Flak 38 Tamiya

[amba]

Hi,

after a long pause (20 Years) from my Hobby, (German WWII Tanks/Figures and Dios) I want to give it a try again ;) I have been buying kits, especially figures, in the last 5 years and I have filled my hobby space to such a degree that there is just no way back...

I am doing a small Dio with a PZ III J (Dragon) being loaded onto a railcar, and a Flak 38 either on another railcar or in a emplacement. This is the Kit I am starting with:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18685&img=Flak38_001.jpg

The first step was to replace the barrel with a schatton barrel:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18684&img=Flak38_002.jpg

The Schatton barrel is really nice:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18682&img=Flak38_007.jpg

More to come...

-Ambjoern

[amba]

I have worked a bit on making better quality pictures. The one's above were a bit dizzy, I hope the new ones are clearer.. :lol:

I have purchased a etched set from Eduard for my Flak so I started with some detailing:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18683&img=Flak38_004.jpg

Any comments welcome... More to follow...

-Ambjoern

[Larry Bates]

Ambjoern,

Looks good so far, I wish I could find one of those barrels for my 2cm gun. Actually I need two! :lol:

Keep it coming!

Larry

[amba]

Thanks Larry for the kind words. :)

When consulting my reference pictures, I realised that this is a really old kit and that it needs some major corrections. I have a Eduard PE Set, but as it looks like that will not be enough. I will keep post the progress here.

Continued to work on the main gun:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18681&img=Flak38-009.jpg

Here is the basket for the empty shells as it was intended by Eduard. I am not sure if I will use this one though. I may construct another one from scratch:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18679&img=Flak38-012.jpg

-Ambjoern

[amba]

When checking my reference Pictures, I also noticed that the Tamiya boxart is absolutely brilliant, all the details are correct. I guess the tooling back in 1978 was not too good, so many of the parts are not correct.

The holding tubes for the protection shield were cast to the gun mount incorrectly:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18860&img=Flak38-014.jpg

It is easy to correct with a hobby knife and somg sanding. But beware, the parts are very crisp. :o

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18859&img=Flak38-017.jpg

I received a Aber set yesterday, which contains magazines and ammo boxes:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18858&img=Flak38-016.jpg

more to come...

-Ambjoern

[James Tainton]

this looks interesting.

P.S. I moved this thread for you. ;)panzerfaust

[amba]

"Dankeschön" for moving the topic, panzerfaust ;)

And I'll continue with my latest "fight" with this kit. The gunners seat which is part of the kit, is a bit bulky:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18983&img=chair-3.jpg

and from another view:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18982&img=chair-4.jpg

if you compare it with the real thing:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18985&img=chair-1.jpg

there is only one word, Unusable! But the seat is not contained in any PE I know of. I wonder how the seat from the Tristar kit looks like?

Well I will have to do some scratchbuilding then. I started work on the seat this evening but I had to stop to get some sleep.

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=18986&img=chair-5.jpg

I want to continue on the weekend hopefully, but the weatherforecast is very good with temperatures around 20° (50°F?), so my family will be first prio ;)

-Ambjoern

[Larry Bates]

The seat is looking good Ambjoern.

Larry

[amba]

Thanks Larry!

Well I think it came out ok. Could be better but for this kit it's ok.

I managed to finish it up today:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19077&img=chair-8.jpg

Here is another view:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19075&img=chair-6.jpg

This is the complete piece:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19076&img=chair-7.jpg

Phew! Now I can put the seat aside :)

-Ambjoern

[Stuke Sowle]

Fanstastic work Ambjoern!!! Taking the time to correct the kits deficiencies is really paying off on what is shaping up to be a very nice looking little kit.

Looking forward to seeing more progress.

[amba]

Thanks Stuke, appreciate it :)

Last night I put on some more PE and replaced the plastic (too thick) carrying/transport handles with copper wire:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19167&img=Flak38-030.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19168&img=Flak38-033.jpg

Gunners footrest with the firing pedal:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19169&img=Flak38-034.jpg

Loaders magazine holder:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19170&img=Flak38-035.jpg

-Ambjoern

[Flak]

Great work Ambjoern ;) ...and keep the pictures coming :lol:

[Finnmodeler]

Hi Amba,
looks very good work you are doing with old Tamiya gun. I might even try out my collection of Flak guns from Tamiya and Esci :)

Keep it coming,

Niko

[amba]

Thanks, Niko. Yeah I've got a old Italeri Flak 43 with PE Set's etc. waiting for me after this one :o

I completed the gunners seat with a corrected back part and the floor mounting:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19432&img=Flak38-044.jpg

Oh boy those tiny little floor montings were really a fight. I don't think I could handle a smaller scale :lol:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19433&img=Flak38-046.jpg

I also completed the center shield:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19434&img=Flak38-040.jpg

I am slowly getting there now ;) I'll be off on vacation in Austria next week. But hey, maybe I run into an old Flak 38 over there somewhere who knows...

