CrankyCrafstman

Hey all More work done on the Panzer III Ausf N. This view shows the extras from Value Gear that I am adding to the Panzer III. Another view of the added stoage. This view shows the storage rack that I scratch built from plastic stripes and wood. This view shows the storage rack without the boards. That's it for now be back soon. Ron G

The only WW2 Shermans in 1/16 scale are RC versions from Heng Long, Torro and Tigon. You could take Andy's 1/16 easy 8 and either the 1/16 Achilles or M10 and combine them into a M4A3 (76) W VVSS Sherman. You could get SOL models 105mm turret conversion to make a 105 Sherman, but this is a expensive option at $139.99 for the Sherman & $149.00 for the Achilles/ M10. I'm not sure what the 105mm conversion is. But it's close to $100.00.😵‍💫😱 Ron G

Hey Harv Hope you are doing better. Remember both those AHHQ Shermans are late, very late WW2 & Korean Shermans. I'm hoping that now that Andy has both the M10 & Achilles he will be coming out with an early M4A3 either the 75mm or the 76mm with the VVSS suspension. These would be more what you would have seen during the majority of the war. Ron G

Thanks everyone

Hey all More work done on the Panzer III Ausf N. Some painting, some assembly so here are some pictures for you to look at. This view shows the commanders seat that I scratch built. This view shows the gunners optic that I scratch built. This view shows the machine gun in place. This view shows the gunners hatches and periscope. This view shows the loaders hatches and his periscope. This picture shows the crew in there respective hatches. The commander doesn't fit with all five of the periscopes installed, so I removed the two rear ones (I lost one to the carpet monster anyway 🤬). This view shows the front access hatches for the steering brakes. This view shows the hatches open. Also I scratch built the handles from brass wire. This view shows the rear storage bin. This view shows the storage bin open and the inside painted black. Well that's it for now be back soon with more updates. Ron G

Hey all Got some more work done on the Panzer III Ausf N. I have the inside of the upper hull and turret painted in Elfenbein. I also painted the inner track rollers and there supports RAL 8000. I also cut all of the tracks and the guide horns off there sprues 216 tracks & 216 guide horns!!!! I think I have spruecutterittus!!! I have calluses on my sprue cutter hand...lol Ron G

Hey Carl Yeah, I read those posts on Britmodeler. It seems that WW2 German tracks (actually almost all WW2 tracks were made from Manganese steel). This is a very hard color to try and replicate. I'm going to put my thinking cap on when I go down to the modeling dungeon and try a few things. I'll let you all know what I find out after some experimentation. Ron G

Hey all Back on the Tiger, kinda. I have the dust coat and the clear coats on, looks alot better. I also have the tracks painted and weathered. This wasn't easy, at least for me. They turned out ok in the end, but I was sweating it there for awhile.😥🫣 I think they look ok, what do you guys think? They will look better on the tank. Ron G

Hey guys I think I found the one thing that I SUCK AT! weathering. I started weathering the Tigers tracks and they look like crap! They look just like they did before I started weathering them. There so bad that I didn't even take any pictures.🤬 Ron G

Hey all I switched things up the last few days. I decided to paint the three figures that I'm going to use for this tank. This view shows the three figures in there positions in the turret. This is the commander figure. This is a close up of his face. This is the gunner figure. This is a close up of his face This is the loader figure. This is a close up of his face This picture is all three figures. I still have to do a little more blending and coloer modulation to them, plus a coat of flat clear and some washes. Well that's it for now be back soon with more. Ron G

Hey Carl Neat video, but I wouldn't want to be the driver or radio operator if the tank caught on fire...lol

Hey all Some more work done on the Panzer III Ausf N. It's starting to look like a Panzer III Ausf N. This view shows some detail painting done. This view shows the two receivers mounted to the roof. I still need to paint this area. This view shows the transmitter mounted to the under side of the glacises plate. That's it for now be back soon with more. Ron G

Thanks guys

Hey all More work done on the Panzer III Ausf N. I have the interior painted. This view shows the mostly complete interior. Same thing from the other side. View looking forward at the drive mechanism. I see there's a spot that I missed while painting. I'll get it tomorrow. This view shows the firewall and ammo bins. On the left behind the radio operators seat mounted to the hull side are the radio transformers. This view shows the hand painted gauges This view shows the two receiver's and the transmitter. I sfill have alot of detail painting to do yet. Well that's it for now be back soon with more updates. Ron G

Hey Carl I've been toying with the idea of crossing AHHQ Sherman easy 8 with the Achilles in order to make a M4A3 (76) VVSS Sherman, but there $149.00 dollars each! The wife would kill me, castrate me and burn me alive if I spent that much right know.😳 Ron G

Hey all Small update for you to look at This view shows the seats in place temporarily. It also shows the reworked pipes that exhaust the heat from the steering brakes. This view shows pipe on the drivers side. This view shows the parts in place temporarily. I still need to make the ammo bin on the radio operators side. I'm just making shapes so when I paint them and you look through the hatches you will be able to see something, instead of an empty hull. Ron G

Hey Carl Actually the driver and radio operator entered through the turret hatches. They had to crawl down into there seats. There's a video on YouTube by the "Cheften" of the Bovingtons Panzer iii of the 5 different positions in the Panzer iii, have a look it's pretty interesting. Ron G

Hey all Got some more work done on the Panzer today. This view shows the radios temporarily installed in the hull. This view shows the radios. I took these from my Panzer IV Ausf H I'll replace them when I get back on building it. This view shows the scratch built radio mounting brackets. Another view of the same thing. This view shows the floor plates and the transmitter radio. This view shows the floor plates and the transmission tunnel and modified firewall. Another view of the interior. Well that's it for now be back soon with more updates. Ron G

Hey all Well the interior peices from AFV Modeler showed up today. They took alot of clean up but they look really cool. I'm not going as far as I did with the Tiger, just enough so when you open the front hatches there's something there. The seat on the top left is from a Panzer IV and I'm using it for the radio operators seat. This view shows the parts from AFV Modeler. I forgot to take pictures of the individual parts. Soory. This view shows the parts in the hull. I'm going to scratch up a floor and tunnel for the transmission. Same thing from the drivers side. This is a view looking forward from inside the tank. This picture shows the view through the front hatches. Well that's it for now be back soon with more updates. Ron G

Hey Paul I know that the tiger suspension arms kept me on pins and needles, l would keep hooking them on everything. So far the Panzer III's not to bad. I think I'm probably going to be gluing them in place, they sit way to low, same as the Tiger.🤬 Ron G

How much did they have to stretch that cupola so you could fit Gary?...lol🤣😁 just kidding I'm bigger than you. Ron G

Thanks guys

Hey all Got some more work done on the Panzer III. I now have the sprockets and idler wheels installed, I temporarily attached the return rollers for this picture. This view shows some preliminary painting done to facilitate assembly. Same thing from the bottom. This view shows a section of the track assembled. Because I modified them with a pin. I can attach the rest of the tracks to either side and the pin will allow for disassembly. This view shows the modifications I did. I drilled out two links so that I could but in a brass pin, this will allow me to attach & remove the tracks once I have them painted & weathered. Well that's it for now be back soon. Ron G

Thanks guys

My bad, should read closer Ron G