Well, the PzJg.I model that I started back in Dec '07 (!) has finally been completed.

Some of you may remember that I started a blog on the build of this kit, which can be located here:

http://www.track-link.net/forum/site_blogs/8718

Photos of the completed vehicle can be seen here:

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/bruce.probst/PzJgI1?feat=directlink

I don't have a good excuse for being so tardy in finishing this, especially as I stopped when it was so nearly done. There just always seemed to be something else to do.

Any way, the kit was completed much as has already been described in the text of the blog. The paint job is supposed to represent the hastily-applied sand colour wearing off the underlying panzer gray ... not so sure how well that's come off, but I'll live with it. Sealed with Future, decals as usual from Bison (they're 1/72nd scale, but at this size the difference from 1/76th is measured in fractions of a millimetre), given a wash in Lifecolor "Tensocrom Active Surface Agent" (i.e., a filter, I guess) "Sand" (with some splashes of "Rust" here and there also) and finally sprayed with Mr Hobby Matt Clear.

If it wasn't for the damage to that track I'd be quite pleased with it. As it is I think the scratchbuilt jerry can rack and mesh screen came out satisfactorily (and even the ultra-simple addition of the stretched-sprue aerials make a big visual difference, I think).

Next-up: a T-34 two-fer: a simultaneous build-and-paint of the Matchbox and Fujimi T34/76, both 1/76th scale of course. The Fujimi kit, which is quite excellent, shall likely be built with barely any modifications; the MB kit, which is not nearly so excellent, shall receive some extra work (not least, new tracks from somewhere -- the original rubber band tracks have disintegrated!).


Bruce Probst
Melbourne, Australia

Hiya Bruce,
Good looking model there. It's good to see some people are still getting the most out of the older 1/76 scale kits. Is it possible to obtain a small section of spare plastic track link(as used on the hull)to fill in for the broken section of vinyl track link?
In regards to your up coming T34 project be sure to consult the excellent article by Tomasz Basarabowicz here at the Missing-Lynx. reviews under small scale.
http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/reviews_smscale.htm
keep up your good work;
cheers Jim

Thanks, Jim. I did think about using the spare tracks in just such a manner as you describe. Unfortunately, Fujimi did not do a good job of matching the plastic track with the rubber track, i.e., any attempt to use the plastic to fill the gap in the broken track would look just as clumsy and obvious as leaving the gap there. Oh well.

I have seen the article you refer to, thanks.


Bruce Probst
Melbourne, Australia

Hi Bruce

if you set the model on a diorama, you can hide that spot with something (foliage, rocks, kneeling figure, log, mud, etc). You could maybe even fashion a part from plastic card to replace the missing track, given its such a small piece, it would not have to be perfect, and would be hard to spot if you did even a fair job on it.

but I may be able to help you - I believe I might have a small piece of Fujimi PZ I vinyl track, somewhere, though I've noticed that Fujimi track, when exposed to the air can 'shrink' over the years so it may be a bit underscale (but you could line it up on the outside edge so that wouldnt matter much). I'll post back within 24 hours to let you know if I've found it. (I have a small mountain of spares parts boxes in my roof, so may take a while to find)

there is a handy T34 article comparing various T34 kits in "On The Way" also, I found it useful for a Military Wheels T34 Flakvierling that I'm building. It only deals with the 1/72 kits, but may be useful to you anyway. Maybe you could get an Airfix T34 as well and do a 3 way comparison as I think its 1/76 also, and they only cost about $6 AU these days. I've got a couple unbuilt in my roof, and the detail on the hull is very simplified, by more modern standards.

http://www.onthewaymodels.com/articles/modelingT34.htm

cheers
Neil

Neil, yes, good advice, but I don't do dioramas. It's OK -- it's all a learning experience, and hopefully I'll do better as I go along. Who knows, I may well do a diorama at some point in the future and I can rebase the vehicle -- but for the moment, I'm done, and I'm moving on. Thank you for the offer, any way.

I've seen the T-34 information at "On The Way" (shame that it's a bit out-of-date, with no discussion of the Dragon or Trumpeter kits). I have an Airfix T-34 (in an ancient "plastic bag" package, no less), alas it's become "spare parts" because the tracks melted the plastic. Not been a good time for me and kit tracks recently. The Airfix kit has way too many problems for me to want to build it ... it's a very poor T-34/76, and it's only a so-so T-34/85 (and based on a post-war vehicle, to boot). The road-wheels are OK, but not half as good as the Fujimi wheels. Interestingly the tracks, although they wrecked the Airfix hull, are themselves pretty much intact, and if I wash and seal them might do to replace the missing tracks for the Matchbox kit. We'll see .... I've actually started on the MB kit just this morning, and doing some work to improve the turret and gun ... a fun challenge, actually, if I can pull it off.


Bruce Probst
Melbourne, Australia

Hi Bruce

I found the piece of track that I think is 1/76th Fujimi Pz I

couple of pics below. They are not real good pictures as its night time, and camera flash doesn't work on macro setting.

I can pop it in an envelope and mail it to you - I think I can afford a 50 cent stamp

send me your postal address via email - its no problem to post it and you should have it in 2 days

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cheers
Neil

Bruce Probst
Melbourne, Australia