Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.L
![](/albums/img/7/8/9/1024789-65866-90-p.jpg "Primered with Stynylrez black surface primer, then base coated with Tamiya XF-60 "Dark Yellow". Hi-lites were done with a mix of XF-60 and Tamiya XF-57 "Buff" of approx 60/40. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/7/8/8/1024788-65866-95-p.jpg "Primered with Stynylrez black surface primer, then base coated with Tamiya XF-60 "Dark Yellow". Hi-lites were done with a mix of XF-60 and Tamiya XF-57 "Buff" of approx 60/40. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/7/9/0/1024790-65866-80-p.jpg "Primered with Stynylrez black surface primer, then base coated with Tamiya XF-60 "Dark Yellow". Hi-lites were done with a mix of XF-60 and Tamiya XF-57 "Buff" of approx 60/40. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/7/9/1/1024791-65866-21-p.jpg "After the primer coat, the road wheels and upper rollers were first sprayed with Tamiya XF-85 "Rubber Black" then the base colour coat of XF-60 was applied with the aid of a generic plastic circle template. The tracks (and spare track pins) were then base coated with Tamiya XF-56 "Metallic Gray". The jack, Jack block and assorted tools will be picked out and painted with a fine brush. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/1/9/1/1025191-65866-66-p.jpg "A random camouflage pattern applied using Tamiya XF-67 "NATO Green" then sealed under a coat of Tamiya X-22 clear gloss, then decals also applied. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/1/9/3/1025193-65866-95-p.jpg "A random camouflage pattern applied using Tamiya XF-67 "NATO Green" then sealed under a coat of Tamiya X-22 clear gloss, then decals also applied. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/1/9/2/1025192-65866-94-p.jpg "Tracks and spare links given a light coat of A.MIG-1002 "Track Wash" using a stippling paint brush, with the excess blotted away using paper towels. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/9/0/9/1029909-65866-72-p.jpg "Additionally, Light gun metal (From Tamiya weathering set "F") is applied to the flat surfaces of both rear idler wheels and chipping applied to the teeth on both drive wheels. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/9/1/5/1029915-65866-70-p.jpg "While the mud dries I begin the chipping process using AK-711 "Chipping Colour". I apply it with a piece of foam (from the type you sometimes receive in packaging of electrical equipment etc) using the "dry sponge" technique. Dip the sponge in the paint and blot away any excess onto a paper towel, and when only a minimum amount of paint is being transferred to the paper you can begin applying it directly to the model. This is a gradual process, and you must go very slowly and gradually build it up to the desired level. I keep a moistened cotton bud handy to wipe away any mishaps or places where I may have gone too heavy. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/9/2/0/1029920-65866-79-p.jpg "With chipping also applied the the hubs on the road wheels, I give the painted rubber areas a light brushing of Grey from Tamiya's weathering master set "E". Any unwanted material on the hubs can be removed later with a cotton bud. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/9/1/9/1029919-65866-92-p.jpg "With chipping also applied the the hubs on the road wheels, I give the painted rubber areas a light brushing of Grey from Tamiya's weathering master set "E". Any unwanted material on the hubs can be removed later with a cotton bud. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/0/6/2/1030062-65866-29-p.jpg "With the sag on the tracks achieved, I moved on to applying oils on the upper hull and turret. Same colours and process as used around the suspension but cleaned up considerably more with odorless spirits. Final weathering was done with ordinary children's coloured pencils for rain/water marks and assorted scratches. An aerial was scratched together using a length of evergreen 0.5mm plastic rod and painted Tamiya XF-85 rubber black, then everything was given a light dusting of light sienna pigments. Finally the track cleats, turret grab handles and machinegun barrels were highlighted with light gun metal from Tamiya weathering master set "F" | View full picture")
Kommentit
81 30 June 2021, 06:15
James CHaving completed the Ausf.N model and enjoying that build, I decided to make the longer barreled Ausf.L my next project. Assembly is completed and is ready to be broken down for final clean up ahead of a coat of primer on everything.
I'm undecded yet if I will paint it as per the box art or do it in a overall grey scheme as Red 02 of the Herman Goering Division.
30 June 2021, 06:18
Jean-Christophe ZeusWow, that was fast! That's Tamiya for you: shake-n-bake. And it looks great!
30 June 2021, 06:43
James CThanks mate. Excluding the spaced armour on the front of the turret and main gun assembly; it was nearly identical to the later model Ausf.N that I just completed. It's a small vehicle, and very well engineered as you'd expect from Tamiya (and much more reasonably priced)
Probably only about 8 hours max to assemble, so perfect for a rainy weekend 😉👍
30 June 2021, 18:35
James CThanks guys and welcome aboard 🙂
I got everything primered and base coated in Tamiya XF-60 Dark yellow yesterday.
