I finished the Dragon Wagon and the trailer, and apart from a few bits which need to be finished with the brush, the basics are done. Or are they...

I have to finalize the details with the owner, as it will probably have a tank being hauled onto the trailer but he has not yet let me know what tank he wants... so for now all the winches etc are just taped up untill I know exactly how it will be displayed.

Your extra pair of eyes are much appreciated, to find the bits I've missed.
All the extra ramps, chocks etc are being painted seperately but will be used or added to the model when it's finished.

Next will be a wash to make it 'used', then a rust wash over the trailer.











All comments all appreciated.

Cheers
Henk

Henk

Good model, -- I'm sure the owner will be pleased with it.

I know you are still finalizing the details but wanted to note the "thread color" on the winch cable, and also a nice touch is to open the tops of the two tanks by the open door in the first pic (a small bit will do this, even though the tanks are already fixed to the model it should be no problem). Some grease stains on the drive chains could be considered along with some dry brushing on the areas around the winch areas. Also some dark "grease" on the fifth wheel would be appropriate (even though the trailer once afixed will cover this)

Nice work here.

Steve

Ian,

the exhaust is just pastel powder, ground and sprinkled over wet paint. It will be finished with more layers, before the heat shield goes on.



Trying to sneak this past SWMBO is going to be difficult, even the box is huge.. . With the 'recovery' version I take it that you mean the truck on it's own, with the a-frame ( now flat around the fifth wheel) in the raised position? If you can, get it.. This kit is worth every penny.

Steve,

Sure, the winch cables will be painted as soon as the model is finished. Those oxy bottle tops would look a lot better opened up, thanks for the tip. The chains are amongst the items which I'll finish with brushes, hopefully tonight. I'll add some grease on the fifth wheel , a fifth wheel should always be greased..... ( that's the truckdriver talking again.. :-) )

John,

There is a lot involved, but it's well worth the effort. Photo's just don't do the complete model justice. Well, my photo's don't... .
How does the Famo kit compare to the DW? I'd love to do the Famo one day, with a Pzr IV on the trailer.. The Holy Grail??

I really roughed up the front tyres, as the weight of the armoured cab put a big strain on those. And that massive tandem axle drive train must have created one hell of an understeer.. :-)

And the other side. The bolt detail on the wheels is superb.


Cheers
Henk

Yes Bradley, the chain comes with the kit, as does everything I'm using in this build. No aftermarket parts at all.
I always paint the tools attached to the kit, it avoids the glue stains on the paintwork ... :-)

Cheers
Henk

Hi Henk,very nice build,have to get this kit someday on the detail pic of the exhaust i may have spotted a sinkhole on the left /middle side of the pic.,at the hook area thingy??or is it my eyes acting up

jeroen.

Ouch, well spotted Jeroen.. I'll see if I can fix that, if not I'll add a dollop of grease from the fifth wheel to cover it up.

Groeten
Henk

I've rusted and grimed up the trailer, and a few choice spots of the truck. More layers will follow to give it a dusty/grimey look, but what do you think about the oil and rust on the trailer so far? To much? not enough?

I'm rather pleased with the way the fifth wheel has turned out, just a pitty that it will be covered up...






The little pipes dripping oil on the drive chains are made with streched sprue. They are the only scratched item on this model. If there would be one item I would replace, it would be the .50 caliber on the roof...

Cheers
Henk

Don't forget to weather the sprocket where the chains lie on.
Those wouldn't be clean if the chains are black from the oil.

Nice model so far.
Keep us updated

Hi Hilbert,

The sprockets are indeed greasy, but not to much, the centrifugal force keeps most of it on the edge.. It doesn't show very well from this angle.


I'll try to load some more pic's tommorow, both battery sets for the camera are charging... . Didn't get to do much today, just some detail painting and mucking about with the stowage of the equipment that will go inside and on the trailer.

