Tamiya Panzer IV build
03-03-2010, 06:59 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Tamiya Panzer IV build
All,
I have finally completed my Tamiya Panzer IV build. The build was pretty striaght forward without any difficulty. Here is a list of the modifications I added to the kit:
Impact Metal Tracks
Zimmerit
Metal spare tracks
Motor grease shield
Deans connecters for the motors and DMD
Impact TUs with ball bearings for shaft supports and Tamiya gears
smaller speaker box
velcro to secure the MF/DMD, speaker, and receiver
blue gears in the turret and elevation units
TBS emitter mounted in the mantlet
here are some build photos of the lower hull, suspension was not difficult, i painted the parts before assembly.
more to follow
I have finally completed my Tamiya Panzer IV build. The build was pretty striaght forward without any difficulty. Here is a list of the modifications I added to the kit:
Impact Metal Tracks
Zimmerit
Metal spare tracks
Motor grease shield
Deans connecters for the motors and DMD
Impact TUs with ball bearings for shaft supports and Tamiya gears
smaller speaker box
velcro to secure the MF/DMD, speaker, and receiver
blue gears in the turret and elevation units
TBS emitter mounted in the mantlet
here are some build photos of the lower hull, suspension was not difficult, i painted the parts before assembly.
more to follow
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03-03-2010, 07:05 PM
#2
Thread Starter
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
here are some pics of the metal tracks that I blackened and the shield for the motors to prevent grease from splashing on the the electronics
03-03-2010, 07:16 PM
#3
Thread Starter
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
here is my modified speaker box with a speaker from RCcommand, the box is made from the HL speaker box and then screwed together.
here is the zimmerit being applied on the tank
here is the zimmerit being applied on the tank
03-03-2010, 07:32 PM
#5
Thread Starter
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
mounting the TBS emitter into the gunshield in place of the coaxial machinegun.
here is the mounting of the metal spare tracks on the side, I had to trim one end of the metal track to pass the brass rod thru, then I had to drill the track pin holes out a little larger for the brass rod. it needed to be thick enough to support the weight of the metal track.
here is the mounting of the metal spare tracks on the side, I had to trim one end of the metal track to pass the brass rod thru, then I had to drill the track pin holes out a little larger for the brass rod. it needed to be thick enough to support the weight of the metal track.
03-03-2010, 08:30 PM
#7
Thread Starter
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
I went with a smaller speaker box to save space, here is a pic of everything installed,
As you can see in the pic, it almosts look like how will the Tamiya speaker box even fit!! Not to mention the turret wiring is not even in the pic yet, so to save space and to get as much room as possible for the wiring, i decided to go with the the smaller speaker box, and the RC Command speaker is pretty good, and I do not notice a difference in sound.
As you can see in the pic, it almosts look like how will the Tamiya speaker box even fit!! Not to mention the turret wiring is not even in the pic yet, so to save space and to get as much room as possible for the wiring, i decided to go with the the smaller speaker box, and the RC Command speaker is pretty good, and I do not notice a difference in sound.
03-04-2010, 03:31 AM
#12
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
Thanks for taking the time to document your build.
Deans connectors on the motor and not for the battery? That would improve electrical efficiency AND take up less space.
Deans connectors on the motor and not for the battery? That would improve electrical efficiency AND take up less space.
03-04-2010, 04:14 AM
#13
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
Rather nice build there, Manchu. I'll make mention of it in your FitRep. Very nice Zim job. What material did you use for the actual Zim, and then the texture of said Zim?
03-04-2010, 08:32 AM
#15
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RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
ORIGINAL: manchu9inf
I went with a smaller speaker box to save space, here is a pic of everything installed,
As you can see in the pic, it almosts look like how will the Tamiya speaker box even fit!! Not to mention the turret wiring is not even in the pic yet, so to save space and to get as much room as possible for the wiring, i decided to go with the the smaller speaker box, and the RC Command speaker is pretty good, and I do not notice a difference in sound.
