Trailer Weiner Modellbau & 3D printed ammo trailer Sd.Ah 56/57
Tracks: Kit tracks
Barrel: ABER
Photo Etch: Kit etch
Wheels: QuickWheel QWX-027
Start date March 2015
These two kits were purchased many moons ago and as of Jan 2023 both the Sd.Kfz.7 and trailer are 99% completed.
'While this kit again carries over some accuracy issues from earlier versions such as the drive sprocket roller offset, the chassis length and fender profile it also includes excellent details in the engine/gearbox assemblies as the full compliment of driver’s pedals and decals for the instrument panel. But as with the Flak 37 kit what makes this very attractive is the inclusion of the later style road wheels, front wheel hubs, the later style track links and the ”mid” style instrument to allow you to build a correctly configured late model 8ton. The new 3.7 Flak 43 mounting again has some nice details and is overall better done than the Flak 37 in the previous kit. The only real issue being the missing crew seat but as with any kit there is scope for additional detail enhancement to lift the final appearance. The mix-up of trailer features is unfortunate and detracts a little from the overall appeal but the kit still has many pluses to offset some of the minuses'
For the full write up and fixes see perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews
I applied the Drive Sprocket fix I had already made Trumpeters Sd.Kfz.7 KM M11 version without knowing about the fix and spent a frustrating amount of time wondering why the tracks would not locate correctly! I then completely forgot to fill in the lines on the disc face. Doh ! As for the ammo trailer I tracked down the correct version from Wiener Modellbau. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/wiener-modellbau-manufactur-wmm35005-munitions-sonderanhaenger-sdah-57--1168423
Top Tip. As for the running gear it is a good idea NOT to glue the idler arms as per the instructions until you test fit a full run of tracks. I left them loose until final fitment. This is to ensure a good track fitment and sag can be optimised.
I did remove the large rivet detail on the front edges of the fenders as Trumpeter had mistakenly copied the kit of a restored vehicle and not the wartime vehicle. The fender shape mistake would be a time consuming and difficult one to overcome so that will have to be ignored.
Experience with the Trumpeter KM m11 cargo version told me that gluing the gear levers AFTER the cab floor had been located was a far painless experience so the chassis was completed, painted and oil weathered first. The engine and gearbox were base coated and the front metalwork primed. All these were then added in place. To aid the gluing process all contact points were cleaned of paint or masked beforehand. I also manipulated the steering gear to leave the wheels slightly angled (I always think this adds to the finished appearance)
The cab floor was base coated, the seats painted and weathered and the flatbed was primed. Both were then attached to the chassis. I was careful to remove any excess paint from the locating holes in the cab floor for the armoured cab as to ensure a tight fit.
The wheels were primed in hull red, then given two light mists of hairspray and then base coated. The rubber was brush painted with a mix of Vallejo's light and dark rubber. The metalwork then received a light scrubbing with warm water to reveal some of the red primer.
At this point the rear idler arms can be manipulated to get the perfect track sag. Together with the ability to move the suspension arms you can position it all to show quite severe articulation should you wish to and still get a great fit. Once happy I decided to glue both idler arm attachment's to display a flat track surface mount. Any small articulation in the suspension arms could still show the track stretched as in the real thing. This left me the option to still position it on an slight undulated base should I wish to:)
The correct late horn in the engine department is shown below. Something Dragon kits have still managed to got wrong in their 'late' Sd.Kfz 7 kits. The kit's PE step plates have also been added and primed. The running gear still appears shiny at this point but all will be matted down in later weathering steps.
Now onto the Flak 43. The kit's missing second gunners seat has been added and more research is required into whether a basket cage for the spent shells was added to these mobile flak variants as the kit does not include one?
The armoured cab and dashboard were also painted with Tamiya paints and Abteilung oils. The kit provides decals for the dashboard. The cab was constructed and the inside painted and weathered. It was then dry fitted to ensure a good fit. It just needs some oil work and a few accessories adding before I can close the cab up
The Flak 43 armoured sheild was attached to the gun and along with the mount dry fitted to the loadbed to check it all fitted well. The armoured cab, bonnet, radiator and engine side panels were dry fitted to ensure good connections. Once I was happy to proceed the gear leavers were painted and added.
So there we have it. A bit of a mash up of different coloured sub assemblies but progress so far is good.
Next step will be to attach the cab, the rear folded bench and doors. Prime, position and fix the fighting compartment mesh sides and steps and add any tools and smaller items. Once that is complete I think it will be ready for some much needed final painting.
August 2018
After many months sat on the shelf of doom I recently got round to tinkering with this again and figured I needed plan of action to try and finish it.
As the model had already received a few coats of hairspray I set about distressing the paintwork with warm water, several stiff brushes and various sharp implements. I made sure this was to areas the crew would have burnished, chipped and scratched. Once I was happy I then airbrushed a light coat of satin varnish to seal in the work so far.
