Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. F1 Sd. Kfz. 161

by: Emilio Notareschi

Evaluation
Model Nr: 2
Class: Military Ground Vehicles / Equipment
Skill: Beginner
Optional Criteria: Decals / Markings
Weathering
Type: Injection Moulded
Manufacturer: Tamiya
Scale: 1/35
Description: Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. F1 Sd. Kfz. 161
14th Panzer Division
Russia 1942

Kit released by Tamiya in 2020 to reproduce the German Panzer IV tank in its F1 version of short-barreled gun.

The Tamiya kit does not have a high number of pieces to assemble and unfortunately does not offer interior details. The sprue dedicated to the tracks offers a very useful template for gluing all the pieces and giving them a more natural shape.
I had to work on every single piece of the tracks to fill in the marks present.

The original plastic antenna has been replaced with a guitar string.

A small detail I added are little chains to secure the pins in the front of the tank. I used costume jewelry chains.

The base color is a 50/50 mix of XF-63 German Grey and XF-18 Medium Blue.
For the rust effects on the muffler, I used various Life Color acrylics. I previously applied some diluted Tamiya putty to the muffler to create some texture on the surface. The burnt effect on the exhaust pipe using Vallejo and AK acrylics.

The tracks received a base color made with a 50/50 mix of XF-69 NATO Black with XF-72 Brown JGSDF. For the tracks I also used acrylics from the ‘Rust & Dust’ set by Life Color, very diluted.

For the modulation of the Panzer I used a mix of the base color with XF-19 at different percentages for the highlights and with pure XF-63 Panzer Grey but diluted to 90% for the shadows.

I used a mix of light, medium, and dark pigments, as Rinaldi suggested.
Then, a few splashes using a dark brown oil.

The detail of the third wheel tire on the right side of the tank was done in Red Oxide with a mix of acrylics to create this shade.

I toned down the rust effect on the muffler and tracks with a mix of oil paints in various shades of brown.