Sd. Kfz. 234/1

[Larry Bates]

Well, I couldn't wait to break into this kit, so heres some pics of the sprues......

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29064&img=3843100_0001_(Mediu.jpg

Barry Crooks artwork

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29069&img=6420100_0002_3_(Med.jpg

the decals, number plates for almost anything

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29074&img=5089100_0005_(Mediu.jpg

inside upper and lower hull

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29076&img=1715100_0006_(Mediu.jpg

fenders

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29070&img=7271100_0003_(Mediu.jpg

the pe screens and bits

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29072&img=6083100_0004_(Mediu.jpg

brass driver knows

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29067&img=7329100_0002_(Mediu.jpg

the very nice turret pieces

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29078&img=8864100_0007_(Mediu.jpg

the cannons of which there are two types

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29079&img=5807100_0008_(Mediu.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29082&img=9479100_0009_(Mediu.jpg

nice wheels, two types of wheels, this and one with only two oposing holes

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29068&img=100_0002_2_(Med.jpg

some of the suspension pieces that come with the next sprue...
http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29065&img=6207100_0001_2_(Med.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29066&img=7584100_0001_3_(Med.jpg


http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29071&img=8245100_0003_2_(Med.jpg

some of the ammo clips

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29073&img=100_0004_2_(Med.jpg

some more suspension parts..

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29080&img=100_0007_2_(Med.jpg

some of the interior turret pieces

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29075&img=100_0005_2_(Med.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29077&img=100_0006_2_(Med.jpg

tools...

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29081&img=100_0008_2_(Med.jpg

and some interior driver parts

[James Tainton]

Hmmm... what about the Panther.... :(

[Larry Bates]

It's still there ;)

[Evan August]

Cool Larry. Will you be getting the CH update for it too?

[Panzergrenadier]

Can't wait to see what you will do with this. ;)

Siim

[Finnmodeler]

Hey guys!
Please stop posting pics of new models as this will cost me too much!

Niko

[mnickolson]

What Siim said :) and Niko your right :lol:

[Flak]

Agreed what Siim said ;)

[Larry Bates]

Originally posted by Evan August@Jul 10 2006, 01:05 AM
Cool Larry. Will you be getting the CH update for it too?
Evan,
I'm still debating that one in my head. The only really cool stuff it has is the ammo racks for the interior in pe, which doesn't come in plastic in the kit, and can't be seen anyway. The louvres in pe are nice, but the plastic ones aren't bad.

So, I really don't see as though it's worth it. The fenders, well, I think all I have to do is get rid of the middle stowage doors. ;)

I'm going to try and keep this one simple ( right). :lol:

Larry

[Larry Bates]

As for the new model thing,

I just couldn't resist! I've only bought two "new" tooled models since dragon and everyone else have been pumping out these incredible new kits. Soooooo...........just watch then ;)

Larry

[MikkoH]

Okay. My wallet is getting thinner again(not to mention it's thin aleady). ;) Looks just Great!

Cheers Mikko

[RC_Hill]

Very cool L-Man :lol:

RC

[Sticky]

Looks nice. The barrels look like a pain to drill out - but what the hey!

[brokeneagle]

Larry,
the dam finally broke on this one :lol:
Looks like a great kit.... I haven't got any of these 234's as yet. mmmm well maybe after I see what yours goes together like ;).

[landm]

Originally posted by Sticky@Jul 10 2006, 07:13 PM
Looks nice.* The barrels look like a pain to drill out- but what the hey!
Yeah, I agree John, a nice turned barrel might be the one A.M. item I spring for on this kit.

So Larry, you gonna start work on this one or finish up your Panther first? Tough choice, I know with all this new stuff being released it's hard for me to focus on one kit. (at least that's my excuse...and I'm sticking to it! :lol: ) Thanks for posting the sprue pics.

Mike

[Larry Bates]

Hi guys,

Yes a turned barrel would have been nice, I actually read where one guy got one in his kit?!!!

But I have yet to even find an AM 20mm barrell, and I try every time I make an order online. But that seems to be the biggest short coming, that and the lack of ammo stowage.

Mike,

It's really hard to concentrate on one kit for as long as I have been on the panther. :o
I might do this one in between just for a break. I only have to get the last bits of clamps done for building and the rest is pretty much glue together and paint. Painting is my favorite part.

So.......

