Hi guys,

After months of kit collecting i'm ready to unleash my latest project, the 2cm Flak38 auf Fahrgestell Bren for the 'Under new management ' campaign. I'll try to keep you updated through this thread or the official 'Under new management ' one as and when I get photo's. However, I also intend to write a feature article about the build as it's an unusual subject, so you hopefully will be able to get the full story there.
For those of you unaware of what im banging on about it's basically a captured Universal carrier that had a 2cm Flak 38 AA gun mounted on the back.
As you can see from the pictures below, it was basically a field modification where the gun platform was welded across the top of the rear compartments of a Universal Carrier.
However, I will use this idea with a bit of artistic license to create a version that has had a thourough modification done (Perhaps sent back to Germany as a test version/prototype for a more substantial conversion).





I'm pretty excited about this build as it's something completely different (Don't think it's been done before), allows me to use some artistic license and combines British and German armour.

Hope you enjoy it as much as me,

Cheers,

James

Here's a pic of all the kits and parts that I have aquired to build this conversion, it's seriously the most i've ever got for a single kit so hopefully that means i'm pretty serious!



Cheers,

James

Wow James,

Are you sure you've got everything there!

Very nice!!!
There are some very nice 20mm aftermarket barrels on the market .
Are you using any ?

Cheers
Michael

Now that's something different. Looking forward to seeing WIP pics.

What a great idea!

May I ask why you are using both the DML and the Tamiya 2cm gun kits?

Rudi

Looks great so far. I have never seen it done before, so you are probably right. It will surely be a good addition to the "Under New Management" campaign.

Remember to save the box for the Bren carrier. You will surely need it for all the spares there will be left after you finished this one.

Looking forward to see more

Now that's an interesting conversion!
You have quite a comprehensive pile of aftermarket accessories there, but I think you're still missing tracks for the Bren Carrier.
But seriously, tamiya's kit tracks are simply horrible, investing in aftermarket tracks will improve the appareance of the model immensely.

Looking forward to this one James, keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks for all the comments guys!

I'll reply individually:

@ Michael - Lol, I'm missing one actually! I honestly contemplated getting the Eduard set for the Dragon Flak 38, but thought enough is enough!

You'll see in the bottom right corner that i've got the Armorscale 20mm barrel as from the helpful reviews on PMMS it seems to be the best out there, next to it are the tiny Armorscale 20mm spent shell cases that will fill that lovely pre-formed dragon spent shell netting in style!

Must give you a big public thankyou for sending me your remaining resicast and Eduard parts for the Carrier all the way from Australia for free!
Greatly appreciated mate, thanks again.

@ Barry - I'll do my best to keep you guys posted, and like I said I'm hoping to do a feature article if my work is deemed worthy enough!

@ Rudi - Good question mate! The Dragon one is the one that will be mounted on the carrier, The Tamiya one is there because:
A. It has nicer wheels for the trailer with 'Continental' embossing on the treadwalls.
B. It gives me 4 spare mags to fit to the gun, allowing the lovely slide molded dragon ones to show off the shells moulded inside of them (these would otherwise be hidden).
C. In the future I can use all of the spare Dragon parts I don't use (gun platform, spare shields etc.) to build up a nice Flak 38 with donor parts of the Tamiya kit.
D. Mark King (mark197205) was kind enough to supply me the Tamiya kit on the cheap! Thanks mate!

@ Jesper - good point mate! I'll have enough left over to build up another Universal carrier (or overhaul an old one I have)!

@Eetu - I actually have two sets of aftermarket tracks! You are right, the Tamiya tracks are terrible!
Micheal Walsh (airborne1) sent me the Resi-cast resin replacements along with some other bits and bobs. I was then talking to Graham at Resi-cast in trying to find part no.s for the old PE sheet and he kindly offered to send me the newer white metal versions due to damage of the resin items, so thanks must also go to him. Both sets are in the bottom left of the picture and should greatly improve the kit.

Thanks for all the feedback guys and all the support, i'm glad you all like the idea!

James

You snuk in there before I could post my replies Bill!

As mentioned i'll be keeping you posted, i'm currently wrapping my head around scratchbuilding the Flak 38 mount we were talking about, That picture has been a great help so thankyou. I'll let you know how I get on anyway!

James

Here's an annotated version of the pic to help give you a breakdown i've what i've got:



James

Thanks for the feedback James.

I was just curious as apparently the DML kit is rated as the best of the 4 available and the Tamiya kit the worse (IIRC) according to Terry Ashley on PMMS.

Be that as it may... I'm going to be following your build very closely

Hey James,
nice collection of bits and pieces you got there, I've seen those pics of the conversion before and have stuck it in the "to do" list, like you I have most of the bits needed to do it, its just comes down to when, I have too many ideas running around in my head to get to it anytime soon though, I'll be following yours with great interest.

Just as an aside, I also have a further Bren carrier conversion in mind, where it was turned into a tank-hunter team carrier, with racks for both panzerfausts and panzerschrecks, apparently there was a whole section of them done in Italy.

Oh and btw, you are welcome, glad the kit is getting a good use, if there is anything else you need give me a shout, I might be able to help ya.

Very intriguing project you've got here, and I'll be looking forward to following your build.

Thanks Rudi,

Yeah, PMMS was fundamental in me choosing the Flak 38, and it was also the same comparison review that pointed out the Tamiya wheels as being the only ones with the continental logo, a nice touch I feel. The Tmaiya kit was also nice and cheap and so the suitable option to allow me to use the Dragon spares again.

