8 ton Semi Track 2cm Flakvierling 38 Sd.Kfz 7/1

Andrew Gledhill
Update 1. 15.05.23. OK folks. I have started a new project. This venerable old kit from Tamiya. Using the Eduard PE set for it. I probably will not use all the PE. Started by adding PE items to the cab area. I remember seeing a Verlinden diorama of this many years ago. I hope I can do this kit the justice it deserves. Enjoy.

Andrew Gledhill
Update 2. 16.05.23. I have finished painting up the cab area. The dials in the middle are a pre-printed acetate sheet. With a PE top put over them. I then coated the dials in Micro Crystal Clear. This has dried to a clear gloss finish. I made up and painted the rear seat. This will be placed in the upright position to allow the AA gun to turn. I then built up the bonnet area. Cut off the moulded on grab handles, and replaced them with PE ones. Also added some PE clamps to the sides of the bonnet. Lastly, I have added 2 pieces of PE to the mudguard area. That's it for now. Enjoy.

Andrew Gledhill
Update 3. 18.05.23.OK, I have now built up and painted most of the chassis components. Some things like the exhaust need to be painted in rust colours. The wheels have been painted and fitted. The upper body is shown in position. But not glued down yet. I will need to clamp the bonnet area down onto the chassis. Because it sits up a little bit. It will need a strong bond of glue to keep it down onto the chassis. The tracks have just been test fitted at this stage. They will be removed for painting, and put back on at the end of the build. You can adjust the rear idler wheels forward and backwards to loosen or stretch the tracks. This is then held in place by a screw. I used a Black Poska Pen to paint in the Black outer of the wheels . Enjoy.

Andrew Gledhill
Update 4. 04.06.23. OK, I have finished the running gear. I have painted and rusted up the tracks. Done some rust painting on the exhaust and other parts of the chassis etc. Glued the upper body to the chassis. Glued the PE mesh grills onto the side guards. Added PE parts to the front engine area and mudguards. I am not going to put all the PE from this set onto the model. Once I have finished with the PE on the front of the model. I will mask off the cab area and paint the front area in German Grey. Not sure if I am going to go with the plastic windscreen or the PE one. Enjoy.

Andrew Gledhill
Update 5. 22.01.24. Hi folks. So sorry that there hasn't been any updates on this one for months now. I went through a long term where I lost my mojo. Plus we had a makeover of our hall, stairs and living room. So, my man cave was full of stuff that had to be moved upstairs while the work was going on. Anyway, I am back at the bench now. I have finished painting the main colours of the body and the canvas roof. I am now working on the guns. It's slow going because I am using a good portion of the Eduard PE set for the guns. Note that the gun shields and guns are not glued in place yet. They are stuck on with blutac. I have more to add before I can start painting. I will probably not use all the PE on this part. There are replacement magazine racks. But I will likely just use the plastic parts for those. I am also going to try to drill out the gun barrels. That's it for now. Thanks for checking me out.

Andrew Gledhill
Update 6, 23.01.24. More progress today. I have finished all the PE stuff for the AA guns. I decided not to make up the PE ammo racks. Making do with the plastic parts on those. What you see is the guns and gun shields temporarily fitted to show how they will look. I will pull them apart again for painting. The seats have been glued in place, as well as leg bars either side. Next will be to get some paint all over the gun section. Once that's done, I can decal up and look at painting a White Wash all over it. Enjoy for now.

Andrew Gledhill
Update 7, 29.01.24. OK. I have now painted the assembled AA gun mount. But then I decided that the guns were a far too bright metal colour. So, I repainted them with Mr Metalic Dark Iron colour. These are buff-able paints, and once dry, can be polished with a soft cloth, cotton bud or soft paint brush. Dusting over with a soft paint brush brings out the metal colour on the raised areas. Next, I applied a Gloss Coat across the whole model. Then I have applied the decals. I decided to go for a Wehrmacht vehicle, 24th Tank Division according to the instructions. Then I sealed in the decals with a further gloss coat. Now, I must leave this to dry for a good 24 hours. Then I can do the White Wash coat. I am going to try the Light Florymodels Clay Wash for this through an airbrush. Then I can streak it afterwards with a damp cotton bud. Wish me luck with that lol.

Andrew Gledhill
Update 8, 30.01.24. Things are coming along nicely now. Last night I tried spraying the Light Florymodels Clay Wash over the model. But I have the older wash. It was a bit too thin and was not spraying that well. So, I ended up painting it on liberally with a brush. It looked awful last night when it was still wet. But this morning when it had dried, it didn't look too bad. The good thing about these washes, is that you can remove it with water. So, by dipping a cotton bud in water, I was able to wipe off the wash in areas where I didn't want it. Areas such as the number plates and division markings. I was also able to rub parts of the wash with the dry cotton bud. I think it looks not too bad. I imagine that this vehicle is coming to the end of winter, and parts of the white wash have been lost over the months due to rain etc. I have also now fitted the acetate windscreen glass, and done some dry brushing of the canvas cab cover. Then the whole thing has been sealed in with a matt coat. I have some tools to paint next, then it will be onto the figures. I may try to paint some rust effects on the back bed of it. Not sure yet on that one. Enjoy, and thanks for looking.

Andrew Gledhill
Update 9, 19.02.24. OK, the tools have been painted and glued onto the side screens. Next I have done some rust effects on the rear deck and mudguards etc. I put some Mr Surfacer 500 down first. Let it dry for 15 minutes. Then stippled it with an old brush to roughen up the surface. Then I painted over this with Ammo Mig Rust paints of various shades. At first it was a bit too much. Especially on the rear deck. So I toned the rust effects down a bit by adding more of the light Florymodels clay wash. I am calling the main painting and weathering done now. Next I have to build up and paint the 5 figures, plus all the ammo boxes and equipment etc. Enjoy.