Hello ,

Here is a build I have been working on and off for the last couple of years and I am finally giving this all my attention to complete in 2014.The Famo and trailer is a well engineered model by Tamiya and it was a pleasure of a build.
All items are built in sub sections for ease of painting. The real work begins with a near fully detailed Panzer 3 on the trailer.
The VP engine and interior sets have been used to deck the recently released DML Panzer 3 F out.
The interior colours have been based on some research done here
http://byrden.com/panzers/Colours/index.html

The panzer will have the turret and engine hatches open and I’m still undecided as which figures will be used to bring the models to life .
The Panzer 3 will have Voyager etch Fenders, Aber exterior etch ,Et model tool clamps and Fruil track.
The famo and trailer will be built out of the box with minor inclusions of Archer decals for the instrument panel and etch vehicle width markers.





















Michael

Wow! Great start, this will be beautiful when done, I shall follow this build closely! Kudos sir.

Thanks Colin,

Working on the etch fenders now and will get some more shots up on progress .
Never built this style of etch fender before and here is the real challenge .

Cheers
Michael

ok back with a small update
After being side tracked by someone to do a Mirror models T969 wrecker I'm back on track to finish this devil off.
Here is the wrecker
I have linked it to the other gallery
http://pnp.li/3hcz


The Famo is way bigger than the M26

more progress , fenders are on and now pre drilling the holes on the Fruil Track

Amazing stuff! You have a lot of work set out for yourself. Good job!

Thanks David

I appreciate your words .

Michael

Michael,
Nice to see someone tackling this kit ... or should I say ... these kits? Nice progress!

--mike

Thanks Mike,

I'm on the down hill run with the panzer 3.

The fenders had been way harder than what I imagined
It was a first doing this style of panzer 3 fender and found this more difficult than a etch tiger or panther fender.

Now all we have to do is build the track , test fit to kit and it's happy days ahead

Michael

ok back again,
Further progress achieved .
Right side Fruil track on now for the left.

It will be a little hard because there is a twist for how I want to show the track off.

first of all I must congratulate you for this model.
I would like to ask if from the front two hatches, could the crew exit and enter the vehicle from them?
Thanks for your reply.

Regards.

Thanks
The panzer 3 and Famo will be a challenge to build and display.

I would say to escape from the front hatches you would have to be super small and at a squeeze you could get out .

Hello all,

Back again.
Here is the left side track done with the battle damage .
Did not want to overdo it , still a little more work to do .

This is coming along nicely. Interesting "twist" on the battle-damaged Panzer!

—mike

Looking good! Can't wait to see everything painted and weathered.

Thanks Guys for the kind words of praise.

Your feedback is giving me the inspiration to continue on.

Michael

Back again with further progress developments .

Track tools have been trimmed with all the plastic latches around the tools being removed off
A combination of Passion Models and Aber etch for the clamps and brackets . Both sets will be used depending on the type of tool.
Not an easy fix ,very time consuming .
Last night 1 latch 25 minutes , not for the feint hearted .
Here is the example





I was going to stick with just the kit wheels on the Famo and trailer although I could not resist the resin release by Tank Workshop and caved in to using these wheels on the vehicle .
The summers here can be quite hot and to sum it all up I do not want to do all the work on the Famo project only to have cracked tyres down the track .
Not a good feeling:(
The best thing with the tank workshop products is that the trailer and the prime mover wheels are in the same pack .
Picked them up from Dragon hobby on EBay if anyone is asking .
Good price and speedy delivery .




I was not going to use photo etch sets for the Famo prime mover. Initially the Famo was going to be built out of the box but there was some key areas of the external side of the prime mover where there is a requirement for some enhancements .I was going to gloss over them but unfortunately this was an area which cannot be overlooked. One specific area is the rear fenders on the Famo ,they are hinged and Tamiya seemed have slid straight over this one .Surprisingly because the Famo is so well engineered in detail they missed this particular area.
A good Friend of Mine Ross Allen(aka Mulligan64) had purchased the famo etch sets way back in 2000 but never used them .Some money changed hands and it is onwards and upwards for this build.
Happy days , thanks Ross

Here are the 3 etch sets to play with ,mmm I have a lot of work

With such a great love of pz.IIIs and IVs, I felt obligated to subscribe. That is a tremendous undertaking and you are doing a superb job!

Keep up the build, can't wait to see more.

Thanks Guys for the kind words .

Spent the last few weeks in the boring stages of the photo etch.
Track tools done and a little more to do on the wiring and lights and then we're onto happy days with some painting .

Have three weeks off and I'm going to pour it on this kit to get completed.




More to follow in the coming weeks .

Michael

tonight's viewing

Took a small break from working on the panzer 3 and decided to try my hand in a little assembly painting for the Famo load .
Here is Cromwell Models resin cargo load ,fits perfectly in the back, note it is early stages and more painting ,washes and weathering to the resin load will be required to look the part



The Panzer will be built excluding the tools and Mg's. Repair crews stripped them out to be used on other vehicles








Have about 10% of the Panzer 3 to do and then it's onto the beast .

back again for the next instalment .

Ok , overview
Famo and trailer are back out of the box on the workbench and
the rear carrier is where I commence my work .



test fitting the figure into the compartment to ensure a snug fit .
It is close possibly 1mm variation for one of the drivers foot on 1 side to be altered.



Took a brief break and started applying some washes on the famo by Mig Ammo and Mig dark and earth washes .



More to follow with the rear trailer section to be the first of four assemblies to work with.

Hello again,

I was intending on doing the sd ah 116 trailer out of the box .That was the plan Then I found that Eduard did an etch set and it was just what I needed to dress the trailer up.
Some things in the etch set will not be used .
I will not be cutting the draw bar to correct that because I do not think it's needed, but there are other items which help to bring the trailer together.




I sanded down the sink holes inside the cab , they may not be seen but I was not taking any chances.
The Famo tools for inside the cab have been modified with etch latch's along with the handles for the engine grills.





Michael

That's one heck of an impressive kit. I always wanted to try my hand at it myself. Really looking forward to seeing how it comes out for you!

Thanks Rick for the kind words

Here we are at present .
The rear drivers compartment was painted with Ammo primer and german grey .
The timber on the floor was painted with Humbrol 63 to bring out the highlights




white glue was used for the decal and metal ring from the eduard set .
The timber on the floor had been highlighted with Humbrol 63 and Mig washes had been used to highlight depth with a fine brush.I used Hubrol 163 satin brown for the seat with a diluted dust wash from Ammo dust effects .




Michael