Flak 38 / Archive /

Model of Flak 38 AA gun was built last year, just before Sdkfz 234 Puma. Building similar AA gun mounted upon Sdkfz 7 half track made me digging up  archive pics. There is nothing bad that could be said about this kit, it was one of the best models I happened to build. The design is so perfect, that every millimeter counts, thin cutting lines make difference or even card/paper thickness does too. Precision and caution at all times is required, but all parts fit together without any problems (if cut right), at right angle, at right places. I spent around 2 weeks building it, looking for references and trying to cope with large number of details. In fact this model is only details, what makes it even more enjoyable. It comes as two parts - gun itself, shield, body, base and the railer. This is one of the models I would like to build again, with all improvements & extras.

Sdkfz 7/1 #11 / Cargo Bed Flaps /

My little struggle with cargo bed flaps finally ended and assembly of Sdkfz 7 half track with it. There was not much to do this time, it's just lack of inspiration or will strong enough to get on it and carry on - the fewer details left the longer it takes. Typical. Kit provides an opportunity to make flaps working. I could not resist but to follow... 

Sdkfz 2 NSU Kettenkrad

Sdkfz 7/1 #10 / The Rig /

Assembly of fenders turned out to be very challenging task.  Fenders of this vehicle have peculiar "spherical" shape, what in paper modeling may be achieved by fixing edge to edge thin leafs of paper that "merge" in one point. It seems easy when edges are consecutive. This case was a little bit different for more than one bending direction was required...

Sdkfz 7/1 #9 / Engine cover /

 Cargo bed with driver's section was fixed to the framework, after several adjustments of it's supports; each one was too long for approx 2 - 3 mm, fixing spaces marked on main framework were not in right places either, couple mm off, luckily nothing that can be seen on finished model. From then on I decided to check everything for correct fitting before further assembly.

Sdkfz 7/1 #8 / Driver's section /

New Year is here for a few days already, everything got back to norm and I can carry on modelling.  After basic assembly of cargo bed time has come for driver's section. There is not much details here, so I tried to add something extra. When browsing forums I found that many aircraft modellers apply clear film for "glass effect" onto their dashboards. Tried to follow this idea and I think it turned out very well. It is obviously bigger dashboard (scale is 1:25, paper planes are mostly 1:33) so I could even make couple pointers. 1 mm strip was cut out (graph paper is very useful) and rolled to diameter of each clock. Next clear film was fitted to back of dashboard cover (blue) and both parts - clocks and cover -  joined together using super glue. Super glue leaves white residue on plastic or glass, so careful application is required.

Sdkfz 7/1 #7 / Front Suspension & Cargo Bed /

Application of cut out thread (what turned out to be real "surgical" job, I am glad there were only 2 to make this way) finished steering wheels. Despite my original plans to keep as much as possible in original colours,  I had to repaint both tires, otherwise covering all edges in very small grooves would take forever or even longer with no greater results. 

Ford T Modell 1912, Revell, 1:16

I used to build plastic models in 1:72 or 1:76 scales, tanks and planes alike (Matchbox, Revell, Academy). I do remember few kits I really enjoyed in 1:76 each with small diorama - Wespe, Panzer III DAK or American Half Track. I also tried my basic skills making few 1:35 models, Kubelwagen and BMW R75 from Italeri, Stug IV and Sdkfz 232. This time I picked something bigger, and quite different from my general interests. It is model of rather famous car from beginning of 20th century - Ford T (1912). Kit is from Revell, the scale is 1:16. It is also a special gift model, which I built some time ago, waiting not to spoil a surprise...

Sdkfz 7/1 #6 / Steering wheels / Military Vehicles And Half Tracks

So much to do so little time, for now at least. Steering wheels are done, thread is still to be applied, the most time consuming job as I decided to cut grooves out, giving tires a bit more life, or just to practice precision cutting. I did not change anything within wheel/tire construction.  Main wheel has been assembled using two side cover rings, ribs glued vertically between them and edged. Assembly diagrams are missing parts (20b), (20c), both should be put together into inner edging strip, with colour inside.  I had some trouble with fitting axle, as part itself was not long enough to get desired diameter (bottom of the axle was fitted to the rim, and top was left loosely rolled).

Sdkfz 7/1 # 5 / Engine & Gearbox /

I spent some time building engine and gearbox, which came as two separate components joined together and fixed to chassis and onto front/main axle. Basic assembly started with shaping up long exhaust pipes, making engine block and gearbox (which was tried on first, according to instruction should be mounted upon two axles, 25f, kit provides only part 25e, one long axle, apparently for running wheels). Engine block (Y shaped) and gearbox were connected together and details were applied, some rivets and small pipework. The most challenging part of the build were collectors and exhaust pipes, made out of copper cable and sleeve. The trick was to bend cable to required shape and fit it to collectors and the engine. It did not turn out the best though, I have something to improve next time.