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DML #6540 Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind COMPLETE Pics p.17

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  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Friday, May 27, 2011 9:16 PM

Thanks Andy and Rob! Temps hit 98 degrees here today and it's dry, dry, dry, perfect weathering for staying indoors and at the bench for sure. Big Smile

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Saturday, May 28, 2011 10:38 AM

Bill, what would we mere mortals do without your error call-outs? Tremendous work in ferreting out the misnamed parts and steps in the directions once again.

And of course, everything's looking just commendable!

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Saturday, May 28, 2011 4:18 PM

Thanks Karl! As for DML instructions, I've yet to build a single kit of theirs over the last 10 years that didn't have at least ONE error in the instructions! Propeller It happens even more frequently when they economize by creating new kits using existing parts/sprues from other kits as they tend to re-use the same instruction diagrams but fail to update them or correct the parts call-outs completely in the process. Sometimes things are shown in one step and then gone in the next, so you always have to stay on your toes! Wink

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: On my kitchen counter top somewhere in North Carolina.
Posted by disastermaster on Saturday, May 28, 2011 11:14 PM

Plunkin' out another German Katze, as usualhttp://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t160/cherry_girl42/bald.gif

..........always so fine & in line.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/gluetank/Animated/th_1-Animated-Disastermaster.gif?t=1296616998

 

Sherman-Jumbo-1945

"I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now"

 

 
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, May 29, 2011 6:33 AM

Bill - Outstanding as usual. Most of these companies should be showering you with free kits as a minimum for finding all their "directional malfunctions". It is always amazing how much is spent on the mold and detail and how little is spent on making sure the directions are correct!.... A mark of todays society....but lets not go there!

PS....glad to hear all is working well with you new little girl....won't be long and you will have a bench buddy. You will need to move a bed in the model studio for her Wink

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Sunday, May 29, 2011 10:17 AM

Thanks Steve! Love the cat-rub smiley! Big Smile

Mike, thanks as well and Brenda is well on her way to being a bench buddy. Not quite to the point where she can stay with me in the work area for a full day but she's capable of handling a couple hours at a stretch, so that's progress! As for the DML kit instructions, I've come to the conclusion that DML has decided that the ROI isn't there to proof/correct them as they know modelers will work it out on their own. In fairness, they do seem to make corrections in later kits that use the same diagrams but it's kind of an after-the-fact effort and still can be hit-and-miss as I've seen them fix one error only to introduce another! Propeller Probably some unwritten law of universal harmony/zero sum at play here.  

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Sunday, May 29, 2011 7:39 PM

Holiday weekends are perfect times to build and work continued yesterday and today and focused on the Flakvierling. Step 14 begins the assembly and deals with a lot of parts and sub-assemblies, so it's best to give it some thought first as to the order of things (as well as look at Steps 15 and 16 to make your life easier) before diving in.

I assembled the 7 part sight apparatus first and decided that it would be best to set this off to the side and install it after the whole gun was assembled in order to allow the sight to remain movable along with the guns. This sub-assembly involves several parts fitting together "puzzle piece" style and I found that starting with the base mount part A36 and working my way outward from there was the best way to tackle it. I also drilled out the telescopic ground-target scope with a #76 finger drill for the eyepiece end and a #80 finger drill for the opposite end to add a little detail.

The rest of the base was assembled without any real issues, the only modifications called for in the sheet were to trim down the standard ammo racks, parts A31/32,  so that they would fit properly inside the Wirbelwind turret. This was accomplished with side cutters and some light sanding to smooth the edge out. I went ahead and added the inserts, parts G13 now even though they are called out in Step 16 as it's easier to assemble them before installing the racks onto the gun base vs. later.

I also opted for the styrene gunner's seat base instead of the PE adjustable parts as I didn't have a need to pose the seat and the styrene option was the simpler choice. Care does have to be taken when adding the top and bottom halves of the gun assembly to insure part A48 remains able to rotate so that the guns can also move later on. 