Today I plan on applying the camo pattern and doing the detail paintwork ahead of a coat of clear gloss. Pics to follow.
1 July 2021, 17:27
James CA little update with paintwork completed and decals applied.
Once they have set and dried properly, I'll seal them under another clear coat then make a start on the weathering process.
2 July 2021, 22:25
Murad ÖZERsquiggles are looking very nice James, i didn't want to say anything but i was hoping you'd go with this camo instead of dunkelgrau. 🙂
3 July 2021, 18:39
James CA little more progress made.
I got asked how I deal with the tracks on another build, so I went into a little more detail on how I go about it, and what products I use etc with this build album.
Not far off from completion now 🙂
10 July 2021, 18:02
James CNP Bruce 🙂
I had a mishap with the pictures I took of applying sag to the tracks being out of focus, and I hadn't transferred them to the PC before moving on with the build unfortunately and didn't realize until this last album update. But, it was the same procedure as I used on the prev Panzer III N build if anyone is curious about what I did etc. (refer link below)
Anyway, I finished it off a little while ago, but its a bit overcast outside at present to take pictures of the finished build, so will save my final comments until the weather clears up a bit.
Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.N | Album by Jim C (1:35)
10 July 2021, 23:48
James CThe sun finally came out long enough this afternoon to get some quick outdoor shots.
Having now built two of these Tamiya Panzer III kits, I feel that this particular boxing is better than their more recent release of the Ausf.N version based purely on the overall cost. Both kits are a joy to assemble and present few if any traps to fall into. However with the Ausf.N version that I built previously (which includes a metal barrel for the short 7.5cm main gun and photo etch engine grills) the price of the kit was increased approx $25 - $30 which to me is just absurd.
An aftermarket barrel and photo etch grills can be obtained for far less than that, if only being an inconvenience in having to do so.
In short, a great kit to build that's well worth a look if you don't have it already.
Cheers for following 🙂👍
11 July 2021, 02:53
Rui SAnother beauty and even better a OOB 👍. Very Nice & well done III collection
11 July 2021, 11:17
Murad ÖZERSuperb, all 3 of them actually.
once again i like the dirt and mud very much and ty for the step by step in the captions re those. 👍👍👍
11 July 2021, 12:04
Alex RodionovVery nice the model and the collection. ?
Paint job and weathering is fine.
11 July 2021, 18:31
Lode SchildermansJames, having had some problems with SCM (posts from mates), I missed a lot these past months. I always liked the panzer III, and this one is why. Congrats with the result
14 July 2021, 04:57
Deltic21 This looks bang on James!! Will definitely be following your example when i get to painting mine. 🙂 A question if i may, looking at how you "wedged" the top of the tracks, does the track sag itself with the wedges in place or does it need encouragement with a thicker wedge to get it to set correctly? It has been suggested that tissue paper is a good way to go?
15 July 2021, 12:02
James CThanks guys 🙂
@ Deltic - The wedges just help the tracks sag over the upper rollers, drive and idler wheels. The tracks themselves are made of a material that can be glued so I just literally glued them into position where the track and wheels made contact. The wedges help obtain the shape etc.
15 July 2021, 21:33
Michael OsadciwI'll have to try that Vallejo mud stuff out; I really like the way it looked.
15 July 2021, 23:24
Slavo HazuchaAah, so you have been building a little Panzer division - nice job on all of them - I'll probably call the IIIN my favorite (close call with the IIIL). Nice job on all of them, picking up the highlights of the respective camo's! And you really are a track expert, they look excellent on all your models 👍
11 August 2021, 07:57
James CHehe yeah, I had considered doing the Panther and Tiger 1 next but settled on the M4 instead. Cheers mate 😉
11 August 2021, 18:46
Andy HeimVery nice model and very good shading, the details are excellent!
And a perfect weathering.
12 December 2021, 17:44
James CThanks Andy & Guy - I'm surprised (pleasantly so) to see this one still being commented on 🙂
12 December 2021, 18:34
AndreasKGreat result James. I picked this kit as my first tank project and was glad to see such detailed instructions in your album. Especially on the weathering part, which is not exactly what I tend to do on airplanes 😉
21 July 2023, 06:02
James CThanks guys 🙂
Not been around much of late due to having recently moved house. Other than the Canberra which is a bit of a right-off with a total nose gear collapse, everything survived the move intact with only a couple of very minor breakages. Have not setup a new modelling area yet, but hopefully wont be too far away and will be back in business. 🙂
21 July 2023, 17:58
Album info
An out of the box build of:
Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.L
1st Company, s.Pz.Abt. 502
Russia - September 1942
Completed July 11th 2021
