Battle Group Crete - Assault Gliders

 I have had these in a box for a while. So they have had a bit of love.  Not convinced about the top surfaces so they will get redone. The spray dots on the fuselage needs to be done and then a coat of varnish and decals.

updated upper surfaces

Mottling camo added. Varnish and then find some decals

Bit of artistic licence

Late production Panzer IV J

 So my frankenstein Panzer IVJ which now has parts from two manufacturers and 5 different kits.

I want to make up three, 2 mid production which will be easy as that is just the exhaust system and simplified construction and 1 late production version which I am considering making into the OP variant.  That will have the StuG cupola and artillery periscope added.  It might not quite be practical as a gaming model but we will see.

I Started with the revised rear plate and tracks from the BF Jagdpanzer IV kit

With the idea of using a standard Panzer IV Turret with the PSC Turret armour applied

And the additional 80mm Bow armour

Pistol ports removed

Then I changed my mind and went with a set of Panzer IV J tracks. And removed the old style antenna mount

Late style cupola

Starting to come together

Also removed all the vision ports from the turret

And also removed the left hand port from the turret face.

Found a decent mantlet (the one on the right)

All mated together

Additional detail on the turret roof

Added the reinforced ring around the base of the cupola, new shovel and track sets

A bit more consolidation

Front detail added.  I want to go back and add the front tow hooks.

An now starting on the tubular schurzen rails.  

Still need to do the front brackets and then fit the bar before making the mesh side skirts

As a wargaming model it will do

 Got fed up with it. Couldn't find the ratlines at the right time so added them afterwards which involved cutting them to fit.  They don't sit right either but are good enough for a shove around the table model.

Frigate 90% - And not that happy with it

 I was happy with the painting and construction, but the rigging wasn't enjoyable for lots of reasons.  And lots of mistakes. Cutting the wrong thread. Trapping a piece of running rigging and not noticing.  The list goes on.  But happy to throw this down on the table and pretend to shoot shot at it.