that flak gun looks awesome, Bill! I've been following along and this is a fantastic thread. Great job so far.
Terry

Thanks, Terry, I'm doing this all for you.

The gunshields, are they still movable like on the old Tamiya Flakvierling?? The PE shields I mean.

And about those mesh sides, do you know that technique where from liquid resin (I think) 3 dimensional shapes can be "printed" layer by layer. It uses a laser that heats points in the resin, rendering them solid.

Now that would be a good technique to get those sides done, if any AM producer would consider it.

Yes. In fact, you can either use the kit pivot as I did or follow the instructions for making one with brass and plastic rounds included in the upgrade. The various hinged shields (e.g., the one covering the spent ammo collection box) all are hinged in actuality, though I suck at making workable hinges, LOL!


The second side panel and the rear one have gone much faster since switching to a high-glazed kitchen tile (black for contrast). I have much less gunk and contamination, but it's still a mind-numbing process to cut off the steel slats, file them down at multiple points (ends and along the edges), then glue them in.

The real weak point in my opinion is the frame: it is VERY hard to square-up, and would be better if it were extruded or otherwise shipped formed. The slats when dropped in don't fully hold up the top surface, either, so getting it to look right is more of a struggle than it should be.

But for the accuracy fantatic, it's an amazing improvement over styrene or even PE mesh.

Here is the mesh mostly finished (a few lugs still to go):

Hi Bill really nice work here!

Thanks, Martyn!

Here are the mesh sides mounted on the vehicle. Next is painting. This thing might actually be done in time for MosquitoCon.

Nice work Bill! Going at some speed as well, finding it hard to keep up!

Man, the mesh looks so real !! I hate my stupid brass mesh

Darío

Patience, Martyn, it's not a race, LOL!

Dario, it is amazing stuff. I will have the DML version finished in a day or two. The Trumpeter gun requires more work than the DML because I'm using the full Griffon upgrade.

Making some great progress on this one Bill, the time and effort with the mesh panels is really paying off...not sure what it's done for your sanity though!

I've the trumpeter kit which has yet to be opened since it's been delivered to me in January as this is the 1st time i have a kit with PE parts. I've done the Tamiya kit a few years back but the result is not as good as it seems as I was just trying out afv scale modelling but looking into the work you've made here, it will served as a guideline for me when i'm starting to do mine. My compliments to you, Bill for your effort from start till end of the work in progress. Faisal.

Bill Plunk wrote:

|:(
Thanks, Bill. It has been a tough slog, but the results are pleasing. Appreciate your support!
Faisal wrote:

Thanks, Faisal. I shall take up the Trumpeter kit shortly, but may allow myself a short break for a BF-109 to clear my head, LOL!

Well, the DML kit is now finished except for final weathering. The two-tone color scheme is France, 1940, a Luftwaffe unit.









Some final observations about the DML kit:

1.) The lack of decals for the dashboard instruments is simply not what I expect from a world-class manufacturer. It cheapens the kit and wouldn't cost much to include. These are cribbed from the Trumpeter Sd.Kfz.7/1 Late War closed, armored cab kit. Also missing are the white markings for the mud guards that were common on EW German halftracks.

2.) The mounting points for the windshield simply broke off early in assembly. Pay careful attention when building the kit, as I had to scratch these.

3.) The AM mesh SIMPLY MAKES THE KIT. Nothing compares. It was definitely worth all the work.

4.) The gun would look reasonably well without the PE upgrade, but again, it comes alive this way. Can't imagine the barrels using the styrene from the kit.

5.) The license plates come as prefixes (WH, WL and broken-up SS runes), a dash and numbers. I about #$%@ myself when I saw that, but they went on very well.

6.) I wouldn't build another Sd.Kfz.7 (or for that matter, any "box chassis" German vehicle) without the Quickwheel masks. Well worth the money.

7.) The "driver knows" feelers on the front are Voyager brass.

8.) The kit only supplies two rifles for mounting on the mud guard brackets. They're both Gen 2 two-piece ones with separate bolt assemblies, but come on! Only 2???

Give me a little time and I'll finish the Trumpeter kit (about half-way through the gun PE upgrade).

uuuuhhhhh,WOW,uuuuuhhhh! COOL!

Bill these two pictures may help you with the backrest question.

Thanks, Darren, those photos are appreciated!

Thanks, John, glad you're enjoying it!