Mark, the Beute Panzer site has some great reference pics of those 'tank - hunter' conversions you mention. It was these 'proffesional' conversions of the carriers that gave me the idea of taking my conversion that bit further. Apparently these where the first ever armoured combat vehicles fitted with rockets IIRC!

Jim, Thanks, judging from the responses so far a lot of you guys are! Best pull my finger out and do a good job then!

Will keep you posted,

James

Hey James,
your right about the Beute-panzer site is jampacked with brilliant pics, lots and lots of ideas there!

First couple of photos for you.
Have been doing a bit of work on the trailer:

Here are the wheels from the Tamiya kit, notice the 'Continental' embossing on the tread sidewalls that drew me into using them!
You can see that I have added Tyre valves from small peices of stretched spruce.


Next is the Sd. Anhanger 51 trailer. I had the choice of 3 for this part (Tamiya, Italeri and DML) and went for the DML due to its superior quality.
I have added a PE strap and clamps from spare parts from the Eduard Carrier set here to detail the trailer. I used copper wire instead of the kit (manouvering?) handles as I thought them a bit oversize. Also added on the near-side is a PE bracket from the Resi-cast carrier PE, the Flak 38 spare barrel box will attatch to this and another on the other side (yet to be added). The towing hitch is currently attatched with blu-tak so I can adjust it to fit the carrier hook correctly.


Here's all the trailer bits so far. The 'box' of the trailer is from the Italeri kit and has been detailed with better tools from Tamiya's Pzkpfw 4 tool set and some replacement PE clamps from spare Resi-cast PE. On the rear are two Jerry can holder racks from the Italeri kit, and attatched to the one on the right of the pic is a numberplate bracket and light/reflector from an old Italeri Opel Blitz.


Hope you like what you see so far. Have made some progress on the Universal Carrier scince these pics were taken so will try and update you ASAP!

Thanks for looking,

James

Too right mate, it's perfect for your campaign! Only problem is choosing a project out of the 100's available! Theres a few of those Carriers you mentioned so that should help you out.

Have fun,

James

Got a bit more work done today;

Here is a rear shot of the trailer now the lid is on, obviously it will be modelled open. This gives a better view of the two Jerry can racks, positioned to still give access to that centre console, and the Opel Blitz number plat rack with filled sink marks. I also added some detail to the lid 'hinges' using punched out circles of lead foil. The detail inside the trailer is a kind of 'false bottom', part of the Italeri kit which shows 2cm rounds, mags and cases etc. I have left this loose and will paint it seperately, will also add some extra stowage so that it isn't quite so obviously '2D'.


Side on shot showing that 'false bottom'. The connection on the right where the Italeri bracket joins to the Dragon trailer (two different grey's) had to be shortened to get it to fit. The part is actually a spare in the Italeri kit but the suggested part is far too short to fit. Only other niggle with mating the Italeri and DML parts was two bolts on the inside edge of the wheel axles that had to be sanded away so that the Trailer could drop in. This is all because of slight size differences between the Italeri and DML trailer frame.


Other side, not much to see. I'm going to have to move that gold PE bracket forward in order to fit the spare barrel case on. (hence I only added one so far!)


Will get some work done on the Universal Carrier tonight for your viewing pleasure!

Cheers,

James

Some real progress on the Universal Carrier for you:

Here is the front compartment, I know it looks a mess at the mo! Several areas needed filling and I had a bit of trouble getting the Eduard PE foot pedals etc. into place but they're in now. This was pretty much built as per the Eduard/Tamiya instructions, though I have now added several other parts. As mentioned I wanted this to look like the Germans had spent some time converting the Carrier into a proper German AFV.
Therefore I've added gas mask cases MG34/42 ammo pouches and an MP40 in holder (stolen from the Academy Tiger 1 mid production (interior detail) from my stash), a fire extinguisher from Tamiya's pzkpfw 4 tool set and MP40 mag case is a DML Gen 2 offering. Also I have added some mesh behind the air intake vents.


These two pics show how i've carved up the rear of the carrier to create a flat fighting platform on which to mount the Flak 38. Some kit parts have been modified to give the gun something to rest on in the centre.
This obviously differs from the reference pics but I feel a thorough German conversion may have gone to these lengths (plus it will look loads better when completed).
I was a bit worried about sacrificing the top of the engine compartment, but I have reference pics with the bulk of this removed in both allied and captured german carriers. The space created by covering the foot wells either side could easily accomodate some removed parts with a bit of German Ingenuity anyway!



Let me know what you think so far,

James

Hey James;

That's a very ambitious project there and certainly a unique subject. I'll be watching this build with interest. You could open your own hobby shop there with all the kits and bits you have...lol.



Bob

James,

Looking great so far! I really like the idea and what you've done so far. Will follow this build through to completion!

James,

Sent you a private message about your build. Looks great so far.

Dave

Hi James. Looking great so far. Love all those little details on an unusual and interesting subject. The trailer is a nice touch, should really look cool when painted up ... at least there´s some details to paint on it now!
Have you given any thought to figures? One or two interacting with the model would give it extra life!

Hey guys,
Back to armorama after the weekend!

@Bob, thanks mate, glad you like it! And yes, I could probably stock up a hobby shop from these kits alone! I dread to think how much it's cost me in total

@Thomas, thankyou, glad you like it so far, i'll be sure to keep you all posted!

@Dave, got the message mate and have replied, thanks for the offer.

@Frank, Thanks for your kind words.


lol! yeah, the Italeri trailer OOB left a little to be desired.


As a matter of fact I have mate, i'll put a post up now to show you what i'm thinking.

Thanks for all the interest guys, keep them coming!

James