251 Halftracks GB 1 October '08 - 8 June '09

 Guy! Sent ya a PM with some pics.

Been steady piddeling with this Halftrack. The 37 mm gun is kinda tricky. Think it is the same sprew as the older release of just the Gun. Combining several different kits to get what I want. Got things divided into subassemblies for detail painting then attach the tracks , small pieces and its a simple matter of weathering and making a suitable base.

Again Dragon has odd choices of what they make into PE. Parts. I guess I am not the engineer for the kit so whoopie!

 I am at the point where I could just put it together and paint er up but I want to push the envelope just a little and have been trying to cast my own crew members and modify the gun shield.  Probably won't get to deep into the crew until after the weekend madness GB.

 You all stay sharp and let me know if I am doing anything that looks too cheesy! I kept the lobster size tea pot because an oversized pot is a common thing in most field kitchens due to the volume of men to serve. Heck I kept a 3 foot spoon that weighed about 6 lbs in my turret to point the driver in the right direction if commo failed. It became a sort of good luck charm.

THE SPOON!

CRAP!!

Spent the last 2 evenings painting and weathering the wheels.  Glued them on without even noticing this...

Geez, look at that last wheel flying high above the others.  How did I not see this?     And all because I installed the bogies on the wrong sides.  I must be dyslexic... I think that every model that I've built, I've installed at least one part backwards or upside down.  And it's right there in the instructions; parts C1 and C2 in step 2..

I'm an idiot.  I'm an toidi (see!!,  dyslexic...).  So out with the scalpel this afternoon to do a little surgury.  Let's hope that I don't remove the drive sprocket by mistake...

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

 Don

It's not all bad my friend, just go back in under that part and cut in off and re-glue it lower. Do you use Tenax 7R or any plastic welders as this type of Liquid glue works best. I know your thinking how do I cut off that part clean and with out damaging it. Well this is what you do, do you have any sewing thread? If so cut off a long peace rap one end around your thum and the othere end around the lower part of your pinky finger. (Should look like a Small Band Saw)Now if you do plan to try this it will hurt a bit. but it will help you cut that part off clean.

Ok once you have the string rapped pull the string back and forth like a small band saw. Now you can go fast but that's up to you. Oh remember to hold the model with your othere hand!

pordoi wrote:

Geez, look at that last wheel flying high above the others.  How did I not see this?

When I first looked at your pic, I didn't even notice...because I thought it was the idler! I kept looking at the pic over and over, saying to myself "what's he talking about?"!

I had to laugh, sorry. Thats the sort of thing i do. But id never dream of posting it LOL. Should be an easy save though.

...Guy

Luftwoller wrote:

I had to laugh, sorry. Thats the sort of thing i do. But id never dream of posting it LOL. Should be an easy save though. ...Guy

 Guy,

 I heard you laughing all the way across the pond.    But hey, I'm only human and I make mistakes.  Alot of them.  You guys would eventually figure that out if I posted in progress builds or not.  So why not air the dirty laundry and take advantage of the criticism.  

 I put on the mask and gloves this afternoon, sedated the patient with some fumes from Tamiya extra thin, and cut away.  I'm happy to say that the patient came out of the operation in good health.

Now, on to the tracks....

 Don

Hay man you know we all make some realy good goofs so it's cool man I think your a better builder for it. "Don't sweat the little things" in your life, Don't let them get you down, Don't let them put lines in your face, And cause a great big frown. "Don't worry be happy"

Bobby Mcferrin - Don't Worry, Be Happy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjnvSQuv-H4

Hey awesome save there Pordoi! Looks fine! The old power supply fried on the puter and I am hiding until the end Of Black Friday! So Laptop back up here! Gotta clean off the old bench for the weekend but wanted to post a few pics of where I left off on the Dragon 251/10. Lets see if we make it thru the weekend!

Great save Pordoi, You are a better modeller for sharing thats for sure. If you want a laugh, search out my Me410 build. That ended in a disaster. I posted the finished mess because id done a WIP and had committed to show all, good or bad. Aah well. Onwards and upwads LOL.

Aaron, Youve still got the Vaseline on the lens of your camera from when you were taking those self portaits. You know you dont look 21 fella, wipe it off . From what i can see its coming along swimmingly.

...Guy

Very nice save there... I'll bet that was easier then when Ihad glued a fusleage together, sanded all the semas just right and noticed the cockpit tup on the bench

Coming along nice Aaron.  Onlything is...please tell me your pics are fuzzy an dthat it's not the afternoon of gin & tonic yesterday

Coming along nicely, Aaron.  Looks like you're nearing completion.  But really would like to see some good photos.  Here's a suggestion or two from looking at the photos:

I assume that you're setting your camera to fully auto mode.  If so, looks like you're dealing with two issues.  In pics 1 & 2, autofocus did not lock in on your subject but rather the background.  See that the fan is in better focus in each of these frames than the 251.  Most cameras use only a small portion of the frame (usually right in the middle) to find and lock focus and if that part is not pointed at your subject, then you usually focus on background object. 

Second problem is that you don't have enough light, so that the camera is forced to set a long exposure time.  In pics 3 & 4, there is ghosting (look at the front of the 251 or the paint brush on the right hand side).  This is because you moved the camera during the exposure.  To prevent this, exposure times for hand held images should be no longer than 1/60 sec.  Looks like yours were somewhere around 1/15 sec.  Or, set the camea on a tripod or other solid support.

