Recent replacements for my Late War German Panzers.
Left, PzIV-J, right PzIV-F for HQ.
Vallejo Model Colors and Daler-Rowney FW Acrylic Inks.
I favor the PzIV variants and the PzIII’s. I do not need Tigers or Panthers. I will however take a few Luchs (Lynx) if anyone is passing out “cats”.
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Battlefront(TM) Late War Germans are excellent little castings. I favor the resin and metal versions but their plastic minis are very detailed and I must add very satisfying to my methods and tastes.
I have completed a company of Panzer IV H’s for France and Northwestern Europe Theatre of Operations. I needed some reconnaissance (Aufklärungs) options, so I built three (3) of the 8-wheeled, or “8-rad” SdKfz 234/1 & 234/2 Puma.
The 234/2 Puma carries a 50mm L/60 main gun. I can use 3 or 6 models in my army. Sometimes a Colonel just wants his Aufklärungsabteilungen troops to go with the 20mm auto-cannon option. I have the turrets that fit onto the same chassis to make two squadrons of 234/1 “8-rads”. Not as much ‘bite’ as a tank gun 50mm L/60 but plenty of fire-power.
These machines are quick and have a good punch too.
The SdKfz 234’s are fast, power weapons, but they lack very much in the armor department. I have to keep the 8-rads clear of Allies’ tanks and bazookas.
The Puma is good to find troops ‘gone to ground’; dislodge them; then scoot out of harms way before reinforcements or the ‘heavies’ arrive to twist their tails
This is a follow up for the Panzer repaint project.
Previously, I presented the middle-green base coat. The Stugs have gone through a color transformation. The other Panzers and vehicles shall follow soon.
PREVIOUSLY 
The Group Picture–Stugs are at the back row of this picture
CURRENTLY
The Stugs display an olive green, dark green, gray, and red-brown, in an ambush pattern I saw at the Patton museum.
I have used these paints and some others I had at the paint bench.
| Color/ Couleurs | Code/Codé |
| Red-Brown / Rouge-Marron |
Vallejo 982 |
| Gray / Gris |
Vallejo 995 |
| Green-Brown / Vert-Marron |
Vallejo 114 |
| German Camo Orange / Brun-Orange |
Vallejo 128 |
Painting camouflage can be a daunting task. I have seen too many paint schemes. I have received a lot of expert advice from arm-chair generals. The camouflage I present here matches my collection very nicely.
I decided to go with a plausible paint discipline for Northwestern Europe in 1944 that has some historical precedence. Likewise, I think the pattern shown in the Stug picture will work well in the forests of Belgium and in the towns and villages of France and Germany, the most likely wargame terrain though which my forces will dash.
A bit of highlight and a wash with ink should finish these minis.
When the Panzers First Arrived
Refurbishing minis is twice the work. First paint removal can be a patience tester. This time, not such a bother, especially when the old and worn out equipment is cheap, I mean really cheap. I knew I could rehabilitate the Panzers and other vehicles in between larger project. Just took some planning and a little bit of patience. I am on step three now; the new base coat. There is the second part, a new coat of paint. Airbrush anyone? I think it’s time.
Take a look; here is a snapshot of how the Panzers used to appear.
The old colors
When the tanks arrived at the toy shop I knew the paint scheme would not fit in the existing collection principally from color and then the style differences were too stark.
Stage Two
Stripping the paint from the resin and pewter minis was straightforward. I used a 70% solution of SuperClean™ with water; soak for 8-12 hours; remove paint with a soft bristle brush. Some detail work was necessary, not a bother.
Paint stripped and minis dryed
I took the precaution to rinse the cleaning solution off very well. No need to do all the work to then leave residue to mess with the base coat.
Now
For the base coat I considered flat black, the old stand-by. Sandable gray primer is also a fine choice for this scale armor. By the time the cleaning was complete the minis were already that shade of gray.
For this project I tried a primer with color. This time a flat Krylon™ middle green that has fantastic coverage, excellent tooth, and the paint is super-flat, my three favorite choices for a base coat. I chose a mid-range shade for my painting plan for these minis. I can add darker tones, even darker shades, contrasting colors, and highlights from the mid-shade base. I am going to give it a try and check the results.
Stage Three Panzers in Base Coat
I think I am getting closer to the result for which I hope. The airbrush is a good option. I can also try inks and washes to achieve a little bit different result.
Next Stages
Drybrush
Ink wash
Highlights
Add numerals and decals (optional)
Seal
Discussion about military equipment color, pattern, and variations can make for interesting side lights to this hobby, variation being the operative word here.
I like to have some good reference sources within reach for the varied interests I pursue in Wargaming. Recently with a 15mm Flames of War Panzer repaint project I nosed around in some of my source materials. I was reminded of a fairly good and inexpensive book that may be of interest to others.
German Tanks of World War II In Color (MBI Pub., 2000) is well organized by tank type; light to heavy with a few wheeled support vehicles included. It is mainly a book of color representations of German Panzers in collections or on static displays. The pictures tend to be the average coloration with few historical unit references. That is fine. The book gives a good feel of the fundamental colors and a few camouflage patterns. Tank fluff is mainly good.
What is missing? Only the paint…well sorta.
Examples of the Panzer III N and Panzer IV F1 and Horch Kfz 15 light transport as they would appear if I had assembled them from the package. These are the same minis from the previous post sans cammo.
Some re-assembly required
SuperClean loosened the paint down to the primer. After about twelve hours of sitting in the SuperClean bath the hard work was over. Nice paint-free minis. I have soaked minis for a mere four hours and had great results. Varnishes and sealers require more time.
As a precaution I used nitrile gloves for this project. SuperClean is caustic to skin. I need my skin.
A very soft toothbrush served as the scrubber. Now the Panzers and transports sparkle, resin and pewter glory.
Some re-assembly is required
The glacis plate and main gun bits came off. I suppose the previous owner had used a PVA type glue. CA a.k.a. cyanoacrylate adhesives and ‘hot glues’ usually do not succumb to SuperClean™. PVA or polyvinyl acetate or ‘white glue’ however melt to mush.
I like SuperClean for this type project. It is friendly to most plastics, resins, and pewters. Old School lead will not withstand the powerful action however.
Some solvents and paint removers are not-so-kind to resin. I learned a hard lesson with denatured alcohol and resin. It will destroy resin of the Battlefront™ variety.
Soon it will be off to the spray booth for a little airbrush love.
Devereux's Volunteer Company of Misfits & Ridiculous Diversions 