1,000 Roadwheels - 2009

Bruckenleger ohne Brucken 

 A quick update on the Trumpeter Bruckenleger.  Bench time has been at a premium since the beginning of the year, but I have managed to get the Bruckenleger chassis pretty much completed and with a coat of paint and some rudimentary weathering.  The struggle with flash and numerous ejector pin scars that I mentioned in my initial post continued and still demands lots of time cleaning parts to ensure a good fit.  But here it is at present...

The kit comes with a full set of tools although the instructions show that only a few were mounted.  But given that tankers are kind of pack rats, I added a few extras that the crew might have picked up from damaged vehicles along the way.  I still have to paint and weather the exhaust assembly.

I don't think that the layering of the panzer gray comes out as well in the photos as it does by eye.  Also a first with this kit is the use of a blue oil wash over the panzer gray base.  It's one of those things that intuitively didn;t sound correct, but it works very nicely.  Again, it doesn't come out nearly as well in the photos.  By eye, I may have slightly overdone the wash, but additional weathering steps yet to some should tone it down somewhat.

The bridge assembly is actually a kit in itself.  And it's huge.  I gotten a start on it and again, it will require lots of time and effort to smooth seams on all of the girders, fill ejector pin scars and clean the flash from vitually every part.  Here's the leger on the brucken...

Thanks for looking and although I haven't had alot of time to comment on some of the other PIV builds, what I've seen is looking great.  Keep up the good work everyone.

 Don

detailfreak:  The Bruckenleger saw action in Belgium and France primarily, although one battalion served with the 3rd Panzer Div on the Eastern Front.  There were only 20 made, all on ausf C or D chassis.  So why the Trumpeter is designated as Bruckenkeger "b" is a mystery to me.  Given the rapid progress made by the panzer armies in France, Belgium and Russia, it was determined that these bridge layers weren't necessary.  Also, the weight of the bridge mechanism put significant strain on the running gear and they weren't the most reliable machines.  All were eventually refitted with turrets and guns.

Bish:  When and if Dragon ever releases its Bruckenleger, my bet is that the fit and finish will be significantly better than the Trumpeter kit.  A good analogy might be to compare the two Dicker Max kits from these manufacturers.  But for now, the Trumpeter is the only game in town, and with some work and attention to detail it can be built into a fine looking model.  It is a bit frustrating to deal with all of the cleanup, filling and dryfitting that is necessary but that is nothing that an experienced modeler can't handle.  A good review that covers both strengths and weaknesses can be found here:

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=2621

The main issue that I have with the Trumpeter kits is that they cost the same as the Dragon, but you get poorer engineering. So, better bang for the buck with Dragon.  But that assumes that Dragon will actually release a Bruckenleger.  Afterall, we're still waiting for the Sd.Kfz.7 after how long?  In the end it comes down to how badly you want it.  For this GB, I figured that there would be alot of interest in the more common PIV variants, so the Bruckenleger was something more unusual.  I'm having fun with it and that's all that really counts.

 Don

Thanks. I am in no great rush so i might just wait a while. I am on a self imposed ban from buying kits at the moment anyway, i have just got plenty after my return home.

I have never built any Trump kits, but i do have the E-10 and 25, which at first glance look ok. I guess i will see properly when i get to build them.

I just hope Dragon pull there fingur out. Seems they have a few kits that have been forthcoming for some time. With the market as it is, maybe they will leave us hanging a while longer.

detailfreak: I never could get motivated to do that interior stuff...yours looks FABULOUS...

Guys:  Here a little WIP, second dry brush completed...DANG this is time consuming!;

detailfreak wrote:

PORDOI:the tools and such normally stowed outside are probably cozy and warm in a tool box set up where an ammo stowage locker once resided.

Ah, but then you wouldn't be able to see them.     I took some artistic lisence and mounted them outside because the crew had the old ammo stowage locker filled with bread and wine...

 Don

Finally, a progress picture. I've completed the construction of the tracks on one side. At the time of typing a quarter of the other side is drying. I also started a pin wash after I took this pic. I'm taking my time and it's turning out nice I think. Here's a pic.

Erik

There's some nice work going on here gents. 

I've been having some major problems with my knew the past few weeks so I've lost some of my modeling mojo.  I hope to correct that this weekend.  I think I'm going to stick with the flakpanzer just for something different.

Hey guys - sorry I've been absent, but I've been in the hospital all week with my mother who suffered a stroke on Tuesday morning. Going to be a reduction in my modeling (and forum) time for a while, not sure how long depending on what her recovery looks like.

Fear not, the GB isn't going anywhere, just wanted to give you guys a heads up explaining why I may not be able to get back to you as quickly as I'd like to.

Keep up the good work!

detailfreak wrote:

very nice camo. job geist.can we see some more.

No. I'm still working on the other side. You guys can see pics when it's done.

Erik

TD4438 Not sure if you have started your Kugel yet. If you have, have you run into the same issues as me. If not, heres a bit of advance warning.

I started last night and am just working on the rear of the hull. The drives for the rear idler wheels have to be built, they have 5 parts, but you use 3 different sprues, which is annoying. The holes where the exhaut's fit are surround by small raised detail. This doesn't allow the exhaust to sit flush, so i removed them. And tehres a pipe that goes in next to the left hand exhaust. I found this to close so had to remove it. I'm going to fill the small hole and put it on to the hull next to the exhaust. I'll get some pics up on Wed when i have some more done.