-Ambjoern

[Finnmodeler]

Hi,
are you going to use side shields also?

Niko

[amba]

Originally posted by Finnmodeler@Nov 4 2005, 03:40 PM
Hi,
are you going to use side shields also?

Niko
Hejsan Niko!

Yepp I intend to build it like the box art.

-Ambjoern

[amba]

Back from Austria again. Work has piled up quite a bit in the office, so working late hours keeps me away from my hobby. Managed to free a couple of hours this evening, so I could start working on the side shields. The shields from Eduard are quite nice actually:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19984&img=Flak38-048.jpg

Had to scratch build the connection rod, because the original was far too thick. The inside of the shield is finished:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19985&img=Flak38-047.jpg

The rivets on the outside are finished:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=19983&img=Flak38-056.jpg

Next I'll tackle the three holding loops for camouflage on each shield side.

-Ambjoern

[amba]

After some checking of my ref pics I found that there were actually four loops on each shield side. Finished the loops on the right side today:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20008&img=Flak38-067.jpg

More to come though...

-Ambjoern

[amba]

I completed the gunner protection shield today and glued it in place:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20128&img=Flak38-054.jpg

And then I did a short dry fit to see if the angles are correct, looks ok so far:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20127&img=Flak38-055.jpg

The box with the electronic for the aiming device had the top cover missing, instead tamiya added some buttons etc. which should not be there. This is how it should look like:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20129&img=Flak38-053.jpg

I removed the wrong details and added the top cover with the bolts:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20130&img=Flak38-052.jpg

more to come...

-Ambjoern

[amba]

Dear Friends,

I've completed the gun by now acutally. As a last step after assembling everything in place, the elevation bar had to be added. This bar is not part of the kit (Although it is depicted on the box art). I scratch built it from a piece of plastic and some plastic sheet:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20295&img=Flak38-066.jpg

That's it my flak 38 is completed!

Now I'm gonna wrap up the sd.anh.51 quickly and then paint the whole thing.

Here are some pictures of the completed piece:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20296&img=Flak38-070.jpg

and...

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20297&img=Flak38-068.jpg

and another...

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20298&img=Flak38-069.jpg

Instead of painting by hand, like in the old days. I want to go out and get myself an Airbrush. Any suggestions or advice?

Cheers
-Ambjoern

[Stuke Sowle]

Nice little build amba....Happy Birthday also!

[Larry Bates]

Looks REAL nice Ambjoern. I'll be referring to this one.
And yes, Happy Birthday. :)
Larry

[Flak]

Looks really...really nice...and cannot wait to see it in paint...

Happy Birthday... ;)

[amba]

Thank you for the flowers and the birthday greetings guys. I really appreciate it! :) :)

I will post pictures of the Flak again, once it is painted. But that will probably take a while...

-Ambjoern

[mnickolson]

Amba,

Nice looking flak 38 there. I will also be referring to this when I get aroung to building mine, and Happy Birthday :)

Mike

[Mika]

Nice looking gun! Always happy to see fellow modelers to also use older models and update them.
One question though, where did you manage to buy the Schatton gun?

[amba]

Originally posted by Mika@Dec 4 2005, 11:05 PM
Nice looking gun! Always happy to see fellow modelers to also use older models and update them.
One question though, where did you manage to buy the Schatton gun?
Hello Mika,

I bought the Barrel directly from Schatton's website.

http://modellbau-schatton.privat.t-online.de/

It is only on german though :(

Cheers
-Ambjoern

[Flak]

Have you got your airbrush? :lol: and are you already decided on the paint job...can't wait for next update... ;)

[Finnmodeler]

Hi Amba,
keep those pics coming. I'm really itching to start MY old Tamiya Flak...
Like I didn't have enough projects already :D
Br,

Niko

[amba]

Originally posted by Flak@Dec 5 2005, 01:57 PM
Have you got your airbrush? :lol: and are you already decided on the paint job...can't wait for next update... ;)
Hi Marco,

the airbrush is on my wishlist actually Let's wait and see if Santa brings it... :o

I am thinking of a normal "panzergray" gun to start with, just to get familiar with the airbrush.

I actually want to buy the Tristar Flak 38 just to see the difference. I read in some reviews that the details are more crisp and that it comes with the Telescopic gun sight as an option.

I am working on the sd.ah.51 right now. I will post some picture soon...

Cheers
-Ambjoern

[Flak]

I actually want to buy the Tristar Flak 38 just to see the difference. I read in some reviews that the details are more crisp and that it comes with the Telescopic gun sight as an option.


