discussion Revell 1:35 - Sd Kfz 251/1 Ausf A - German Half Track

[pjgtech]

While my current nearly finished build is drying (after application of oil wash), I thought why not make a start on the next one?
So here she is.... a nice Revell kit, the Sd Kfz 251/1 Ausf, German Half track.
I've been really looking forward to this one. I did not want to muck it up, so all the previous builds up to now, have really been my tester kits to learn a few techniques, which hopefully I can apply to this model.
And its bigger than most of the previous kits, which have all been 1:72, so I can actually see the parts!
Enough waffle, pics of the box and sprues.....

 

[pjgtech]

Chassis part built, and part primed along with front axle/suspension struts....

 

[Airborne01]

Love 'Hanomags' so looking on with interest - never been tempted by the Revell offering so I'm intrigued by your findings.
Steve

 

[PaulTRose]

You will probably find this easier simply cos its a bigger scale

I think its a repop of an ICM kit so should be ok

 

[Richard48]

Chair pulled up and watching with interest.
Richard

 

[Jim R]

Always good to see a half track. I've not seen this Revell kit built so it will be interesting to see what you make of it.

 

[Andy T]

Nice. I fancy building a half track myself so I'll watch how this one goes.

Thankfully it looks to have easy, rubber band tracks, something that might sway me as I hate building them normally

 

[pjgtech]

Not long after I bought the Revell Halftrack kit, I also bought a Tamiya German Accessory kit, which has jerry cans, storage boxes, etc and I think I will be adding these to the halftrack model to hopefully give a bit more interest.

Couple of pics, one of the accessory kit and the second showing both Revel jerry cans and the Tamiya jerry cans, (side by side).
To be fair to Revell, I thought the accessory kit would have much better detailed cans, etc, than the original kit, but the Revell cans (and couple of tarps, rolls, storage boxes, etc) are all pretty detailed too. So not much in it detail wise....

 

[PaulTRose]

Im sure ive got a pic somewhere ofa 251 loaded up with jerry cans ferrying them to 'the front'

 

[pjgtech]

Started painting a few bits, wooden boards in the main body, front axle, primed up some of the extra jerry cans, storage boxes, bags, rolls and tarps.
I can see why peeps go to airbrushing, no matter how hard I try first coat is always blotchy when brush painting, but hey ho, it does come together after couple of coats, (usually). Pics....

 

[PaulTRose]

Lol......im in a position where i dont have my airbrushes and have had to relearn how to use hairy sticks

You can also get rattle cans in the right colours you know......revell and humbrol and tamiya

Trick ive found is thin coats...and i always think of the first one as a sort of primer coat

 

[pjgtech]

Yep, after several models now, I think I've got into a nice routine and procedure that I use and it seems to work ok. As I've said before, I'm not a perfectionist and just want my models to look good to me. Not too bothered how other's judge them and I am happy to accept that my models will not be winning any awards, but its a hobby that I am very much enjoying, so win, win.

 

[pjgtech]

Little update on this one, have the main chassis and engine now built and the main canopy/top section.
The underside of the chassis has only had one coat so far, so will need to give that another (or maybe two).
Slowly building up the paint layers, just a few bits to touch up.
It always amazes me how when you take close up photos, and then review the photos, it shows up all those small little places that you have missed when painting!
Coming along ok so far, parts seem to fit well.
Quality of the parts on the sprue seems to be good, not much cleaning up required.
I think I will be having a go with a mottled camo look on this one [Gulp!] I might try using a small sponge to "dab" the pattern on? We'll see....
Here's the latest Pics.

 

[scottie3158]

Looking good, coming on nicely.

 

[Jim R]

Nice progress. All looking neat and sorted. Your sponge idea sounds as if it should work.

 

[pjgtech]

Did a bit more painting earlier, final coat on the main chassis upper bodywork, touched up few bits I'd missed inside.
Transfer dials now on the dash, underside of the upper chassis frame painted and underside of the lower chassis got its third and final coat.
Have also started painting a few of the accessories, guns, jerry cans, etc, its coming along....

 

[pjgtech]

I think this is the camo scheme I'm gonna go for?

 

[Valeron]

Looking really good Peter. I'm a brush painter so looking forward to seeing this one go forward.

I also wish I had your motivation. Your output in the last few months is impressive. I'm going through a bit of a very unproductive modelling spell at the moment so keeping an eye on other modellers is wetting my appetite.

Mike

 

[pjgtech]

Lol, yeah, well I'm still new to the hobby, so the novelty has not worn off yet I guess, no doubt I'll slow down at some point.

 

[pjgtech]

Update for today.....
Added the rifles to the inside of the chassis top.



Added a machine gun, fuel can and storage box to the inside of the lower chassis.




Added few other little bits, rails, window/hatch hinges, etc.
Touched up the paint in a few areas.
Dry fitted the two chassis halves, seemed to fit ok.

Then went for the big move, actually glueing the two halves of the chassis together. [Gulp!]
First use of my new mini clamps, which seemed to do the job well.

Will leave it for a while now, let it set, I've mainly glued and clamped the rear, then will move the clamps towards the front and glue that section.
Starting to look like a half track now.....