Step 15 adds the semi-circular mount plates for the four Flak 38s along with the guns themselves but it will be much easier to paint and detail the guns off the mount, so I will install those later. The mount plates were carefully added with sparing use of glue to insure they remained fully movable and allowed to set. The connecting arm A45 was installed and then hooked up to the gun sight arm/mount. The mount pin for the gun sight arm, part A54, has a good friction fit and doesn't require glue to stay in place and remain movable once the connecting arm is hooked up. The instructions would have you glue this into position but it's far better for detailing access and to be able to pose the gun to leave it movable IMHO.

There was something nagging at me about the gun-sight and after checking my references, I figured out what it was. DML molded the rear portion of the aperture solid and it should really be an open ring...so I got out the pin vise and micro-drill bit and opened it up. Now the gunner could actually "see" what he was aiming at!

Next up will be the necessary surgery to replace the kit barrels with the AM aluminum/brass combos from RB Models and then the turret assembly and details

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Sunday, May 29, 2011 8:30 PM

Jeez, always clean results! Yes  I don't even see an excessive blob of glue or scratches anywhere.  I am so inferiror... 

Hope to see another update tomorrow since you are not working and Brenda has learned all of tricks so you can spend more time at the work bench. Big Smile 

 

 

Andy

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 29, 2011 9:42 PM

Dragon really hit a home-run with this kit...I got mine a few weeks ago and still am amazed at the engineering of the parts...yours looks really nice; what scheme you gonna use?

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Sunday, May 29, 2011 10:47 PM

Andy, thanks as always and no need to feel inferior...liquid glue is always your friend when it comes to clean assembly! Wink Brenda is still learning how to "be nice" around the two inside cats we have...that's probably going to be her biggest challenge for the foreseeable future as she's having a hard time accepting the fact that they really don't want to play with her...especially after witnessing what she does with her toys. Propeller

Manny, have to agree with you on the DML engineering on this kit, very impressive all around. As far as schemes go, I will be doing this one in a three-tone, probably going with the one the guide attributes to LAH at Stoumont, Belgium 1944 or as close to it as I can get free hand at any rate. Wink

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Monday, May 30, 2011 4:27 PM

Having come from a military family and background, it's particularly important to me to acknowledge that today is not just another 3-day weekend but is a day for remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country both at home and abroad. Without such brave men and women answering the call across multiple generations, it would not be possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we do today. Beer

Today was a particularly productive day at the work bench...the weather topped 100 degrees outside so I had the perfect excuse for staying indoors. First order of business was to work on the Flak 38s, so I returned to Step 15. The kit supplied parts are highly detailed but the one area that styrene limitations really show is in the flash suppressors on the gun muzzles. While DML molds the openings hollow, the slots on the neck and the holes in the sides are only molded as slight depressions. So I turned to my trusty source, JB Models, for some turned aluminum and brass replacements. The aluminum barrels come with separate brass suppressors and the opening in the suppressors needed to be opened up slightly with a round needle file to fit the barrel neck but otherwise assembled without any problems with a little CA gel. JB Models produces don't come with any instructions, so you need to be ready to figure things out on your own. The small PE fret included the barrel release catch and this was added with a small amount of CA gel as well.

The styrene kit barrels were cut away from the receivers with sprue cutters and then the ends sanded down with 400/600 grit emory board to the right length. Using a sharpie, I blackened the ends (this allows for easy determination if the hole being drilled is centered or not) and then used a pin vise and drill bit to create the required holes to accept the mount pins on the end of the aluminum barrels. The barrels were then joined to the receivers using CA gel and the rest of the gun assembly completed with the addition of the top housing and locking bolts and 2.0cm magazines. 
 

Step 17 deals with the turret and assembles it from the two shell halves plus the circular ring insert. I found it was much easier to install the ring insert first and then add the rear half after as it provided more surface area to glue and work with in terms of getting the rear and front halves to mate up correctly. I glued the base of the rear half first and let that set up, then worked one side at a time with liquid glue to insure a solid and square join on all sides. The front direct-fire flap was added (it's part D17, not B17 as called out in the instructions) along with the hinge parts, D19, which the instructions don't provide a parts number for and just show already installed. I opted for the closed position and installed the two PE retaining clasps using careful amounts of liquid glue to secure them in position.

Step 18 adds the turret interior details. I installed the two loaders' seats but only added the base parts for the ready ammo racks. The additional parts to complete the racks have the magazines molded together so for detail painting purposes those will get added later. The backs and bases of the racks had large shallow ejector marks that would be partially visible after assembly so a little bit of sanding work took care of them.