[olin]

Hello Larry,
I can't blame you for cracking the cellophane on this kit. It's a great kit, I guess it might have something to do with this is one of my favorite German vehicles! I have this kit and have made very good head way on it. The only area that is a little "off" is the upper hull to lower hull mate towards the rear end. It will take a little work to get that area right on the money. Otherwise in my humble opinion this kit goes together as good as a Tamiya kit.
In the way of AM barrels , Schatton makes a really nice barrel. You might give M&Models a ring they recently announced a new shipment of Schatton barrels at their shop. They are top notch to deal with too, I have no affilation with this shop other then a very satisfied customer.
As for ammo stowage, why not utlize the "binned" ammo that comes with the kit from the K Sprue. Jentz says they carried 25 magazines for the 2cm , with a little reworking one of those racks could have 25 magazines. with the turret on the upper hull the bin isn't really that visible anyhow, so at the least it will imply the presence of stowed ammo. I look forward to watching your build. The Panther you have going is really nice and has been enjoyable to watch.
Regards,
Paul Olin
Here is the link to M&Models:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/78968/threa...CHATTON+BARRELS (http://www.network54.com/Forum/78968/thread/1149020236/SCHATTON+BARRELS)

[Finnmodeler]

Larry,
would it be ok for you to show some pics more closely of the wheel parts? It would help a lot in my Puma wheel project.
I will get this model as soon as it hits Finnish shops.

Thanks,
Niko

[Larry Bates]

Hi Paul,

Yes, I noticed that the top hull didn't fit real well. I even shaved off the pins at the rear of the top hull, and it still won't sit quite right. It will take a little exploring to get it to seat well. As for the barrel, thanks for the heads up, I need a few ;)

I don't know if I'll bother with the ammo stowage. If I can get some drawings, or photos ( if they exist) maybe. Thanks for the props.

Niko,

I'll try and get some shots for you posted tonight.

Larry

[Vadster]

Larry,

In additition to what Paul said, I believe that Armor Scale makes one that comparable with Schatton as well... http://www.armorscale.com/products/barrels35/B35-047/ :)

[Larry Bates]

Ooooooooooooooh,

Thanks Alex, I almost forgot about those guys. Their new stuff is awesome!!! You can actually screw the muzzle brake on to the barrel!

Very nice.

Larr

[Pvt Mutt]

Speaking of pictures Larry,you seem to be able to take
really nice shots.

What camera do you use?

...Mutt...

[Larry Bates]

Hi LD,

The camera I use is a Canon PowerShot A70 w/3.2 Megapixels .

It's important to learn the capabilities of your camera to get the most you can out of it performancewise. Also a good eye helps.

Larry

[Larry Bates]

Here's some shots for Niko,

Hope these are of some use ;)

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29302&img=100_0009_2_(Med.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29303&img=100_0010_2_(Med.jpg


and the beggining of the suspension...


http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29305&img=100_0012_2_(Med.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=29304&img=100_0011_2_(Med.jpg

and a little mockup with the pe cage on top of the turret......

[Finnmodeler]

Larry, thanks!
Those are helpful indeed :)

Br,
Niko

[MartinD]

I like the look of those 2cm turreted German vehicles. I normally don't build them, but I do have an old SdKfz 250/9 in my stash. No PE screens however, so this look really good.
But on thing that seems odd, I think the plastic framework looks better than this PE. Are there parts in the box you'll need to add to this assembly?

Cheers, M

[Larry Bates]

Hi Martin,

yes, there are some plastic parts to add to the pe screen, like thsose handles and some hinge things. The plastic part would seem too thick to me. Which kit of the 250/9 do you have?

Also, when I display it the protective cage will be flipped open.

Larry

[MartinD]

Hi Larry,

I have the Dragon 250/9 neu kit. This has got some plastic mesh for the screens. The frames look a bit thick, true, but for me, PE only doesn't seem to work. I'd add some small strips of plastic to beef it up a bit.

Oh well, first back to my Pershing. Just added some small springs to the loader's hatch. Will post photos this week.

Martin

[mnickolson]

Looking good there Larry :)

[MikkoH]

Looking good Larry. Got to get this one for me!

Cheers Mikko

[Panzergrenadier]

Hi,

Yes, as others have already said, it looks nice. ;)

Siim

[Larry Bates]

Thanks Guys,

Larry

[Flak]

It looks good to me...

[Larry Bates]

Thank you Marco.

Larry

[olin]

Looking good Larry! What do you think about the turret screens Dragon provides with the kit? I am not real crazy about the perforated fold lines put on the screens. filling the gaps in the perforation will take some thought. I maybe try to fill mine with solder. I got a set of Aber screens out and the hinge points don't match up with the DML part so that isn't a immediate fix either ;) . I got my fingers crossed that Lion Roar and or Voyager will do sets for the 234/1. The Lion Roar 234/4 is a really nice set. Keep up the great work on the 234 and the Panther they are both coming along very nicely.
regards,
Paul

[Larry Bates]

Hi Paul,

No , I'm not real crazy about the pe screens, they are difficult to bend and get a clean bend especially since the angled corner makes it so you cannot make the second bend all the way and must finish with flat pliers or?.....But, with some care and perserverence, it should be OK. I too will probably use solder to fill the seams.
I may go for the 234 late fenders from voyager, although I may wait to see if someone does a review as the photos that I saw were questionable as to the fit.

