Improving 1/35 Panzer Detail & Stowage for Scale Models

Many people have asked me about my standard upgrade procedure for improving the basic detail on a mode. So, today we will look at that on this Dragon Pz III -- we will add conduit wires, replace the molded-on tool clamps with 3D printed and PE accessories, and we will scratchbuild a stowage rack and add stowage to the model.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow me on Instagram:
/ panzermeister36
My Facebook Page:
/ panzermeister36
Support me and my videos on Patreon!
/ panzermeister36
The tank-themed cutting mat is by Tankraft:
tankraft.com/
Modular workbench storage system is by HobbyZone:
www.hobbyzone.pl/
Listen to the Plastic Model Mojo Podcast while you build:
www.plasticmodelmojo.com/
Music by:
Sam Kuzel: www.soundcloud.com/samkuzel
"William Alone [Extended]"
DISCLAIMER: I am not paid to promote any specific products or brands; I just use the products I find work best for me through my experiences. There is no reason for me to promote a bad product, as then I would not enjoy using it, not like the result on my model, and not be proud of publicizing it in a video. There's also no point in me doing this to keep up relations with a company if the only benefit would be getting more of the same products that I didn't like. I have not used every product out there, but from what I have used, I keep using the products I like, and that's why I use them in my videos. You can use whatever other products you would like to and you can feel that they are better - that is your opinion, and is perfectly fine by me, thus I hope that feeling is reciprocated.

[@Chaos-lb9hi]

7:30 thank you for showing the Rochm 10t German jacks. I did some reading and the Jack used on Hetzer/Marder III was a 5t jack. I order a set of the 5t from Rochm. And the detail and quality of 3d printing was amazing. Thank you again

[@MottysMilitaryModels]

Stunning work Ev thank you for taking the time not only do but sharing too ! Thank you Ev. Hope job is ok ? Family ? Etc etc !!! Stay safe "young un" ??? Anyway Ev you know how fond i am of you and your work ! Its down on a level that other folks from our wonderful community from very top of the experience tree rate down to "relegation" typ

[@AdamMann3D]

Your respect of tool clamp accuracy fills me with less hate than I am used to feeling.

[@Panzermeister36]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Adam. It's always fun to discuss Panzer fittings with you.

[@davidclarke1426]

Herr Mann, my Dragon stash only exists because your still unsurpassed reviews did. Your channel still remains a happy place for me :) I hope you find the time to add something at some point, but thanks for everything you created there and everything you've inspired with it in kindred spirits. Very best from a Irish admirer of your work, wit and encyclopedic knowledge of implement attachment.

[@AdamMann3D]

@@davidclarke1426 when kids get a bit older, maybe 18 months. I will return with regular videos. You guys always make Mr feel honored with praise.

[@Panzermeister36]

It is well deserved praise, Adam. Your videos were always excellent.

[@davidclarke1426]

@@AdamMann3D You replied, that's class. If this counts as me having shared a conversation with Adam Mann and Panzermeister36, then I'm very honoured indeed. Is there a common forum you guys inhabit? I'm just back in the hobby a couple of years after long absence and would like to be able to reach for reliable information and advice. I'm a countryman of Shane Smyth, if there's a forum all three of you are in, could you let me know? I went to Bovington last summer and will go again this year. I could take requests for particular photos as a sweetener... 😄

[@TheModelGuy]

We need to see a line of Panzermeister designed parts.

[@shlamushaaretz5357]

Wow, very resourceful and you have a super eye for detail.

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you so much 😀

[@foreverplastickits138]

*All these added details make the difference, and your load is really realistic. Nowaday so much brands exist that our hobby became a dream!*

[@HamilkarBarkasScaleModelling]

Wow that was a scratchbuild, aftermarket, PE and 3D print fest! Its great to be able to draw from a lot of material to get the best result. This also means one has to keep a decent amount of stuff around to be able to do so, just in case. Perfect excuse for having a well sized stash :)

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you as always Michael! Panzer III deserve these upgrades since they are the best 😄

[@Absaalookemensch]

Great work. Balsa wood also works great to make wooden planks, boxes, etc. Aluminum stock from disposable cook pans, etc. also works good for making scale metal straps. Use metal snips to cut strips. Medical gauze is excellent! for rolled-up camouflage netting. Bug screen (fabric or aluminum from screening doors/windows) also works for projects.

[@Panzermeister36]

Thanks for all the great tips 😊

[@Absaalookemensch]

@@Panzermeister36 This is great for 1/35 scale also. The right scale, inexpensive: Brass Cable Chain Twisted Cross Necklaces Width 1.5mm for Jewelry Making I got 5 yards for $6.

