

Will do in snow effect, Hope I am not busting in on your project mate, maybe make a new one when I start.

How did you find the tracks go together, were they easy or fiddly.

Frank.

[Paul Senter]

Frank

This is the second Smart Kit I have done with 'Magic Tracks' and this time I found the process so much simpler.

I found the best way was to use a simple jig I made out of balsa wood. It is essnetially a flat piece with two others glued on top with a gap in the middle the width of the tracks, this allows me to glue them together in a straight line but I am sure a ruler or similar will do the trick.

I counted outed 98 links and began to glue them all together. I left the first one unglued so that number 2 had the link to rest on keeping it evel while the rest were all glued behind it.

Once dry the 98 links were painted, I used Vallejo Metallic Black as a base colour with plenty of duty weathering to follow. Even when dry the links remain flexible enough to wrap around the wheels. I left the top rollers off to make it easier to add the tracks although I found I needed a couple more links to make the tracks meet.

The only draw back is you dont get that characteristic sag between the top rollers but the can be accomplished by using pins inserted into the hull which in turn pushes the track down, although I have not tried that yet.

Enjoy your build

Paul

[foxy]

Nice Paul.

I have done other smart kits but with differant track layout, so will be interesting to have ago at the Pz IV variant of track.

I spray mine silver,then Dark grey and finish with burnt umber colour before weathering.

Shows were all differant lol. ;D

[fatfingers]

Now then Paul,

Fantastic job mate, looking really good! have to admit, i'm a bit naff at sand yellow/desert cam schemes. Much prefer good old green or Panzer Grey ;D

Cheers,
Steve