Sd.Kfz.8 DB10 Gepanzerte 12T (Trumpeter 1/35 kit #01584) Chapter 7: Construction completion of the exterior

 

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Viewing the recovered vehicle images once more, a fair chunk of upper body armour plate has been replaced, and weld lines criss-cross the repaired sections. Some prominent welds, such as on the rear plate to the lower body may well be original so it is curious to note the absence of any significant weld lines at all on the kit. And whilst not all the welds may be original, I have decided to add my own in the most visible areas, like where the rear plate attaches to both side and lower plates. I have also re-scribed the panel lines as I felt they were too shallow.

 

Sd.Kfz.8 DB10 Gepanzerte 12T (Trumpeter 1/35 kit #01584) Chapter 6: Completing the interior

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Before the upper and lower body sub-assemblies could be fixed permanently together, the interior required a few parts to be painted and added. The largest items being the kit supplied wooden benches. Along with the steering wheel these were kept separate for painting. I had long since removed the kit fire extinguisher from the driver’s side wall as it was pointed out to me that it was of an early design. In its place now sits a 3D printed late style empty bracket. Two other features that look peculiarly placed are the MG ammo box and its leather pouch. As these were already fixed in the vehicle as per the instructions, and well bonded, they were left to avoid damage. They have yet to be detail painted.

 

Sd.Kfz.8 DB10 Gepanzerte 12T (Trumpeter 1/35 kit #01584) Chapter 5: Painting the re-worked sprockets and solid wheels

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The sprockets and solid tyred wheel sets have now received paint. They still require a very light application of dust to match the tones used on the track wheels. Some work is still required with oils to replicate the leaking wheel bearing hubs as seen on the restored vehicle. 

Sd.Kfz.8 DB10 Gepanzerte 12T (Trumpeter 1/35 kit #01584) Chapter 4: Re-worked sprockets complete

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Larger faced kit sprockets ready for primer with large kit PE step ring, and some 0.7mm bolt heads added to replicate the track pads retaining bolts. 

 

The reworked handed sprockets. 

 

    Left (Port sided) and right (starboard side) sprocket

 

 

Sd.Kfz.8 DB10 Gepanzerte 12T (Trumpeter 1/35 kit #01584) Chapter 3: The kit vs the restored vehicle and FIXING the sprocket issue

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Now I have had time to examine my twelve-year old build in detail there are some issues I see with the kit compared to the actual restored vehicle. There are three main areas that I felt needed addressing. One is making good an original build mishap, the second is a very prominent inaccuracy issue with the bodywork, and the third concerns the fitment of the body to the chassis. Then there will be some additional detail to add here and there.

 

Sd.Kfz.8 DB10 Gepanzerte 12T (Trumpeter 1/35 kit #01584) Chapter 2: Resurrection time

Continuing on from Chapter 1 let's begin with a brief recap of this extremely rare vehicle.

The restored vehicle was recovered from the Pilica River in Poland. It is believed that only a handfull (period images show just three) of these were ever manufactured, making this surviving example pretty unique indeed! This armoured variant of the Sd.Kfz 8 was all but forgotten until it was recovered and then restored to running condition. Having a full lightly armoured hull around the chassis and drive train, it is believed that this was a prototype of an armoured artillery tractor.

Since commencing my build the below three period images are the only ones to be currently found online. The first one appears to show a vehicle fitted with pneumatic tyred front wheels and a four door rear panel.

Both the lower front panel shape and design, and the large upper panel overhang are very different on this example compared to what is offered in the Trumpeter kit.

 

Unlike the kit this vehicle has just two rear doors.

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version Chapter 13: Stowage

 

The stowage comes from multiple sources including Miniart, Eureka, Sol Models and AK to name a few. They were all base coated with Vallejo acrylics and weathering effects have begun with the same MIG enamel pin wash tones used on the vehicle. It took some time to whittle down the selection of items I had prepared, but I’m happy with how they are now positioned. There are still a few more tiny items and some tools I am still working on to be added. The last step will be to log the positioning, remove them and add some refinement with oils. Then they can be fixed in place and work can begin to harmonise the overall weathering effect on the load bed.

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version Chapter 12: Constructing a base part 2

Before I could add the AK Asphalt texture paste to the raised road section the piece required framing. I had purchased some oak veneer but test fitting exposed an issue with the cut of the Styrofoam on one of the sides. I had used a foam cutter, and I had started from what I figured was a nice straight edge. Unfortunately, I didn't spot a couple of wavy undulations in it and adding the veneer would only expose these flaws. So, to plan B! I had just enough 1.6mm basswood left from a previous project so I marked, cut, and added four nice straight side pieces. I cut two sides a touch long so I could sand them square.....or as square as I managed to cut the Styrofoam😉!