[@nunopreto3751]

Great video. Great tips. Great hands. Great modeller. Thanks for share. You Rock it 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you!

[@joesanchez979]

Excellent detailing 👍

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you Joe 😊

[@russellgosselin3325]

How fortuitous. I just so happen to be making a stowage rack for my DAK pz III. Thanks for sharing.

[@Panzermeister36]

Great taste Russ 😊 Afrika Korps Pz III are always cool. Hope this helps you out!

[@MottysMilitaryModels]

Morning you two hope your both ok ??? Russ, you mention your current project and have you made them yourself with extra styrene sheets, tubes etc etc or are you venturing into the 3d printing surge ?? Whats your opininos Russ.??? If your doing 3d, would you perhaps have the chance to send to myself your work you've just done please ? I will pay everything you we need to post out the subject if you may do anymore ? Please ? Russ no dramas, issues etc etc if you cant, i totally understand matey! So dont worry !

[@panzer-meister]

Extremely detailed Panzer III. It's beautiful. 3D printed parts have clearly changed the way of detail up. Thank you for sharing and lookig forward to your art painting. Cheers,NOB

[@Panzermeister36]

Glad you enjoyed it my fellow Panzermeister 😊 3D printing is a game-changer for sure. I will try printing my own parts soon.

[@JALEO1970]

That's a lot of nice looking detail and I particularly like the rear stowage and brace work.

[@Panzermeister36]

Thanks Johnny!

[@jerryvolpini7987]

Good use of materials and techniques and some helpful tips. Well done 👏

[@Panzermeister36]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brianbrinegar6086]

Outstanding detail work! Thank you for sharing!!

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you very much!

[@John_Sharrock]

Great work as always Evan. The stowage will look amazing when it's all painted. 👍

[@Panzermeister36]

Hope so! Thanks 😊

[@simonbowen4254]

Very helpful video, love it!

[@bobvines00]

Here are my "Noob" questions of the day: Where do you find info on these different "add-on" kits that are printed, photo etched, etc? Where can I find out how to paint & weather kits like you show -- what you do seems to be aimed more at expert modellers, not beginners, though as a "beginner" I watch your videos to learn what is possible and I enjoy watching what you do. I haven't built models for ~50 years but would like to restart now that I have time. Thanks!

[@Panzermeister36]

I buy these sets in various places. Local hobby shop, online retailers in USA and Europe, and at model conventions. It takes some research to know what you need to buy for your vehicle first. I do have a number of videos on my channel where I show how I paint and weather my projects. I hope they are helpful to you. Welcome back to the hobby 😊

[@JBonzalot18]

Excellent tips. Using the 0.10 styrene instead of wire looks so much easier and will hold the finish better than wire. I never tried to bend 90 degrees with it before. With the MJ Min clamps I snip the bottom of the clamp and then push it carefully over the tool. So far it has worked without breaking the plastic. (as these are very brittle).

[@Panzermeister36]

That's for the tip on the clamps. I hadn't thought of that. I think I will get some TREX ones soon as they look more smoothly printed.

[@seanmalloy7249]

@@Panzermeister36 One thought I had on seeing your cut on the shaft of the shovel was that, with such a tiny join face, the join when you glue it back together is a spot where it would be easy to snap off the end of the handle. Since you slid the latches up the handle of the axe, I wonder whether it would wind up being less liable to damage if you snipped off just the ball at the end of the handle, slid the latch up to position, and then glued the ball back on.

[@ArmourEmpire]

Fantastic additions Evan. Very useful video and some great tips

[@Panzermeister36]

Thanks Mark ☺️ hope you're doing well.

[@yattaran1484]

Awesome work as always !. It seems modern day technology made model making more happy than ever !.😄

[@Panzermeister36]

Couldn't agree more! Thank you 😊

[@derekbaker3279]

Excellent! Thank you! 👍👍

[@Panzermeister36]

Cheers!

[@fjdexx]

Very nice work. Thx for show us

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jerzyczechowski5316]

Great work 👍

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you!

[@mariusionita266]

Great vid, as always. For DIY tarps, I usually use tissues (two or more since they're usually thin) and soak them into a mix of PVA glue and water, which makes them very easy to shape up in any way I like.

