Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H, GPM 1:25

[snake7]

While I’m waiting for a friend to help paint the tracks, I’ve continued working on the model.

I started assembling the turret.
It has a simple shape and was straightforward to build.

The only adjustment needed was to the floor plate.

I also chose to laminate this part onto 0.5 mm cardboard rather than the recommended 1 mm, as it gave a better result.

As usual, the front plate was replaced with a Zimmerit version.

 

[Boris]

Looks great, clean gluing lines

 

[snake7]

I assembled the loading mechanism - the internal part of the gun.
Nothing special here; the unit is quite simplified.

After the long and repetitive work on the tracks, everything now feels smooth and fast to assemble

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

With how clean, clear and crisp your builds are, it is both AMAZING and AWE-INSPIRING to see your build threads!

 

[zathros]

I have found that I cannot weld paper, it always catches fire!! Those are some really solid looking parts, and the joinery is fantastic.

 

[Boris]

Nice joints, especially for such small parts

 

[mijob]

Wow even the small parts are looking great. How is it possible to work so clean.

 

[snake7]

Thanks guys!

The next step was the gun itself.

The base is poorly designed — there are no clear instructions or drawings. To make it movable, you simply need to mount it on some kind of axle, but there are no markings indicating where to drill the holes, and no information about the axle’s length or diameter.

So I used some 1 mm wire and measured the length and hole positions myself. There was a risk that it wouldn’t move properly, but in the end it assembled well.

I’m not a big fan of long barrels — they’re difficult to roll and glue cleanly. I know the technique, but my experience hasn’t been great. This one was no exception. It bent slightly to one side, and I corrected it as best as I could. The final result is acceptable to me, but not perfect.

On the Sherman, I managed a much better result — probably because both the design and the paper quality were superior.

Another issue was with loading mechanism. I was in need to reglue shells basket much higher to fit it inside and have a clearance for gun to move up and down. So original markings were wrong.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

That looks AMAZING! A always, everything is clean, clear, and crisp.

 

[snake7]

Continuing with the turret toothed ring and the rear box.

The box has a unique shape, so you need to be careful during assembly and think in advance about the order in which the parts should be glued.

I started with parts 130 and 130b, then added 130d, followed by 130e, and finished with 130c.

The ring turned out to be too long, so first you need to measure the correct length and only then glue the ends together.

For now, I only glued the ring to the bottom of the turret and left the box for later, after I install the commander’s cupola.