#3 Tristar Panzer I Ausf A *COMPLETED*

Hey detailfreak!  I know it has been a while but I am very glad that you are no longer unemployed.   You will find me here especially in GBs as usual.  Thanks for the offer on Magic Tracks... will let you know how my other side of MK tracks come out. 

Tony, it was very nice of you to offer.  Right now I am OK as long as I don't screw up the other side tonight.  If I do, I will definitely take on your offer!  Believe it or not I haven't tried those Magic Tracks before...

Thanks buddy... I have been having fun watching your process on M7! 

Up to you my friend. If Andy has a need at least we've got him covered.

Tony Lee

Hey Tony I do believe that I have a bunch of the Magic Tracks you sent my way left over.If Andy wants those I'll just forward them his way. That way you'll retain a full set,just in case Andy,those MK's will add a nice touch of realism to your build. Everything here is kind of in limbo as I started the 12:30-9:00 pm shift at the new job and the house kind of goobles up the rest of the time! But as a good friend of mine once said" I'LL BE BACK"..

Andy I think i've got  some Magic Tracks from my Panzerjager 1 if those would help if need be. BTW shipping free.

Tony Lee

Guys, thanks for looking and making comments earlier! 

Bill, there has been plenty of great football games for last two weeks.  Thanks for the great tip about using the masking tape to hold the links.  That's what I had in mind too and it helped.

Here's my quick update... being married and having two young boys you can be distracted very easily!  I haven't touched my workspace until tonight and I finally did one side of MK tracks... yes, 88 of those little bastards but with help of the masking tape to hold them down really helped!!!

Here it is... 88 tracks in one piece now!  I still need to remove and sand down some sprues.  One thing surprised me... the kit came with ONLY one spare track and of course I screwed up one while assembling leaving me with NO spare now.  Too close to call!

I hope I can do another half tomorrow so everything can be ready to be primed and painting over the weekend.  Have a good one!

Football games are the perfect background for assembling MK track runs, something I've done many times. If you want to give yourself more of an edge, you can try using a strip of masking tape to hold the links (especially as you get the runs together in longer pieces) as an ad-hoc jig while you add new links to it along with the pins. Looks like you're making good progress and the bin organization is an excellent way to keep track of all the parts.

I have one thing to say. Have fun with those, 87-88 tracks.

Workable Panzer I tracks.. in plastic & 1/35 scale!

Yipes that looks like a painful process, results should be worth the effort. Great job Deafpanzer, looking forward to more WIP's.

Hey DP!

Looks like you are getting on better than I did with them bloody MK Panzer I tracks! Good job!

Surely you must agree with me that the 're'moulded' guide horn is a PITA and doesn't locate very well? I assembled a short run of 6 links and it broke up in 2 areas where the pre-moulded horn hadn't located properly and I sent ages on this length making sure it was ok.I know Wbill swears by these MK tracks. I'm sure that the bigger tracks (Tiger, Panther etc) that require you to insert a pin into each side are great but these diddy one's with only one insert? I'm not sold I'm afraid I'm sure you'll do ok though!

Have you thought about trying to build a jig? I'm sure if you do a Google search or a search on here you'll find something.

I laughed when I saw your photo of the tray with dividing bits to allow you to separate the different track elements up - I do the same! I also have a 10 tray stacking pack that you might see in an office where employees ut there papers. I label each tray A through H and the top one is called 'other' - I split all my lettered srues up onto these to help finding them that much quicker! Yes, you've guessed it, I'm VERY OCD too! A handy thing to have when you're a modeller imo (in most cases).

ATVB

Ben

Nate, thanks for the comment!

Bill, thanks for the information abt old panzers!  Always learning as  I am not just a modeler but I am WW2 history buff for an obvious reason.  Too bad about Colts... it was only the first game but its defense just fell apart. 

Here's quick update... worked on MK links tonight during football games especially during the Ravens vs Jets game cause it was boring.  Th work on the links has been so tenacious but it is coming out good so far.  I am not going to lie!  I wish there was a jig for those TINY Panzer 1 tracks!!!  You will see why...

 A very good sprue cutter is a MUST for this... that way you don't have to sand that much afterward. 

Don't you love those pink sanding files!?!?  More cutting...

 Fortunately I suffer mild OCD so I like to keep things very organized... ready for the assembly line!

Assembling the links... my fingers were too fat... it really helps to use a tweezer to insert the pins to hold the links together.  This is where I wish there was a jig base to hold the links down.

Back to the sprue cutter...

 VOILA!  That's only the first set of five links.  Will do one at a time.  A total of 87-88 links per side.  God help me...

 Hope this helps... its not that bad.  Go Chiefs!