[@Panzermeister36]

Great tip! I imagine that is pretty similar to the VMS system 😊

[@brucethemodelnoob]

Great job! Dragon’s clamps used to be the best out there… compared to the handleless clamps everyone else was producing. Now they look really clumsy. Luckily there so much PE and 3D printed stuff out there to buy or print yourself. Makes such a huge difference. Certainly took your build to the next level. Now I’m waiting to see you hand paint the cement label on the sandbags. 😂

[@Panzermeister36]

Thanks Bruce! I enjoy doing the clamps on these things, it's a fun and easy way to up the detail.

[@SLICK-GLN]

Great video dude

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you!

[@stephenbridges2791]

Very nice techniques. I hadn't considered polystyrene rods. I've used brass rods of appropriate size before. Sometimes, I'd wonder if there weren't something a little better. Nice conduits you made from those rods. Cool!

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you Steven! I always appreciate your comments

[@danreed7889]

Enjoyed watching this. I've been replacing the nice Dragon tool clamps with MJ for awhile now and didn't know there are superior versions available. Will look for those 3D jacks! They look the bomb.

[@Panzermeister36]

I am very excited to use the jacks on another project soon!

[@danreed7889]

@@Panzermeister36 I'm googling them as we speak!

[@budil52]

Amazing

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you!

[@michaelmontefusco896]

Excellent content! I can solder very well, but not fine PE Super glue for me!

[@Panzermeister36]

Yeah, it's too delicate for my skill level right now 😅

[@PlasticraicGaming]

Nice project, might look into that tart kit for a future project, I've only dabbled with Modelling putty rolled up to make tarp rolls so far. Never thought to use thin paper. I wonder if the method of using plastic sprue melted down in to glue and then spread onto crumpled paper would make a good tarp too...

[@anzac407]

Nice

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you!

[@jamesmcansh6393]

Where on earth do you find all these cool suppliers lol. keep up the great work! your vid was very informative and well put together. ✌Canada✌

[@Panzermeister36]

I've just been ordering lots of aftermarket for a number of years now so I all piles up 😊

[@lukedelport8231]

I’ve used the vms product before but I still prefer the old school white glue heavily thinned with water method

[@Panzermeister36]

I have tried soaking tissue paper with white glue, but it was quite fragile. The VMS products worked well for me here. I may also try rolling out putty into tarps in the future too.

[@samuelbennett1717]

Very enjoyable video, you have quite the collection of aftermarket items there. Have you ever tried using cigarette rolling paper and diluted white glue for scale cloth items?

[@Panzermeister36]

Thanks Samuel. No, I have not tried that, but it sounds like it may work similarly to the VMS stuff.

[@jeffthomas1555]

Love all the extra details on this panzer. Where do you find all of these bits and pieces? I’ve found it difficult to find these photo edge parts on line. Mostly not really knowing what to tell it to search. Even trying to find these bits on online large hobby stores is tough for me.

[@Panzermeister36]

I have bought them at various shops and stores over the years. I'm lucky in that we have some great hobby shops in my town, and at model conventions there are typically vendors selling aftermarket. Otherwise, I buy them online, typically from Sprue Brothers in the USA and Super Hobby Store in Poland. I live in Canada.

[@joesanchez979]

I still got ways to go to get where you are 🙂

[@paulshrimplin4032]

In the next video, the painting stage? you have done a nice job on the PZ 3

[@Panzermeister36]

Thank you! Yes, either March 4th or 18th I will upload a video on painting this.

[@ho-2036]

Thanks for another great video. I’ve had some of that paper shaper fluid around for a while now. Is it possible to remove the tarps from the model after they harden to make painting easier?

[@Panzermeister36]

I don't think so. The glue has fused them to the model. You may be able to shape them on wax paper or similar off the model, and let them dry there, but I haven't tried.

[@mjorgeron8498]

Excellent modification for storage and the great detail associated with the printed parts. I do like copper wire for all lighting leads in lieu of plastic. Wish you would move to Rye Field or Das Werk. Or even Tackom I find dragon is losing market by replaying outdated parts.

[@Panzermeister36]

I certainly will be moving to RFM and such in the future. But I still have a handful of excellent Dragon kits in my stash and on the bench. For example, I started this Pz III build 3 years ago, before many of the new options. Next time I will likely choose the new RFM Pz III J kit.

[@mjorgeron8498]

Understand having many old kits. I too have many but sometimes it’s better to move to a well detailed model and really expands its details. You have done so well. Great historical ref from you mate. Thanks again.

[@rrl4245]

Great tutorial. I too have drawers full of after-market accessories. So many that I loose track of them all. It does get frustrating, though. How far do you need to go?

