M3A1 Halftrack with wurfrahmen 40

This is the Dragon IDF M3 Halftrack with Nord missile system rebuilt into a beute M3A1 halftrack with wurfrahmen 40 serving with 11. Panzerdivision based on references from the division's surrender in 1945.  According to references, the M3A1 joined the divisions TOE sometime in 12/1944.  Replacing the kit's Nord four missile system with four 28 cm Wurfkörper Spreng wurfrahmen 40 taken from the Dragon Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf D. kit in sort of a retro version of the IDF vehicle.  (Note that the IDF kit contains all of the parts for the back ordered/hard to find original WW2 vintage M3A1 halftrack kit (other than decals), including the .50 cal and "pulpit".)

The initial paint coats are Mission Model's paint US Army Olive Drab.  Will have some German camouflage overspray (esp. over where the US markings would have been), although the reference pictures leave room for interpretation.  Most likely will use green/brown (either olivgrun and rotbraun, or the nicer looking (IMO) Nato green/brown), with some dunkelgelb "stick" overspray (seemingly mainly over the doors).  Some sort of roof also was installed over the driver's area, so may cannibalize the full-length roof provided for the IDF Nord M3.  Lots more to do, but thus far kit has gone together well, although the tracks are a little tricky to install (will leave off outer half of return roller before installing track if build another version).

Did a color sample (albeit brushed) of olivgrun versus Nato Green, and rotbraun vs. Nato Brown.  Also, found some 35+ year old USAF decals - maybe for a 1/32 P-51? - and crudely cut out the star portions and some over sized numbers.  These will be overpainted, so crudeness should be okay - I hope.

SU-100 WIP (Update)

Getting a little bit closer to the finish line on the Dragon SU-100 ("Arab" version built as circa 1945 SU-100 in Vienna (Wien)).  Have put down two initial coats of Mission Model Paints #031 – Russian Dark Green 4BO FS 34079.  Will need touch up wheels, base coat.  Also, a few parts, such as the exhausts, driver's hatch details, etc. need to be added.  May leave fuel tanks and tow cables or tracks off, as the reference vehicles seem to lack many of the same.  Fenders have been removed.  Hatches are tentatively in open position.  Still deciding as to whether to replace first road wheel on drive side with half-spider per Wien museum example (not clear when change occurred on original as typically SU-100 in 1945 saw only limited service and typically had a full set of solid disc wheels).