Ben,

People often forget just how dependent the Germans were on what were considered "obsolete" Pz models at the outbreak of hostilities through 1941-42 to equip their PzDivs. The Pz I and II were the most numerous vehicle type in the German inventory throughout Poland and Fance 1939-40 and were still serving in front-line roles at the time of Operation Barbarossa as you can see from Andy's post/link. The Pz III, with it's 5.0cm L/42 gun was the main battle tank of the Panzer Divisions with the Pz IV serving in a support role, and German industry was having a hard time filling the demand as more and more Pz Divisions were being created and battle losses were incurred. The Pz 38(t) for example was continuously produced as a gun-tank (even though its armor and 3.7cm gun were inferior in particular to Russian armor it was facing) right up through mid-'42 as was the Pz II for example before their production lines were shifted over to other vehicle types such as the Marders. It wasn't until mid-late '42 that the Pz IV with it's longer barrel 7.5cm gun began to replace the Pz III as the MBT and other obsolete designs began to be withdrawn from service and/or sent back for conversion into more effective platforms as tank-killers.

Ryan- You snuck in your comment while I was typing... thanks for the comment about the barrels.  I still remember your Panzer 1... it was a beauty!  I looked at it few times to make sure I am doing the right thing except for the barrels.

Looking forward to some pics, Andy.

Nate

LBJ- Thanks for looking!  That's why I am having fun watching your work on the newer Tristar version of Panzer 1 to see the differences.  You have been doing great!

Ben- Crazy, huh? That's why I had to build this little panzer.  I am tempted to build King Tiger next so I can place those two next to each other to show the evolution of tanks during WW2.  But it will not happen until I am gone with all GBs I signed up.  Maybe somebody will start Big Cats GB soon???????

jetmodeler- It was great of you to stop by! I agree... I don't regret my decision to use the AM MG barrels even tho we all know its the wrong type.  Let's hope my wife doesn't know the difference...

Quick update on my Panzer I:  I mentioned I was spending the night at my inlaw and I decided to bring the MK links along to do some cutting and sanding to kill time.  It took me about an hour to just to cut links off the sprues alone.  Haven't started sanding but there won't be much cause the sprue cutter did pretty good most of times.  Will post more pictures tonight... Go Colts!!!

Hinksy

The thing that I have never worked my head around re the Pz I is the engine / bhp etc?

My stats book states that the Maybach (I think) egine runs at 100bhp (Torque unknown).

Now my little runaround car (Ford Ka) has a 60 bhp engine and can hardly move when there are 3 passengers - luckily I only bought it for my use for the 'to & from' work journey!

How on earth does this 6 ton tank, running at 100bhp move at all, especially with crew and esecially towing lorries!?

I'm not a mechanic and know little about engines so I'd really apreciate someone explaining this to me!

It may have 100 bhp (brake horsepower?), but the tank's output was (i think) closer to 60 hp (bhp doesn't account for power loss due to other resistance in the system).

1 horsepower is 550 foot punds/ second.

(torque * RPM) / 5252 = horsepower

So with a constant horsepower, your RPM and Torque are inversely proportional. So by decreasing your RPM (top speed on a flat road for a pz 1 was like 50 km/h or about 30 mph), your torque becomes significantly higher. I could go through the math but that should explain it adequately.

 And the build is looking very clean- and I still like those MG barrels- they look sooooo sharp.

Ben, I would imagine that its all in the transmission and how they are geared?

Andy,

Looks like your off to a good start. I really like the MG barrels. The sure do look a lot better than the kit provided ones.

Hey DP,

400+ Panzer I's at the Russian Front! Unbelivable!

The thing that I have never worked my head around re the Pz I is the engine / bhp etc?

My stats book states that the Maybach (I think) egine runs at 100bhp (Torque unknown).

Now my little runaround car (Ford Ka) has a 60 bhp engine and can hardly move when there are 3 passengers - luckily I only bought it for my use for the 'to & from' work journey!

How on earth does this 6 ton tank, running at 100bhp move at all, especially with crew and esecially towing lorries!?

I'm not a mechanic and know little about engines so I'd really apreciate someone explaining this to me!

She's looking tidy so far btw buddy! I've got my sprues sat in front of me and I'm currently working out the best way to tackle mine - I'll be starting in a minute!

ATVB

Ben

really nice clean building so far! keep it up

LPJ

Ben, believe it or not... I found this information when I googled for Panzer I role at the Russian front.

==============================================

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_I

The final major campaign in which the Panzer I formed a large portion of the armored strength was Operation Barbarossa, 22 June 1941. The 3,300 German tanks included about 410 Panzer I's.^[80] By the end of the month, a large portion of the Red Army found itself trapped in the Minsk pocket,^[81] and by 21 September Kiev had fallen, thereby allowing the Germans to concentrate on their ultimate objective, Moscow.^[82] Despite the success of Germany's armor in the Soviet Union, between June and September most German officers were shocked to find their tanks were inferior to newer Soviet models, the T-34 and Kliment Voroshilov (KV) series.^[81] Army Group North quickly realized that none of the tank guns currently in use by German armor could penetrate the thick armor of the KV-1.^[83] The performance of the Red Army during the Battle of Moscow and the growing numbers of new Soviet tanks made it obvious the Panzer I was not suitable for this front.^[84] Some less battle-worthy Panzer I's were tasked with towing lorries through mud to alleviate logistics problems at the front.^[84]

^{==========================================================}

^{Hard to believe that the Germans still used about 410 Panzer Is... probably for infantry and recon supporting roles.  Hope this information is correct.  Again, I will check my reference books for further information.} 

^{Later buddy... its time to visit my in-laws and we are spending the night. GRRR! Wish me luck.  Maybe I can bring the MK links and do all of the cutting and sanding there...}

Hey DP,

I've built the Dragon Pz I Ausf B already but it didn't turn out well - I wish to rectify it this time and I love the extra detailing on this build, particularly the interior! I love these little Panzers!