After setting aside for 24hrs I applied a pin wash with oils. Mostly made up from the excellent Abteilung series I employed a brown mix adding slightly darker colours lower down the bodywork. As the underlying paintwork was finished in different primer colours this left the scratching and chipping areas in a pleasing combo of light and dark with no overall area the same. The same mix of oils was also used to give a light streaking to the cab areas. The engine bay was then treated to the same oil mixes and also some enamel dust effects.
I decided pigments would only be used on the running gear and gun deck so the outer road wheels were deliberately left off to make this process easier. The wheels were given a combination of enamel, oil and pigment effects and the outer wheels were then attached to the suspension.
I wasn't impressed with the kit's rubber tyre and wheel offering (seen in the pic above) so I used a Quickwheels resin patterned set. These come in two parts and can be assembled like the real thing. I had to fettle with the hub attachment point on the kit to make them fit snugly but the effort was well worth it. Once weathered and added they were a massive improvement.
At this point I realised I hadn't added any number plates, a step I regularily add straight after the base coat! This was remedied with an aftermarket individual letter/numbered set and will also be added to the trailer. I then added the seperately painted and weathered radiator armour and cab hatches. I also played around with the Flak gun mounting making sure the fit was good and checking how I would weather the platform.
After looking at several pictures of the Flak platform and how it mounts to the deck I realised the kit has omitted to include the ratchet handles on the platform legs so as to raise and lower the platform. I found suitable replacements in the parts bin and added them. The rear crew seat was added folded up and the platform sides were attached. I new this would be tricky after painting the components first so I made sure all the paint was removed from the mounting points to give good adhesion. One platform side panel was mounted for transit and the other positioned folded down. As one of the steps on the rear panel was built unfolded that was also positioned for action.
The cab door and mirror is still to be attached but to avoid damage whilst handling these will be attached right at the end of the project. More work with oils and a layer of dust is still to be added to lower areas of the body and running gear, the Flak platform needs more work once the ammo boxes and crew paraphernalia are added and I have also yet to add delicate items like chains to the platform side hooks, front and rear towing points and lockers. More importantly I still need to address the missing Flak seat and spent shell basket which is curiously missing from the kit.
The trailer
September 2018
It is basic in many areas but it builds up well. Care is needed when removing the casting blocks as some of the parts are extremely thin. The roof on mine was seriously warped and an edge was chipped and although it was left in warm water and straightened it is still not perfect. The ammo boxes included are not for the Flak 43 model so an aftermarket set will have to be sourced.
March 2020
The lockdown due to the worldwide pandemic is no real hardship for the solitary life that many of us work in so with even more free time the man cave is going to get well used. The plan is to finish off a whole bunch of shelf queens including this project.
Next up was something that had been bugging me for a while. One engine side panel was a realy tight fit so I decide to pop the radiator moulding off and re-align. This inevitably led to more touching up inside the engine bay now I had better access.
After taking some further photographs I felt that the rain streaks wore too strong and needed toning down. I also thought the body panel work required more depth to the finish so I decided to do a little mapping with oils then re-worked the pin wash in certain areas. I used the Abt 502 colours Buff, Raw Umber, Buff, Black and Engine Grease. The following pics do show further tidying up of the oils is still required but I will let them dry for another 24hrs before further blending them into the paintwork.
Happy to proceed I gave the panelwork more of a worn appearance. To get an effect I really liked I decided to use a splatter airbrush stencil for the first time. I first of all practised on a spare old model to ensure I could atain the correct 'look' and then gave areas on the model a coat of chipping fluid through the airbrush. This would give me the opportunity to clear up any mistakes. Using three different Dunkelgelb Tamiya acyrlic 50/50 tap water mixes I gave just the panelwork areas of the model light coates with the airbrush. I then toned down certain areas using water to agitate the chipping fluid underneath.
As a few areas of the pinwash had now been lightly covered with this new effect I employed a few more Abteilung 502 oil colours to re-define and pick out the recessed details once more.
Again, photographs help to pick out those little areas that require
further attention. The angled airbrushed base coat demarcation line on the lower track guard near the step is an example of what can be overlooked with the naked eye. A little work with some oils will soon remedy this.
May 2020
Sd.Ah 56/57
Trailer
Having already built the trailer I was looking over wartime photographs
and noticed a lot of trailers had additional racks or boarded compartments
bolted onto the roof. As the Wiener Modellbau version has the later curved roof
I decided just add a Jerry can rack to the front panel. Making sure positioning
cleared any opening trailer hatches and would not interfear with the towing vehicle I liberated the rack from Bronco's Sd.Ah 52
kit.