Go to get it ;) you will enjoy it... I have built the Tristar Flak 38 before...the detail is much better than Tamyia's...and it came with the Telescopic gun sight...

Look forward to seeing your SBS for the sd. ah. 51 trailer ;)

[amba]

Hi everyone,

the sd.ah.51 which comes with this kit is not very detailed. Maybe mainly because of the age and the tooling available then. To complete some of the details I am using the eduard pe set available for this kit.

I'll try to document each change I've done to the original kit. Here is the starting point, the frame:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20697&img=Flak38-074.jpg

First of all I have cut away the wheel housing on each side:


http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20696&img=Flak38-075.jpg

And then there is a bolt on each side of the front frame which should be hexagonal rather than round. So I cut this away also and will later replace it with a bolt and a hexagonal nut later on.

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20695&img=Flak38-076.jpg

Where the wheel housing was located, I have sanded and filled any holes left:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20694&img=Flak38-077.jpg

The hook connection was attached with a bolt and another hexagonal nut. I removed it with a hobby knife and drilled a 1 millimeter (.7 inch?) hole:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20693&img=Flak38-079.jpg

more to come...

-Ambjoern

[amba]

Checked some shops around here to get some more references on my sd.ah.51 and found this book:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20843&img=reference.jpg

Quite a good book acutally and just the subject I am interested in at the moment. But there are only two details pictures on a sd.ah.51 here is a sample:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20844&img=sdah51.jpg

The walkaround's and museum pictures of a flak 38 on a sd.ah.51 I found on the internet where almost as valuable as this book. But hey it's always nice to enlarge the library ;)

After checking my references I continued the super-detailing. I cleaned and sanded the wheel housings:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20842&img=Flak38-072.jpg

Then I cut away the mounting of the spare ammo box cause this will be replaced by a eduard PE part:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20840&img=9690Flak38-074.jpg

Then the backside has to be trimmed and filled with putty:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20839&img=Flak38-078.jpg

The front suspension mount is quite bulky compared to the real thing and should be replaced:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20837&img=Flak38-081.jpg

I cut it away just two millimeters from the frame and drilled a hole to take the new mount which I am gonna scratch build based on the reference pictures:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20838&img=Flak38-080.jpg

The hook should have a sandwich construction rather than a single plate and a bolt going thru from the upper side secured with a hexagonal nut on the lower side:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20835&img=Flak38-083.jpg

The optional hook extension was used when attached to some vehicles. It was placed in the middle of the sandwhich construction secured with the bolt mentioned:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20836&img=Flak38-082.jpg

I glued the suspensions onto the frame so that they can dry enough until the next session:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20833&img=Flak38-085.jpg

-Ambjoern

... to be continued

[amba]

Hi Again,

I worked on the suspension mounting point today. I put a brass wire in the hole I drilled in the previous step:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20917&img=Flak38-086.jpg

And then I added the horse shoe formed clasp which holds the suspension:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20918&img=Flak38-087.jpg

-Ambjoern

... more to come

[amba]

Completed the mounting points tonight:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20956&img=Flak38-089.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20955&img=Flak38-088.jpg

Then I added the mounts to the wheel housings:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20958&img=Flak38-091.jpg

And added some details to the box mounted on the side of the wheel housing:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=20959&img=Flak38-092.jpg

-Ambjoern

more to come...

[James Tainton]

Nice work- your work is the type I like to see- ;)

[amba]

Originally posted by panzerfaust@Dec 18 2005, 06:49 PM
Nice work- your work is the type I like to see- ;)
Thanks James!

About one year ago when I decided to take up my hobby again, I stumbled into this website.

I found a very fascinating SBS about a RSO with PAK 43, and guess who wrote it? :) ... It was from you and I followed it daily. It was very inspiring and motivative to see how you progressed with that kit. I then decided to document my work the same way (my camera is not so good though ;) )

I haven't bought myself a Airbrush yet, but I want to get one as soon as possible, so I can post the completed kit with paint as well...

-Ambjoern

[Larry Bates]

Very nice work Ambjoern,

You seem to build with as much ease as James does. :thumb:
Keep up the good work.

Larry

[amba]

Thanks Larry!

Here we go with another update. Unfortunately I did not have much time tonight :(

I finished the staukasten (stowage box) which is mounted on the right wheel housing:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21008&img=Flak38-093.jpg

I even thought about adding a little lock to it, similar to the PZ IVE build:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21007&img=Flak38-094.jpg

If I have some time over I'll try to scratch build a little lock...

-Ambjoern

[Flak]

Great job Ambjoern :lol: Keep the pictures coming...

