#12 Tamiya German Horch 1A mit 2cm Flak38 (Conversion)

Tripple

Bob

Thanks Dave, Jim, Wayne, and Bob for your comments and support!

Build Update:

 
I decided to get back on the Horch I rode in on!

   Jeez Edmund you really dont wast any time do you?!  I'm looking forward to seeing more of the progress on this guy, especially the painting and weathering.

  In Shep Paine's book 'Modeling Tanks & Military Vehicles' in chapter six he has a step by step of this conversion using the Tamiya Horch and flak 38. Interestingly for the bed he uses a Damag half-track bed instead of scratching one. I have to say like your diamond plate better. He also has the gun platform attached to the bed with the long outrigger facing the rear. Bolts running through the holes in the end of the outriggers were used to attach it to the bed.. Some thing you may want to consider.

 Something that I find kind of funny is that he says for the conversion he had only one fuzzy picture to work with. Definitely pre Internet lol.

Steve:  Time wasting is for the weak or civilians!  Actually I got sidetracked by another project I just put to bed last night so now I can focus all my creative energies on this.  First of all great to hear about Shep's conversion I would love to see a picture of that.  After weeks of research and looking at many real world and model examples of this conversion I made the command decision to lower the gun deck into the vehicle and face the longer outrigger forward and into the driver compartment.  I have actually worked on small to larger cranes mounted on flatbeds and the outriggers would need to be over the axles for stability and the mounting system is key,  The Germans did not use Fuel Drums full of CA to mount their Flak38's on to their vehicles contrary to the model evidence I have seen! 

These were also field mods so there were probably examples of both.  Here are a couple additional real word ref pics a friend sent to me that are just excellent!

   Edmund I hear you on the how field mods could differ from unit to unit.

  Heres a link to something that might interest you. Might be able to use it for a future build

 http://www.masterpiecemodels.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=32

 I like that first pic. From the looks on their faces I'm thinking this must have been early on in the Africa campaign

Build Update:

I have put a lot of thought into how the infrastructure would support the diamond plate and I also introduced two levels.  I built a frame out of I-Beams and I am also adding Diamond plate to the interior storage area and rear cargo storage area.  It should look cool.  See build pics below.

 I decided that since this vehicle will be at an oasis I plan to have one rear door, maybe both and both rear doors open for a see through peekaboo look at the primered I-beams and stowage and ammo.  I like the look and it should add one more element of detail to the overall presentation.

Edmund,

I really like how you're doing your own "field conversion".  Very slick!!!  How much to do up a 1:1 model?  You know just in case the eBay T-55 deal falls through.  Check your email.

Cheers

Dave

Thanks Dave!  Yes I read your email just a few minutes ago and isn't it every mans dream to have his own armor in the driveway? 

A cool project you've got going here, Edmund!

Nice to work outside of the mainstream a bit!

Thanks Karl I actually believe was a fairly common mod a number of years a go I am just a late Bloomer and I am a sucker for a deal.  I finally became a member of Ebay and this was my first purchase for $10.00, but  It is only a deal if you build it so here we are!

Really fun work, Edmund.  I'm enjoying the heck out of watching you do your magic.

panzerguy

  Heres a link to something that might interest you. Might be able to use it for a future build

 http://www.masterpiecemodels.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=32

 

That Flak Sled is one of mine..  I am heading new kit development for Masterpiece Models and this was one of my first masters to make it into production. 

Thanks for pointing it out!!

Rick

Rick,

My Magic!  I just read your latest build in MMIR! It was well done and well written as is your standard!  Thanks for sharing your talents with the community Rick.

My next build is going to be  Tamiya Steyr Leadwarrior Flak38 conversion so that gun sled would be perfect!   I just read an article oh how to make you own but this is phenomenal. Does the Masterpiece kit come with paining instructions in the box and did you paint the cover art because it is phenomenal!

Ed,

Yes on both accounts.  I did the Master, box art and the instructions.  It's very simple and straightforward - plus I'm always here to lend a hand if you should need it.

Rick

~EdMod~ Dang classy thread Mate ! Really fair & balanced without alot of that #@%$*)%#)(!@#(^&* that I read on some other builds---This ones got sand  and I imagine you busted a few gut with this

Quote Edmund:

"" Time wasting is for the weak or civilians!  Actually I got sidetracked by another project I just put to bed last night so now I can focus all my creative energies on this.  First of all great to hear about Shep's conversion I would love to see a picture of that.  After weeks of research and looking at many real world and model examples of this conversion I made the command decision to lower the gun deck into the vehicle and face the longer outrigger forward and into the driver compartment.  I have actually worked on small to larger cranes mounted on flatbeds and the outriggers would need to be over the axles for stability and the mounting system is key,  The Germans did not use Fuel Drums full of CA to mount their Flak38's on to their vehicles contrary to the model evidence I have seen!    ""

Coffee went everywhere when I read that--BUT thanks for it Ed!

P.S. The conversion is looking ship-shape too

Rick:  Do you have a hand with $14.00 in it so I can pick it up!    Seriously though Rick I will pick this up in the future and will definitely ping you on how you were able to accomplish the wood "effect" on the sled.  It's really nice and very realistic!

