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

 Wow nobody got the captured Booty joke! Well then nobody liked the Hitler TP either. Tough crowd!

Panzer 88 looks great so far! Glad to see it!  Can't say I have done one of those or seen it built up.  Cool!

Bish I dunno about those thingies I gave up on them. Looked to me in retrospect since they have no bend markings on the PE that they may have well attached to those magazine holder maybe things and give the appearance of a pocket on the hull insides. The directions are vague and I can 't see them just attaching flatly to the wall. One of those parts you wish was labled with a name like many of the Dragon parts. Hey the instructions are the toughest part right?

 I cannot believe with all the fit warnings how well this thing is fitting together! The sides the Upper hull, the driver? All too easy! So easy I am getting somewhat paranoid! A storm must be coming!

Started on the gun as planned and all is in place but the tracks and fender details which I do not want to overhandle and break.

Look for more Figs soon as well.

pordoi wrote:

Bish wrote: Where as the two part D14's would be for other maps, code books, stuff like that.  I agree.  But part D14 is molded with "stuff" inside.  Rectangular objects lined up in a row.  Looking at them last night I thought they could be ammo clips for the mp40.  Maps, ammo, code books; all needs to be stored.  Just trying to figure out what Dragon was thinking.   Don

I am not even sure if that is meant to be stuff inside. I think that is just the patteren of what i believe are leather cases. If i remember right the PE ones have the same pattern, but you can have them with the lid open and but maps and stuff inside.

Also, those two MP 40's would be for the two crew, driver and Radio operator. They would only ned them if they had to get out the vehicle, mainly if it was damaged. The last thing they would want to do is be grabbing clips out of those pouches and stuffing them into pockets when the vehicle is burning. They probably just had one mag each for self defence.

First off, some serious works of art are being produced here. You guys are setting the bar really high. I figured I better show that I'm doing something. I have the main tub done,painted and weathered. I had to build a generator out of scratch using styrene and miscellaneous parts from the parts bin. I actually broke down one of my old Tamiya german motorcycles to steal some parts from the motor. The generator came out alright I guess, a litlle over scale, but looks the part. I've been held up on the next phase of wiring up everything, only very minimal reference pics and lots of wires going to batteries from the night vision equipment, then the wiring of the actual  night vision equipment. Going to the store hoping to find some good EASY wire to work with. Only one quick pic.As you can see I have a long way to go.

Bish wrote:

Where as the two part D14's would be for other maps, code books, stuff like that.

 I agree.  But part D14 is molded with "stuff" inside.  Rectangular objects lined up in a row.  Looking at them last night I thought they could be ammo clips for the mp40.  Maps, ammo, code books; all needs to be stored.  Just trying to figure out what Dragon was thinking. 

 Don

pordoi If part D14 are the ones i think they are (been 3 weeks since i seen mine now ), then no, they are nmot for the MP 40. I think they are document and map holders, similar to those carried by Officers on their belt kit. The PE ones can be left open and have buckels on them.

The possability is that the part that goes behind the seat, and maybe on the side wall, are for things like a map that you might need to hand. Being in an open topped vehicle they would easily blow away if you put them down. Where as the two part D14's would be for other maps, code books, stuff like that.

Thats my guess on it anyway.

Thanks fellow builders and friends!  I got the top on and taking a nap before starting the Cannon! Still have to attach the tracks and fenders as well so I'll post a pic when that gets done so you can see how I arranged some of that stuff I threw together.

 Guy speaking of futuring bread. The German brochen (bread I have had has a really tough killer crust. They actuall paint egg on the top of the dough before baking which creates a thick chewy crust as oppossed to the soft sliced stuff we have in our grocerie stores. Is that a European thing?  I mean we can buy it that way but it is a somewhat specialty item.

Yeah I researched bread I need help.

pordoi, Fish and chips? I dunno about that but I like the Captured Booty idea!

 Actually I really needed to get that spandex image that we are NOT talking about outta my head! Sorry Fupes!

dupes wrote:

Wow. Page 35 certainly took a turn for the weird. Perhaps we should just forget that page altogether and hope that Aaron has another update with the teapot sometime soon.

You can say that again.  I agree, let's drop the bike shorts discussion.... er, I mean ignore it and move on.

And yes!  Aaron has a new update (deftly changing the subject).  Looking good!!!  Really like all the small detail..., the crew has lunch, lots of reading material and even a pith helmet to go along with the teapot.  Perhaps you should re-think the bread and go with fish and chips.  Captured booty, you know...

Also, how about a new hypothesis on part D14 which was the subject of discussion a few pages ago.  During the tedious task of clipping the tracks and pads from the sprues, I looked at the instructions and at part D14.  It looked to me that it may be a storage compartment for clips for the  mp40.  One on each side, mounted just under the mp40 and part D14 appears to have a full load of clips.  What do you think?

