Hey guys,

After the first round of field trials the test vehicle was deemed unsatisfactory and went back into the shop for some changes . . .

From the great comments yesterday, I decided to modify the project a bit. I did not go a 100% towards the photo, but compromised and kept the Ausf J chassis. No G sprockets even or rubber return rollers.

Some changes made:

• I dumped the old Aber fenders after trying to CA glue tool brackets in PE onto them and that is just an exercise in pain. So I remembered the extra fenders in the Dragon Pzr IV E kits and used those (the ones with the holes for the tools). I used the Auctung Panzer Pzr IV book to get the new tool brackets in the closet postion possible while still covering the holes up, so some brackets are slightly incorrect. But I enjoyed making them from styrene a la Dinesh Ned.

• The platform for the gun base was never glued in place, so I adjusted the floor to sit about 6" lower and this gives the proper illusion as seen in the photo and also puts the gun slightly lower matching the photos better. The baseplate will also get some treadplate next. I kept the front plate intact with the crew hatches, but added some welds so it looks like a field mod.

I still need to finish adding some more welds, and some visible interior detail. Friul tracks are in the assembly phase now.

Thanks again for the previous comments, they were very helpful and I thought I would put them to good use.

Best,

Mike






Model images copyright M. Rinaldi © 2007

Subjects like this bring me back about four or five years to your E-100 days.

This will be a great one to paint.

Talk to you in a bit
ANPW

Really neat work, and a wonderful idea. Looking forward to watching progress on this one Mike.
David

Mike...was not necesary to change your point of view, because anyway could be very nice too. Anyway, with this small change thte model can be more accurate or logic and I think that it is a good imporvement and you will be double satisface!!!

Everything perfect, even the floor plate (when you finish it...)

Just my last commnet (I hope you don't be upset with me)

See the plastic fenders. You can see a kind of shadow or shape with the same siloute tha the upper hull-structure. Well, you must remove that part.
Cut it with saw....sand it and then will be perfect.....
maybe you will need to add a small "L" angle structure along the border of the lower hull in the area where you remove the plastic shadow-shape.

That's all.


MIG

PS: To accept our comments in this very positive way say a lot of from you. This is an exemplar actitude in the modelling.

but I wasn't sure if it was welded to the upper structure and then removed to make this conversion in real life. I thought it would look more interesting if the bracket was still there and will add it back, unless somebody's knows more. We are on the same page Mig, also about the paintjob.

I believe in the Constructive Comment process here on ML. I feel there are too many finished model photos posted (which I do enjoy looking at ), but that kind of defeats the purpose of this DG if you can't make any changes to the model. So many guys know so much about certain subjects it is a waste of info if a modeler doesn't take advantage of it. For example, I have learned so much more about this particular model in the last 48 hrs just by posting it here. If I had posted the finished model without construction photos, myself (and my model) would have been the worse for it.

The pat on the backs are always nice and it feels good to be appreciated, but the real progress is made when guys interchange ideas and thoughts about their work. I find it a key ingredient to being a better modeler and would hate to do without.

Best,

Mike

Hi Michael,

It would seem that now that you've put the 88's mount inside the hull, the gun cannot be aimed straight ahead while elevated. And that the barrel would hit the rear deck when recoiling.

IMHO, I think you had it right the first time. And I think your reference pic #2 proves that.

Ken

P.S. Cool subject.

so I will set it up higher. I also think the gun might actually be too far back and need to move forward after further examination. I currently it have it just forward of the vehicle centerline and it might need to be nudged a little more to the front.

Thanks for pointing that out. It doesn't hit until well above 45 deg as it is, but does under the higher elevation so yes it does need some fine tuning. I am glad I made this model in modular form.

Best,

Mike

Very interesting conversion Mike. I'm amazed at the speed you adjusted the model. Looks good both ways to me, i'm guessing this was a rare field modification rather than any offical variant? Can't wait to see this done, as iknow you'll turn it into a stunning finished model.

Regards
paul

http://Paul's_models.fototime.com/welcome


Do you think that's wise Sir?

Ha!

That way you can adjust elevation and forward/back-

Amazing- many moons I have spent thinking about this vehicle- but as usual it never got off the mental drawing board. Excellent work and nice to see this seldom though of mod in actual building mode.

I believe Panzer Tracts has some info on this vehicle- though you may already know this.

JD