Well done,Nick!
Congratulations for producing the first finished scratchbuild of the Campaign!

I think the Kraz-260 based multiple pile driver must be the USM-2.

Robert,I can only second Nick on your build!

Campaign Gallery for finished scratchbuilds is here:
https://gallery.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php/cat/31391

on the paint... going to use the B&W technique so, first step, black... (Games Workshop "air" black (used nearly 2 small pots!!!!)



IMG_20180609_165412 by Robert Worth, on Flickr



IMG_20180609_165416 by Robert Worth, on Flickr



IMG_20180609_165442 by Robert Worth, on Flickr



IMG_20180609_165436 by Robert Worth, on Flickr



IMG_20180609_165452 by Robert Worth, on Flickr



and wheels & tracks



IMG_20180609_165534 by Robert Worth, on Flickr



IMG_20180609_165540 by Robert Worth, on Flickr

a variation on the LOPEZ method... black with white addition (rather than white with black).... next it will be chipping, oil stains (going to do this before the base green).... ok so its not neat but the variation "SHOULD" be visible...



IMG_20180610_150212 by Robert Worth, on Flickr



IMG_20180610_150150 by Robert Worth, on Flickr



IMG_20180610_150222 by Robert Worth, on Flickr

It looks promissing,Robert!
Will watch your painting and weathering technique with interest-that's where I fail more often than not...

I'm back to the ZIF-55 compressor trailer.
Intercooler grille built and glued.
Working light done.
Access covers stamped with burnisher tip, but not yet separated- I'll cut them once I'm ready with the hooks that hold them to the roof.

Angel,

thats a stunning piece of work... love the doors - cant wait to see more...

on the painting, I am not that good but, like the scratch "learn while doing" I am going to try something different on the painting. My issue is I usually go too heavy on the overpaint of base colour - so need to stop that....

Hi Robert - very intesting work on the paint job. I’m familiar with this approach but have never tried it - I don’t think I have enough control with my airbrush to do it correctly - or at least to achieve a discernible result - looking forward to seeing your progress!

Hi Angel - wow! Your compressor is sure looking good! That’s a beauty in the works! It’s nice to see such a variety of materials leading to such nice results! All most too bad you’re almost done! Except, that does mean you’ll need to start something new!!

Thank you for the info - the truck is indeed the USM-2. I have now been able to find a few more images, but no sketches or diagrams, so I’m pushing ahead with some guesswork! So far so good - the Takom base kit is now generally done and I’m working my way across the bed. As a side note, the Takom kit (KRAZ 260) is a bit disappointing compared to their T-55s - in fact, it’s more than a bit sloppy. Anyway - it’s done now, and the head scratching and scratch building is proving to be quite a challenge - hopefully I can pull off something credible! The pile driving heads will be strictly guesswork! I’ve been able to guesstimate enough about the bed and some basic elements so far.

Happy model building
Cheers

Nick

Thanks Robert,Nick!

Nick-I found 2 videos of USM-2(deploying and in action):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5JfU4kWMK0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOt4i_wvPio

HTH,

Hi Angel - thanks very much for the videos! They confirmed one of my guesses - that screw jacks are used to stabilize the “pile frame” when in the elevated position, and not hydraulic arms. This is helpful because I was very close to building hydraulic arms, except, I could see a hook location on the top - which made me wonder if the crane is used for set up - and thanks to your video, I now know that’s how it’s done.

The videos also gave me enough info to avoid a disaster with my placement of the crane! Had I continued down the path I was on, it would have been impossible to rotate without hitting the cab! I also took several screen shots of the video, clarifying more details -


So, thanks again!

I’ll post some pics tomorrow -

Cheers
Nick

Happy to be of help,Nick!

I tried to find the Technical Description and the User Manual, but they elude me so far...If I find them,I'll send them to you,

Looking forward to your progress and
Happy modelling,

Here is my last update on the ZIF-55 for the next 2 weeks(I'll make a dash to the seaside next weekend, so will be away from my main modelling room...):
Door handles soldered
Accesss doors cut and hanged

Congratulations to those that have completed their projects and to those still in the WIP phase - keep up the good work.

I've been away from the bench for the last three weeks and about to be away for another two more weeks so very little progress from me . However managed a quick burst at the bench today (still needs tidying up) and slapped some plastic together to resemble the sump.



