wow!
Can't wait to see this one done



Paul

We had our monthly club meeting tonight and I got a bunch done on the Jaboschreck. The more I get into this kit, the more disappointed I am. Not because it isn't a good kit that was well executed with the information available, but I'm noticing a whole slew of differences between the Flak 38 and the Flak 103/38. They may have the same basic mount, but aside from that, they are very different weapons. Kudos to Dragon for even attempting this piece, and the fact that they were able to get firsthand information from the designer was fantastic, but comparing it with the real thing tonight brought out many glaring errors.

Once I get the MK103 cannon back and mounted on its mount, I'll do a side by side photo comparison of the Flak 38 and Flak 103/38 to illustrate my point. Hopefully we'll be able to get the sight arm on the 103 straightened without any additional damage.

Anyhow, back to the M39. I've contemplated getting the Legend conversion kit, but at $55, I can't justify the expense right now, especially with the furlough in effect. So, I've got plenty of scrap styrene around and a strong desire to scratchbuild, so we'll see how this goes.

The M39's ring mount is not bolted in place like I'd originally thought, it's welded. So much for dropping a real M55 turret into the real M39. If it were unboltable, we'd have the 1:1 scale sitting in the museum, but removing an original weapon mount (despite the fact that it's damaged) is out of the question. Fortunately in 1:35, I can do it pretty easily.

It would have been great to get additional shots of the M39/55 to see just how they went about the modification. My hunch is, they just cut the ring mount out, sandbagged the two wells in the floor and dropped the turret right in. I'll continue to dig to see if any of the 52nd AAA veterans have any pics.

Oh well... gonna go dive into that AFV Club kit!

Ok I have started on this build and I can see why Paul has lost interest in his build of this kit There is a lot of building of sub assemblies that dont really lead up to much as of yet. Its almost like building a Mini-Art Kit with bigger pieces
This was about 2 hrs work last night

completed engine and some of the chassis

hope to get some more work done on it tonight

I know what you mean.

The Trumpeter E-50 has 8 piece cantilever assemblies and you must assemble 6 of them. Gotta watch the directions as they WILL fool you!

Almost makes you wanna drink at 6 AM.



~ Jeff

Step 1 complete.

"Magic Tracks" can go suck a bag of dicks.

Looks like I'll have to use metal tracks for this build, since I threw a handful of magic tracks in a fit of rage. Now I don't have enough to complete two whole tracks.

Step 1 on the real thing done too. One hatch open.

@Vegard--Sorry to hear that. What, exactly, went wrong? Is there a way to salvage any of them? Maybe use them as spare track hanging on a vehicle?

Keith

Hey Sal, at least your up and running. Engine looks great buddy! Keep on plugin away on her...you'll knock it out tha park!!!

Sal stick in there dude, the fun is only just starting

Jon, this looks awesome, I shall be watching very carefully as I also have a left over M18 hull that needs attention



Paul

Trying to dry fit and glue the magic tracks on a Panther hull that has been glued together. It's nigh impossible to get things in place without [auto-censored] breaking apart. Need to order some late type Panther tracks from Friul or Spade Ace.

Hang in there Vegard! I'm sure your Panther Anti-Aircraft build will finish out great!

And Trever... I totally missed your selection! I really like that 'version' of turret.

Keep on keepin' on guys!



~ Jeff

I've kinda hit a wall with the Jaboschreck. I mentioned earlier that the more I look at it and compare it to the real thing, the more I realize how inaccurate a kit it is.

There are a lot of typical late-war cost/material cutting measures evident in its construction, but these are not reflected in the kit. The seat mount on the real thing is pretty much just a pipe, whereas there's a whole frame on the standard Flak 38.

The traverse and elevation gearboxes are completely different as well (I already mentioned the wheels). I've already put both of them on, so I'm not really sure what to do at this point. Do I cut them off and scratchbuild, or do I just say "what the hell" and leave them the way they are?

I've decided I'm going to build a completely new sight arm, since the one that comes with the kit is completely wrong.

A little bit Now that my King Tiger Campaign build is complete...



...enough to call done, I will start back on the Gepard after a brief interlude traveling about.

@Jon--that is one wicked looking gun, almost Star Warsian. Can't wait to see more.

Keith

Whoa, THAT KT is sweet!


Jeff

It's been a while, but I haven't forgotten my Italeri 37mm Flak 43. To that end, I was recently given an Armorscale gun barrel/brake assembly by a local shop owner, saving me the expense. I still hope to finish this little guy by the deadline.

Progressing nicely with Panther Coelian as I've replaced the magic tracks with Friuls. A bit calmer now.

Pictured while dry fitting the tracks. Starting to fall in love with the Panther design, both in overall looks and slightly easier to build than my previous Pz. IVs.



Question: How do you guys fasten/mount metal tubes (like the stubby end of the barrels in my Coelian) to openings that are slightly larger than the metal piece? I used a good deal of Perfect Putty when fastening the metal barrels to the plastic part of the gun assembly.

Panthers (and like all Tigers) are so easy and fun to build and don't have the fussy suspension parts to deal with.

If the holes are too large I would have used a 5 minute epoxy OR J-B Weld but I used the AA turret in my Coelian build so they slide right in and I used CA, because they are resin.

BTW... yours is looking great!



Jeff

Vegard--I second Jeff's idea of CA or 'Super Glue'. If a gap is fairly large I will apply an even layer around the portion of the part to be inserted, let it dry, and add more layers if need be. This ensures a more even, level fit.

The whole kit thing is looks great and the tracks are really nice. You're making me rethink my cheapskate self and that I should give them a try.

Looking forward to seeing more progress!

Keith

I've taken a bit of a break from both the Jaboschreck and the M39, since I'm now planning the move back into our newly climate controlled warehouses and I needed both models for wargaming out how we're going to move everything in. Being a modeler in a museum certainly has its advantages!

In the meantime, I'm working on a Skybow WC56. Should be back on both AA kits within the next few weeks.

Jon

Hi Vegard,
I would either fill the holes and re-drill with needed Ø ,
or add a jacket to the barrel, and re-drill the hole to fit the
jacket. As a jacket you could use hollow brass rod, or plastic rod from Plastruct or Evergreen.

Hi Jon,
I hope to see more of your M39 soon dude, I still got copy your
pics for my conversion .



Paul

Thanks for the answers, guys. I do have CA glue, but I think it's been childproofed because I can't get the damn thing opened.

Anyways, progress picture of my Coelian:

Nice job So far. What kind of camo are planning to put on it and are you planning to put any figures to it as well?

Thanks. No definitive plans for camo yet, but I'm considering using some of the colors from the "German Late War Colors" set by AK. Might even be inspired by the schemes found on that box set.

No figures planned for this kit. I don't have any experience with painting figures.

Oh come on! Nothing ventured nothing gained!!! LOL