This Tamiya kit (#35181) has been around since about the mid-1990s. It is an excellent kit
overall and builds into a very nice replica straight out of the box.
Construction was pretty straightforward, although I did add a
few modifications to my example. The most notable is Cavalier’s Zimmerit set.
This product consists of a combination of thin, flexible resin strips for the upper
hull and turret ring, as well as several solid resin items, such as the rear plate and main gun mount.
Zimmerit is the serrated-like coating which appeared on German armor in the mid-war years.
It was believed that it would negate the effects of Russian magnetic anti-tank mines. While a
nice theory, the fact was that they did not employ magnetic mines. Regardless, the zimmerit
does make for a pretty cool appearance.
Five minute epoxy was used to affix the resin sheets to the hull and turret ring.
Super glue will work as well, but I prefer the extra adjustment time that the epoxy allows.
I wasn’t nearly as happy with the fit of the zimmerit embossed rear hull plate. This did
not fit the Tamiya plastic lower hull very well. I ended up using the kit part
with hand made zimmerit sculpted from Squadron Green Putty and a white metal
tool known as Zim-er-It. Unfortunately, I don’t believe this particular tool is
available anymore, but there are viable substitutes should a modeler prefer
sculpting their own zimmerit. I also used the putty zimmerit for the lower hull
sides below the fenders. An aluminum barrel from Elefant replaced the kit
part.
The kit instructions were then followed to conclusion although
I did some thinning of the turret spaced armor ring and supports. The kit parts were
noticeably thick here. Photo-etched parts are available which replicate the desired thinness,
but they cost about as much as the kit!
The muffler on the rear was textured with a combination of pastels and oil paint.
The tank was sprayed with Tamiya Dark Yellow overall, followed by a camouflage pattern of Tamiya Red Brown
and Tamiya Olive Green. These colors were applied using my trusty Badger 150
airbrush. The crew figures came from a Dragon set.
Weathering was done with oil paints and weathering powders.
The pine boughs were an aftermarket item from Hudson and Allen, applied with white glue,
finishing the model.
