Skarach's world

2nd Kompanie, 226th StuGAbt, Poland, June 1941.

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) build – Part 1:Introduction
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) build – Part 2:Assembly
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) build – Part 3:Painting
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) build – Part 4:Weathering (chipping and rust)
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) build – Part 5:Weathering (wash)
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) build – Part 6:Weathering (fading and streaks)
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) build – Part 7:Weathering (dust and rain marks)
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) build – Part 8:Tracks
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) build – Part 9:Weathering (dirt and mud)
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) build – Part 10:Stowage
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) build – Part 11:Weathering (oil and fuel stains, final effects)

• Vallejo “Carbon Black” (73116) pigment was added to the end of the exhausts.
• The gun barrel end  and tools were lightly brushed with AK Interactive “Dark Steel” (AK086) pigment.
• Mixtures of Abteilung 502 “Engine Grease” (ABT160) or “Bitumen” (ABT004) oil paint in enamel thinners – in varying concentrations – were added to various parts of  the engine deck, transmission hatches, running gear and fuel drum and oil can to represent stains.

Looking at theses images now, it seems that some of the decals have slightly misbehaved and are not quite settled on the surface as I would like, despite applying on a gloss coat and using decal softener. Oh well!

• Various stowage items from the spares box were painted as shown in the picture and then fixed to the engine deck. Some pigments were added to represent dust and dirt, but I will have more to do here in the final stage.
• Later, discarded shell cases from the 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 gun were added to the engine deck (RB Model 35P02).

• A mixture of medium coloured pigments were brushed onto the surfaces and tracks, followed by light applications of lighter and dark coloured pigments, the latter concentrated mainly in the lower parts of the hull, to represent fresher dirt. All was fixed in place by applying a 1:1 mixture of AMMO “Pigment Fixer” (A.MIG-3000) and enamel thinners by brush. In some places, the procedure was repeated in order to build up the dirt effect.
• Where the tracks come into contact with the ground and road wheels, I applied AK Interactive “Dark Steel” (AK-086) pigment, to represent polished steel.

• Friulmodel tracks (ATL-04) were linked with Albion Alloys’ 0.4 mm brass rod – 93 links per side.
• Treated with UMP “Ultimate Burnishing Liquid”.
• Later, I will add dirt and mud.