here is my latest work in progress
its kit UM 259 Tank carrier car with Pz.Kpfw 38(t)
These things were used on german armoured trains such as the BP42 type, and also with heavy scout car sets (such as the UM Heavy scout car (S.Sp)). These carriers with a T-38 tank gave the train extra protection and provided mobile firepower to help the train's infantry platoons, if partisans or soviet troops were encountered. Being old tanks, these would have avoided combat with soviet armour, not being any match for T-34s.
So far I have built the carier only, still have to assemble the tank that comes with the kit.
The casting of the pieces was good, just had some round injector sink marks that need a bit of filling on some flat parts. You can see where I've started to fill and sand these in pictures below.
Fit of most parts was fairly good. The instructions were fairly good, though could have been a little clearer, particularly as there are no pins and few locator marks to ensure parts are fixed in exactly the right place.
There were no complex build issues, it took me a few minutes to work out exactly where all the parts around the hinged ramp were meant to go (as even being out by half a millimetre would not be good. I had some photos in a book (and on the web) to help to see where some parts should go.
The ramp can be placed in the up or down position. The ramps hinge but the arms that support it dont hinge very well.
A small amount of filling and sanding was needed of some hairline cracks.
I also need to work on the buffer face plates, as one needs to be a bit rounded, both are modelled flat
I don't know how accurate the underside detail is, but unless you were modelling the vehicle on its side or upside down, derailed or in a workshops I don't think it matters much. I dont know of any war time pictures of the underside.
The only part I haven't fitted (other than the tank) is the round handbrake wheel on the side. The kit one is cast as a solid disc, whereas on photos these were made of rounded steel tubing with a cross brace. I will find a suitable replacement in the spares box.
The kit decals are just basic german crosses of a couple of different types, Photos show this carrier had interesting small marks and lettering on it in painted or stencilled in white or yellow.
Next up is to build the T-38. I'll post more pics later
cheers
Neil