Thanks for the props.

Larry

[Larry Bates]

Ok, so I haven't seen a review of these fenders as of yet, but I was ordering some stuff from "Ausfwerks" and they had em' so I got them. here's how they are looking so far.

First off the directions......

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=31348&img=scan_(Large).jp.jpg

So, I thought I would check the fit on these fenders from Voyager. Firstly, I tried bending them cold, no annealing.

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=31344&img=580100_0009_2_(Med.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=31347&img=6977100_0012_(Mediu.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=31346&img=2123100_0011_2_(Med.jpg

So, after seeing that the brass was a bit hard to make a radiused bend cold, I then annealed the fenders right at the bend till red hot, using a mini torch.

So, after annealing, I went back and bent them using a small brass tube for the radius, combined with my hands and fingers, a little creative use of my etch mate and the brass tube, I coerced the fenders into shape.

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=31345&img=6280100_0010_2_(Med.jpg

oops, one more image to upload..........

here she is.....the fender loosley in place....the fit seems as it will be just peachy when it's all tacked in place.

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=31349&img=7956100_0001_2_(Med.jpg

[Sticky]

Looks great - The fenders do look nice.

[Larry Bates]

Thanks John

[Panzergrenadier]

I like it!:thumb:
That reminds me, I have to get an etch-mate.


Siim

[Flak]

The voyager's Fender looks great...

[Larry Bates]

Thanks Siim , Marco.

[Pvt Mutt]

Nice trick.
Now lets see if I can find a brain cell
where I can file that away for later.<BG>

[Larry Bates]

Trick? what the annealling or the tube? Stick with us LD, we got all the tricks here at PA. :thumb:

Larry

[RC_Hill]

:thumb: Excellent fenders Laz.:D

~RC

[Larry Bates]

Thanks the Ron

[paulyrichard]

Those fenders look superb, nice work on 'em, too! :thumb:

[lquah]

Nice fender bender work Larry :D

Lawrence

[Evan August]

Alright Larry! Good to see some more progress on this one!

[jagdpanzer]

Fantastic PE work! Looking forward to your next update.

[Finnmodeler]

Larry,
looking good! Keep it coming :)

Niko

[Larry Bates]

Hey all,

Thanks for the comments, I think this will be a fun one. NOw if I can just get ahold of a nice barrel that's the correct length! :)

Larry

[mnickolson]

Nice looking fenders there Larry. Glad to see you working on something again.

Mike

[Larry Bates]

Thanks Mike,

What have you been up to lately besides the new grandkids?

Larry

[Larry Bates]

a small update tonight on the fenders.....

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=31398&img=2294100_0005_(Mediu.jpg

did a little more soldering, and made some hinges.

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=31396&img=1809100_0002_(Mediu.jpg


heres one of the doors before the hinges...

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=31397&img=8217100_0003_(Mediu.jpg

and one with....

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=31399&img=Copy_of_100_000.jpg

[lquah]

That looks Great Larry :thumb: Are the hinges workable?

Lawrence

[Flak]

Great job...

[Larry Bates]

Hi Lawrence, Marco,

Yes the hinges are workable. Unfortunately Voyager mis calculated the number of hinges for the vehicle. Ther are only enough for 5 hinges total. And I launched two of the pieces already! So I'll have to get some more . :cool:

Thanks guys.

Larry

[Flak]

Hi Lawrence, Marco,

Yes the hinges are workable. Unfortunately Voyager mis calculated the number of hinges for the vehicle. Ther are only enough for 5 hinges total. And I launched two of the pieces already! So I'll have to get some more . :cool:

Thanks guys.

Larry

Oh!!! That bad??? mis calculated problem...

[Vadster]

Larry,

I see you are back up and running - man, I need to finish something. May i ask why you chose to go with p.e. fenders? Are you going to model some doors open?

[Larry Bates]

Hi Marco, Alex,

Yes, Marco, I searched both the pe sheets for more hinges but none to be found. :mad: And, they are so easily launced. Also, the wire that is supplied with them is very hard to cut. I replace the supplied wire with some brass wire. I tried plastic rod, but didn't have any small enough.