I went with a smaller speaker box to save space, here is a pic of everything installed,
As you can see in the pic, it almosts look like how will the Tamiya speaker box even fit!! Not to mention the turret wiring is not even in the pic yet, so to save space and to get as much room as possible for the wiring, i decided to go with the the smaller speaker box, and the RC Command speaker is pretty good, and I do not notice a difference in sound.
03-04-2010, 10:22 AM
#16
Thread Starter
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
Sev,
What i used for the zim is Miliput, I have come to really love the stuff when it comes to doing zim for the Tiger and Panzer IV. It has a long drying time which helps if you make a mistake. I have a "how to" article I have written but just not gotten the time to post. but to add the texture and rough it up a bit, once its dry I sand it with 80 or 120 grit sandpaper.
My time line for this build was getting crunched as I am nearing a deployment and Danville in this month, March. And my battery charger does not have a dean's connector or adapter, if there is such a thing, so I had to go with what I got. Not to say that I will probably not go back and switch in the future to deans on the batteries.
I have been running the tank since Saturday and its a great little runner!! the test of all tests is next weekend at the march battle days in Danville, we will how she holds up then. But so far, running it around the yard, I can not get it to throw track or have it even jump off the idler wheel.
When i get home tonight, i will post more pics of the build.
Will
What i used for the zim is Miliput, I have come to really love the stuff when it comes to doing zim for the Tiger and Panzer IV. It has a long drying time which helps if you make a mistake. I have a "how to" article I have written but just not gotten the time to post. but to add the texture and rough it up a bit, once its dry I sand it with 80 or 120 grit sandpaper.
My time line for this build was getting crunched as I am nearing a deployment and Danville in this month, March. And my battery charger does not have a dean's connector or adapter, if there is such a thing, so I had to go with what I got. Not to say that I will probably not go back and switch in the future to deans on the batteries.
I have been running the tank since Saturday and its a great little runner!! the test of all tests is next weekend at the march battle days in Danville, we will how she holds up then. But so far, running it around the yard, I can not get it to throw track or have it even jump off the idler wheel.
When i get home tonight, i will post more pics of the build.
Will
03-04-2010, 10:55 AM
#17
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
Well, you done a good job on the Zim and the whole tank. Now, when you get to Dville, do ventilate some Allied armor with it.
Thought maybe you used miliput. Can't get it here, so will have to have some sent to me. Want to try it meself. Got a Panther Early G to get rolling on, and have a kazillion welds on him too. Sigh.
Thought maybe you used miliput. Can't get it here, so will have to have some sent to me. Want to try it meself. Got a Panther Early G to get rolling on, and have a kazillion welds on him too. Sigh.
03-04-2010, 11:16 AM
#18
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RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
ORIGINAL: manchu9inf
As you can see in the pic, it almosts look like how will the Tamiya speaker box even fit!!
Not to mention the turret wiring is not even in the pic yet, so to save space and to get as much room as possible for the wiring, i decided to go with the the smaller speaker box, and the RC Command speaker is pretty good, and I do not notice a difference in sound.
As you can see in the pic, it almosts look like how will the Tamiya speaker box even fit!!
Not to mention the turret wiring is not even in the pic yet, so to save space and to get as much room as possible for the wiring, i decided to go with the the smaller speaker box, and the RC Command speaker is pretty good, and I do not notice a difference in sound.
Based on over a year of running my Tamiya Pz4J and for any other modelers considering building the Tamiya Pz4J, I think another opinion based on build experience should be mentioned.
With the Tamiya speaker box installed my Tamiya Pz4J is easily the best sounding and loudest tank amongst my other Tamiya tank builds (and they are all good too). The Pz4 is just a little better.
And I found there is plenty of room for the kit speaker box; wires; receiver and antenna; battery; the Tamiya clunky white connectors; DMD Units; and gearboxes; whether you do a hygienic wiring job as Sevo recommends or a rats nest wire mess as some (read most) are likely to do! LOL.
