Whilst at Telford last week, I piicked up the Panzer IV 'Schmallturm' kit by Azimut. I don't usualy build " what if's ", but this one was looking so resplendid with the 'Thoma' skirts, all mesh and PE and resin... I could not resist.
. We all live and learn.. well, that's what I have been saying anyway.Short blurb about the kit, it's the usual Azimut fare, some basic parts from mainstream manufacturers, supplemented by a host of PE and Resin conversion parts. The kit supplies indy tracks, drivesprocket and idler by Academy. Lower hull, rear, front and upper sides by Italeri. Wheels by Tristar. Azimut supply the resin hulltop, turret, suspension and various bits like the upright exhausts. Also the PE and the woven mesh for the mesh skirts. An alluminium barrel is included, but unfortunately was missing in my kit. Probably due to hasty packing for Telford? An email to Azimut was very quickly responded to, and the barrel is on it's way as we speak ( type? read?
).As usual when opening a box from Azimut, mixed feelings abound. On first reflection the resin castings seem rather 'sloppy' and more about that later. But that is Azimut, they need work, but turn into nice models, of rare subjects which are either not at all catered for, or only in less than impressive plastic. This is a kit for somebody with experience with Resin, Filler and 'making things fit'...Not simple, but very rewarding in the end.
I've made a fair bit of progress, and will get straight in with some pic's.
I'll be showing mainly pic's of problems, and the remiedies I used to correct/fix them. For pic's of Academy or Tristar sprues, I refer you kindlly to their relevant reviews/sites..
Straight in, a big disapointment has to be the turret. Some of the vision block holes do not line up with the covers, and the casting around them is rather rough. Some of the vision block covers are also damaged. The cuppola hatch is a tat smaller than the cuppola entrance, which means that you either have to open the hatch ( which means you have to add a figure) or try to fill the gap. The next problem, albeit not visible when finished, is the turret bottom fit. It doesn't. It needs to be trimmed to fit, but the shape doesn't follow the turret exactly. Minor I know, but indicative of the fit of the resin parts.
Another fit issue is the Italeri upper hull sides to the Resin deck. Although the deck has the right shape and angle-in at the front, the corner is to far forward, causing the hull sides to be positioned to far forward. This leaves a gap at the back, and extending bits at the front. It also means that the front part needs to be extensively trimmed. It should fit across the front as one single part. But if you trim back the hullsides, you will loose the little lift hook brackets on the corner, and the side vision ports will be noticable to far forward. I hope the photo makes this clear. A lot of filler and sanding in this area.
.
I've got as far as this last night, more progress tommorow.
And although all this may sound very negative, I'm enjoying this kit. All my Azimut kits are the same, casting is sloppy, fit is not good, but I like the subjects, and when you managed to get it all done in the end, it gives me more pleasure than sticking a perfect kit together. Where's the challange in that..
:-) :-) .
Cheers
Henk
