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).

Sdkfz 234/2 Puma #10

Model is finally finished. All interior and exterior details on proper places, turret fitted into the body. Model has got rotating wheels, turret hatches can be opened and turret itself can be turned. Assembly of the model went quite smoothly, with couple of minor problems which were quickly sorted out. I am very fond of the interior, despite its simplicity I enjoyed assembly very much, and in future, all my models if possible will have interior done as well.

Sdkfz 234/2 Puma #9

Main part of the model is finally finished. All details are in proper places: fuel cans, rear view mirrors, lights, tools, shovels, bumper, spare wheel, metal loops, opened visors and wheels.

Sdkfz 234/2 Puma #8

Most of front details of upper body are done. Bumper, lights, fuel cans, shovels, lights, visors which I have put in open position to get as many points of view on the interior as possible. Antennas, rear view mirrors (for both drivers), spare wheel mounting brackets and tools are to be made yet. After finishing these details wheels will be put on and fixed to stay on the model. Rotating all 8 wheels will be possible as well.  

Sdkfz 234/2 Puma #7

Model is taking proper shape now, as I have added more details to the main body. I have made engine plate with all the hatches and grilles and side armor details as well. These were pretty easy to make but time consuming as most sides of each part had to be painted. Making gray extraction units took some time, especially approaching with cautiousness after being informed by fellow modelers that some problems may occur there. I did my checking ("try few times before fixing it") and it turned out to be quite alright. Main outer strip (round shaped, with the hole cut for extraction pipes which I will add up later on to avoid problems with handling) was 1mm too long on each end - that is nothing good pair of scissors won't fix. I made pipes out of copper cable (2mm diameter), painted to suit rest of the unit. 

Most of the model is already done, so now I will have all great fun with very small bits -  jerry cans, bumpers, lights, hooks, antennas and visors (visors will be made in open position to let some light in into the interior) . As some people say The Devils is in Details and I totally agree -  details will probably take more time than making the whole body...