I think they were obsolete by that stage of the war - I might be wrong but they probably would have served more of infantry support role.

ATVB

Ben

Yes, that was the word I was trying to think... jig!  Thanks for the information.  It is only my second MK links so I am still learning you can tell.  LOL!  Now you got the Panzer I bug!!!  Who will be next victim?  I can always check my reference book about Panzer 1 to find out if they were used against the Russians or not. 

Can't wait to see your DML kit... I won't be surprised if it has higher parts count than my old Tristar kit.  Good luck buddy!

Hey DP,

I think you mean a jig? With MK's you only get a jig if you have guide horns to insert on both sides, obviously this little set only uses inserts on one side.

Anyway, she is looking great! I've decided to put my new StuG into my stash until I get my ATAK Zimmerit ordered. I'm going to build my.................

...................Dragon Panzer I Ausf A instead!

That means we can compare notes and the Panzer I will still qualify for the GB if I use Polish markings! Anything East of Germany apparently!

ATVB

Ben

Ben and MG, I overlooked your comments earlier... jeez, being 40 years is rough already. LOL  Thanks for looking!  Hope those little MK links are not as hard as my last one I used for Stug III.  I think it will require more cleaning...  

I just realized that MK links didn't come with some kind of base whatever you call it that holds the links while being assembled?  I looked everywhere in the box and it must not have been included.  How would you have done it without that assembling base for MK links?  I assume using a tape turned upside to hold the links will work? 

Here's a quick update on the PE muffle guards I worked on this morning... it was fun!

First I used my Excel knife's handle to bend the PEs. Then I used one of my carver tools that my dentist gave me (I think she likes me alot) because its handle had smaller circular width to fit the mufflers perfectly.  It worked like a charm...

The PEs are not glued to the hull yet until I am done painting the mufflers first.

I realized there was seams on the pipes.  It wasn't easy removing those but using the back of excel knife helped a bit.  The kit was flawless very little seams and ejection marks to be removed or sanded away but not with the pipes unfortunately.  Then I applied Zap-a-Gap super glue to hide the gaps around the mufflers.  No picture for this yet.  More to come...

Have a great weekend... always remember 9/11! 

Dave- LMAO!  Maybe that day will come if we ever run into each other at some big show... you never know... we will have to do it over .  Thanks for dropping by!

Bill- Crap! Yeah, I figured that the MG 34 set may be incorrect and the picture was fuzzy!  I just turned 40 years old...  Well, like I said I'd rather not to use those crappy MG barrels that came with the kit and place another order and wait for another week or longer.  I learned my lesson... do better job doing research on barrels before I place orders!!!

Too bad... wish Tristar didn't drop those MK links... I am a big fan now.  Your fault... but I love it!  I rather to work on this older kit with MK links this time than the newer kit with full interior because I need a break after my recent builds StuG III B and 234/1 with full interior if you recall. 

Like always thanks for your help!

You've gotten this one together in pretty good time Andy, looks good so far. As you've discovered, the Pz I used MG13s and not MG34s but once painted they won't stand out as being all that different in the long run and you overcame the biggest difficulty which was getting them mounted in the turret!

The pic you've got are still MG13s but fitted with longer flash suppressors. There were variations on this tried particularly in the Spanish Civil War and that's what accounts for the different look you see there. Looking forward to the next round of progress!

Tristar kits don't generally come with MK links, it was something they tried out with their original Pz I kits but later dropped in favor of static indys which is the norm for all the other kits they produce now. Later Pz I kits that they produced don't have the MKs in them. HTH!

Andy,

That is a sweet deal. Twenty bucks AND MK tracks.  You scored!!!  I'll be following this build sir.  Buy the way, I'd be willing to learn some foul signing.  At least that way no one could hear me drop another F-bomb like I did at work the other night.

Cheers

Dave

Nice lookin' panzer so far, the AM barrels add a nice touch! For $20 you got one sweet kit, the MK tracks don't come with many Tristar kits so you got a great deal. The later Panzer 1 kit from Tristar doesn't come with MK tracks but instead includes a full interior. Either way you got a great deal and I'll be lookin' forward to seeing this one built.

These are MK tracks indeed. I have the Dragon Panzer I Ausf A c/w interior in my stash - my next WIP!

I ordered thise set from Hannants but found them VERY difficult to work with so returned them and bought Friuls instead. They just refused to work and fell into pieces when I lifted the short length up that I made!

I put that down to them having a pre-moulded guide horn and only one horn that you insert yourself. lus they are about the smallest track in 1/35 that you'll ever see!

Saying that DP, not wanting to put you off, a lot of folks have had great success with this particular MK track kit. Being careful and patience will pay dividends! Perhaps it's just me!

Looking lovely so far btw!

ATVB

Ben