Next, for those who enjoy wiring radios, I found a good source for lead wire in a variety of diameters from 0.015 - 0.045 inches (that's about 0.4mm - 1.2mm), which is very pliable and easy to work with.  Found it at an online sporting goods shop called Cabelas.  Apparenty it is used to weight nymphs and such for flyfishing. 

 Don

Oooooeeeee (In a style of Bender, mocking Fry's genitals) Now that is some crazy stuff going on in there. Is there going to be room for the gun LOL. Great detailing Aaron. The bread looks spot on. Are you sure you didnt just bake a really small piece and future it?

As someone who knows what happens in an AFV (You not me) your 1st hand experience is invaluable to us plebs who know nothing. Great work, keep it coming.

...Guy

 Wow got quiet here! Guess no one liked the TP humor.  I hope I haven't hurt any feelings by being politically incorrect to Jerry?

Any ways I have been doing crazy stuff as usual but allfor this build. I could go picture crazy showing refs and stuff but everything is so small and my camera so hard to focus on the zoom that I limited it to one pic and although still working on a broom, fork and MG spare barrel cases I wanted to get a pic while I still had some sunlight.

 Odd stuff like how do you paint bread? I made some ration cans including an opened one of AM (Italian Sausage) and Corned beef.  A can opener some mess kit stuff , a bottle. canteen cup Extc so this was a normal feast made special by the fresh bread and drink. Fruit of any type was rare and often fought over.  Actually any staple besides the AM and Corned Beef was something to right home about. OOPS forgot to take  A pic of my official paper stuff! 

Also in the pic you can see my success with the toilet paper (next to the shovels) I am wiring the additional radio looking for a headset. Finished the Driver and seated him. I left off the PE uniform details on him as he is mostly hidden. You all know what he looks like. Dull coat and alcohol faded and gave his tunic a pretty realistic cloth look.

 Hang on a sec let me get some pics before dark of the tiny documents, diarys, paybooks, newspapers, extc. ( cue intermission music)

...................................................

Ok I am back. Spent a whole lotta time finding and shrinking actual photos and ensuring all were dated before the El Alamein Battle. Once I get them done up as well as poosible I actually

seal them in magic tape to protect the ink and allowing glueing without fear of turning them into a water color.

Trim them up and they look pretty good. I shoilda put something there to show the scale because they are small.

Some have intentional space and black edges to allow folding for a front and back and give a more 3d look.

Well time to get it together so I can start the gun. Looks like I am on schedule barely!

 Ok I am awake and hard at work! Fupes fear not! I have found the answer. They used both. I have read everything I can find on this important historical subject from the Invention of TP in the late 1800's to the Great American TP shortage of 1973 which was a crisis created by Johnny Carson and a joke gone wrong. Really bizarre!

The type paper in the Frank look alike in the photo is carring is this type although the Germans left theirs somewhat coarser and unbleached. I did find close ups of allied counterparts.

So after much research and reading I think I now have enough info to go on! (pun intended)

Wow. Page 35 certainly took a turn for the weird. Perhaps we should just forget that page altogether and hope that Aaron has another update with the teapot sometime soon.

So what was the final verdict on the toilet paper question? Certainly hadn't thought about that one before...no Charmin, I take it? 

 Ah Marc information is power!  You can be the intelligence analylist though because I just don't know about all this spandex and hosery. Let me know what you find out.

 He's called Fupes for a reason! The Rommels Army in Africa book has loads of great stuff in it. I have reduced many of the color images of manuals, diarys and other items to include on the Halftrack. Some of the most useful info is the translated diary excerpts from the soldiers which give incite to what they ate and what equipment they could not be without. Spent a lot of down time reading up on it.

I'll post more after I rest up from work. (just got home) but Guy the caption in the book says that cheerful fellow ( who looks like Daywalker to me) is en route to make a deposite. The German diary's refer to them as archiological expeditions, There is one example given of a soldier making such a dig  during the retreat from Egypt and discovering cans. Was a hidden British fuel dump that enabled vital refueling for the escape to Mareth Line. Makes you wonder if he finished before telling someone? WWGD?

dupes wrote:

Heh. That's why I ride, baby, the bike shorts enhance the bulge!

Geez man, Ive seen your Avatar. Thats Enhanced? Do you have any kids I heard a vicious rumour that your 'Pet name' was Justin. (Think about it)

Marc, you were in Tron? How cool is that!

 Aaron, as an expert on Dessert stuff, do you reckon that chappie in your pic is about to go of and crimp one off or is he coming back from? Looks to me like hes carrying something in his left hand but the age of the pic is showing and concealing it, Whatever 'It' is.

...Guy

Aaron

Beautiful work, man.  Can't wait to see her all buttoned up!  The tea pot definately adds that 'human' touch to it!  Excellent.

Wait, wait, wait, let me make sure I got this correct:

Wingy is Tron!!??

Dupes is 'Fupes the bulge enhancer'!!??

Oh great, what's next, dogs laying down with....??

sfcmac wrote:

Fupes like a good competative cyclist I must pace myself and not peak too soon. Think that was a bicycle saying? Maybe it was from a porn star. I don't remember as it is hard to tell you all apart with those outfits.

