Hi Angel.
To be honest I thought is was some kind of wooden plank/ramp, because there's only one. Surprised there's only one on the trailer. The scratch build one is just phenomenal. For those parts you should consider making molds to produce resin pieces.

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

This is a good idea. All the more so in his mind are often thoughts of making resin details.

Robert, thanks for your kind words!

The Bridge Column(Brueko) "B" had a total of:
24 Uebergangschienen(8t), carried as follows:
- 1 in each Pontonwagen(16 in total),
- 8 as Reserve;
8 Uebergangschienen(16t)-all carried as Reserve.
I guess the Reserve was loaded in the load beds of towing trucks.

I have no experience with resin casting.
But I can scratchbuild all these parts again.
I'm sure-now that I've made them once- I can make them look even better.

Angel, I think Kalin is hinting that you are a 'scaredy cat' and avoiding learning to cast parts. I am with him, it's about time you expanded your already astonishing talents... if I can do it, you certainly can.

Thanks Peter!

I know Kalin(the old muzovir) is hinting me

It is not that I don't want to learn something new from modelling perspective.

I've done "feasibility study" on casting resin myself and- at least at this stage-I find it economically unsound.
To make it viable, I need a project where big size parts are required in big numbers(like running wheels or crates and loads).

I'm sure this will happen one day,

So I assume a future campaign called "Big loads with Crates" will get you there @:)

Best regards,

Robert Jan

Angel, it depends on your needs I suppose. But it does not need to be large pieces to make it economical. I have cast up AFV Club British radio components for other kits that do not have a radio. The cost is 100 times less the cost of buying a resin or accessory kit. The same with British Fire extinguishers. Instead of the blobs that come with kits, I have a mould of a great casting that I use. Flimsies, fuel cans, lamps, etc.

Same for German jack blocks, extinguishers, Notek lights, etc

I have cast up ammunition for the K9 Rail gun for a munitions panzer - no seams on a turned one.

I have also cast up small parts to replace malformed kit ones or get better detail than in a certain kit - I.e. Tamiya Cromwell wheel Hubs and their Churchill cupola for the Bronco Comet.

The cost of the mould making agent is not that expensive if you keep the moulds small and have minimal wastage (just make sure the side walls are strong enough to hold shape). I use Lego block frames pressed into artists clean clay to form the mould. Easy and you can make any size you want.

And yes make up moulds of any boxes, crates, etc you have, and when making other things any excess resin can be poured into the box moulds for future use.

and remember, you make a good master and cast it then Kalin may buy a few off you and share the cost!!

I've made a little progress on the M9 ACE.

Step 1:


Step 2:



Each road wheel pair is made of three pieces, D1-3. D3 is the rubber part of the outer road wheel pair. I'm leaving those off so they can be painted separately.

More to follow...

Yeah Robert, such Campaign might be of help

Peter, thanks for your advices!
They'll be handy when I finally decide to dive into resin-casting,

Back to the Pf.11 again...

I thought it might be possible that at least one of the 32 trailers, delivered to Bulgaria in 1943, survives till today.

Here it is(in the Museum of Engineer Units in Svishtov,Bulgaria):


Will plan a trip soon,

When I come to Europe, I hope soon, I will make an appointment with you, so you can guide and show me around in Bulgaria, this is just so good to see they save history like this.

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

Here's my entry, a little slow getting the pictures up, sorry. Will post progress pictures shortly

That looks cool! I'll look forward to seeing your progress on this one!

Robert,

You will be warmly (in the best meaning of Bulgarian hospitality traditions) welcomed!

Progress on the M728. The suspension on this is a total PITA, and it doesn't even articulate.

Looks good, Dave!

A bit more progress

Yes. If only others had done the same. There is just so much history lost over the years.

Progressing Nicely Dave. Welcome aboard.

More progress on the Takom M9 ACE...







I haven't put the tracks together yet. Those were in Step 3. These pics are from Step 6. The hull is starting to come together.

Attaching the plow takes like four hands



The turret isn't attached, just sitting there. The boom will be raised and rigged.

Nice work, Dave.

I might have to pick one of those up.

Richard and Dave - nice progress guys. Very interesting subjects.

Thanks Peter!

Aside from a few fiddly bits that I've spent time crawling around on the floor to find , it's been a pretty fun build!

I've masked off the horizontal surfaces of part of the hull. I used tape (as you can see) but also PVA (white Elmer's) glue for some of the smaller details.



The exposed areas will be covered with Valspar terra-cotta spray paint.