Adam:  I should put a do not drink hot coffee while reading my posts disclaimer just to avoid litigation.  Apparently my WIP's are liked to seizures in Tony's case and TMJ in others! 

Build Update:

Big shout out to Adam for turning me on to Zap thin CA!  Great stuff steep learning curve!  I started the PE detailing of the interior of the cab and after hours of some whispered threats directed toward Edward Employees I was able to mount the proper PE pedals and PE floorboards and dash detail.

Edmund,

That PE adds a nice touch to the cab.  Wait until you try some of Abers freakishly small parts that require mulitple foldings.  That'll send your OCD over the top and you may come up with some words & phrases that'll make even yourself blush.  Just the thing for a fellow OCDer.  Mwwaaaahahahahah!!!!

Cheers

Dave

Man this is looking great already and he didn't even start painting..........................LOL

Bob

You guys are like my WIP Fire Team! 

I am in the process of correcting all the errors on the rear tailgate.  Tamiya's effort is totally inaccurate!

Case in point  Kit Part:

Real world Reference Picture and you can see the rear doors are square with different detail

Let's Do This!

TTFN!  Bounce...........

Bouncing right along with this one Edmund, the Eduard details are a nice touch. Did they include the dial faces as paper inserts? Sometimes the sets have themm and sometimes not is why I ask in case I get to one of these in the future. Now bounce to work!

Hi Bill,

It came with both film and paper decals.  I decided not to use the film because I would just have to mask it and paint over it and would probably ruin the film trying to get the liquid mask off.  I will try to use the paper ones and build up "glass" with Future,  or pick up the Archer Transfer set for $4.99. 

That's a pretty bad rendition of that rear panel to be sure Ed. Definatly a worthwile  thing to work over. I like the interior details alot--but had a thought there that those gearshift stalks look really overscale-thick, though, and would easily be replaced by (bent rod) Go ahead, make a joke about that--I know you want to 

While we are talking acratchbuilding-I remembered that thing I read from Shep Paine that made me scoff---Now, I relize he is a great innovaters of our hobby, an importaint stepping-stone, but some of his advice was downrigtht bad. I remember reading him saying that it wasn't nessassary to buy styrene strip, because it's so easy to cut yourself, and that it's easy to cut strip with side-cutting nippers!!  I for one will sock every size I can find--and spend my time with other jobs----maybe it was big $$ back in the day?

I was kind of shocked how bad Tamiya missed on that one.  I will not touch plastic until i have researched and read.  I now look at some really beautiful well done models that are really beautiful but inaccurate!!!

I want both Gosh Doggit!!  Here is a progress shot of all the incorrect bits removed and filler din with my old friend I call Milli for short!  I also wanted to get some opinions on the Verlinden canvas top that I plan to use instead of the kit supplied lump of plastic,  I am thinking of keeping both doors closed and use this or cut one off and model it open so you can see load the cargo area with stowage and ammo.  What do you guys think? 

Your comment about the scale of the shifters is dead on  and you are correct there I said it for the whole world to read Adam.  YOU ARE RIGHT!!!  I am getting the music wire out now and I see that Tamiya must of been still suffering from that Plastic Shortage in the 70's because they left off the boot for the shifter which I will have to create from more Milli!

Music to my ears

LOVELY!!!! I really like the way that is turning out, I do think that it was ingenious how you used those I-beams on there, VERY nice!

      Thanks, Jim

Jim!  You must turn off the computer and go talk to yourself sharply right now! Boys your age never in any circumstances use the word lovely to describe anything another man is doing!  Got it! If you have any further questions ask Wayne! 

I decided to emulate Cortez!  Point me towards the Incas!!!

Kudos for the courage to correct something that also includes crossing the Rubicon--there's no going back, that adds to the presure --and the PAYOOF.

Looks great, Edmund!

Fruilboy Bill

Aztecs, Edmund, Aztecs! <former history teacher shaking head>. Cortez burned his ships and then went after the Aztecs, not the Incas! We'll just chalk that up to the late night and glue fumes this time, ok?

Sounds like you're well on your way to developing full-scale rivetcounteritis (and no, contrary to popular belief, that's not a bad thing in terms of the attention to detail!). Very nice work on the rework of the doors, I like the idea of leaving one open and the resin canvas tilt replacement looks sharp too.

Nice dedication to detail here, Edmund! The rear door area looks promising!

Bill:  Thanks Bill but this is more about my need for attention to detail and accuracy than courage.  Courage would of have been trying to let the inaccuracy remain..  I would of lost sleep over that one. I also have to go back and redo the shifters and also removed the remains of the seat cushion for the I-Beams. I thought I could let it go because no one could see it but no such luck!

WBill:  All those Pre-Colombians look alike to me and we don't want to discuss what happens to the property values when they start moving into your neighborhood!!  LOL!!  Just teasing all you PC people out there!  I have an internal artist and an internal engineer inside me and they are always fighting fro control. The one that wins is the one I feed the most!  Thanks for your thoughtful comments and the historical correction Bill they are always welcome and appreciated!

Karl: Thanks Karl!  I had to let the Milliput set up overnight and now I will start adding back all the rear door detail and start some Shep Gizmology work on the inside of the door!