The engine details and visible portions of the exhaust were brush painted with Vallejo acrylics.
Sunday, 5 March 2023
Thursday, 2 March 2023
Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 7: Dragon kit hairspray chipping
Hairspray chipping
I have always found the best results can be obtained using acrylic paints mixed with water, but with a slightly different approach it can also be effective using lacquers. For this build I wasn't looking for a heavy chipped paint finish but rather tired looking paint with a worn patina, showing fine scratches and chips added to edges and damaged areas of bodywork. This I attempted by adding three layers of slightly different base coloured tones.
This effect works best by adding hairspray in-between light layers of paint. It then becomes a process of distressing each layer before adding the next. The proceeding paint layer will soften the chipped effect in the previous layer so adding the heaviest chips into the first layer work best. You can then fine-tune the process along the way. The last coat is always the lightest so as not to diminish the effects gained in the previous two layers.
Slightly modulated first base coat paint mix on the bonnet
Sunday, 26 February 2023
Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 6: Dragon kit painting
Before I committed to priming the model, some more paraphernalia including tarps were added to the cargo and cab areas. The cab bench received some crew gear along with some rope and a canteen lid. The engine bay also received some rags and cloths to give the impression the engine had been worked on before it was abandoned.
Primer coat.
The whole model received an airbrushed coat of Mr Surfacer 1500 black. Any imperfections were dealt with and then it was time to decide on a base coat. Unlike the strangely coloured box art all these late war vehicles would have left the factory in plain Dark yellow (Dunkelgelb). Any camouflage would then have been applied in the field.
Saturday, 18 February 2023
Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 5: Trumpeter vs Dragon kit comparison and reworking some inaccuracies
An introduction to modelling the Sd.Kfz.7 can be found here
The pics below were taken before the Trumpeter kit was painted so we can compare them side by side. The most striking difference is the height of the canvas tilt frame! The Trumpeter one looks far too low, and this seems to be confirmed in period images.
The next thing to notice is how soft the Trumpeter kit’s details look. The radiator housing fins being a prime example. The front fender profile difference is also clear to see here. The Dragon kit has the correct one. The Trumpeter model's running gear and front wheels also sit a little lower on the chassis.
Saturday, 11 February 2023
Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 4: Dragon kit brief build history
I started this build in around 2015 and the main components had already been assembled. The only aftermarket parts I used was a set of 'Quick wheel' front wheels. These come in two parts and to construct them the seperate hub and spoke part simply 'click and turn' into the rim and tyre section. I built the kit up in sub sections to make painting easier, but unlike my Trumpeter kit build I had already attached the cab to the chassis. This means that some areas I would have liked to improve on will have to remain.
Built up kit with the kit 50/50 plastic and vinyl tyres test fitted and the outer track wheels left off to aid painting.
Thursday, 9 February 2023
Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version. Chapter 3: Primer and base coating
Fully primed in Tamiya rattle can red oxide.
Thursday, 2 February 2023
Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 3: Dragon Kit 6562
Continuing on from the introduction
Apart from the Trumpeter kit 01507 the only other Sd.Kfz.7 Holzpritsche version
currently on the market in 1/35 is by Dragon. Their kit #6562 was released in
2009.
Thursday, 12 January 2023
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 educate myself on what works best, whether it be products or processes. With the added bonus of gaining a much better knowledge of the vehicles I am replicating in miniature.
Wednesday, 4 January 2023
Sd.Kfz.7. Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t KM m11 Holzpritsche. Chapter 2: Trumpeter kit 01507
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 this widely used vehicle. As with all their 8-ton kits they do have some accuracy issues and can be particularily challenging to build in places. The good news is, if you do put the effort in you are rewarded with a great looking model. Once you build a few of these kits, you begin to realise creating alternative construction steps makes for a much more pleasureable build, ultimately resulting in a much nicer end product.
The only aftermarket addition to my build is a Quick Wheel resin front wheel set. The headlamps have been replaced with the smaller 'final' style taken from another axis softskin. 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 & Tamiya lacquers, Tamiya and Valleo acrylics, and with AK enamels, MIG pigments, and Abtielung oils
A step by step build log of this kit can be found here
Tuesday, 3 January 2023
8-ton, Sd.Kfz.7 Step by step build of Trumpeter kit #01507. Final weathering and project completion
With the
vehicle upright and sitting on its tracks and wheels it is now time to apply
some more general wear and tear! I was after the look of a vehicle that had
just entered service.
Before I
started, the headlamp lenses were added, along with the Notek light and bracket
that I managed to knock off earlier. Working methodically and slowly
around the exterior further weathering effects were added to add to the overall
appearance. These effects were built up in layers until I was satisfied it
would require no more.
I'm almost done with this project. A four-month build time is a fast one for me so I reckon I should really call this one my first completed build of 2023😃
The width indicators still need to be attached and blended in. They have already been painted but seem to have gone walkabout!
I have really enjoyed this build and although these Trumpeter 8-ton kits can be
quite a challenge and extremely frustrating to construct in places, I'm happy
with how this one has turned out.
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