Friday, 26 August 2022

Pz.IV Ausf J (Dragon kit #6575) Instruction errors, kit anomalies & omissions, and construction fixes

 

 

Dragon kit #6575 (2012) Panzer IV Ausf J last production. 

This kit still gives many modern Pz.IV Ausf J kits a run for the money. It came out during DML’s golden age in the mid-noughties and is branded a smart kit. It is not an easy kit to track down these days, at least not from the UK anyway, but luckily, I did eventualy find one.




When fully built it an extremely accurate scale representation of the very last Panzer IV variant but like all kits it can be improved on. Its also a rewarding kit to put together so knowing some of the few pitfalls beforehand makes it all the more enjoyable to build. 

Having read through both the kit instructions and the Panzer-tracts Pz IV publication, I thought it might be useful to highlight all the instructional errors; it is a DML kit after all 😊 and list all the anomalies, oddities and fit issues I found along the way. I also created a point of note list and will add my own build tips. These I will list in construction step order. Not only will this aid you build a more accurate representation but also highlights what additional upgrades might be necessary and serves to eliminate potential issues before messy mistakes could happen. I'm not adverse to a challenge but I appreciate being aware of these things in advance. 

Accuracy might not be a high priority for everyone, but a trouble-free construction journey always makes for a pleasurable build.

Tuesday, 2 August 2022

Opel Blitz (Cyber Hobby 1/35) Whitewashed

Opel Blitz (early type)

This is a first attempt at a winter whitewash. Using Cyber Hobby's 'early' six stud pattern wheeled Opel Blitz as a testbed.



 


Sd.Ah 56/57. 3D Printed Ammunition Trailer


The single axle 1.5ton trailer was used to carry ammunition for self-propelled flak guns and were typically towed by late war vehicles such as the Sd.Kfz 7/2, Mercedes 4500 and Bussing NAG 4500. Special trailers Sd.Ah.56-57

Having already built the only available 1/35 kit of the Sd.Ah 56/57 Flak ammo trailer made by Wiener Modellbau, a new 3D printed version is now available.