Step 19 wants you to add the Flakvierling directly to the turret, that will get done after painting so that was skipped for now. Step 20 directs you to add the PE supplied spent shell casing collection chute but you can do this at any time as the installation doesn't interfere with the fit of the Flakviering with the turret...I think DML left to this point as it was the most convenient spot for it and/or they forgot to mention it in the earlier Steps dealing with the Flakvierling. The PE part doesn't have traditional bend lines but instead has perforations which makes for a sharp bend on the first attempt but don't over-do it as bending it back will make it fragile and possibly damage/break it in the process.

Step 21 is the final step, it shows the install of the turret to the hull as well as the addition of the tracks and spare road wheels. The tracks will come later after painting as will the road wheels. The diagram shows the base of the turret ring, part D22, installed in place but doesn't call it out with a parts number so be sure to add that so that the turret will sit correctly. I did a quick test fit to make sure everything would play nice with each other and the fit is snug but perfect.

Aside from the MK tracks, major construction is at an end and will be moving into the painting stages as the next step.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted by bufflehead on Monday, May 30, 2011 9:33 PM

Bill, as usual I disappear for a few weeks and when I pop back in for a look you're working on a totally different kit!!  And as usual its another fine looking build!  BTW, how many have you done so far this year?

Ernest

Last Armor Build - 1/35 Dragon M-26A1, 1/35 Emhar Mk.IV Female

     

Last Aircraft Builds - Hobby Boss 1/72 F4F Wildcat & FW-190A8

     

  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: mass,USA
Posted by scratchmod on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 8:39 AM

Very productive weekend Bill. The guns look much better with the metal barrels. This baby is starting to shape up. I've built the Italeri and old Tamiya versions so this Dragon kit is interesting to see being built, ala wild Bill.

 

Rob

www.scratchmod.com

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: t.r.f. mn.
Posted by detailfreak on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 8:58 AM

                                     Gives me chills to think of this weapon being used in an anti-personel role. Would be tough finding a place to hide. Awesome build as usual BillCool

                                                       Greg"Detailfreak"RowleyYes

[View:http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w1/g-earl828/]  http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t104/cycledupes/1000Roadwheels4BuildBadge.jpg

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 9:09 AM

Where did you get the AM barrels and flash supp...? 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 11:01 AM

Ernest! Good to hear from you, it's been a while! My build pace has slowed way down due to a variety of factors both work and non-work related. This is only the 2nd project I've been working on for this year and it started back in mid-March, so it's making progress but not nearly at the rate I used to when a regular year's output was 10 or so builds. Wink

Rob, thanks for the kind words as well...I put in more time this past weekend at the bench than I have in a good while and it felt good. I've built the old Tamiya version as well (one of the very first kits I built when I got into armor in fact) and the DML offering is light years ahead of it IMHO.

Greg, I can only imagine what it would be like facing those quad 20s...field reports indicate it was a fearsome weapon in the direct-fire/anti-personnel mode.

Manny, I got the barrels from JB Models (company out of Austria). http://www.jbmodel.eu/ Very reasonable prices and shipping costs to the US and relatively quick delivery too. They are a great source for "generic" barrels as many of their products can also be found under name brands like Armorscale who have established distributorships with many of the online retailers. Prices are much cheaper as a result but don't come with any extras like the resin bits that Armorscale often includes and, of course, no instructions, only the parts so you do need to be able to figure certain things out on your own as a result in exchange for the cheaper price. Wink

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 9:21 AM

Cool, may have to get a set since the 4 guns on this MOJO are the focal point...

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Long Island
Posted by Moses on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 9:31 AM

Awesome work Bill.  I haven't had a chance to get on it a long while and I always love seeing your work.  It always inspires me.  Hope all is well on the home front.

Rob Riviezzo

 

"ZIM FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER!!"
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 3:51 PM

Manny, yep hard to escape the four barrels staring you in the face on this bad boy! Wink The real trick is making sure that all four barrels end up the same length when the surgical alteration is done, but otherwise the upgrade is a snap!

