And in case anyone thinks I've fallen down and I can't get up, here's what I'm doing as well for this build:



I may end up jumping off the roof or using the lousy kit mesh, LOL!

Insanity. Nice...

That´s a great (and lot of) work!
Thanks for this!
When I found some of Trumpeter and Dragon´s work on the net, I tried to find differences in (on?) the kits.
Every time it´s interesting, which big and small differerences there are.
But only a build of both kits can help to find the tricky parts.

greetings...
Soeren

Thanks, Soeren. The differences in (not "on") the kits is interesting to me, too.

Ok, for those who think I've given up, LOL....

The challenge all Sd.Kfz.7/1 and 7/2 modelers face (and based on my research, other half-track gun platforms like the Sd.Kfz.10 (usually referred to by its Patentfirma as DeMag), is the "mesh" on the rear platform. It's not really conventional mesh, but more like the lattice-work slat mesh found on the modern Stryker. Here's what it's supposed to look like:

.

Neither DML nor Trumpeter render it properly, falling back on relatively conventional two-dimensional PE meshwork:



So I was looking for ways to solve this problem using Griffon's set until I was side-tracked after hearing about the Japanese AM upgrade manufacturer Kamizukuri. I had seen their laser-cut paper Zimmerit sets mentioned, but was not aware they have released sets for the Sd.Kfz.7/1 AND 7/2 (which has received almost no attention from AM suppliers). Tasca was kind enough to send me sets for review, and I have just finished the Sd.Kfz.7/1 review (click here to read it).

In the interim, I have been struggling to get the Griffon Model upgrade (reviewed here) assembled. It takes a HUGE amount of work and patience, and my PE skills are certainly not below-average. Here is a comparison photo, however, of the results for the Griffon, Kamizukuri, DML and Trumpeter:



I don't think anyone would argue the Griffon Model set is enormously more-accurate than the others. But the Kamizukuri brings a 3-D level of authenticity to the mesh that the ordinary PE employed by both the kit manufacturers simply don't even come close to.

Now it's back to finishing the Quad 2cm for the Dragon build.

Very nice comparison. Keep up the review, it's very helpful

Thanks, Sean, for the encouragement. I'm at a very time-consuming stage with lots of PE, so it just takes more time than the styrene portions of the builds.

Bill, great work so far! Your effort here is exactly as intended: it will help me make up my mind which of these kits to get. Thanks for posting!

You're welcome, Thomas. My pleasure!

Hi Bill. Good blog so far. Its great your incorporating some AM and linking to reviews for parts/issues. Makes the blog very complete and very worthwhile.

NIce job, Bill. I'm following this thread, because I'm building the Dragon's one

Waiting for updates

Darío

Frank, Mario, thank you both. I'm sorry for the slow pace, but the PE for the gun is very time-consuming. The side panels definitely side-tracked me, too. Still not sure whether to use the Kamizukuri laser-cut paper ones or finished the other two Griffon Model ones. You guys keep me truckin' on, though.

The head on pics of the Trumpeter 7 make it look like there is a step or ridge on the front of the wheel arches, which is not there on the DML kit.

Just a thought for the mesh, would it help if you press it down on a rolled out layer of blutac?? To keep it in place?

HI, Bill; did you have idea what is and where end that...U-shaped tube, just behind "..ctures.com"?
It seems to continue to the firewall, doesn't ?

PIC FROM toadmanpictures.com



Thanks

Darío

Herbert, there is no ridge from what I can see on the real model. Unless I misunderstand you, I presume it's an optical illusion created by the lighting of the photo. As to using tape to hold the grill sections, the problem is excess CA glue. I find using a piece of ceramic tile works the best, but you still end up up hunks of glue that must be removed.

Dario, my copy of Sd.Kfz.7 In Detail is MIA, so I don't know what the component is called, but here it is:




My educated guess is it's the fuel pump, but I may be wrong. Probably am, LOL!

I mean this:

Yeah, remote fuel filter with shut-off valve. The big U shaped loop is likely a way to preheat the fuel a little using engine bay heat, or a fire under the truck during winter.

Ah, that.

I think it's a seam. The overhead lighting makes it look quite prominent. Terry Ashley took Trumpeter to task for what he thinks is a mistake in the molding on the front end. I am less certain these days because there were variations in production from one manufacturer to another. These weren't simply stamped-out at the various factories. I'm not enough of a specialist to catalog the variants from firm-to-firm, but has seen allusions to them.

I'm not being an apologist for Trumpeter, since I don't know what source or sources they based their model off of (the Jacques Littlefield Collection is certainly a primary one from what I can tell). I'm simply saying that I lack the reference material to say what features varied from one factory to another. So few examples of this vehicle have survived, and their restorations may have altered their look in ways we just don't know.

Jess, thanks, that seems perfect. Appreciate the input.

Thanks guys, it be a little more clear.

I find theese pictures, where can be seen one of the pipes entering into the engine, just behind the carburator...or I'm wrong...again?





If you need more Walkaround, take a look at my webpage:

http://infopanzer.atspace.com/halbketten.htm

Saludos

Darío

Dario, I must be stupid, but I just don't understand your question. Perhaps if you could PhotoShop a circle around the U-shaped tube you mean? Can someone else here figure out Dario's question?

Bill, I think he might be referring to this piece (inside circle):



Rob

Oh, that. It's the radiator return filler pipe that brings water up to the top of the radiator from the engine for cooling. It's greatly-simplified on both kits. Is that what you mean, Dario? Sorry for any confusion.

BTW, great job on the build log, Bill! Your post about the possibility that different manufacturers may have done things differently (as with the fenders) really makes sense and just may have pushed me over the fence on getting one of Trumpeter's 7s.

Rob

Well. I don't know what is worst, my english or my drewing, but...let's go

I made a composition with 3 pics: The RED LINE is supposed to be the tube that comes from the fuel filter, so to the engine bay for heating (like somebody says) and then enter into trhe engine (as shows the double pointed BLUE ARROW

There are a more thin tube too, drawed in YELLOW, that I supposed came from the fuel filter too, but I don't know where it end



Please, don't be sorry if you has no the answers, I don't like to interfere with your thread anymore (ruborized smiley). Just continue making us enjoy this "double pack"

Regards

Darío

Dario, I believe that's more of the fuel line, but I can't really tell you as I have misplaced by reference book.

Getting back to the build, here is the finished gun for the DML kit using the Griffon Model PE I have just reviewed (click here to read the review), along with the FlakVisier 40 site (reviewed here) and the quad barrel upgrade (reviewed here):