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.

Trumpeter Soviet 52-K 85mm Air Defense Gun Early

Working on the Trumpeter 52-K 85mm Air Defense Gun Early.  Very detailed with lots of tiny parts.  Have to be careful with instructions because some part shown in wrong place, e.g., H-4.  Not thrilled about rubber tires, so will replace with Miniart Zis-5 tires.  The Miniart tires are very nice.  Same diameter as the TR times but more robust.  In fairness, the TR aren't bad for rubber tires, at as compared to horrid Zis-5 tires from the fomer Alan Zis-5 kit, but the Miniart tires are much nicer.  Plan to have it towed by Komintern tractor - give something for Komintern tractor to do and seems to be historical to boot.

Tamiya Somua S35 and Hobby Boss Renault R35 - WIP

A comparison of the diminutive Renault R35 with the Somua S35.  The R35 is the Hobby Boss kit - a detailed but reportedly challenging kit. The S35 is from Tamiya - no problems  here - beautifully engineered kit.  Will build the R35 sans the nice interior provided by Hobby Boss), but plan to have the upper driver's visor (only) on the R35 open - have the Tamiya Renault UE on order and maybe will use one of the driver figures from that kit for the R35.

Also have the small driver's visor on the S35 open.  For a driver figure (just his head will be visible), am recycling the commander figure from the Tamiya SU-100 kit.  The figure is pretty horrible and doesn't really even look like a Soviet tank commander, but he does have a scarf, driving googles and a helmet vaguely in the shape of the French crash helmet (the all leather model).  Guess it shows that a use sometimes can be found for even the most seemingly useless spare parts.  In any case, only his head (barely) is visible.

DML Sdkfz 234/2 - Puma

Sd.Kfz. 234/2 as "151" of Pz. Aufkl.Abt. 2 - small white "5" on LH/RH storage box.  2 Pz.Div. and tactical sign on front.  The DML kit is detailed but went together without any major glitches.  Fit and engineering were good, making for an enjoyable build.

Takom Skoda 30.5 cm morser M16

This is Takom's 30,5 cm morser (or haubitze?).   Went together pretty well.  Some small gaps to fill and on some parts the two parts of the mold seem not have been completely lined up, but I've seen worse.

Assembly is complete - a quick build.  Now need to determine color scheme.  Dunkelgrau for Sevastopol (1942) or dunkelgelb for Italy (1944).  Great Bundesarchiv picture of a FAMO helping to maneuver a gun into place in Italy.

Some upcoming PzIV variants.

DML Brummbar – Mid Production with Zimmerit – want to build as part of Sturmpanzer Abt. 217, which fought in Normandy in 1944.  For this unit, the mid production vehicle should have a spare track holder from near pistol port to edge of side section.  Plan to use shortened spare rear track holders from Jagdpanzer IV.

DML Flakpanzer IV Ostwind with Zimmerit – It appears that the OOB version has the following potential issues: (i) prototype was built on PzIVG chassis with zimmerit - but the prototype turret was soft steel with a different shape from the production turret; (ii) production vehicles were built on PzIVJ chassis – w/o zimmerit and with 3 return rollers, vertical exhaust stacks, etc.; (iii) the production version had a larger (Tiger I size) turret ring; and (iv) the radio operator’s hatch was moved up to be flush with the driver’s hatch, because of clearance issues created by the larger turret .  The OOB version would have the production turret (although with only a PzIV size ring) mounted on a PzIVG chassis.  So, you can modify the turret to build the prototype, or modify the chassis (and turret ring) to build the production version. 

Note: some sources suggest that production Ostwind were built on refurbished PzIVG chassis, in which case, an OOB build might be accurate – subject to turret ring and, perhaps, loader hatch issues.

Or . . . thinking that maybe will put a Wirbelwind turret on the PzIVG chassis – as this appears to have been a common combination, i.e., Wirbelwind based on refurbished PzIVG chassis with zimmerit (although some may have had zimmerit over front portion of hull top (i.e., over drivers and radio operator’s hatches). Initially thought of repairing an old Tamiya Wirbelwind turret – shape is generally okay; gun base not correct, but hard to see.  But the Ostwind turret (ring size apart) is quite nice so may get a late DML Wirbelwind (6540) and swap turrets.  The Ostwind would require making the Wirbelwind chassis a J, rather than H, e.g., using vertical exhaust stacks and 3 return rollers instead of 4, but lots of spares for that.  The radio operator’s hatch also would have to be moved forward – a more substantial undertaking.  Changing the turret ring is probably beyond the project scope.   Have a nice set of 4 flak 38 barrels from Master Model on the way.  Only hesitation is the $47 for the Wirbelwind when I paid just $22 for the Ostwind.

Vintage Sd Kfz 222 - Tamiya

From the 1970s - the original vintage SdKfz 222 from Tamiya.  Neat kit for the time.  No airbrush, etc., found somewhat derelict with broken barrel, etc.  Driver-side grenade screen still broken.

Tamiya Zimmerit Coating Sheet - PzKpfw IV Ausf J.

Decided to try out Tamiya's zimmerit coating sheet for the PzKpfw IV Ausf. J.  Unfortunately, I had already attached the return rollers and the road wheel suspensions which made it considerably harder to place the zimmerit.  Wanted to a do a quick paint test:

So it seems to look okay, but it's absolutely essential to have the sheets lie flat and flush (duh).

A bit more progress on the zim.  Need to get some paint on.

IJN Ukuru-class Kaikoban, IJN DD Yukikaze, IJN CA Chikuma and IJN I-58

This is the Pit Road 1/350 Ukuru-class Kaikoban with the Tom's Model Works PE set as WIP.  For size comparison, a Type VII-A U-Boat under construction is nearby (Hobby Boss - need to change the dual rudder to single rudder), as is the Aoshima I-58, which is larger than the Ukuru.  In the far background is the RM Pola CA by Hobby Boss - which was only $16 but the decks don't even match up.  Probably won't waste any more time with that kit.

WIP Chikuma, Yukikaze, Ukuru and I-58 for size comparison.  The Tamiya Chikuma looks to be pre-First Wartime Modification in March, 1943, albeit with the biplane seaplanes, probably pre-Pearl Harbor?  The Tamiya Yukikaze is is late war fit.  The I-58 is 7/1944 to 4/1945 fit (prior to removal of seaplane in 5/1945).  The Ukuru class is 1944-45.