Panzer IV H turret skirts

[steelmen]

I'm working on the Tamiya Panzer IV H,and i have a question. I want to re-do the turret skirt. I'm doing this build without all the aftermarket goodies,except for tool brackets,and tracks. Can i just sand the kit parts down to the right thickness, or should i use brass sheet? If i wanted to use plastic sheet, how to you get it to bend? Do you clamp it to the kit part? I know it's a lot of questions,but i'm new to this site,and armor modeling. Any help would be great. One last question. I saw a picture of the best in show at EURO2006 by Phil Stutcinskas. I would like to do that paint scheme. Was it in any mags or on a web site? I believe it was a Panzer IV J.

[Andrew Hall]

Hi Bob, if you're going to use brass sheet then anneal it first and then gently roll it to shape using something suitably round like a bottle or jar. If plastic then you could get it to hold a bend, for the rear skirt, by taping it to a jar and immersing in hot water for a few seconds.

Phils Pz.IV Ausf.J article was in Model Military International issue 10 from February this year...just don't beat yourself up when you can't get the finish exactly the same as Phil's a very good modeller and this particular technique he used is quite involved! :)

[steelmen]

Thanks for the help Andrew. Bob.