Tamiya 1/35 Panzer IV Ausf.F - DAK scheme redirected to the Eastern Front.

All Panzer IVs left the factory in Panzer Grey, with camouflage applied later at depots or in the field. A dark grey or dark brown primer is the correct starting point for this kit - not black. Monument Hobbies Pro Acryl Dark Neutral Grey is the recommended in-stock alternative to the Badger Stynylrez and One Shot primers referenced in the original build video, which are not carried.

XF-92 Yellow Brown (DAK 1942) as the overall base coat, followed by a disruptive pattern of XF-49 Khaki. When applying the khaki camouflage, use the painting diagram as a guide rather than trying to match every line exactly. If you zig when you should have zagged, no one will know.

Spray can note: Tamiya TS-46 and TS-68 aerosol sprays are no longer imported into Canada. The LP-30 Light Sand and LP-16 Wooden Deck Tan lacquers are the current alternatives for those working from spray cans. LP-68 Wooden Deck Tan with filters applied will get you closer to the DAK Yellow Brown than LP-30 alone.

A note on creative licence: the inside and outside of the hatches would normally be painted the same colour. The thinking here is that when the vehicle was repainted in the field with the hatches closed, the interiors would have been left in the original factory Panzer Grey. Whether fully authentic or not, the grey interior draws the eye to the open hatches and creates a more interesting result. The grey primer serves as the interior colour with no additional painting required.

A few light coats of Aqua Gloss over the completed paintwork before applying decals. Tamiya's decals are still relatively thick but have improved over earlier generations and conform to surfaces much better than they used to. Walther's Solvaset is the preferred setting solution - we are currently working to bring it back into stock following the closure of a major distributor. In the meantime, Tamiya Mark Fit Super Strong is the closest available alternative.

AK Dark Brown Enamel Wash worked into every nut, bolt, hinge, hatch and recess across the whole model. AK Rust Streaks and AK Light Rust Enamel Wash applied to the exhaust, cables, and tools. Allow all enamel products to fully dry before the next step.

A final flat coat applied over the washes to seal everything and provide the correct dull surface for the earth and dust weathering effects to follow. Vallejo Matt Clear is the recommended alternative to the One Shot Transparent Primer used in the original build video.

AK Dry Mud thinned slightly with water, speckled onto the lower hull using an old brush and a toothpick. Concentrate the effect along the bottom and rear of the tank, under the fenders, under the return rollers, and on top of the bogies. Follow with AK Accumulated Dust, then a final pass with a mix of both products. Make sure to spatter these effects onto the wheels too so the result is consistent with the hull.

Brush dry mud into the recesses on the outer face of the track and along the interfaces where links are not in contact with the wheels. Follow with the same splatter technique used on the lower hull. Once the earth effects are dry, Abteilung Gun Metal Pigment is applied to the track cleats, the high spots on the outer face, and the exposed teeth of the drive sprocket and idler wheel where they contact the tracks. The best applicator for this is a finger - simply dip and rub.

All paints and weathering products used in this build are in stock at Wheels and Wings Hobbies in Toronto, available online with Canada-wide shipping.