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.

 

Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 10: Dragon kit: Decals and faded whitewash

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Decals

Now the Alliance Model Works instrument decals had finally arrived it was time to get back to work on the 8-ton. As well as the instrument decals the Wehrmacht licence plates were also added. These were made up from the individually numbered kit decals. A weight stencil included on the kit decal sheet was also added to the driver’s side of the cab. They were all sealed with an airbrushed coat of VMS satin varnish.

Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 9: Dragon kit: choosing a subject

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Over the last few years, I have started to base more and more projects on period images of vehicles. With such a wealth of online material it is often possible to find multiple images which makes the task of replicating them accurately a real possibility.

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

Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 8: Dragon kit: painting the engine bay, accessories, wheels, tracks and tyres

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The engine details and visible portions of the exhaust were brush painted with Vallejo acrylics.

 

Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 7: Dragon kit hairspray chipping

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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

Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 6: Dragon kit painting

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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. 

 

 

Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 5: Trumpeter vs Dragon kit comparison and reworking some inaccuracies

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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.

 

Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 4: Dragon kit brief build history

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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.

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

 

Fully primed in Tamiya rattle can red oxide.