Hi everyone I figured that I am going to try and do a build log to document my first adventurer into the aftermarket up grade set. I am hoping that it may help me to keep focused and also any feedback my help me improve my skills. I also hope that it may help some builders that just like to lurk in the shadows find a helpful hint or to, even if it is not to make the same mistakes that I do.

Well on to the kit I am doing the Tamiya re-box of the Italeris Sd. Kfz. 4/1 Panzerwerfer 42, self-propelled rocket launcher with the Verlinden update set for it. This will be the first time I have worked with resin or photo etch the plus is most of it is inside the fighting compartment if I make mistakes. I am also going to do a Dio that has the vehicle being rearmed and one mechanic looking at the engine.

This could take a while because I am a pretty slow builder and easily side tracked. The first step is I am currently reviewing the instructions. This is where I learned lesson #1 for the build.

Lesson #1: Always make sure you have the tools that you need for construction. I rember to order the paint for the interior but I forgot that I needed a saw for cutting the resin and a chisel blade for scrapping off the raised detail. So now it is off to a shop to get it the tools need on Friday.
Till the next update

Robert

The very first thing I did was to ditch the kit-supplied Tracks, in lieu of a set of MODELKASTEN Carden-Lloyd Tracks... Boy, what a revelation in frustration THAT turned out to be!

After THAT episode, I set the whole project aside for about 6 months and went on to other things- I usually have about a half-dozen other projects going on my workbenches... I DID eventually complete this vehicle, and after all was said and done, I'm glad that I DID! I should have mentioned that I was simultaneously building the ITALERI Opel "Maultier" kit, which used the same MODELKASTEN Carden-Lloyd Track set...

Hi Robert
No problem, just thought you might want to get more into the PE stuff, but I can understand if you've not had much experience with the stuff, it can be very taxing with some small fiddly parts.

Regarding the wheels being out of alignment. Don't forget when you add the tracks the back end will rise up, so the front wheels should align with the ground when the tracks are on, not with the bogie wheels.

Also if you haven't noticed the front drive sprocket sits in the centre of the track when fitted, not on the edge as it would seem obvious to do.

Also I don't know if Tamiya changed the formula of the material that the front tyres are made of but Italeri ones used to have a chemical reaction that ate the plastic. Most people put some form of barrier between the two, such as silver foil stuck to the plastic hub.

Alan

I note that the suspension springs have a rather nasty mould seam running along the length of the part. May be worth replacing them with scratch built parts as removing the seams will be a PITA.


Gary