Sd.Kfz. 184 Ferdinand wip

Change of plan. Decided the Maybach engines included in the Mini-Art kits (I was originally only using them for the figures) were slightly better molded than the original Amusing Hobby.

Some slight modifications to add the exhaust and intake pipes.

Engines completed

Some interior progress

Removed the molded tread plate and replaced some original details to add a little to the visual appeal.

Removed molded bridge from superstructure and sculpted new section.

Scratchbuilt new separate bridge with ball pivot

Slight modification to gun mount to cater for changes

Test fitting Gun Platform

With new bridge

And relevant plates

With Gun in place

And final testing with superstructure in place (I am displaying with the Gun and Superstructure removed, but good to know it fits 🙂)

While there's always room for improvement, I'm reasonably happy the way these have turned out.

Fighting compartment interior completed. Ended up scratch building the ammunition storage parts as the kit had them molded with the shells.

Gun complete.

Finally finished the cover for the rear electric motors.

Cover in place

Also started the flooring for the main compartment. The photo etched plate covers the flat section towards the front, while the styrene is for the sloped section towards the rear.

Rear section in place (I still have to add the anti slip strips)

And all in place (mostly)

You'll notice some previously painted floor sections and engine bay cover already in place. I have been playing with how this section will look in the final display.

All painted and general weathering done.

I think I've finally settled on how this part of the diorama will look. Rough idea with figures in place. (Figures build Album - Various Figures wip | Album by kwh173 (1:35))

Clear top has previously been masked and primed. Now in situ and ready for external painting.

All hatches in place and ready...

All primed and ready

Need to add tracks and weathering can commence.

Right hand track added and weathering done

I want to show left hand track being repaired so this will be added later.

Still have tools etc. to paint.

Some accessories for display purposes

Not all of them completed yet...

Element 1

Element 2

Element 3

And all together

This unmasking has to have been the most stressful I have done.

Pleased with the end result.

Completed the 16t Strabokran.

Comments

40 28 February 2022, 01:32 - Private message

Jv
Looks great taking a seat

15 March 2022, 00:28

Mona
looking forward to seeing more , taking a seat also

15 March 2022, 04:55

Lenny Li
I finished building the kit for the tank only. I hope you have better luck than me with this combo version with the crane.

The major issue I found was the overall quality of the kit. First of all pushing holes are everywhere. Second the seaming lines are found on almost all parts! We are talking about the ones that you must scrap or sand, and this is a full interior kit. There are some interesting design issues, such as the wall panel shown in one of the pics below - what makes AH believe bending large featureless PE for wall lining is a good idea?

Anyway I've done a few full interior kits from other brands. This one from AH doesn't impress me that much.

17 March 2022, 03:57

Kent White
I agree. The kit does have some short comings and cleanup of the parts is definitely one. Still. Trying to enjoy the challenge as it's the first large-ish project attempted and hoping to at least have something semi-presentable at the end 🙂

17 March 2022, 05:19

Kent White
How I wanted to display the model required a slight rethink on some of the internal details. The kit molding for how the Gun, Gun Mount, Superstructure and Bridge on which it sits didn't really work. I have never really done much in the way of scratchbuilding, but it seemed the only way to get a semblance of the detail required for my purposes. I have to say it has been quite an enjoyable challenge.

3 June 2022, 12:17

Mona
👍🙂

4 June 2022, 03:55