Do I keep notes on all my builds?

 12 January 2023

Aside from documenting builds on here and via blogs on modelling forums, being a forgetful sort of chap I do keep records of the majority of my builds and projects. Not quite in the 'Memento' film style but still quite comprehensively to paper.  I tried doing it electronically but planned obsolesce pretty much screws that up over time. Same could be said of recording to said modelling forums as a few have lost huge chunks of data, mainly image related when sites are updated etc.

If I’m interested in a subject,  I usually start noting down a set of goals and go about sourcing material and then look at the kit options (Scalemates is great for this)

Next up is build fixes and tips. These are usually written on the instructions but occasionally I will add a page or two gained from kit reviews and blogs.  For any incomplete builds simply highlighting parts on the instruction sheet helps immensely in the extremely likely event I should ever return to it😀

I also have a few step-by-step sheets laminated for different types of builds. Building only AFV's narrows the lists down and although comprehensive, its simple to skip stages but an essential record for not missing any.

TBH, over time the most beneficial results from note taking are to have a much better knowledge of particular AFV's, have a decent record to replicate colour mixes and also to repeat pleasing weathering effects.

 

 

Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen Sd.Kfz.7 8t KM m11 Holzpritsche Chapter 2: Building the Trumpeter kit 01507

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Trumpeter kit 01507

This kit depicts the very last war time Sd.Kfz.7 variant that came with the wooden cab and body. This 2009 boxing was the second in what has now become one of nine Trumpeter releases based on the m11 chassis. As with all of them the way the chassis is engineered can make for a particularily challenging build. Unlike Dragon's one part moulding the chassis is a multipart affair and proceeding parts can be difficult to fit if it is not all alligned perfectly. This is not helped by the often soft detail and mould offset on many small parts, so good clean up and continual test fitting is essential. I built one of these kits many years ago and the knock on effect these issues had made for a particularily frustrating experience. I also find it odd that way too many small and fragile parts are added far earlier then they need to be in the construction sequence, so makes them prone to damage. The good news is, once you build a few of these kits, ensuring good clean up of parts and finding alternative construction steps makes for a much more pleasureable build, resulting in a much nicer end product.

The additions to my build are a Quick Wheel resin front wheel set, the headlights have been replaced with the small 'later' style and the overall look of the cargo tilt has been improved with VMS paper and shaper and integrated into the kit's tilt cover moulding. It was painted with MRP lacquer paints and weathered with MIG enamels and Abtielung oils.