Either way, everything will work great, especially if you use the blue gears to replace the ill advised black clutch gears in the turret rotation unit and elevation unit.
Again manchu9inf, a great Pz4 shaping up there.
John
PS Tip: Do protect your battery from the little locking nuts along the side of the hull.
03-04-2010, 07:36 PM
#19
Thread Starter
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
here are some pics of the turret mounted on the hull, unfortunately i seem to have lost my turret assembly pics!! 
but there is not anything exceptional about construction of the turret, one cool thing is the turret storage bin lid does open and close which is pretty cool.
On attaching the turret skirts I masked off the areas to be glued and proceeded to paint the base color and camo. One part I did paint camoflauged is the inside of the turret skirt doors. Units often camo'ed these doors for the reason when they were open, they could blend into the camo pattern of the tank.
on hindsight, I would have bolted the turret skirts to their mounting brackets to help in stability, I am afraid that during the heat of combat an obstacle on the field might break them off.
well, since i lost the turret pics, the next pics i will post will be of painting and weathering!
but there is not anything exceptional about construction of the turret, one cool thing is the turret storage bin lid does open and close which is pretty cool.
On attaching the turret skirts I masked off the areas to be glued and proceeded to paint the base color and camo. One part I did paint camoflauged is the inside of the turret skirt doors. Units often camo'ed these doors for the reason when they were open, they could blend into the camo pattern of the tank.
on hindsight, I would have bolted the turret skirts to their mounting brackets to help in stability, I am afraid that during the heat of combat an obstacle on the field might break them off.
well, since i lost the turret pics, the next pics i will post will be of painting and weathering!
03-05-2010, 10:35 PM
#23
Thread Starter
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
Well, since I do not have any turret pics to post, they seem to be lost in the digital vacuum. So I will post some pics of the painting process.
I usually paint everything inside and outside the tank. The basecoat I use is Testors Afrika mustard, then apply tamiya acrylics over that. The usual dark yellow, green and red-brown.
Next will be markings and weathering.
I usually paint everything inside and outside the tank. The basecoat I use is Testors Afrika mustard, then apply tamiya acrylics over that. The usual dark yellow, green and red-brown.
Next will be markings and weathering.
03-05-2010, 11:33 PM
#24
Thread Starter
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
here are some pics of the national markings and turret numbers. I painted them on using my airbrush, as I did with the camo pattern. I copy the German national insignia from the decal sheet on to frisket paper. I copy the white cross cut it out, paint it on, then the same for the inside black portion. I really like this method, its better than trying to get a decal to lay on the zimmerit and you do not have to worry about decal wrinkles.
I drew the turret numbers by hand onto frisket paper and then sprayed them on, once the turret numbers were dry, I went over them once more with flat black paint to darken them a little bit.
I drew the turret numbers by hand onto frisket paper and then sprayed them on, once the turret numbers were dry, I went over them once more with flat black paint to darken them a little bit.
03-08-2010, 12:23 AM
#25
Senior Member
RE: Tamiya Panzer IV build
Your Panzer IV looks fantastic Will.
I hope you and Marty will make it to Danville this week. I'm sure you will have the first Tamiya Pzr IV there. I had my H L Panzer IV there about a year ago before I began converting it to a Jagdpanzer IV Lang L 70. I can't wait to see how it battles. I know Daryl and Brett have Tam Pzr IVs as well but I don't think they are anywhere near done yet. Brett has a Bandai Pzr IV but he does not use it much anymore. You did a fine job on that machine.
So you in Virginia.....Bob, thecommandernj
I hope you and Marty will make it to Danville this week. I'm sure you will have the first Tamiya Pzr IV there. I had my H L Panzer IV there about a year ago before I began converting it to a Jagdpanzer IV Lang L 70. I can't wait to see how it battles. I know Daryl and Brett have Tam Pzr IVs as well but I don't think they are anywhere near done yet. Brett has a Bandai Pzr IV but he does not use it much anymore. You did a fine job on that machine.
So you in Virginia.....Bob, thecommandernj