Wingnut,   Ah yes.  A much easier fix than having to open a fuselage.  My problem with wingy things is usually the opposite; I put the cockpit in and find that the fuselage halfs won't go together without having a gap of about 1/8". 

 Don

dupes wrote:

pordoi wrote:   Geez, look at that last wheel flying high above the others.  How did I not see this? When I first looked at your pic, I didn't even notice...because I thought it was the idler! I kept looking at the pic over and over, saying to myself "what's he talking about?"!

I'm with you on that dupes, i was looking at the pic and thinking its fine, theres nothing wrong with it.

Well recovered pordoi, a lesson to us all.

dupes wrote:

I kept... saying to myself "what's he talking about?"!

Hey Dupes & Bish,

 I hear that alot.     But probably I was thinking the same as you; it's the idler and should be that way.  Until everything was glued and set and then....   But no problem, it's fixed and the build continues.  I've scratched the map table but still have one or two things to do before closing it up; perhaps some pics in the next day or two to show what I've been up to.

 Don

I finally mustered into this GB... harsh summer/fall for me.... anyways

figures, marc is done before I even read a post! what a superb job....  pioneer tools details, color/paint, all highlights... cheers mate, cerveza for you!

Luftwoller - just a gorgeous build, love all the details, specially the radio work... truly inspirational!

Don, sfcmac  - great progress, love the internal details...

The bar has indeed been set high....

uhhhh.....did someone mention my name 

Not to worry dupes, I'm still got this one in my sights!  In fact I am getting ready to order the AFV Club "Uhu" for this GB.  My trip to China has been cancelled and the trip to the Philippines in January is still not definite.  I figured I might as well get the kit now. But rest assured that when it arrives it will take precedence....even OVER the mighty Pz IV Ausf A!!

Geez Fupesy, look what i just found in my inbox. (Advert that is).

http://www.skpmodel.eu/skp054.php

...Guy

Wow. That's a sweet looking piece of resin goodness for sure.

So Wing_nut, we going to see the "final" update of your 251 here in the GB???

Luftwoller wrote:

Geez Fupesy, look what i just found in my inbox. (Advert that is). http://www.skpmodel.eu/skp054.php ...Guy

Now that looks nice. I already have the Verlinden engine, but i am pretty sure i can squeeze in another maintanence dio. Thanks Guy

OH NO... You can't say you hate me over there and then try to get me to build over here. 

But for the sake of the hobby and good sportsmanship or whetever... maybe

Actually, i ahve been going over all the ebay stuff i just got  I have some nice project coming up.  I am thinking about ordering a T-55 interior. Hmmm??? Russian GB anyone?

Hmmm. There is still the Cold War GB going on until March (kind of quiet over there lately - could use a kickstart), that's where SMJ did his T-55, and where I'm supposed to be doing mine.

If you DO want some info on the remaining 251 variants, let me know.

I don't hate you any more, btw. Just a passing thing there.

Hay guys here some items some of you may need to look in to getting for your 251 build.

Used 251 wheel/tire sets:*

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0373

German Jerricans set:

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0208

SdKfz 251 C Canvas Cover:*

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0375

SdKfz 251 C Canvas Cover #1:

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0376

SdKfz 251 C Canvas Cover #2: Flat type

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0377

SdKfz 251 D Canvas Cover #2: Over cab type

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0379

Photo-Etch sets. By Eduard:

Sd.Kfz 251/1 Ausf.D Stuka:

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35578

Sd.Kfz. 251/16 Detail Set:

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35800

Sd.Kfz.251/9 Ausf.D Detail Set:

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35832

Sd.Kfz.251/7 Pioneer 28mm W/SP Gun:

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35856

Sd.Kfz.251/7 Pioneer Command Dtl Set:

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35857

Sd.Kfz.251/4 Ausf.C Detail Set:

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35869

Here's a link to more PE items, just take a look guys:

http://www.squadron.com/SearchResults.asp?offset=360&comflag=N

All the ones with the * are the ones I have on the way. Every this I have posted are on sale.

Later yall!!!

White_R34 wrote:

Hay guys here some items some of you may need to look in to getting for your 251 build. Used 251 wheel/tire sets:* http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0373 German Jerricans set: http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0208 SdKfz 251 C Canvas Cover:* http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0375 SdKfz 251 C Canvas Cover #1: http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0376 SdKfz 251 C Canvas Cover #2: Flat type http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0377 SdKfz 251 D Canvas Cover #2: Over cab type http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RR0379 Photo-Etch sets. By Eduard: Sd.Kfz 251/1 Ausf.D Stuka: http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35578 Sd.Kfz. 251/16 Detail Set: http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35800 Sd.Kfz.251/9 Ausf.D Detail Set: http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35832 Sd.Kfz.251/7 Pioneer 28mm W/SP Gun: http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35856 Sd.Kfz.251/7 Pioneer Command Dtl Set: http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35857 Sd.Kfz.251/4 Ausf.C Detail Set: http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EU35869 Here's a link to more PE items, just take a look guys: http://www.squadron.com/SearchResults.asp?offset=360&comflag=N All the ones with the * are the ones I have on the way. Every this I have posted are on sale. Later yall!!!

WOW, that /4 PE set looks nice... hmmmmm......