Alex, yeah I'm going to do at least one of the doors open as the Voyager comes with some tools. I'll post close up pics later tonight, also has some badges and such for crew men.

Larry

[Flak]

Hi Marco, Alex,

yeah I'm going to do at least one of the doors open as the Voyager comes with some tools. I'll post close up pics later tonight, also has some badges and such for crew men.

Larry

Interesting...they included the tools and the badges for the crew men...look forward to seeing the pictures...:D

[lucatolo]

Hi Larry,

I missed this!!! Niiiiiiice building...keep coming:thumb:

Luca

[mnickolson]

Thanks Mike,

What have you been up to lately besides the new grandkids?

Larry

Hi Larry,

Just grandkids and have done a little on my Brummbar. I will try and post a few pictures soon. Great job on the fenders. I looked through some on my spare PE for some hinges but none... :( . I want to build one of these but just have to wait.

Mike

[lquah]

Larry

Not sure if these Aber hinges would work
http://aber.net.pl/store/cataloque_parts/_a_series/InA25.pdf
http://aber.net.pl/store/cataloque_parts/_a_series/InA39.pdf

Lawrence

[Panzergrenadier]

Cool to see it progress. Keep it up!:thumb:

Siim

[Sheeds]

Those fenders look like hard work Laz. But you've done a cracking job on them. :thumb:

Have you decided on which 234/1 you'll do yet? Or what unit it'll be from, paint scheme etc?

Sheeds.

[Larry Bates]

Hey thanks Luca, Mike, Lawrence, Marco, and Siim,

Hello Tony,

Well, the only good pic I got of this late vehicle is from concords book on 4th panzer div on the Eastern front(2). Actually there are 3 pics.
They show the camo really good.

You got anything interesting?

Laz

[Torben Nielsen]

Hi Larry - and other who bought the late fender set.

I had just bought the fender set and was waiting for it to arrive, when I read your posting that there was missing some hinges in the set - horror.
When I got the set I sopend quite some time looking over the part, but - no more than five single hinges.
I wrote to Voyager through their website and had a reply the next day. They are going to send me some hinges. I suggested that they should make a fret with a few more hinges to be supplied to those that had bought the set. I dont know if they will, but try and write them at support@voyagermodel.com

Hope to be of some kind of help.....
greetings from Denmark,



Torben Nielsen

[Larry Bates]

Thank you Torben,

Thank you for that information Torben. That would be swell if they would supply the missing hinges. I have though launced two of the pieces into the carpet monsters, so......but maybe still, if they see the thread! :confused:

Larry

[Torben Nielsen]

So far Voyager models have been very kind and eager to help me in my hour of need. Hopefully, it is not only words.
I was also looking at the very, very small hinges the other night and I am not sure that 1 spare is enough. You see, I not only got carpet Monsters, but also Desk Monsters, Drawer Monsters - I even got a wife (shouldnt say that, I just couldnt help myself). Sometimes I am thinking of calling Moulder and Scully as parts that I was just looking at, seems to vanish into the air........

By the way - if anybody need decent reference on the general parts of the 234, the Photo sniper book is a very good choise. It has some great reference material. Beside that, there are two issues of Groundpower books that deals with the 234 series. The June 2000 issue (if I dont remember it wrong) is amazing reference when it comes to war time pictures, ok, many of them are the british pictures of the captured vehicles, but they are not at all bad...... if anyone cares.........

Greetings from Denmark


Torben Nielsen

[Larry Bates]

Thanks Torben

:thumb: :thumb:

Larry

[Vadster]

there are two issues of Groundpower books that deals with the 234 series. The June 2000 issue (if I dont remember it wrong) is amazing reference when it comes to war time pictures, ok, many of them are the british pictures of the captured vehicles, but they are not at all bad...... if anyone cares.........

-and they are near impossible to get - I have tried on 3 seperate occassions via Ebay. No luck. They go for for big $$$. :(

[Larry Bates]

-and they are near impossible to get - I have tried on 3 seperate occassions via Ebay. No luck. They go for for big $$$. :(

Well, I'm not losing any sleep over it.

Larry

[tamigawa]

that's the problem with evilbay;)

[Torben Nielsen]

Hi Larry

Today I have recieved a small etch fret from Voyager containing pieced for 10 hinges for the sdkfz 234 fender storageboxes. So, those of you who have the fender set, but not enough hinges, write to Voyager and I am sure thay willl mail the fret. Bye the way, I also got a copy of their 2005 catalogue !?!.
Well, great service from Voyager as far as I am concerned, now I only have to go on with the build......

Greetings from Denmark

Torben Nielsen

[Larry Bates]

Thanks Torben. :thumb:

Larry