The trailer was then carefully washed to remove any of the release agent. I then gave it two light coats of Tamiya Red Oxide Fine Surface Primer followed by a couple of fine mist coats of hairspray. The base coat was made up using several Dunkelgelb mixes of Tamiya Acrylics mixed 50/50 with tap water. Graduating the colour from the darkest mix at the bottom first up was a XF-64/XF-60 mix. Higher up the side of the model received a XF-60 mix and the upper most sides were covered with just XF-88. Finally, the lightest XF88/X-2 mix was airbrushed from above to cover all the upper surfaces
Again I utilised a splatter airbrush stencil in the same way I had
with the Sd.Kfz 7/2. Giving the surface a light misting of chipping fluid
beforehand will always give you the option to town down any areas that you feel
might feel spoil the effect. Lastly, I highlighted raised details with
Vallejo Buff and sand coloured Acrylics. The last step was to airbrush a filter
using a mix of X-24 and X-35 to harmonise the overall look
The next process involved giving the trailer a pin wash to pick out all
the recessed details. I mixed up some Raw Umber and Dark wash Abt 502 oils
mixed with white spirit. I always clean up any serious overspills on the
lighter parts of the paintwork immediately with pure white spirit and then set it aside for
24hrs to let the oils dry a little. I always found leaving it for this time makes blending any
overspill into the paintwork an easier task and never have to worry about blending the colours out. The easiest way I have found is
to moisten a flat brush very lightly with white spirit, ensuring to wipe
off all the access. You do not want the oil to wash out so using a dabbing
motion carefully feather in the oil colour into the surrounding paintwork. This
always gives a nice transition and contrast from the previous lighter
highlighted raised detail. To compensate for any areas, I still felt too dark I
dry brushed Buff coloured oil onto certain areas just to further pick out detail
I felt had been lost.
To weather the trailer, I airbrushed a buff/flat earth mix of acrylics
over a coat of chipping fluid to the lower parts where dirt and mud might accumulate. I then chipped off areas of the paint with a downward streaking motion. The
tyres were hand painted with my favourite tyre colour; Vallejo dark rubber, and
then weathered with a combination of mud coloured acrylics and enamels.
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My plan is to display this on an Italian mountain road during the retreat to the Brenner pass in Spring 1945.
Without finalising whether I would incorporate figures or just display it as abandoned vehicle I still figured it would require lots of crew gear and amunition as the majority of it was stored externally. The trailer does come with some ammo boxes, but the Trumpeter kit strangely doesn’t!
I sourced my 3.7cm ammo boxes from various aftermarket companies with the best value option being Bronco's Sd.Ah 52 and Sd.Kfz.6 flak kits. My understanding is the Flak 43 ammo came in both 6 and 8 round boxes so I guess a combination of both would have been used. The Bronco Sd.Kfz.6 kit also has a spare barrel and rangefinder with their transport crates and although the barrels cannot be used the boxes themselves make great additions. Other items will include Jerry cans, beer crates and other personal crew equipmen.
More work is yet required on the above gear to give a little bit of variation to the Dunkelgelb finish. Likewise the leather areas will receive some oil mapping.
None of the accesories will be attached until the vehicle is finaly set in the groundworks so the below pics show the accessories spread randomly about.
Although it would have been best attaching at the building stage, I do have a spare cab I might use as a template to drape a tarpaulin out of magic scupt. I also think it would benifit a few richer coloured items to contrast against the base coat. Time to look up some war time reference pics for inspiration.
March 2022
This has been a real slow burner of a
project. Seven years almost to the day in fact! Conceived in November
2015 it is built pretty
much out of the box apart from a metal barrel and a set of Quickwheel
resin front wheels. It sat on the shelf of shame awaiting paint until
2018. It then took a glacial two further years to get to the weathering
stages where upon I discovered all the Trumpeter Flak ammo trailers
provided in their kits were pure fantasy, so tracked down the Wiener
Modellbau Sd.Ah 57 resin kit. This took another year to complete so 2021
comes around and a lovely fellow by the name of Darius Stucinskas
releases a beautiful 3D printed kit of the Sd.Ah 56/57 trailer.
The Wiener resin trailer.
The 3D printed trailer minus wheels.
Work started on the 3D trailer in summer 2022 3D Sd.Ah 56/57 build log
and is very nearly complete. I also started building a mountain road
diorama earlier this year to display both on, only to realise that I
hadn’t really planned it very well. After much deliberation I concluded
the 8Ton was just too large to sit at the desired angle on the slope, so
work has begun on a less ambitious base. Lesson learned!
Although I had fixed the side and rear
panels in place, luckily, I hadn’t fixed any of the accessories, so
along with the new sublimely detailed 3D ammo containers and shells, it
is now time to complete all these numerous items and decide on final
placement. The trailer accessories are already fixed to the roof rack
with just a few interior items still to add so it was time to look at
the 8Ton
Original accessories base painted many moons ago.
The following pics shows me tinkering with accessories placement.
The wine box, suitcase, backpacks, and
water cannisters are yet to receive their final filter coats along with
highlights and shadows with oils. Some items like the helmet require a
strap and a little tidy up. The rangefinder box still requires a few
stencil markings and some other items yet to be added will add a welcome
splash of colour.
The small base it is sat on is a WIP for
another 8Ton cargo variant I am currently building and is just a
convenient surface to take some pics of progress so far.
November 2022 Progress shots.
Crew items are temporarily placed as a few more items still to be placed like a small tarp that sits over the hande-less fuel cannisters
3D printed empty ammo boxes
The two front viewing slits have interior armoured vision blocks that didn't come with the kit. I had closed up the cab before I realised. Likewise, the seven grove's on the sprocket face should not be present but its a bit late to remedy this error now.
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