Cheers
Henk

How about putting a canvas cover on it? OR if you air your grievance loud enough, I'm sure someone will avail a spare good'un for you
Brad

Hi Bradley,

I was thinking of a canvas cover, just as I did on the DUKW ( and a few other Tamiya kits in the past.) Tamiya's .50 caliber is just not very good. I have a few .50's in my spares box, so if I decide to replace it I'll be alright. Having said that, seeing as I've started to build more Allied subjects lately, I might invest in one of them " MG sets" with a few better detailed MG's in it. I've not opened a jar of Dark Yellow for weeks now... .
:-) :-)

Cheers
Henk

Hallo Robert,

bedankt, it will go on a shelf sized base, with a bit of simple grond work. Probably just a sand track with a grassy verge. I'm looking for some German ammomloaders in overalls in my spare box, which I think will be great with this.


I've used Klear to seal the decals for the first time, and boy is that a revelation... it's worked a treat, apart from the star on the roof, where half the carrier film is still slighty shining through. I'll have to cover that up with something... .
Started weathering with Mig Pigments ( beach Sand) to make it look very dusty rather than dirty and muddy.

Having some major trouble ( again.. ) with my computer, and uploading pic's is a pain at the moment (involving my wifes account, shared documents, opening images in paint and I won't even go into Kitmakers latest trick... ) so here's only the one pic to keep you going.



Cheers
Henk

Tonight I received the Sherman kit that's going on the back.... And of all the Sherman kit's you can get, my cutomer get's the Academy M4A2...Marines version... . Forgive them for they do not know... :-) :-) . Maybe I'll build it as a free French version..

Anyway, I've put the DW to one side untill I've finished the groundwork and Sherman to blend it all together.



Till then, be safe, and be carefull with that exacto..


Cheers
Henk
On his way to the first aid kit.... again :-)

Your Dragon waggon is looking superb Henk , im still jealous i soooooooo badly need to have this kit and seeing yours looking so good aint helping :-)

I too purchased my first bottle of Klear ( Future ) just yesterday and going to use it on my next project.

Nice cut on the finger btw , im sitting here nursing a very similiar one , ahhh the joys of modelling , but one a plus note it was worth it as i finally got the tracks on my DML Firefly all painted and wethered as well wooohoooo


Keep is posted on your progress , cant wait to see it finished.

Ian

Ian, I think you should get a Dragon Wagon.. Judging by your gallery you would do it the justice it deserves. Tell your SWMBO that you picked it up for me...

Cheers
Henk

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) good idea Henk , but i value my errr spherical bits too much.

Its my birthday in a few months so I will try to get it then.

Got a Firefly to finish and a Churchill and Pershing to build so that should keep me busy till then


Ian

Henk,

Just a thought for you as it has become a really great build. From your pictures I see that you have got plenty of nice yukky oil stains on the bed of the trailer. As tanks are inherantly dirty beasts with lots of nooks and crannies to attract dirt and mud had you thought about adding some earth and bits to really dirty up the trailer?

I was thinking that some fine model railway ballast and sand secured with white glue, then coloured with pigment and drybrushing. I think that this would really make your wagon look more used.

Like it so far and am looking forward to seeing a tank on it.
One day I must really build mine and the Famo and trailer that I have safely stored away.

Regards,

John

Hi John,
Railway ballast and sand...that's an excellent idea. I'll add some in the corners of the bed.

Here's a quick pic of how the Sherman will be positioned.



Cheers
Henk

At last I received the base, and had the change to put it all together. The base is a simple pine shelf, so i'm a touch limited in my possibilities. But as it is, here we are... still lots of detail to be done, but here is the overall idea.



Cheers
Henk

Thank you, not quite as big as the next one, but yes, it needs a fair bt of room to display....

Cheers
Henk

I love the build, it's great. The dusty lower 1/2 is a bit to stark and 'delimited' . I would give the top 1/2 a light pastel dusting to even out the whole thing.