Trying a different image hosting crowd so hopefully it shows.

Roger,
The engine looks top notch!

Hello!
After long thinking, I came to the decision to do Funkkraftwagen Kfz.17 / 1. I've had ideas for this machine for a long time, but I'm only deciding to work on it now.
I'll use a Italeri's modelkit as a base.




And we have to achieve that kind of thing.



I'll try to make the interior of the machine, but ...
Kalin

Good choice, Kalin!
I'm looking forward to your progress,

"scratching" done - white & mid grey. next up gloss coat and dot filter



IMG_20180611_202636 by Robert Worth, on Flickr



IMG_20180611_202622 by Robert Worth, on Flickr



IMG_20180611_202603 by Robert Worth, on Flickr

Hello scratch model builders - behold, the beautiful KRAZ 260 USM-2:





I was not aware of this truck until about a week ago. I had a KRAZ tractor kit collecting dust and was in need of the post F-350 build - went on line and found this. Seems like an appropriately challenging project - so, I'm up and running:














And there's where it sat this morning before work - progress! As I don't have any diagrams, I'm estimating how this all works.

I owe a special "tip-o-the-Xacto" to Angel for sharing first, the name of this, the USM-2 (multiple pile driver) and then a couple of videos showing it in action - so thanks very much.

A short editorial, unlike their really nice T-55's the Takom tractor kit used here is not a great kit - poor fit, some unusual/not helpful build steps and so on - not the worst, but not very good either...and more frustrating than it should have been to build....

On we go from here - there's plenty to consider for this build -

Cheers
Nick

Well-that's a good start,Nick!
All neat and square-excellent!

as my current build is progressing, I may try a 2nd build in the campaign (think I have until May '19)... T-20 Kosmolets artillery tractor, either as an armoured command version (photo available) or a very fanciful WHIF as a tank destroyer using the original TAS-44M barrel (may be a little far fetched)... will have a think as I move through on the TAS-44M

That's a very good idea, Robert!

I'm not surprised you are tempted into another scratchbuild project while you see the finish line of your first project in this Campaign.Scratchbuilding is addiction, after all

I'm glad I'll be able to follow yet another stunner in the making!

It's time for me to also start thinking about a second SB project...

Hi guys -

I'm making progress on the pile driver truck. This has been challenging - both in terms of figuring out what appears to be happening on the real truck and in deciding how to best represent it. You'll see a few parts need to be repeated several times - like the 52 small triangles located in the four separate pile driver frame/units. You'll also see a mix of materials - which I'm pleased to report are all from the at-home inventory - which means I haven't had to "spend anything" on this build! haha!! not recently anyway - lol

OK - enough, please have a look:







The frame above was quite an interesting build - on the real version, the outer "rails" can slide outward from the center of the frame, making four evenly spaced piling positions. Mine is built using the same principle - with lager center tubes (horizontal) and smaller outer tubes. I decided that this truck will be shown in the stored position, so these are now fixed in place. It could have fairly easily remained movable, but that would also make it easier to break and a headache to store.

On we go:









My biggest surprise is that this is all coming together reasonably well - as in, things fit, and it seems to generally "look" right -

OK - need to run -

Cheers
Nick

Wow!!!I'm speechless...

Hi Angel - thanks for the nice words! I appreciate them - especially right now - I’m stringing the winches from the frames to the four pile driver heads - ugh - easier said than done. While not exactly durable, my construction isn’t fragile either and I seem to be pushing the limits of this - straining styrene and glued connections alike! But, so far no damage and only one and a half winches to add!

How’s the compressor coming along? I’m sure it will look great when painted up. Between the highly detailed engine and compressor, and beautiful styrene and copper body work I’m sure it will look great!

Cheers
Nick

You are welcome, Nick!

My compressor is idling right now.

I work Mo-Fri 220 km/140 miles from home/main modelling room, so I can only model on weekends.I've set up a secondary modelling room where I dwell Mo-Fri, but I can only use it for basic OOB builds as I lack equipment and materials there...
The incentive is-I have a lot of time thinking about and planning build steps.

I'll have something to show next weekend-SWMBO asked me politely to go to the seaside this weekend

Looking forward to the next pictures of your new stunner!