Panda Hobby Marder I WIP

Panda Hobby Marder I - work in progress.  Lots of small track links to assemble but a (straight) jig is provided.  We'll see how it goes.  (Update:  ditch the jig - the links will stick to it leaving a real problem when trying to extract the tracks from the jig.)  Added a MP 40 to interior.  No real references as to interior except some other models.  So far no real problems but need to dry fit a lot and trim some of the mating connections to make sure pieces fit.  Have the RPM kit on the shelf as well, but likely will stay there.  As indicated by the picture, there is no option for the driver's visor to be shown open, which is a little bit of a disappointment, although perhaps explained by the lack of any interior to the driver's compartment.

The fight compartment interior is a little spare, with just the radio, conduit and antenna (sans routing box or transformer) and a bunch of too-short Pak 40 rounds (maybe they used Kwk 40 rounds (75 x 495R, rather than 75 x 714R).  In addition to the MP 40, will replace the short rounds with some leftovers from the ICM 76.2 Pak kit and maybe the Tamiya Marder III brass ammo set.  Also courtesy of the same ICM kit are a few individual 75 mm round cases for the side ammo bins.  Maybe will include a couple of (water) jerry cans and crew kit items like MP40 pouches, helmets, water bottles, gas mask canisters, mess kits, etc.  On the exterior, reference photos show some Marders with a (German) jack on the right fender, so will scavenge a DML jack with brackets.  Of course, if there is jack, there should be a wooden jack block somewhere.  Haven't seen any photos of the same, but the only place where there seems to be enough room is the right rear of the lower hull.  Two other common and necessary items - fire extinguisher and gun cleaning rods.  One reference photo shows a fire extinguisher on the interior of the driver's compartment, but presumably there also was one in fighting compartment, so will probably stick in the left rear (similar to the placement in the SdKfz 251 series),  While the gun cleaning rods could fit on one of the interior side walls of the fighting compartment, current inclination is to attached to lower exterior of the fighting compartment with a shovel on the opposite side.  Also need to add a horn, notek blackout light and convoy light.

Jack, horn and notek light added.  May need to cut off rear end of exhaust to allow the exhaust shield to fit as there is insufficient room under the gun shield area.  Also added the PE shield supports and part of the gun travel lock.  The openings in the PE shield supports are smaller than the mating pins, which makes things messy.  Also, the base of the gun travel lock has locating pins . . . but the top of the hull does not have any mating openings, so beware.  Frankly, there are multiple parts where the mating pins are too large for the corresponding openings - it seems to be a recurring problem in this kit.

A comparison with the also-problematic Marder I H39 (Trumpeter) which also is WIP.  The location of the gun vis a vis the gun shield seems wrong but a ready fix is not obvious.

ICM Horch 108 Type 40 and DML Sd.Kfz. 250/9 neu

Working on the DML Sd.Kfz. 250/9 neu.  Ignoring the track shape/sprocket issue, the kit seems to go together fairly well except that there seems to be a gap between the hood and engine compartment sidewall.  Tried to address with some manual manipulation (i.e., bending) of the hood angle and a little putty.  Inserted a driver figure although not sure if will be visible at all.  Not sure if 250/9 interior should be dunkelgelb or elfenbein,  Went with the pseudo-elfenbein white color.  The interior will be dark anyway so even if the white used is "whiter" than elfenbein, not sure will make a difference.  Painted first aid kit on rear door although can't really see anyway.  Will add interior fire extinguisher - not sure why DML instructs not to include.  Also part C10 will interfere with hanging seat/radio assembly, so will have to be removed or cut down (it was moved to interior sidewall).

Additional build notes:  (i) replaced front notek light and two smaller headlamps with single Bosch headlight and connecting wire on left fender; (ii) shovel on right fender is too long to fit so will need to be replaced or shortened; (iii) added wire between antenna base and transformer box and Lion Marc antenna.  The ammo bag for the co-axial MG (gurtsak) seems to be missing as well so added the gurtsak from the bow MG assembly for the DML Elephant.  The turret anti-grenade screens are a little delicate, so care has to be taken in handling.

One reviewed noted a hood fit issue with ICM Horch 108 Type 40, so I wanted to build that portion up to see if the issue could be resolved.  From what I can tell from assembly, the issue is that the hood sits too high because the hood is too thick and therefore sits too high where it mates with the locating lines on the firewall.  I ended up thinning the hood so it doesn't sit quite so high (although there still a gap).  An alternative might be to cut or shave off the locating lines on the firewall.