First off, I'm sorry to hear about your Mom Dupes, hope everythings turns out well.

As for everyone else, The builds are outstanding. I'm finishing up my B-29 so I hope to be starting my IV-E real soon. This is my kit and accessories:

And the contents

This will be my first time building one of Dragons newer kits, can you believe all the stuff they packed into this kit? I like that they made the tires seperate from the road wheels. we will see how I feel about it while i'm building it though. Hope to show some progress soon.

-Stephen

NucMedTech wrote:

I like that they made the tires seperate from the road wheels. we will see how I feel about it while i'm building it though. Hope to show some progress soon.

Be careful, those tires are a really tight fit, especially after paint.  So tight that they have been known to split after being assembled on the hubs.  If I remember correctly, this kit also has separate individual conical bolts that need to be added on the sprocket housing.  They were some of the smallest plastic parts that I've ever seen.  And the workable bogies are a real joy to assemble.  Have some blue tack handy when you tackle these; it will be like having a third hand (which you think that you will need!).  Finally, if you're a stickler for accuracy, this kit has some errors.  Do a search for older reviews;  there are several that document the errors.  You're in for a fun ride. 

 Don

NucMedTech wrote:

This will be my first time building one of Dragons newer kits, can you believe all the stuff they packed into this kit? I like that they made the tires seperate from the road wheels. we will see how I feel about it while i'm building it though. Hope to show some progress soon. -Stephen

After some time I finally have pictures of my build. It's complete too.

Pictures of the rear and other side didn't come out. I'll redo them and post them up, if I remember of course.

Erik

Hey all!  I finally have some alone time with the forums and I decided to go back and review what has gone on in this GB during the month of February!  Sorry to be late with these responses, but I've only now just read some of your posts and seen some of the superb work you're all doing!   

Geist - Wow!  Niiiice Jagdpanzer!  Love the camo scheme.  You've got a winner there!

detailfreak  - Yep, that Nashorn is coming together nicely!  Interesting how you paint as you assemble.  Not the norm, but it seems to work for you!  BTW, your F2/G is looking good too!

NucMedTech - Ah, so there's the Ausf. E....was wondering who was going to build it!  I don't have this kit, but do have the DML "Vorpanzer" Ausf E so I know its a nice kit....the suspension frightens the heck out of me!! 

SMJ - Your Jagdpanzer is looking great!  Interesting technique with all the oil drybrushing at this stage.  I've started using oils for drybrushing myself, but in the later stages.  I have to agree that its one of the best techniques I've used and I'm eager to see how your use of it here will look in the end!  Keep it going!

pordoi - Brukenlager, uh...Bruchenlaeder, um...Bruckanleagen....(my German sucks!) AH you know what I mean!  Great build so far!  I can't wait to see it with the Brucken on the Leger (or is it the other way around?)!!  Its going to be huge....have ya got a spot on the shelf for it?

taxtp - Great looking Ausf. J!  I thought it was finished, but then I read that you still have to weather it!  It's going to look fantastic once its all done!

stick man - That's the DML Ausf G "Kharkov" isn't it?!?  If so, its one of the nicest kits I put together.  DML really got the engineering right on that series!  Any idea how you're going to paint it?

Glamdring - Even with the less than perfect photos I can still appreciate the nice camo on your Jagdpanzer! Is it 1/72?

mmc - Are you still around?  You finished your Jagdpanzer a couple of weeks ago and it looks sweeet!  You did a great job on the old Tamiya kit!  Luv the camo scheme on the TC's uniform too!!

castelnuovo - Still around? I see you finished your Wirbelwind and a fine job you did too!  I've never built one of these or seen inside one from the top...I didn't realize how little room there is inside the turret!!  I'm sure I wouldn't want to be inside that sardine can facing an incoming Jabo!!

Thunderbolt379 - How's your Italeri Jagdpanzer IV going?  Did you find a way to replicate the tread pattern on the fenders?  I'm really looking forward to see how your's comes out!  One of these days I'm going to finish the Jagd IV I started!!

dupes - I'm very sorry to hear about your mother.  Its tough when a parent has serious health issues.  I'm hoping and praying for a quick and speedy recovery...with you at her side I'm sure she'll pull through fine.  If you need help hosting the GB let me know.  I'm willing to put in some extra time for you and our fellow Pz IV builders!   BTW, ixnay that thought on the Cpl. Overby Jagdpanzer IV....turns out its going to take a whole lot of work to clean up all the resin defects in that little bugger!  I'd rather just build the Coree kit...much nicer resin!!

On that note, I've decided to start working on the Ausf. A.  The Sd.Kfz.251/20 for the 251 Halftracks GB is on hold pending arrival of some AM parts.  I've jumped to a couple of other kits, but the resin in the Coree kit just keeps calling to me!  I'm probably going to start a complete WIP thread on this one just to document my first foray into a full resin kit!!  Wish me luck!

Hi Ernest,

I hope to have real completed pics by this weekend. Just attaching the pioneer tools and final touches. Thanks for the encouragement.

Regards

Tony

TD4438 Another bit of advance warning for you. On part B31 there are two small holes of the left side, one above the other.I left them thinking there was something to go in there, as it doesn't say they should be filled. But there is nothing there. I now have to try to fill them with the hull build and the exhausts on. And in step 16 where you attach parts J15 to the sides of the 'ball', these shouldn't be glued, but it doesn't say that. And they have to go a certain way round to fit.

Your instructions might have been corrected, but thought i would pass in on just in case they haven't.