[amba]

Well here we go again. I gotta speed this build up a bit, to finish it up before that famous dragon 38 flak hits the shelves. I could have saved a lot of work if I would have waited for that one :o

This will be the last update before christmas. I'm leaving for a three day skiing trip tomorrow evening...

I made a test fit of the spare ammuntition box and the left wheel housing, seems to fit:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21106&img=Flak38-095.jpg

Then I completed the handle bars on the back:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21105&img=Flak38-096.jpg

And the front ones as well:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21104&img=Flak38-097.jpg

Had a hard time to get the right bend. But after consulting all my reference pics I figured this is the best:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21103&img=Flak38-098.jpg

These bars all look a bit different on my reference pics. Because these thing's were handmade I guess they were just irregular. On the other hand, that's not typical "German".

I started welding... oooh sorry just got carried away... I meant soldering of the front construction for the parking mount:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21102&img=Flak38-099.jpg

That's it for the moment. And now I wish you all a merry christmas! :) :)

-Ambjoern

[amba]

I could not decide wether to build the parking mount in the transport or at rest mode (you get this two options in the dragon kit). The mount that came with this Tamiya kit is useless anyway. So I decided to construct a working parking mount. And man did that decision cost me a lot of hours...

I started out with these two parts. The most difficult part was to get this link working, and in one direction only:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21423&img=Flak38-100.jpg

And then added it to the chassis, using two plastic strips wth a hole drilled in the middle:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21424&img=Flak38-101.jpg

Then I added the other links also with plastic strips cut to shape and a hole drilled in the middle:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21426&img=Flak38-103.jpg

And after carefull supergluing and fitting the thing even works: :o

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21427&img=Flak38-104.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21428&img=Flak38-105.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21429&img=Flak38-106.jpg

Actually it took me almost 3 evenings to get this thing working. It was a nice experience and I sure learned a lot, but don't ask me to do it again (at least not within the next 4 months :lol: )

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21425&img=Flak38-102.jpg


-Ambjoern

[mnickolson]

Amba,

That is some nice work there. I will have to use this as a reference when I build mine. Keep up the great job and hope to see more of your work.

Mike

[Larry Bates]

Ambjoern,

Wow.... :o

Larry

[Striker]

The more i follow your work, the more i found it AMAZING :thumb:

I cant' wait for your next post.

[amba]

Thanx for your comments guys. :)

I finished the hook attachement today, it still needs some sanding and filing but it's almost done:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21480&img=Flak38-108.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21481&img=Flak38-107.jpg

There are actually different reference pictures about the look of the hook attachement. Some of them just look to new and were probably rebuilt after the war. Here is the one I use as a reference:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21478&img=Flak38-110.jpg

And here is a pic of the finished front part as a comparison:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21479&img=Flak38-109.jpg

I wish you all a great new years party and lot's of happy modelling in 2006 :lol: :lol:

-Ambjoern

[Stuke Sowle]

Amba, nobody is going to believe that's the old Tamiya kit once you have her all painted up! Great work!

[amba]

This kit is almost completed now. I just have to add some small details and then glue it all together.

I added the PE parts to the brake light and glued it to the frame:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21528&img=Flak38-111.jpg

Then I added the handlebars to the wheel housing on each side:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21529&img=Flak38-112.jpg

Then the bolt and the screw on each side to the front of the frame:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21530&img=Flak38-113.jpg

I think these bolts where used to attach the connection wire for the brake light. But I am not sure.

Then I glued the wheel housings to the frame:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21531&img=Flak38-114.jpg

There are only a 2 steps left now and then it's over :(

-Ambjoern

[amba]

Originally posted by Stuke Sowle@Jan 1 2006, 09:02 AM
Amba, nobody is going to believe that's the old Tamiya kit once you have her all painted up! Great work!
Thanx Stuke,

well there's only 2/3 of the old Tamiya kit left actually :lol:

-Ambjoern

[Striker]

Just a Word : TERRIFIC !!!

[amba]

Thanks Benjamnin, and thanks again everyone else for your comments :)


So here comes the last update before the paintjob.

I added the mud flaps on the back side of each wheel housing:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21678&img=Flak38-115.jpg

I also added the leather straps on each front side of the wheel housing:

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21679&img=Flak38-116.jpg

Thats it. The sd.ah.51 is completed! Here it is from different views. Maybe the wheels are not really straight. I did not glue them in place yet. I'll wait with that until the paintjob is done...

-Ambjoern

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21680&img=Flak38-117.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21681&img=Flak38-118.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=21682&img=Flak38-119.jpg

[Larry Bates]

Nice job Ambjoern :thumb:

Larry

[mnickolson]

Hmm no Images :(

Edit:
Ah now I see them and that looks realy nice. Great Job! ;)