Skoda RSO-Radschlepper Ost (Riich Models RV35005/1:35)

March 2021

 

Skoda RSO-Radschlepper Ost (Riich Models RV35005. 1/35 kit)

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/riichmodels-rv35005-skoda-rso-radschlepper-ost--136824

 

The strangest of times, self assessment and back to the bench

01 March 2021

With the lockdown restictions many of us have been experiencing it has been a difficult time for all of us and although I have had more hobby time over the last twelve months it has been increasingly difficult to motivate myself.  Now things are looking more positive and Spring is upon us, the creative juices are flowing, and it is time to get creative in the cave again. Whilst away from the bench, I had been evaluating why I had struggled with a few processes and techniques over the last year. Being self-critical is one way I continue to better myself as there is always room for improvement.

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

 

 

Mancave re-shuffle

15 June 2020

It has been almost four years since my little outdoor mancave was built and in this time it has turned out to be a fantastic purchase, fulfilling all my hobby expectations and keeping my other half eminently happier.  Although I would have liked a little more room, the garden footprint available was restricted so it took a little while to figure out how to make the available space work. Up until now it has been relatively easy to update and add a few components here and there, but the time has now come for a complete overhaul.

Sd.Kfz 184 Ferdinand (Dragon 1/35 kit #6495) Chapter 1: The kit and the build

 

 

The Ferdinand was a heavy tank destroyer (self-propelled) used by German anti-tank units during World War II. Ninety-one units were built in 1943 under the name Ferdinand (after its designer Ferdinand Porsche) using VK 45.01 (P) tank hulls, which had been produced for the Tiger I tank before the competing Henchel design had been selected.

Following their use at the battle of Kursk, in January to April 1944 the surviving Ferdinands received modifications and upgrades. They were renamed Elefant in May 1944. The official German designation was Panzerjäger Tiger (P) Sd.Kfz.184. 

 

Should you keep your bench tidy? And why I rarely do!

09 October 2019

You probably should yes! Tis all well in theory, and I imagine it is fairly typical that folks clean up after each session. However, putting that into practice time after time, build after build etc is not always possible for me personally. I seem to be far more creative if I don’t continuously tidy up around me. It’s simply a distraction! Sure, I do clean up and when I do its usually out of necessity and will inevitably lead to a mammoth clean up. Although I know deep down it probably would be an easier space to manage without all the accumulated clutter, I’m not fastidious about routines. Being neurodivergent sees to that!

3.7cm Flak auf Fgst. Pz.Kpfw. IV (Sf) "Möbelwagen" Tamiya kit #35237

 

Tamiya 1/35 Flakpanzerwagen IV  'Mobelwagen'  Kit#35237. Kit details

Steyr 1500a (Tamiya 1/35)

 

Tamiya 1/35 Steyr 1500A #35255 with CMK 3013 resin engine set and Eduard photo etch set #35196

 

After having already built Tamiya's Steyr 1500a out of the box, I decided to build another, only this time I would spend a little more time adding a few additional items, such as CMK's engine kit and an aftermarket PE kit from Eduard.

Contructing a simple, cheap, framed groundwork base

Groundwork

I've not attempted too many bases for my finished models, and the ones I have had made have been minimal affairs utilising items I've found about the house. Old wooden name plates and even an Ikea shelf! Not the best looking or ideal material but they have been a test bed and cost me nothing. 

I have been slowly acquiring various groundwork products such as cheap picture frames, clays and sculpting materials, vegetation, ground mats and the like. To date I have only used a few of these materials, and the bases built from them have been very small affairs, showing simple road or track sections. As for buildings I have messed around with a selection of Miniart's vacuum products but didn't get on with them too well!

Sd.Kfz.10/4. Flak 30 & Horch Kfz.15 staff car (Italeri 1/35)

  

The kits

 

Both kits are very basic by modern standards and the detail is not great. There are injector pin marks everywhere and the fold down tarp on the Horch is terrible! As this was just a painting exercise project no PE or aftermarket parts were used, although I did thin a few parts and replace the kit's windscreens in both for a better scale appearance.