This caught my eye yesterday, after receiving "Die Geschutze, Ortungs- und Feuerleitgeraete der Schweren Flak".

Watch the little box in front of the KDO. Text explains this is for the panel mounted to the "computer". In Michael picture it is on top of the Range finder box.
The box is much longer than the device itself, so I guess the optical visors or other critical gear is stored inside as well.
Text is only in German, but very informative. Thanks again Angel!

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

You're welcome,Robert!

Your builds(the Einheitsanhaenger, the Flakmess-Kfz) always remind me of projects, I've planned and subsequently put on hold/a side...

Now-seeing your project-I remembered I wanted to build a Malsi Geraet

Great to have this hobby. Its like going to other pubs sometimes, because of specials beers they serve for a while. But home is where the hart is.

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

Dog-gone-it Robert you always send me running for my German to English dictionary! (translator website actually)

"Die Geschutze, Ortungs und Feuerleitgeraete der Schweren Flak"

translates to:

"The guns, detection and fire control of the Heavy Flak"

LOL.
It will contribute to your understanding and knowledge of German language Michael.
English is such a boring language IMHO opinion. English translations just miss the punctuality of expression.
However, I asked Robin to change the topic title into "SdKfz 415 Conversion with Telemeter KDO Mod. 40". So a combination of two build will be the specific content of this topic.
For the SdKfz 415 Conversion I will use the IBG offerings of the Büssing NAG L4500A with some parts of the L500A, because it has some front parts.
Conversion comes from Panzer Concepts. Designed for the AFV Club kit of the L4500A, but a little work will fix possible fit issues, will see. B.J. was so friendly to answer some questions and provided some ver nice photo material and a big bonus, the manual of a Büssing L4500A. So this will be a lot of fun detailing the chassis and engine.
My subject: SdKfz 415 based on Büssing NAG L4500A



More to follow soon.

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

Well,

I'm all set up for following this build,Robert!

Looking forward,

:-H

Fascinating, taking my seat for this build too. Maybe this observation’s insignificant/irrelevant but that 3rd photo of the 415 (posted March 13) has a different radiator grille to the other one

I noticed that also on the earlier photos. My conclusion was that perhaps later versions of the Bussing-NAG had a labor saving (and metal saving) one-piece stamped grill without the many decorative raised metal crossbars.

p.s. Hello Tim - long time no talk. Hope all is well.
Regards; Mike

This is an early version SdKfz 415 based on L500A chassis.
Later L4500A we’re used. Different in many ways! Will explain later.

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

There were 2 versions of the SdKfz 415, the Early and Late. The early was built on the L500A and the way to recognize this is that the rear tool bins are even across the back. Late versions, based on the L4500A, you can see the bins are stepped. Vehicles were built only on the A version which means 4 wheel drive only.
The engine hood is also different, L500A & S have a much steeper shape, L4500A & S have a more flat / curved shape. Grills, mentioned above differ also and as Michael said, that would be a cost of production issue.
Chassis is almost similar for both versions. Though the setup of the air tanks is different, also mentioned before and engine has some technical improvements.
Design of the Büssing NAG is just beautiful (I love those long nose trucks). My late Uncle Jan drove the big Büssing L900 models in the late fifties and early sixties, red and blue with the golden Lion on the grille. My late Father also liked them very much, this from a maintenance point of view.

Have a nice evening all,

Robert Jan

Let us make a start, easy said, but I've had my doubts already on the quality of IBG plastics. Cleaning is not my favorite, but this was a hell. Chassis took me all morning. Result so far:
A very basic approach to satisfy modelers to model a chassis in 1/35

Corrections made: I cut the the front axle in 3 parts to make it steerable. With the manual on my Macbook it became more fun. What you see is the first step, to give it a sturdy shape, still needs lots of little detail. Bubbles in my head and I can't wait to get to the bench for that.
Two more pictures. Tiny tiny nuts and bolts from RB Motion with some micro tubes do the trick.


Need to remove the white rods again, they suppose to be inside the drum(stupid). But actually give me the right measurements for the cut away parts.
First steps made, see how it develops.

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

Forgot the Telemeter.
Progress so far:
Sd.Ah.52 (buy as much as you can, this is a super detailed kit)


The Telemeter KDO Mod.40 with the box for the range finder. Tristan looks confused (how to get that in to the box)


Well, it will not fit. I need a full build KDO for my future diorama. From spare parts box I have another Lafette and a mock-up of the platform and KDO in transport mode will be made from scratch, towed by the Sd.Kfz. 415.

Until next time,

Robert Jan

With those two long tubular lens hoods at either end removed it still won't fit????? According to Panzer Concepts it is supposed to.

No problem at all, I have a creative mind, always on the move The KDO Mod.40 in transportation mode is an easy mock-up, spare parts will do the job.
Got enlisted in AA Campaign with 2 guns 88mm. Third one, without the Sd.Ah. 202 will come soon from China. Those PDF books from Angel are addictive stuff. Some great diorama ideas popped up over the last weeks.

Regards,

Robert Jan

Building gets me carried away, obvious. I did not want to screw up the nice detail on the range finder, so magic plans, starting with B came up.

Very nice start, Robert!

I'm sure you'll make good use of the manual you have!
Looking forward(as long as it takes )

Weekend is near. Did some work over the past week. Only 15 days away from Songkran (Thai New Year) and I will have a full week of fun and bench time.

Thanks for looking in Angel, appreciated.

Robert Jan

Picked this build up for the weekend. Decided to use the AFV club Chassis for Sd.Kfz.415. The chunky IBM goes back in the box, waiting for another project.
So build up the chassis and glued the prepared Resin parts for the body work.
Benches and floor plate are fixed, rest is dry fitted.
The chassis



I found the kit on Alibaba, real cheap and it landed within 2 weeks on my doorstep.
Resin parts from Panzer Concept are real nice. As with all resin, the
clean up is horrid. But after some first scoping and sanding this is the result for today.


Heavy stuff.
Satisfied with the results so far.
More to come later this week. Really like the Panzer Concept kit. Good resin and the details to come later in the build are just fantastic.

Going to get me some food and drink some beers.

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

Picked this build up for the weekend. Decided to use the AFV club Chassis for Sd.Kfz.415. The chunky IBM goes back in the box, waiting for another project.
So build up the chassis and glued the prepared Resin parts for the body work.
Benches and floor plate are fixed, rest is dry fitted.
The chassis



I found the kit on Alibaba, real cheap and it landed within 2 weeks on my doorstep.
Resin parts from Panzer Concept are real nice. As with all resin, the
clean up is horrid. But after some first scraping and sanding this is the result for today.


Heavy stuff.
Satisfied with the results so far.
More to come later this week. Really like the Panzer Concept kit. Good resin and the details to come later in the build are just fantastic.

Going to get me some food and drink some beers.

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

Have pulled up the armchair, cup of coffee in hand, to enjoy this build Robert!

Ditto!
Except-I hold a cup of grapa instead of coffee (it's already evening here)...

A really nice project, indeed.

There is a preserved telemeter close to where I live, if you need photos or measurements just let me know.

One question... what brand is your figure?

Thanks for stopping by.
The figure comes from TANK. Nice resin and good detail.
Pictures of the real deal are always welcome of course, will remember that, thanks in advance.

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

F.Y.I. - Here is the link to my Telemeter album on Photobucket. There MIGHT be some images not seen before if anyone is interested.

http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/165thspc/library/Telemeter