Test of patience

[mikeh]

This 1/72 Panzer IV J Late by UM out of Ukraine has really tested my patience and my abilities.

First off, nothing fit right road wheels, tracks, photo etch engine screens nothing. Everything needed sanding or trimming or filing the p/e. It is really no wonder I could not find any type of review for this kit online.

Tracks are link and length but were designed for a 4 return roller chassis I can tell just by how the lengths line up. The hull is 4 pieces and the bottom piece that all the other parts attach to was warped and twisted so had to put that piece into very hot water and straighten out. The added track links on the front plate didn't look right, to short, so I added on a couple extra links. The individual links were a blessing as they give you plenty and I was able to add on a lot of extra protection you would expect to see on a PzIV this late in the war.

The turret also needed work to get things right. The turrets schurzen supports I made from old p/e scrap I had laying around and I think turned out ok. The schurzen meets in the back and has a small plate that fits to the inside to help give it strength, a good idea but not enough to keep it from breaking open so again with some scrap p/e I reinforced the join.

So now I'm to the point where I add the railing for the hull schurzen and thankfully that is all plastic, this has the mesh screen type of skirt but that looks pretty easy. Fingers crossed.

[Whiterook]

DAMN, that’s tiny! Reminds me of MAGNA’s models… it was something to see him game with them! Anyway, super neat model, but yeah, on that write up, I can tell it’s a but torture, but a great challenge!!! Following.

[mikeh]

I continue to progress with this test of patience. These UM kits are something else. But I think it looks pretty good. First time I have seen Thoma schurzen in 1/72 before. A little more touch up and plunk a commander figure in the cupola and call it done.

[McCoy]

Nice build mate, especially considering the fact that you're not use to the scale.

[mikeh]

Mar 17, 2023 11:57:06 GMT -5 McCoy said:

Nice build mate, especially considering the fact that you're not use to the scale.

Thanks Urban, I have been working on this kit on and off since last November. 

[Whiterook]

I absolutely LOVE what you’ve done with this build, Mike… I’ve not done a 1:72 scale armor kit and the ones ove actually seen in person amaze me in working so small… it’s like going to N-scale in trains after running HO. The detail on this s just amazing. This is a rare case where I’ve seen another modeler’s build and would easily buy the finished work! Funny, but I’ve seen several modelers sell their work… I’ve never been able to let them go in that manner, but oddly donate them to good causes, haha.