Sturmgeshutz IV #5

Stug finally stands on it's own wheels. All subcomponents of suspension are finished and ready for further assembly.

Subparts of suspension were added up in following order: first idler wheel with it's plate was fixed to the body, return rollers next. Before  connecting sprocket  to the body a length of tracks was applied and shaped onto it with long back section set to lay upon return rollers. Same method was used with idler section. Road wheels were then fixed to the trolleys and last bottom section of tracks was added. Tracks were over painted in flat color inside and drybrushed outside (more visible details).

Sturmgeshutz IV #4

After long time spent on making and cutting circles I feel I am almost there. Sprockets, spring equalizers with trolleys, return rollers, stretching wheels and road wheels are ready.

Stretching wheel though does not seem to be designed in right way if comparing against historical materials, but for quite simplified model like that it does not really matter. I also tried to apply rivets wherever applicable, and am quite glad how it looks and gives certain character to otherwise dull superstructure of model made in standard.

Sturmgeschutz IV #3

Main and the largest in quantity part of suspension is mostly done. 32 road wheels, 5 parts each made me feeling like working in circles. Assembly required a lot of patience, but I applied mass production procedures (which are necessary for models like that and bigger e.g. ships, I just have to say I admire ship builders because of number and size of components). All parts have been cut out first and everything here is numbered with sense with manual giving proper image of what to do and in what order.

Sturmgeschutz IV #2

 

I think most difficult part of that model is behind me. I had no problems covering carcass of superstructure, all parts were in right shape and size. Quite important thing to remember about carcass while making paper models is carcass is to be fitted to outer covers not covers to carcass. Sanding is necessary  in any case and leaves carcass smooth with no surface imperfections visible after covering (e.g. if a thicker spot of glue is left on surface it will create a visible bump or if too long edges on joints are left out may cause raised areas and general smoothness disturbance) . Having superstructure done I started works on suspension. Leaf spring are done and painted. There are 11 parts for one spring unit,  made out of different length strips.

Sturmgeschutz IV #1

My next project is again one of the German crawlers, assault/infantry support self propelled gun. Sturmgeschutz IV (SdKfz 163 according to assembly booklet, but browsing through available references and books I found it listed as SdKfz 167) is one of the most famous German constructions based upon Panzer IV ausf H chassis. First Stug was based upon Panzer III chassis, with low enveloping armored superstructure. It did not have the turret as low profile was specially requested.

Sdkfz 124 Wespe #5

Superstructure is ready, tools (made out of wooden sticks shaped to scale size and shape), containers, radios, spare length of tracks, and other details were applied. Work with such small parts requires a lot of patience especially in cutting out required bits using tip of the hobby knife .


Cannon came in two stages, first was building the base and fitting it's all details, second connecting base to barrel mounted upon recoil rail with miniature of the shell lock at rear. Two independent axis made uneasy to keep right symmetry of barrel against base and lifted  cannon in one position.

Sdkfz 124 Wespe #4

Carcass was covered with main body parts without any problems, but battle section required a bit more attention. Basic detailing goes with part numbers: drivers section was added with closed hatches and covers (there is no interior in this section unfortunately).

Sdkfz 124 Wespe #3

 Finally after couple weeks time all 10 equalizer springs are finished. The most difficult part of the process was getting to do it and cutting out all necessary bits. 

One equalizer is made out of 4 x 1mm shaped card reinforcements (40 in total) 2 of the same shape side covers as well as top and bottom strip covers, 7 spring leafs, screw nuts and small spring holding clips. I did not avoid a small mistake though, last 2 rear equalizers should have been made with different angle of springs, and I accidentally made all the same. It's nothing too difficult to sort out, as suspension can be bent a bit.

Sdkfz 124 Wespe #2

I have managed to finish all wheels. Sprockets, stretching wheels, main wheels and supporting wheels (20  in total, 10 main, 2 sprockets, 2 stretchers and 6 supporting).

Unfortunately main wheels had to be reworked (point where I almost lost motivation to carry out works on the model), width was to great (by 1mm) to fit onto single tracks. In effect every wheel had to be stripped down, and the top strip/edge cut down to required size. First I tried to push one side in, without disassembly, sand down sticking out edge and paint it over. It turned out to be too messy and time consuming, while cutting down stripped part to size proved better. Outcome is not great, but not the worst after all.

I did not fix any holding pins and other connections. Main wheels will have to fit exactly where the sprocket is, and wheel itself is mounted on equalizer spring unit which is finally fixed to lower hull. 10 of these units, single per wheel, are my next objective. I am currently preparing springs and completing main body reinforcements (same shape as body but 1mm thick, 4 per 1 so I have to cut out 40). I will also leave them for now without any connectors. 

Sdkfz 124 Wespe #1

For next project I picked up paper model of Sdkfz 124 Wespe from GPM, self propelled artillery in 1:25 scale. It is based upon Pzkpfw II chasis, which in French campaign proved to be not capable enough to compete with modern enemy units. It's qualities were appreciated though and vehicle stayed in service as support unit and artillery. 

Specifications

Weight 11 tonnes (24,250 lb)

Length 4.81 m (15 ft 9 in)

Width 2.28 m (7 ft 6 in)

Height 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)

Crew 5 (commander, driver, three gunners)

Armor 5 - 30 mm (.19 - 1.18 in)

Main armament 1x 10.5 cm leFH 18M L/28 with 40 rounds

Engine 6-cyl petrol Maybach HL62TR 140 hp (105 kW)

Power/weight 12.7 hp/tonne

Suspension leaf spring

Operational range 220 km (137 mi)

Speed 40 km/h (25 mph)

As usual I have started the build from the most time consuming and most, at least for me, boring part of the whole model - wheels. For now main wheels are done, but still require some detailing - front wheel cap and back support/connecting rod. 

Front cap is actually done, all I need to do now is to cut it out. I tried new way of dealing with many and small parts at once, in fixed position and with no mess and problems: main part has been left on small piece of paper grouped together, as picture shows, top layer has been glued in and fitted in right position to imitate screw sockets. Diameter of the cap is around 5 - 6mm, what is not easy to handle when fixing both parts cut out first. 

It is my first model from GPM, I have quite few of them in my possession though (in future, maybe not that distant plans: Pzkpfw III, Pzkpfw IV, Wirbelwind (flak gun mounted upon Panzer IV chasis), NeubarFarzeug (german prototype heavy multi turret tank), two bombers from Battle for Britain period - Heinkel 111 and Dornier 17). After putting few Modelik's together I got used to certain standard, but it's something different so I think is worth trying - subject is very interesting and quite uncommon for paper modeling after all. I have also decided to use laser cut tracks, to save some time and make model more interesting (I will stay with single pieces traction on larger models).