Tag: Pz.III J

  • RFM Pz.III Ausf. J

    RFM Pz.III Ausf. J

    Want to see my review of this kit? Click here: nomadmodels.wordpress.com/2021/04/04/rfm-panzer-iii-ausf-j-in-box-review/

    Returning to armour, this past summer I completed RFM’s excellent Pz.III Ausf J in a North African Scheme. I had been meaning to do a DAK scheme for a while now as I find it’s a very interesting look and difficult to pull off effectively. Construction started smoothly and I had the pleasure of using quite a few accessories for the built that I’ve collected over time. As is normally the case, construction started with the lower hull and then moved on to the fenders. I used Eduard PRINT tools and ROCHM jacks for the first time and was very pleased with how they came together.

    Construction progressed very smoothly after that, with the minor exception of how the fenders interacted with the top part of the hull.

    RFM has you attach the fenders separately from the lower hull and then attach the upper hull on top of the fenders. This was fiddly to complete and the only downside of the kit worth mentioning. I added Accessories from Panzer Art, DEF Model and RFM’s own set for detailing the model.

    Of particular note are the tracks by T-Rex. They are by far and away the best tracks I’ve worked with. They are very well detailed and extremely easy to put together. If T-Rex offers a set for a subject I’m building, I’m using them from now own.

    Painting came next, I attempted to mottle my chosen colour for the kit over a panzer grey base but found that it didn’t work quite right IMO. I used an unconventional colour, Sail (for ships) by Mr. Color’s aqueous line. I wanted a very faded colour and not something that just looked like lighter dunkelgelb. In this regard I think it did go a bit too far and for my next DAK subject I’ll darken it ever so slightly I think.

    For weathering the standard dark brown oil wash was used. For chipping I took a slightly new approach, and used the technique shown in the book “Tank Art 1” (which is fantastic btw). While I thought my attempts at chipping using lacquer thinner (which tends to melt the paint instead of chipping it) were passable, I do feel like I need more practice in this area. I also used various streaking effects and pigments on the lower surfaces to really sell the fact that this was a desert vehicle and was exposed to harsh elements.

    All in all this build took a little over a month to complete and I quite like how my first DAK vehicle came out! This won’t be the last I complete.

  • RFM Panzer III Ausf. J In Box Review

    RFM Panzer III Ausf. J In Box Review

    Want to see my build of this kit? Click here: https://nomad-models.com/2023/10/03/rfm-pz-iii-ausf-j/

    One of my first ever “mainstream” kits I’ve built was Tamiya’s Panzer III Ausf. L. Ever since then, I’ve been a huge sucker for the tank. In my opinion the Panzer III was the most over looked tank of the second world war and as such, it’s got a soft spot in my heart. Funnily enough, I didn’t intend to pick this kit up. I originally wanted to give Tamiya’s new Marder III a go, however it wasn’t in stock at my LHS. Bought for $70 CAD, This kit is a little steep price wise for what you’re getting. The Pz. III isn’t a huge tank and I was pretty surprised by how few sprues there were in the box. Anyway, let’s get into it, here’s my inbox review for Rye Field Model’s Panzer III Ausf. J.

    Kit Features: 16/20

    The kit certainly isn’t lacking for specialty features. It includes individual length tracks, a generous amount of photo etch, and a few other goodies. One thing I was particularly happy to see was the ability to open and close lots of different hatches. RFM also gives the builder the option of a workable suspension if they desire, a increasingly common addition to kits these days. The “Figures” included in the kit are interesting to say the least, essentially just geometric shapes, they are only useful as a nice novelty and not something most builders would want to include in their build. The figures are a bit of a catch-22, odds are if you’re the kind of builder who stages figures in your model, you do it because you want some additional realism/life into the scene. The problem is that they are inherently unrealistic and don’t fit well in the build. If anything you can use them as painting dummies in the future to practice your figure painting skills. Besides that though, the kit really provides you with some nice accessories to play with. Of particular note are the tracks, which, don’t have any injector pin marks and will require little cleanup.

    Quality of Molding: 45/50

    The molding of the kit is definitely the best part of this build, the details are crisp and it’s obvious RFM put a lot of effort into this area. Small details are well defined and clearly visible. Of particular note are the weld seams molded into the plastic. In my opinion these are some of the best injection molded seams found today. Another specific area of note is the detail found in the running gear. The “Continental” branding on the tire can clearly be made out, furthermore, patches of weld beads can be seen on the inside of the wheels. With typical kits, the bottom of the tank will often consist of a “tub” that the suspension can be attached to before closing the top. In this kit however RFM has opted to split up this construction method, allowing for greater detail in individual pieces. Seeing as this is a 2020 release, this kind of detail is expected and the kit absolutely delivers. Points are only lost due to the absence of any texture in the molding.

    Instructions: 19/20

    I was pretty happy with the instructions upon my first impression. Printed on a large booklet they feature 3d colour CAD illustrations of various build processes to aid with part placement. The instructions also indicate where on parts glue should be applied, this is particularly helpful with the track construction. The only issue I think may be a problem is that they seem quite busy. They may be hard to follow for some builders.

    Miscellaneous: 8/10

    The kit gives the modeller a pretty wide selection of markings to choose from, all of which fit pretty neatly on a small sheet of decals. While these specific options aren’t my cup of tea, I have to say RFM did a good job providing options. The only issue I have with the markings is that they don’t indicate unit or location on the color plates. For $70 this is a pretty healthy kit feature wise.

    Total: 88/100

    There’s no other way to say it, this is a really capable kit at a reasonable price. This kit is leaps and bounds better than the other J variants on the market. I have no doubt it’ll build up to be a good looking Panzer III. It comes with a good helping of accessories and is loaded with detail. Definitely try to pick this one up.