Hey There,

Figured it was time to get this one started. MiniArt's 1/35 European Tram!

If you are unfamiliar with this kit, Bill Cross recently finished a fine review of this kit here: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/10009

Well, I am still undecided what to do with this as for finished layout, but since the kit boasts over 600 pieces I think I have some time to think about that!!

So with that, here is where I am at as of last Thursday when I cracked the kit.

The Kit





I started on the undercarriage.





The kit is, umm, slightly over-engineered whereas there are 114 parts to the undercarriage trolley.



Almost done with this section, but I think it was a good starting point.



I have several projects on the move and am anticipating this to be a long term project but there should not be too much lag-time between updates.

Thanks for stopping by and having a look see!

Wow! 600 pieces! This ought to be just about a weekend build for you, T.

Hey this a great start. A tram can never be overengineerd.
I will be watching this with great interest.

Regards,

RJ

Good start .... I'm toying with the idea of this although the 600+ pieces puts me off a little...

Keep 'em coming!!!

Looking good Todd,should be an excellent build

Thanks Bob!! I would think this true normally...it's the other 18K pieces of the combined 5 "other" projects that will slow this up a bit!!

Thanks Robert! Typically I don't mind the over-engineered stuff...detail is the stuff we are looking for! However, when only a sliver of what I have done here shows when done, unless this one ends up on its side, and I am not ruling this out at all right now, then I would think that it might turn some individuals off a bit from building it. Glad to have you along for the ride!!!

Hi Jim! Happy to see you found you way over, obviously just getting started. Seeing the pics you shared is kind of pushing me along now!! I have a couple offshoot thoughts on where to go. I suppose the 600+ is a bit daunting, as I was just speaking with Robert about above, for some. Not really the parts as a good Pz.IV kit rolls in with a box count over 1100, of course not all of it get used...LOL!! I think things like the side rails could have actually been molded in one piece and not taken away from the kit at all. This would have cut down the 88 piece count almost right in half. See, 556 pcs. sound more enticing than 600+, doesn't it?

Hey there Anthony!! Glad you could make it!! Thanks!!

Hello All,

Time for a little update on this one!

Did I mention there was "a lot of pieces" to this one? LOL!! I think too many but it is what it is! I was still plugging away at the undercarriage which lead into the platform of the car.

Here is the carriage in the final construction stage:



I was a bit off in my calculation of parts until this point earlier...there are 106 pieces here! Moving forward there are many more to the suspension work needed for under the platform. This is a 2-piece platform design and both halves are identical so everything needs to be built "X2".



But just when you think that you are done....more parts!!!!!



.

Things do have a way of coming together....



The Carriage and platform almost together for good:









So there is going to be a small break from this one whilst I attend to a couple "other" fires. Back soon!!

Thanks a bunch for tuning in!!

Beautifull, just beautifull.

I knew it, I simply must have one in the furture. After the release of the new model the price of the first release already has gone down with 50% at my dealer.
Keep up the nice work. This excellent for a weathering job.

Regards,

Robert Jan

Hi Todd,

Looks like a cracking kit, you're off to an excellent start.

Al

Robert - Thank you Sir! I would think if you seen this reduced by 50%, nab it while you can! The underside has proven tedious, but fun in its own right. As Bill mentioned in his repose to me over at his review, if you can replace any handles, bars or supports with brass or suitable stock, you may want to consider it as these smaller round parts are brittle...mostly on top but there are a couple below as you will see soon.

Thanks a bunch Al, most appreciated! I am plotting my next move on this one and might have to warn you this may get 'ugly'.

Looking good, T, but boy that's a lot of work for something that'll rarely get seen.

Thanks Bob!! Actually trying to work that out right now...LOL!!!!

I was able to sneak some time in on this one today..........








After seeing Bill Cross's review and talking with him about some of the smaller fiddly parts, I went ahead and started replacing these small handles with brass rod.

Hoping to sneak around on this one a bit more now that the bench is getting cleaner!!

Thanks for tuning in!!

Oh...wow...look....PROGRESS!!

Glad to see this come back around, T. I'd never build one, but it's interesting seeing how it goes together!

Hey Bob!! Sorry I missed you for a couple days!! Been running around like an idiot as of late.

Thanks, the fun should begin soon... Some cutting here and there will ensue, just need to plot my next move!!

No problem there, T. I'm just glad you're posting here. Since I don't wander off the German armor section on the "other" site too often, I'd probably miss this all together if you didn't.

Hey Todd, I'm along for the ride on your build. When this came out I was thinking it will be easier than the resin kit I have; but then mabe not. I know that the resin kit has a whole lot of parts but I don't think as many as your kit does. So far this looks very good, the kit detail and your work. I was planning mine over turned with a large bomb crater next to it just so the bottom detail would show. Any way, I hope the rest of your build goes as smoth as can be, and I hope you'll forgive me but I lost my tickit, lol bob d.

Thank you Bob...sorry I seemed to miss you back in May there. I went in for surgery on the 14th of May and with all the "other" projects, this one slipped through the crack for a bit! I am still busy but things are looking up! I like what you were thinking of having a go with...maybe you won't mind too much what I ended up doing with this one!

Well, it has been a while and this was my long term build but didn't expect it to go out that far though! So.....it will not take a degree in astrophysics to figure out where I am going with this one.





So that is that in a nutshell! I still have plenty to do on this...the roof needs to be worked over and plenty of rubble...guessing I might toss a fig or two in there as well I suppose!

I will be bringing this to the bench again in about two weeks. I am heading to Hampton, Virgina for the IPMS show next week. Myself and a good friend are working with Vallejo doing demos in the vendor room as well as a seminar...should be a blast!!! If you are in town for the show, stop by the Vallejo tables and say hello!!

Thanks for taking the time to swing in an have a peek!!

I like your definition of "ugly".

LOL!!! Thank you Russ!!

Going to be a great scene Todd,looking forward.Perhaps a T-34 or some Soviet troops advancing ?

Ouch, that hurts! Nice work so far -- can't wait to see the final!

I have one of these in my stash and what really hurts is, I don't know whether to build it clean, weathered or damaged. ... ???

No! ... I'm not building two trams! Oh well, I have a while before I get to it.

Watching with interest. Go ahead -- convince me!!!

--mike

Interesting layout, T.

Thank you Anthony! Not too sure at the moment...I am sure once I get the initial...build? done, things will become a little clearer!!

Thank you Michael! Well I will do my best to convince you of something anyway!! LOL!! Either a wreck is the way to go, or, I might just be as daft as a few say I might be!

Thanks for checking on me Bob! See you in a couple days I guess!!

Hi Todd,

Excellent progress.

Al