SPA Modeler

Carlos,

I went back and checked the instructions. They call out German grey, but that call out their TS-4 version of their German Gray color. That’s what threw me. I never look at the TS stuff because I don’t use those paints. I guess that’s their rattlecan stuff? I need to remember that Tamiya occasionally calls out their rattlecan stuff AND acrylics and I gotta remember that. So basically I misspoke- it’s not listed in their call-outs for their *acrylics* and that’s okay after all because when I started with the German armor, I just looked at photos, looked at my available paints, and said “Yeah, this German gray looks close enough” and went with that. So I ended up doing the right thing anyway and that’s awesome.

Also, thank you for the photos. Those will help me on this journey A LOT. Much appreciated!

Got ya... and you’re quire welcome about the photos. I had fun digging them up and came across quite a few others...

Hey! What you wrote reminds me of how I treat instructions. I am learning to be more accepting of paint call outs. Normally I have that whole Scottish thing of “How dare ye?” going on, as in “How dare ye tell me to mix that ‘n that with this wee bitty part o’ that?” This is something I’m having a hell of a time unlearning, though. Yours is honest error, mine is some sort of anti-authority reaction to being told to follow instructions...

All I can say about paint call outs and instructions is this- the older the kit, the more grains of salt you take with the paint call outs. What was accepted as common knowledge in the dark days of the 1970s has been replaced by decades of research since then showing us modelers a world of then unknown colors that were in fairly common usage.

I would also double check brand new kits as well no such thing as to much research.

When it comes to color call outs, I tend to try and find the closest color to what they are asking for. I don't like to mix paints; especially when they call for a % of each. I don't even know how much paint I'll be using anyway; how do I know how much a percentage of it is? I've had a bad time keeping mixed paints anyway, especially if it's some unique color that I won't use again for a long while. If it looks right, it is right in my eyes. So far as I know; I've never been knocked out of contention because the color was off by "just that much". I've judged a lot of contests and I have yet to see a judge walk around comparing models with paint chip cards.

Bottom line: If the color looks close enough to what I see of the real thing in pics(whenever that's possible); it's good enough!

No appypollyloggies necessary, o my brothers. That was a good read, y’all’s comments on painting. I’m simpatico with actually all of you in one way or another. Like my German stuff for example. I know what the mfg. thinks the RLM colors ought to be like, and mostly I agree like in the case of Tamiya BUT- at the end of the day, I’m going to mix my own most of the time. HOWEVER, for some reason when it comes to my Panzer and StuG’s, I’d prefer to work with German gray and not mix a custom main coat. Highlights, sure. But I gotta have that german grey in there. Now, I don’t have much experience with older kits, but I’d tend to take your guy’s word over an older kit’s call-outs.

Speaking of- I’ll have to ask for advice when it comes time to build and paint my Zero...

Anyway, the Panzer III (T) is nearly ready for paint. I just have to install the small fiddly bits.

Here it is, in all its glory. Dig the level of detail that Dragon got into this thing:











I’m impressed. This is a solid kit and the detail blows my mind.

Also, I’ve determined why I like this subject so much. It reminds me of my favorite amphibian:



They’re both amphibious, they both have armor plating, they both have spines, they both look menacing as hell, c’mon.

So that photo will go into painting time with me as inspiration and for guidance, if you follow me. It’ll be German Gray, with khaki brown highlighting instead of red brown. That should kickoff a bit later this week.

LOL... when I was a kid in Virginia, I caught a baby alligator snapping turtle. I put it in my aquarium and he immediately started chasing the goldfish around. Your photo brings back memories.

I caught one once in VA too, only not fishing. He was sunning in the middle of the road way out in Fairfax Station. I stopped traffic, snatched him up and moved him off the road. Man. He was NOT happy!!