Please God, kill me now. Here is the progress I have made on my latest blood pressure raiser. I am not enjoying this model. its the new DML 3-in-1. I'm finding a lot of parts that just dont seem to fit no matter what I do to them.

I'm starting to weather it now, though I still have a lot to add to it still.

Looks really good even after your troubles

Looks good to me...nice weathering.

I think there was a review in Perthmilitarymodelling.com w/c indicated that there needs to be some minor modification (a little sanding, filing, removing, etc.) to the kit....I'll try to look it up...try this link http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6233.htm

Youve done a hell of a job on this if you ask me!

I dont see any problems with it!
Hmm maybe DML might wanna re design it , i aint complaining

If you are having fit issues, you cant tell from the pics

Fantastic work so far. Outstanding paint chipping and wear.

Good to go, and keep up the good work

Cheers !!

Alpen

Wow, that's a great paint job. Any particular pices giving you grief?

Hi Tapper,

What's happened? I'm just seeing a good work in front of me.
It is good to see a good result after a challenging work. Nice weathering too.
Next month I'll build the same Sd.Kfz 251, and I'll take your model as a example for me.
So, I'm waiting for new pics.
cheers,

or you can give it to me lol :-)

jokes aside, even with the troubles you had, its turning otu good and was worth the work, the weatherign is realy nice. how you do it? i need soem help on that kidna stuff...
Frank

Wow, thanks guys I was expecting more people to say "I know what you mean Tapper."

I've found that some problems range from the trivial to the truly annoying.

1)The fit of the two halves(upper and lower body) leave a very large gap at the rear door and can only be A) filled with putty(and lots of it) or covered with something like camo netting.

2)The flash and injection points look like they were done by somebody at DML who has a grudge against modellers. The IP are not easily removed but are traingle in shape and you have to cut them from two sides and this often ends up tearing a piece from the part you want. All the wheels have a minimum of 4-6 injection points. It makes for a LOT of cutting and sanding and in same cases filling on parts that should never require any sort of extra attention.

3)A lot of parts you dont need. A gasoline tank and battery that is placed between the hull and the frame where it will NEVER been seen. Doesnt make sense to me.

My biggest gripe is with #2. Those of you who have assembled this model know what I mean.

Thanks for the kind comments though. I guess I just need to realize that the worst part(assembly) is 80% over and I can concentrate on the rest.

Tapper, if those are the sort of results you get with akit you hate, I'm just dying to see one you like!

PS to Francois 3442

After priming the model with white primer I airbrushed it with Delta Creamcaot 'Cloudberry Tan' acrylic paint. After I let it cure for 24 hours I applied a little decal softener and put on the decals. It was then sealed with 2 coats of Testors Dullcote.

Washes

First wash was a heavy wash of 70% thinner to 30% black oils. I let this dry completely and removed the excess paint with a cotton rag dipped in thinner, leaving the dark wash in any an all crevices and recesses. After that I gave a light wash of 90% thinner to 10% Burnt Sienna oil.

When everything was completely dried and cured I highlighted certain edges with a graphic pencil.Finally I gave it another was of Burnt Sienna to bring it all together and to tone down the shiny look of the graphite.

I echo the rest of the sentiments - you are doing a hell of a job on this! As this is one of 2005's pencilled-in projects and I haven't built a 251 in more than 20 years, the more info I can get on the pitfals, the better. Thanks for sharing this with us! Jim

I'm just finishing this kit and I've not really come across any fit issues? You've a really nice finish there, so persevere with it! The injection points you refer to are of benefit. Haven't you noticed how there are no knockout pin marks? Because of the multiple injection points Dragon manage to avoid these, so as long as you carefully remove them then they reduce clean-up time.
One thing I did notice however was the wooden handle on the mg42. I don't think that these had wooden handles although I could be mistaken?

Vinnie

Like everybody before me said ... the hard work, fit issues and troubles don´t show in your finished work. When I get around to building mines, if it turns out as good as this, I won´t be complaining. Love your weathering ... cant wait to see it completed.
I know this is the rivet review forum and some pointers should be made ... but so far, theres nothing I can see that could be mentioned.

You are turning a dog into a pure breed. Good job. My only question is the stowage on the left side at the very front the vertical side plate looks to be 'gapped' where it meets the angled engine cover. Is that a true gap or photo "funnyness". Even if it is a gap, it is in a place that would normally separate if hit with battle damage, the seam would open up right along there. Maybe a bit of weathering to show that they hit a tree limb of something.

Slodder, I see what you are talking about. I havent glued the two halves together yet, thats why you can see the crease.

Tapper:

I think the halftrack looks great. Your perserverance is paying off. I have thought about trying to spray Delta Ceramcoat/AppleBarrel and other craft paints, but have not tried it as I am not sure what to use to thin it. Could you explain what you used to thin your paint before spraying it? Thanks.

Keith

Great looking model. Where are the problems? I am going to be starting mine after the holidays.
recon

Sounds like you may have gotten an oddball kit that didn't meet up to the quality normally produced. Others don't seem to have the same problem. You should be proud of the work you have done in spite of the issues.

Thanks again guys. Maybe I did get a bad batch of plastic or something. I'll keep at it though.

Keith, I thinned my acrylics with plain old water. I was very surprised how nicely they came out of the airbrush.

what is the 'strawberries & cream" about? that's not your dio title is it? :-) :-)
sorry.. lame joke.. ha ha..

I think the transmission and battery included are to help people who want to raise some of the floor plates,and detail the inside a bit.
(++) (++)

Here is the nearly completed model. I'm finding a lot of parts are seriously mis-shaped. I think I must have bought the runt of the litter. I'll be glad when this disaster is finally finished!

is it just me or is everyone else just seeing a square with an x?