Greetings All:

Build #5 was inspired by Andy's (Bodge) build of the same vehicle a few weeks back so this is my "Ode to Bodge".   I was really impressed by both the speed of assembly and also the painting and weathering.  I purchased the kit online for $14.00 with a $6.00 shipping fee.  I have only assembled DML kits so far so this will by first non-DML kit and it only contains 140 pieces so it should be a quick build.

There will be as always a few "firsts and objectives for this build and they as follows:

• First Non-DML Build
• First Tri-Tone hard edge camouflage
• First rubber band tracks
• First Alpine Miniatures Figure

I initially picked up Alpine Miniatures Waffen SS Panzer Officer to replace the two figures that were included with the kit which are of really low quality.

I really thought he would work in the vehicle with the M-42 Field Cap head but then I saw this guy and he seemed perfect. I am just having a hard time finding a place that has him in stock.

I am not ready to do a camouflage pattern on figures I would like to practice on single color uniforms awhile first before I take on that challenge. If I choose to use the original figure and do not use the SS Camo pattern how would I best approach that to represent a Artillery Obervation unit member?  I have been unable to find real world reference pictures for the uniform of the vehcile itself as well.

Wow, on to #5 already?! cool! but be warned, I tried a Trumpeter kit a little bit ago ( their 1/72 scale KT ), and I had all kinds of fit problems with it, it took me three hours to put the road wheels together!..... sorry, little rant there, I'm sure you will do fine!! 

     Good luck, Jim!

---

"Veni, Vidi, Vici"
Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.

The artillery will observe!!

Rounds Complete!!

model maniac 96 wrote:

Wow, on to #5 already?! cool! but be warned, I tried a Trumpeter kit a little bit ago ( their 1/72 scale KT ), and I had all kinds of fit problems with it, it took me three hours to put the road wheels together!..... sorry, little rant there, I'm sure you will do fine!!       Good luck, Jim!

Thanks for the warning Jim and Bill. Andy already warned me about a lot of seam work as well.  I will be cautious I promise!

Bill keep those peepers peeped for seams and mistakes!!

After seeing the results of your previous project I will be closely following this one Edmund,

Julian

Build Update:

38H Assembly Time: 4 Hours

Hey everyone I was able to get some time in on #5 today and it began with a lot of seam scraping and sanding the fit was not as bad as I anticipated. I will have to add some milliput for sure before the primer coat but nothing extreme yet. 

I completed the lower hull and road wheels which were actually a little bit puzzling at first but in the end I was not defeated or deterred from my objective!

I still have not found any real world reference pics for this vehicle so if anyone has some in their reference books or in a link please feel free to share. 

Thanks in advance!  

redleg12 wrote:

Clean Start!! Rounds Complete!!

Thanks Mike I challenge myself to build them as clean as possible.  I do have a question for you and the guys at large.  This was a captured repurposed French army vehicle so all bets are off for me since I have only modeled German armor so far.  Are the roads wheels rubberized or are they just solid cast steel?  I cannot tell form the pictures that I have which are just finished models.

Also as you can see in the pictures the camo pattern extends to the lower hull and bogie's which I challenge as accurate. It looks cool but I would think the cammo pattern would only be on the upper hull and the lower hull and wheels would be dark yellow and a tri-color pattern on th eupper hull.  I want to do my best to avoid this looking like a toy and make it appear as realistic as possible which Andy captured really well in his build earlier this month.

So what is the concensus on camo on the lower hull and roald wheels?  If i can't find real world references it will just have to be common sense and "best guess".

Did I miss something here, it's already got paint on it. Damn that fast. Looks great, love the camo. Hmmm you said #5, took me about 20 to get as far as you have with the painting. I enjoy watching your builds and you improve with each model , awesome.

Rob

Bodge wrote:

Hey Schnobs the road wheels are steel with no rubber, the camo could be done on wheels or left plain its up to you as both are plausible. Dont forget you need to fill the line where top of hull joins bottom hull  just above the Hoshkiss name as this was asingle cast piece with no seam there.Dont forget the tracks are too long in the kit and need to be shortened, Its comming on mate.

Thanks for the info on the road wheels Andy.  From looking at your post I thought thery were steel because that is how you weathered them but I wasn't sure if there was a thin layer of rubber I was missing.  Yes I took the following notes from your WIP:

• Keep a sharp eyes out for seams on road wheels: Action Taken
• Fill the gap on the front due to the fact it is a cast piece: In Process
• Shorten track: Will Action

Follow-up question

1. Should I use Mr. Surfacer to creat a caste like texture on the front piece?
2. I was also thinking should I pin the tracks through the hull so that I can simulate track sag?

wbill76 wrote:

Edmund, As Andy suggests, you need to fill the large gaps between the hull and the final drive housings so that it's flush as a single casting. Off to a good start so far! Rob, You aren't seeing things, Edmund posted those as an example of another finished build, not his particular one.

Thanks Bill hopefully I can get more completed tonight.  It's a cool little vehicle!