[@Panzermeister36]

Just this week I used Scalemates to keep track of all my aftermarket sets. I can even add them to projects to remind me what kits I bought them to go with. It's quite helpful. www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=124998&p=stash

[@njmayhew]

LIKE!

[@horrido666]

The most important thing to do when adding stowage is to look for pictures. Modelers are constantly getting this wrong, They do things like put sleeping bags and backpacks/dufflebags right in the dirtiest spot on the vehicle. The bags in the back get covered in dust and mud. The only thing going on that rack behind the engine are things that can get dirty. The best place is up top. Worst is in the back, 2nd worst is on the front. Typically only camo nets are stored on the front. For example what the OP gets wrong here? No one is going to store a water can in a spot where an oil can is stored. Oil cans are fine in dusty spots. Water can? Never in a million years.

[@Panzermeister36]

I based this off of photographs though. That's even how I picked the specific colours of the tarps when I painted them.

[@elliotgregory3356]

I bought some vms paper shaper and paper this email week. Gotta say I was really underwhelmed by the results, no better than tissue and PVA, but I may try crumpled paper like you said?

[@Panzermeister36]

Yeah, I had the same issue at first, but when I crumpled the paper and mushed it into the shaper fluid, it then behaved properly.

[@elliotgregory3356]

@@Panzermeister36 I will try it. Great video and great work 👍

[@earlcousins6635]

GREAT WORK! What 3D printer did you use? Thanks!

[@Panzermeister36]

I have an Elegoo Mars 3, but I didn't use it for this video. The 3D printed accessories I used here are printed by the manufacturer.

[@scoutscustoms5951]

Great video! I was just wondering what specific dragon panzer iii L this is because there’s multiple on the market and I can’t decide.

[@Panzermeister36]

This was Dragon/Cyberhobby 6587 which is an early "tropical" Ausfürung L. Dragon makes a few L and J kits which are all very very similar...it all comes down to things like the turret side viewports and hull side hatches being present or not, the spaced armour plates on the front, the engine deck configuration, etc.

[@scoutscustoms5951]

@@Panzermeister36 thank you! This helps so muhx

[@scoutscustoms5951]

@@Panzermeister36one more question, what was the company that made the smoke dischargers?

[@Panzermeister36]

Those are from E.T.Model and are insanely detailed.

[@scoutscustoms5951]

@@Panzermeister36 tysm again!

[@johntaylor1435]

What did you use to prime the paper. Many thanks.

[@Panzermeister36]

I didn't prime it. I simply used the paper shaper so form it and then painted it with acrylic paints with a paintbrush

[@chrisc5275]

Could you list links for the accessories that you’ve used, please?

[@Panzermeister36]

Oh man, links would be hard since I've bought these from many places over many years. By showing all these different brands together, I was trying to show that you can use pretty much any brand out there. They are mostly interchangeable. TREX is the best quality in my eyes though.

[@petrvalo]

Was this going to be an ausf L with fender mounted smoke launchers at one point?

[@Panzermeister36]

Yes, it was, but this kit has a tropical engine deck and those vehicles had the standard style. I have the launchers and I had masks made, so I will do it another day. And, they aren't smoke launchers, they are S-mines. The same launchers fitted to Tiger hulls for a period.

[@ancientsociety79]

Wonderful but I think the VMS paper shaper is the only failure here. It seems much too difficult to use and remains rigid, without conforming to the model its placed on.

[@Panzermeister36]

Once I crumpled the paper before soaking it, it did conform well. We will see how it looks all painted up.

[@peterwright217]

they attached all these tools in the factories and only a few days later in combat it was all shot off or damaged.

[@Panzermeister36]

That's why I enjoy using the aftermarket tool clamps so I can have most of the tools missing 🙂

[@efeyigit6766]

it felt kind of painful to see you cut off those dragons clamps, having built an italeri jagdpanzer 4 recently, i've come to appreciate the spare tools from dragon kits. I wish more companies provided 3D printed clamps, i cannot properly bend those photo etched clamps :/

[@Panzermeister36]

I am going to get some TREX 3D printed clamps to see if they are better than the MJ ones. But yes, they are much easier to use than folding the PE ones 😂

[@danreed7889]

Look forward to your review if you do get them.

[@simonbowen4254]

Very helpful video, love it!

[@Panzermeister36]

Glad you think so!

[@simonbowen4254]

@@Panzermeister36 quicknquestion for you! Would 0.5mm styrene sheet be ideal thickness for home made fenders?