Rob! Good to hear from you after so long and hope to see more of you! Thanks for the kind words, things have gotten busy/hectic for me the last year or so and I've slowed way down as a result but still able to get some work in here and there. Hope you and your family's doing well! Beer

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 2, 2011 3:38 PM

wbill76

Manny, have to agree with you on the DML engineering on this kit, very impressive all around. As far as schemes go, I will be doing this one in a three-tone, probably going with the one the guide attributes to LAH at Stoumont, Belgium 1944 or as close to it as I can get free hand at any rate. Wink

 

Good choice on the scheme---it has turret numbers and that cool scheme w/ a hint of whitewash...I have some actual pics of many destroyed German vehicles at this town...I'm gonna see if I can ID this particular one...

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Thursday, June 2, 2011 7:19 PM

That's all coming out looking fantastic. Stunning job on those barrels!Beer

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Thursday, June 2, 2011 7:48 PM

Yes those barrels an muzzles are a definite upgrade. Keep us posted Bill. 

Does Griffon make a set of 20mm's? I can't recall where I saw a beautiful update for them.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Thursday, June 2, 2011 8:37 PM

plasticjunkie, thanks for the comments!

BeerEric, Griffon does put out different sets for the Flak 38 and may have a combo-pack for the Flakvierling, not sure. Some of their Flak 38 sets go all-out and include PE magazines and other details beyond just the barrel/suppressor upgrade, so be sur eyou get the one you want if you go that route.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Sunday, July 10, 2011 5:28 PM

Hard to believe it's been 6 weeks since I was able to get in any more progress on this project! I've been repainting the interior on my house and that consumed a lot of weekend time as did recent projects at work so the Wirbelwind got put on hold as a result. Fortunately I was able to get some work done on it this weekend and post an update.

The last frontier before painting was the MK replacement workable tracks so I set about getting them assembled. Each MK set has its own characteristics but this particular one had 4 links per sprue, each with three contact points. The links were removed from the sprues and cleaned up, working in sections of 8 links at a time using the provided jig in the set. Since the tracks are "handed" there are two different types of pin for the inner and outer sides of the track runs and they come on their own handles for easier installation. Just touch a bit of glue to the head of the pin and insert using the jig. Let dry for a bit and then just twist off the handle and voilà! you have a set of 8 workable links.

After rinsing and repeating that process, I created 2 track runs of 96 links each over the course of about 4-5 hours of work. Once the hull is painted and the suspension is on, I will need to add 2-4 more links depending to get the sag I want but will old off doing that until later to be sure. 

Hopefully I will be able to get some time in the coming week to start the paint process and get this one back on track for completion.

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Northern Va
Posted by psstoff995's lbro on Sunday, July 10, 2011 6:49 PM

Looking great as always Bill! Keep up the great work! Yes

-Will young modeler Test fit master
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, July 10, 2011 8:12 PM

Bill - I fully understand the "chores and the bench". The summer has take a bite out of my time as well. The tracks look good and make for good therapy after painting

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Monday, July 11, 2011 12:44 AM

Welcome back Bill! Left Hug  I figured your puppy was keeping you REAL BUSY... happy to see the ball rolling again.  You probably already know that you have been a bad influence on me... built third set of MK tracks last week for my Panzer IV.  Wink

Looking forward to hear from you on Sundays... Beer

 

Andy

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Monday, July 11, 2011 6:26 AM

Quite a few pages to get caught up on but worth the time.

Marc  

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:15 AM

Thanks Mike and Marc as always for the comments!

BeerAndy, Brenda's 8 months and going strong but not taking up much time these days beyond just day-to-day stuff (a good thing), it was everything else in the house that needed doing that monopolized my time the past 6 weeks! Big Smile Glad to hear I've had some influence good/bad/otherwise, look forward to seeing your Pz IV! I've managed to get the full week off this week (was supposed to have it last week but work events interfered) and am spending time away from the house as much as possible but should get some more build time in this weekend at a minimum. Beer

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 3:03 PM

wbill76

BeerAndy, Brenda's 8 months and going strong but not taking up much time these days beyond just day-to-day stuff (a good thing), it was everything else in the house that needed doing that monopolized my time the past 6 weeks! Big Smile

Congratulations. I wasn't aware. First?

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

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