Build Log : Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H with DIY Zimmerit – Part Three

Catch up with PART TWO here

A little bit of progress today, and then a slight dilemma. I’ve added zimmerit to the hull tub on one side and tidied up the rear. Light was fading so I’ve only grabbed a couple of photos and have completed the tidy up since these were taken.

The method used to add zimmerit to the hull tub is very simple, in this case using white DAS self hardening modelling clay which is available from The Warehouse art and craft section for around $10 a block and you use maybe 10 cents worth per side ( I use white instead of brown as it contrasts more with the plastic colour which helps in cleanup ). Moisten it with water, spread it on with a small trowel ( I use a wide screwdriver head plus a couple of plasticard strips for the hard to get spots ). Keep it moist as you add it till the whole side is covered.

Once it’s all covered let it start to dry off and use a small jewellers screwdriver ( I used a 4mm wide one ) to add the ridges. I’m going for a field applied look so wider, heavier ridges than facrory applied, mainly as it’s quicker as a factory applied finish is tidier, more consistant and has more, finer, ridges closer together – but also looks more boring. So it’s a simple case of starting at one side and working top to bottom pushing the tip of the screwdriver into the putty. The trick is to not push it in perpendicular, but more of a 45 degree upward motion that creates the ridges. ( The photo has been darkened to bring out the detail ).

Leave the clay to dry completely then using small chisels, a sharp knife, and a very short bristled stiff brush you can clean it up. Remove areas not needed with the knife and chisels ( sharpened small screwdrivers work too ) and the brush for cleaning off around rivets, bolt heads, and just surfaces where you got it but don’t want it. The light outside went before I could get photos of the cleanup or the finished rear end so I’ll put those up tomorrow.

And now the dilemma.

The intention was to model a July 1943 production Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H in February 1944, a pre-factory zimmerit version that has had field applied zimmerit added. The Academy kit makes a good July 1943 version as it includes the side vision ports which were dropped in June but still appeared on June and July production versions as existing stock was used up. The zusatzpanzer additional 30mm armour plates that were bolted on were dropped in June also in favour of single piece 80mm plate, which fits with the Academy kit also.

The shurzen rails in the kit are the October 1943 onward style but that’s not a problem as many were updated to replace the older style which got damaged too easily when plates were knocked off. The kit also has the pre-October ’43 welded idlers, so all good so far for a July production version.

But then we hit a wee snag. The Academy kit has the cast return rollers introduced in October ’43 together with the cast idlers. So short of trying to explain it away as having had new return rollers added I really should replace the kit rollers with the earlier rubber tyred rollers. Or at least several of them. The dumb part is once the thing is together and the shurzen is on you won’t see them and most people wouldn’t even know. But I will. So I suspect I’ll be spending a day filling in the cast rollers to be able to make them into rubber tyred ones. Damn AMS.

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