discussion 1:35 Tamiya PzKpfw II F rebuild {ST}

[SimonT]

Morning all,

this is one of my current builds which was started over on MM

The story so far.....

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this is based on the old Tamiya kit with the addition of Easy Links tracks and an Eduard etch set
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started by slicing it into two and sanding to correct the width based on the plans in Achtung Panzer book

Track guards removed

The various bits were then stuck back together and joins reinforced with plastic card

The old ex-motorised Tamiya kits are generally incorrect somewhere as they were designed to fit around motors and batteries so accuracy suffered as a result. The old Panzer IV based range are quite bad and the Panther A must be one of the worst. Quite a few Academy kits suffer the same problems as they are based on Tamiya moulds

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basic hull parts assembled
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Removal of the right track guard and associated parts left a gaping hole that needed filling and sanding back
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The moulded grilles were removed from the engine deck ready for replacement by etch versions
The one behind the engine got the section of exhaust pipe added along with a few baffle plates all based on reference pics
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The idlers are moulded solid so the rim had to be carved off and replaced with a new plastic card one

Seems I can only add 20 pics in one go

Cont.....

 

[SimonT]

......Cont

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The etched side panel added to the engine deck
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New track guards added from pewter sheet with net curtain CA'd on top to form the diamond grid pattern
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Engine deck etch grilles added and exhaust perforated cover
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Track guard support outriggers added
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Finished idler wheel
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Turret got new frontal armour to match references and faces added to the periscopes around the cupola
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Hull and turret edges were 'welded' to match reference photos
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Turret mg added from an Aber turned brass item extended slightly with micro tubing
Main gun scratch built to replace the kit item

There we go, the condensed version

Thanks for looking in

SimonT

 

[Wouter]

Hi Simon,

Good to see another classical SimonT style build here with imaginative scratchbuilding and enhancements. Looking good so far!

Cheers

 

[SimonT]

Thanks Wouter

 

[papa 695]

Great work so far Simon.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Simon
Glad to still be able to get my fix of your 'Million Dollar Man' style of modelling. (that was the TV programme where they said 'we can rebuilt him better, faster etc' wasn't it?)
Jim

 

[Guest]

Hi Simon glad you joined the party and I can see some more of your work, will watch your progress with interest.
Pete.

 

[RM6239]

Hi Simon

Glad to catch the rest of this build mate.

cheers
Ross

 

[Andy Belsey]

Delighted to be able to continue viewing your master builds Simon.
Andy B

 

[Guest]

oooh i'll be following this one Simon

 

[scottie3158]

Simon good to see you here, so I can follow this great build.

 

[Fernando N]

Hi Simon, glad you're continuing this build with us, always a pleasure to see your work.:thumb2:

Fernando

 

[Steve Jones]

Mr T
I am so made up that you have decided to post here. :hugging-face:It's going to be great watching you work your magic on this old classic
Steve

 

[Lee Drennen]

Very nice Simon

 

[Lee.M]

Hi Simon
Nice work on the barrels.
Regards Lee

 

[SimonT]

Not done a lot of anything recently but did finally do a little bit more on this one today

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sorted out the turret stowage bin - sanded off all kit detail and thinned down the lid then sanded all faces of the bin to remove the general sinkage

added back the pressing detail and some etch hinges and clasps

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rebuilt the side stowage box and added a back to it - this was previously hacked off the side and suffered some damage in the process

Kit details were sanded off and the lids sawn around with the razor saw

Etch hinges and clasps added from the Eduard set


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started assembling some jerrycans for the stowage

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cleaned up a few more of the track links - very soft alloy and easily distorted

On the left done, on the right quite a few still to do

 

[Guest]

Nice i have recently picked this kit up again and bought some aftermarket stuff for it, was wondering where you bought the track links from and how much for Simon?

 

[SimonT]

Morning Denise - are you going to go for the full rebuild as well?

the easy links are from Historex Agents £26.75, so not much different to Friuls

Thought I would give them a try

The alloy appears much softer than Friuls though and easily distorted while cleaning them up

I'm not too sure about the easy fixing method - you have to bend a tab over the adjacent link but given how soft they are I am not sure how well this will work.

I would also say that the quality of the castings is not quite up to the standard of Friuls

 

[papa 695]

Rather you than me, with those tracks Simon. looking good though.

 

[Guest]

Hi Simon yea i think i will do the full build, i have the same kit that i did quite a few years ago and tbh i'm a little embarressed by it now but i would be a good before and after scenario Not sure i want to spend that much on the tracks tho.