First scrachbuild model, flakerpanzer, part 1 the idea

Seems like an interesting project. However, although you will need to scratchbuild the armor for the turret, the model itself would not be considered a scratchbuild model, it's a kitbashed one

BTW, what I wanted to ask you about your nickname, is it R/C helicopter related ?  If so, what kind is it ? The X, XL, S, SE or SA, or is it the 600 instead of the 450 ?  Just asking because I'll have a XL soon too. 

Yes, but it would be alot easier to buy a seperater Panzer IV and use its body rader than building the whole body, I'm even luck of finding the flak gun, and the turret will be difficult to do alone because of the armors unique shape, thats why I will also buy and make the completed tamiya flakepanzer, to have the plan of the turret. Already I'm done the trailer and base of the gun, the flak itself is almost done, that was fast.

And I don't know what you taking about my nickname? it has nothing to do with a helicopter!

2 reason, its lazy and unartistic, and the hand made turret will be a great srachbuild practise for more extreme models. It will be the biggest scrach build project since that T-72 wheel guard.

I haven't found the acedemy one but thats okay, tamiya better.

Good luck, T-Rex, all those mitred corners intimidate me from the attempt. 

My first scratchbuild (more a kitbash, actually) was an ambulance body on the Italerei Opel Blitz: Lots of straight edges to get my feet wet.  There were plans in an old issue of FSM and I thought at the time it came out fairly well.  No pics to prove it though, and it disappeared in a move many years ago.   

What's going to be really hard about this model, isn't assembling the panzer body, it's makeing the turret, notice the uncommon shape of the turret armor, almost octagenal, this is going to be extremly hard getting the shape and the angle degree, how am I going to do this?

The only big help will be the copy of the tamiya kit, with it not just I get a good 3 dimensional model of the turret but more importanly I can see the pieces and other parts of the tank that images just can't providement, get it?

Already my flak 38 is complete, here's the finish gun.

What do you think?

If this is going to be mated to a Pz IV chassis to create a Wirbelwind, then it should be a Dark Yellow base colour, not grey.

Basic things aside (mould seams, ejector pin marks) the guns themselves shouldn't be a bright silver colour - rather, they should be a dark metallic grey/gunmetal colour.

If this is to be mounted in a turret as per the Wirbelwind, the armour shields either side will have to be removed.

You have painted the ring sight as a solid piece. Better to drill it out.

Am I being picky? Probably...  

a little but let me explain.

First of all this gun comes in 5 pieces,

The gun itself

the armor plates

the wagon (optional)

the reloading station

and the base

But according to the plans only the gun alone is place in the turret of the panzer, and don't worry about color, the armor body in the whirlwind that will becover the gun will be dark yellow, beside, there not much of the gun to see. I knew this, that's why I didn't glue all the parts together.

what;s great about it is I can change the angle of the gun since its loose. look!

The gun color of the guns is alright, but I mit add a weather affect called "smocky grey" that will darkend it and make it look more use.

But the most most difficlt thing you asking is remove the center of the aim taget without damaging the ring, maybe just a flashy color like metalique grey will make it look more convicing that its glass, just like some tank light.

Any more comments?

Part one, the idea is done, now All I need is the plans, and the tamiya complete model should provide me with the right mesument, keep a eye for part 2 of the project, thanks for the help.

Picked up an Academy Wirbelwind w/ Japanese only instructions last year at the LHS for a whopping $9.

Scratchbuilding that circular gun shield is gonna be a challenge to say the least.

SST

Regarding what you said that the gun will not be visible, the gun WILL be visible and is a prominent feature in the turret. Here is a picture of a model of the Tamiya kit. AS you can see, the gun stands out.

David