Pzr. Kpfw. IV Ausf. J 1/72

[kombatkarl]

This one is from Revell of Germany, I was impressed by the kit quality and detail for such a small scale, but this is also my first foray into 1/72 scale armor. So what do I know?!

It's not quite complete yet, but I'm pretty happy with it considering my inexperience...the camo job and the tracks were the most difficult part IMO. There are a few details that still need to be added and some stuff needs cleaning up, but its pretty much complete.

[McCoy]

WoHaaa! That's better than I would manage in the Braille scale mate! You've done a great job with this kit!

[Maglar]

It's nice Karl, like the MG-42 on top. I wouldn't be able to tell if you finished it or not, so you're safe with me!

[Doing treads sucks hard, thats why I don't do tanks... ]

[PanzerAlexander]

Hello Karl and welcome to the tiny world!

Great job with that IV it's all there the way I like it, camo, weathering and chipping! The lower hull is nicely darker than the upper hull. Is that dried mud I see in the suspension or is it just weathered?
I suppose the camo was made with airbrush, very fine streaks there buddy nice work.
Tracks look nicely bended. I hope you will continue to work on this scale mate it's really great.

The kit that you have selected was in my opinion the best Pz IV in the market until recently. Recently Dragon has released the Pz.Kpfw.IV AUSF.F1 in 1/72 which is hi tech kit but I haven't checked on that yet I expect it to be better.
In 1/72 scale you cannot find many improvement kits and details so it's crucial to choose a high quality kit to begin with.
For tanks I choose Revell's, Dragon's and Trumpeter's. For open topped vehicles my first option is always Dragon and after that Revell. If the model I want to make isn't manufactured by these brands then I buy whatever I find.

The accessories and details market is not as vast as in 1/35 and 1/48 but if you scrounge the internet eventually you'll find just about everything from metal barrels to PE handles for tank hatches and PE belts for tank tools (though it's not guaranteed that you'll be able to actually put them on the model since human finger and tools reach their limitation in this scale IMO )
If you need any information I'd be more than pleased share my findings.

Good job, keep it up, we need more braillers

[MAGNA]

Welcome to the ranks of 1/72 AFV builders mate!! A top notch job with this one. I have a few Revell offerings and they fit together very well. I have a couple of Dragon kits but since I use these things for wargaming I have found the newer Dragon stuff to be too complex for the scale - at least for what I want anyway - if they were going on permanent display etc things would be different. I like some of the Italeri kits as well. Hasegawa make some of the best fitting stuff I have seen though and a couple of their kits are real pleasures to build and paint.

Looking forward to seeing more as you go.

[kombatkarl]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Alexander-Thanks, I really like your Sturmhaubitze and the 251! Top Notch! As for mine, theres some mud down there! The lighting really sucks, I might take some more pics out in the sunlight.
I almost, almost decided to scratch build an basic interior for the drivers compartment, but decided that was a little too ambitious for a first project...

The tracks came out alright, I said in another post that I had put the two hull assemblys together before fitting the tracks, and that caused me problems, especially around the drive sprocket. This was my first time working with individual tracks so there has been things learned from this experience. Maglar, I felt the same way you did when starting this project..."ugh...sixteen roadwheels and two peices for each? Individual track links I'm never gonna finish this!" But I did, and now I think I could do any set of tracks anywhere

Eventually I want to put a figure in that open hatch, but 1/72 Tank crew figs are kinda hard to find! I also want to add more detail like a radio aerial and some other bits and bobs, and some more pastel weathering work. It still looks to 'clean'

Magna-I'd really like to do a Dragon kit, just for the complexity and completeness of them, I just found a hobby shop that has a big range of dragons kits...my next tank project is an Italeri Pz.Kpfw. I, I havent even opened the box so I have no idea as to what the quality is. I have done a few Hasegawa aircraft, they are really nice quality and fit.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions guys.

[Panzermacher]

Nice Karl, I got 2 of those Revells still left unbuilt...they are pretty sweet builds. Congrats on your entry to the Braille scale!

[Gary Gray]

Great job Karl! I really like your paint chipping. It can be very difficult to get right in small scale. Thanks for sharing.

[Hagen]

Glad to see your "J" turned out well Karl, very well indeed. Like the fact that you added sag into the upper run of tracks. Camo looks great also!

[Hagen]

Eventually I want to put a figure in that open hatch, but 1/72 Tank crew figs are kinda hard to find!

Tank crews in 1/72 can be kinda hard to find, I do some miniature wargaming in 20mm and have found these tank commanders from Minutemen Toy Soldiers work nice,

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