AFV Club SdKfz 11/4 WIP

The AFV Club SdKfz 11/4 has been under construction for a long time now.  Completion has been stymied by (i) some gaps between the door/side panels and the hood and cab; (ii) the ugly folded tilt which needs some sort of covering, etc.  Bought the AFV Club SdKfz 11/251 individual track links to replace the kit tracks but installing the track links under the fender proved infeasible.  Next alternative was the kit tracks, which actually aren't bad and are a lot easier to use than the AFV Club indie track links.  Used clear fishing line to tie them down for a "sag" effect.  However, decided to use an "extra" set of DML EZ Tracks for the Sd.Kfz. 251 as described below.

Top - WIP AFV Club SdKfz 11/4 with ICM Pak 36(r); bottom - WIP 11/4 with Dragon Sd.Kfz. 251 individual link tracks.

After three years hiatus, will try to finish off this kit.  Three roadblocks so far:

1.  The doors of the cab do not fit squarely with the hood.  Not sure what the issue is - the assembly seems to have followed the instructions.  Finally decided to cut off the locating pins on the underside of the engine hood and fill the gaps in the chassis, insert some shims and putty in the remaining gaps between the doors and hood (and also between the doors and bottom of cab.  Not pretty, but not sure what else to do.  See bottom picture (above).

2.  Replacing rubber band tracks with so-called EZ Tracks from DML Sd.Kfz.251.  These are the pressed type, but not necessarily EZ to assemble.  The skeletal tracks in the DML kit, although requiring removal from the sprues were much easier to assemble and remained flexible.  The EZ tracks seem to have shallower attachment pins/points, which made assembly more difficult and meant that they don't stay flexible.  Also ended up having to cut-off and remove the well-glued AFV drive sprocket because it was misaligned with the road wheels.  I think the issue is the drive sprocket is too thick.  Replaced with a DML drive sprocket from an Sd.Kfz. 251 after making a replacement "axle" from sprue.  I like the look of the DML tracks better than the AFV Club individual track links for SdKfz 11/251, whose track pads seems skinny in comparison to the DML tracks.  See bottom picture (above).

3.  The tilt looks flat and not particularly realistic - not sure how to handle yet - most other pics of this build show it covered up in whole or in part to various degrees.