Once they had cured to the styrofoam and with the aid of UHU Por glue, and each other with wood glue, AK dark mud mixed with tea leaves and scatter was added into any small gaps that were left, and blended into the existing terrain.

 

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version. Chapter 10: More mud, dust, and rust

I first started adding volume to the chipped areas of paintwork. To simulate the source of the original damage and sticking within the exposed primer areas, dark scratch and scuff lines were carefully painted on with a fine brush using Vallejo acrylic black brown. Then, enamel rust effects were spotted on and then blended out with odourlous thinner. Graphite will be added to a few worn and damaged edges to complete the look in the final steps. 

A light covering of dryer mud and general debris was then added to exposed horizontal surfaces

 

Debris and mud added to the top of the track guards 

 

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version. Chapter 9: Pin wash and adding initial weathering effects to the exterior and cargo area

With the majority of the running gear weathering complete it was time to work on the cab and cargo bed. To start things off a pin wash with MIG Neutral enamel was applied followed by light enamel rust washes over the larger scratches and scuffs. Abtielung grease and oil stains were added to the cargo area. 

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version. Chapter 8: Exhaust muffler

 

I have completed the visible portion of the exhaust muffler with the brilliant Lifecolor acrylic rust set.  I started with a pinky hot toned manifold base coat. Next came various applications of the three darkest rust tones, generally adding them lightest first, but also going back and forth building up the layers until I felt I was getting somewhere. An extremely diluted lightest rust tone was added over the clamps. MIG smoke pigment was added in and around the end of the pipe.

 

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version. Chapter 7: Setting the tone (Applying wet and dry mud effects to the chassis and running gear)

As I would like to display this vehicle abondoned in a field in a late 1944 ETO setting, the running gear is to receive a fair amount of wet mud effects.

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version. Chapter 6: Decals and adding initial weathering effects with acrylics

 

Decals for this kit include just Wehrmacht licence plates with individual numbers, a weight stencil, and divisional insignia. I added just the weight and licence plates. These were sealed with another coat of VMS satin varnish.

To start off the weathering process a light coat of sandy, dust toned lifecolor acrylics were airbrushed over a coat of hairspray and scrubbed back leaving remnants to simulate the first layers of dust and dirt. A further coat of VMS satin varnish sealed in all the work so far.

Chapter 7

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version. Chapter 5: Painting and weathering the cab interior

 

Before the cab assemblies can be fixed together the instrument binnacle, radio and wiring, seats and roof tarp were brush painted with Vallejo acrylics and the instrument decals added. My kit included two sets which was fortunate as decal number one did not represent the dial in anyway shape or form. Decal number two was used twice to represent the largest dials and some extra placards were also added from my decal spares box.

To seal in the paintwork and prepare for the external decals and all the upcoming weathering stages I used VMS satin varnish. This can be airbrushed direct from the bottle with a little thinner giving the model a good wet coat to level. It can be left a couple of hours inbetween coats if required.

Below is the only internal reference pic I have. The instrument binnacle appears to sit a little higher than it does in the open top cargo variant. As already mentioned I am not 100% sure that a radio was ever fitted to these vehicles.

 

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version. Chapter 4: Adding stowage

 

Cargo platform bed populated with various resin and plastic accessories. The tarpaulin on both the bed and the cab is made using VMS paper and shaper 

Chapter 5

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version. Chapter 3: Primer and base coating

 

Fully primed in Tamiya rattle can red oxide. 

 

 

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version. Chapter 2: Construction

 

The kit chassis is a nice solid one piece item

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (Armoured sWS) Chapter 1: Whats in the box?

This is the 2016 ‘2in1’ Bronco kit #CB35214. It was the last release of a series of sWS variants, that were based on the original Great Wall Hobby mouldings stretching back to 2009.

Sd.Kfz 247 Ausf B (1/35 ICM)

 ICM Kit # 35110

 

This is a 2020 release and depicts a rare early war command vehicle. Based on the 4x4 Horch it was a relatively short lived operational vehicle, which was quite early on replaced by the Sd.Kfz 250 series. As no vehicle survived the war intact it is quite speculative as to how accurate this kit is, especially in areas of the interior and in particular the radio sets. There are however a few wartime pics of the exterior which ICM overall have managed to replicate. It is unfortunate that the engine cooling louvres are moulded solid and the tyres are rubber items. Some areas such as the weld seams and the mounting hardware on the fenders lack detail and many of the smaller items are overscale. The pioneer tool clasps are moulded on extremely crudely and there is a strange diamond pattern on the floorplate.  What can be commended is the engineering as it all slots together extremely well, especially the main upper and lower sections which left no visible gap along the whole connection.

A full build blog can be found here:  https://www.track-link.com/forums/site_blogs/45766/flat