Heh. That's why I ride, baby, the bike shorts enhance the bulge!

Yeah, I didn't think the Fupes thing had left quite yet either.

Tron rocked. Best disney movie EVER.

wing_nut wrote:

TORN MAN... TORN!  Make the mental leap here laddy.  Abstract thought... it's what seperates us form the animals.   And for pointing that out I think I may just have to revive...   FUPES !     cool movie btw

 Did that ever go away? Still working found a great book on some details. Rommels Army in Africa that has lots of pics of personal items taken from POW's. Cool detail stuff. So I may be able to get the top on it! Fupes like a good competative cyclist I must pace myself and not peak too soon. Think that was a bicycle saying? Maybe it was from a porn star. I don't remember as it is hard to tell you all apart with those outfits.

Hey I found IT!!!!! Yippie!

TORN MAN... TORN!  Make the mental leap here laddy.  Abstract thought... it's what seperates us form the animals.   And for pointing that out I think I may just have to revive...

FUPES !

cool movie btw

 Wow every body likes that old kettle or lobster pot? It came from this old SP Sig 33 kit by Alan Models. Was a coll accessory I saved in the spars box. I have this facination with the North African desert battles and units. Guess because I connect to spending a lot of time in tanks in various litter boxes around the world.

 With the DAK in particular they used many captured British equipment. I added some things such as goggles but I think the pot better represents this as it is an eye catcher. As far as closing it all up Fupes I want to be on the Gun by this weeks end but am still adding a few small details like MG oil cans and rags used to keep it clean. Trying to scratch a wisk broom which is a must in an open topped vehicle in the desert. Wiring up my radio as Pordoi and Guy have given me that bug. Lastly and very strangely I am trying to research what the Germans or British used for TP? Gotta have TP and a spade close by as it was always needed by everyone.

 So I am asking myself did they use TP rolls or sheets? Not a commonly recorded historical fact you know?  ( well he ask what I had left to do)

Appreciate the comments fellows and I'll do my best to get it as close as I am able!

Very nice Aaron, that interior is looking sorted for sure. Youve captured the 'Lived in' look to a tea (Pardon the pun) You Americans understand puns, Right? LOL

The Kettle is amazing, where the heck dyou get that beauty from?

...Guy

sfcmac wrote:

Blimey!!  With the teapot, you'd think that this was a unit captured by the Brits.    When's the best time to brew tea?  Answer:  After the Firefly has taken a hit from a Panther... 

 But seriously, nice work.  Look forward to seeing it completed. 

 Don

Great timing fellers! I am working on my radio equipment now.

Been giving a lot of thought to the combat load plan of this /10 type and in a fun way have set it up as I would if on that vehicle. Got one whole bin filled with MG 34 ammo and accessories. Handy for the rear MG. Other side has more personnal commonly used items. I added the rifles for the cool factor and left space to add some communications equipment that a Platoon Leaders vehicle would have, Sometimes the 3 in 1 kits cheat some details to get that 3 in 1 kit simplified. Oh well that's why we research. ( and guess)

Also weathered and faded things to give a more lived in look and get rid of that new car smell.

I have been having way too much fun with the figure! Making him into a blonde Fritzgoogle I am! 

Lotsa effort to avoid those buggy eyes Wingnut spoke of!

I did add new theatre proper boots and have patterned the uniform as much as possible to the time.  He still isn't done as I am happy with the skin tones I need to add and blend a little more washes to his top to get a more cloth like appearance. Just gotta be patient. Let things dry a bit.

Just about ready to put the top on and fenders for keeps ! Then to the GUN! Yippie!!!

Luftwoller wrote:

This is the book. Its in French and English and theres just about every radio the germans ever used. Almost all of them in colour.

Very nice, Guy.  From now on, we expect to see accurate radio sets and antennae in all your builds.

 Don

sfcmac wrote:

Sorry meant to add this pic above last night but the site went down for a bit. Here are the directions we are looking at with the mystery parts. Guy nice radios... Did you make it to the model show this weekend? Still piddling away with this thing.

While not presenting myself as any sort of expert, I would guess that those mystery parts (as well as the one on the seatback) are, as suggested, for storage.  Space being at a premium in any armored vehicle, I'd guess they would stick storage racks/bins in just about any open spot they could...  What are those parts they are interchangable with (is it D14?).

 Sorry meant to add this pic above last night but the site went down for a bit. Here are the directions we are looking at with the mystery parts.

Guy nice radios... Did you make it to the model show this weekend?

Still piddling away with this thing.

pordoi wrote:

Guy, What radio book did you get?  I found a copy of "Wireless for the Wehrmacht" which was very helpful in building and painting my radios.  To be truthful, I took some liberties in which radios I included in the /18.  But hey, unless someone knows better.....  Don

This is the book. Its in French and English and theres just about every radio the germans ever used. Almost all of them in colour.

and a couple of badly focussed pics.

...Guy