DML sFH 18 (on ground work)

[Coops]

Ok, I was so taken by how easy Panzerfaust (aka James :)) built this kit that I too had to get in on the act (look here for a great build walk-through http://www.planetarmor.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4491).

My intent is to mount the gun on some ground work, very basic, so I've cut the spades down and plan on building up mounds of dirt behind them. I'll be using the magic mats under the wheels that will be slightly depressed into the base.
This kit stands at about 90-95% built.

The first pic is the end of day 1
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/001sFH18pa.jpg
The next is the end of day 2 and this is starting to look like a weapon.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/002sFH18pa.jpg

The next 2 are a bit of a side shot (the "on-hold" Pz4 project in the back ground) of the gun the cut down spades.
Coops (sorry about the super sized shots but these are the first 3 shots I've taken with my hand held. The other shots are from my web-cam)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/IMG_1028pa.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/004sFH18pa.jpg

[fabe]

Your build looks great and very clean so far! Have you already thought about the camo? Will it be Panzergrau, Whitewash, Dunkelgelb or even Finnish 3-color camo? Or how about a Portugese version in green overall (they still saw combat in the 1970s in Angola)?

[sharkmouth]

how about a Portuguese version in green overall (they still saw combat in the 1970s in Angola)?

Do you have any photos of this? :D

Regards,

[fabe]

Here you go:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c339/fabe27/Cuango43.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c339/fabe27/obusk15angola1973.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c339/fabe27/k15cmangola1973.jpg
A few pictures of operational LeFH-18s.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c339/fabe27/bissoraguineabis1971.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c339/fabe27/angola1972.jpg

[sharkmouth]

Muito obrigado! You are making my day!

Anyone know which make that truck is? I'm thinking Unimog...

Regards,

[Coops]

G'day Fabe,
Thanks for posting those photos, good idea for a diorama :thumb:. Good thing for me is that I now know where part A47 goes (onto A37 near A57).
I'll add some ref photos I'll be using for the diorama and the paint.
Coops

Some thing from you-tube to help out :D:D.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL8AOlSqeCQ
I'm looking to go through this lot to find something more.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=artillery&search=tag

[yagdpanzer]

The cartridge case in the Utube vidio is a lot longer than the short cases in the kit. Anyone have any idea if the kit ammo is wrong?

[Anders Heintz]

The first video is great!

It must be pre war or very, very early war as the troops are all wearing the old WWI Steel helmets, although they do sport the Heer decals.

[fabe]

That video is awesome, especially as one can see some sort of camo on the gun (of course the big question is what kind of camo).
You may be interested in this video, the sFH-18 appears only for a short period of time but in color:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZccwUfXZi0&feature=related
(the other part, shwoing no sFH-18s but some nice StuGs)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIjhGoEBfKQ

[Coops]

The cartridge case in the Utube vidio is a lot longer than the short cases in the kit. Anyone have any idea if the kit ammo is wrong?

What sort off ammo is this? I think its ammo for this gun type.
Coops
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/11_1_07_087.jpg

[Coops]

That video is awesome, especially as one can see some sort of camo on the gun (of course the big question is what kind of camo).

Fabian, this picture shows to me the type of pre-war camo seen on the little PzKfw. Is. That same sharp edged patten. (look closely at the legs)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/pa7Large.jpg

You may be interested in this video, the sFH-18 appears only for a short period of time but in color:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZccwUfXZi0&feature=related

Nice, good to see the gun being loaded. That would make a good diorama :).
Coops

[Coops]

Here's today's progress shot (lots of small stuff that never looks like you've done anything :)).
I've got the mats with a gentle curve as I didn't want the ground to look like a swamp (13000kg gun?). The spades are going to get a shovel lent up against one like they had been dug in, not just blasted backward.
I'm trying to use KISS on this and not over build it or pollute it with snippers fire and that type of poo you see from time to time. As always your opinions are highly regarded AND welcome :).

Coops
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/006sFH18Medium.jpg

[skeletondude]

Hey Steve!
The base is looking great so far,cant wait for more. :):D

[Coops]

Hey Steve!
The base is looking great so far,cant wait for more. :):D

Thank's mate, first time I've ever done a dio so I'm hoping that all the good work around here rubs off. A big fan of John (Sticky?) S. work.
Coops.

[Panzergrenadier]

Oh this is very cool!:thumb: I think you are doing a good job. I think it sits on the base quite ok. I am curious as how will you do the rest of the groundwork?

About the ammo picture, can't say for certain, but what do I know.:p

[Coops]

Oh this is very cool!:thumb: I think you are doing a good job. I think it sits on the base quite ok. I am curious as how will you do the rest of the groundwork?

Thanks Siim, I'm thinking of some boxes covered with tarps, ammo on wooden boards and such plus some branches laying around that were used as camo.
Coops
ebay photo
http://www.auction-factory.eu/ebay/2007/12/21/2007-12-21-043.jpg

[Coops]

Just a small up-date. I've carved off one of the long pry-bar (one leg with the bar and one without) and shaved out the holder.
It looks good by eye but the cam that I've used makes it look scrappy.
Coops
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/008sFH18Large.jpg

[Coops]

I don't know if this works but the very good site www.wehrmacht-awards.com had this pic. Priceless for this project :cool:.
Coops

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=590627&stc=1&d=1162697735
http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=600636&stc=1&d=1163966990

[Coops]

One more link to wehrmacht-awards site.
Coops
http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=816536&stc=1&d=1193533564

[Coops]

Well those links didn't work without an account, sorry about that :o.
Here are the three pictures and I've cropped and exploded them.
Coops

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/CopyofAR110-Dia902818A29ssLarge.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/0010Large.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/towedflakLarge.jpg

[Flak]

How I miss it :( It looks nice...Steve :thumb:

[Panzergrenadier]

It is a cool gun and I can't wait for you to finish it.:thumb:

[Coops]

Thank Marco and Siim (I hope you both had a good xmass :)).
I never got GW spray primer so there is nothing but little bits of joint filling going on.
The other thing is I'm changing the ground work/base as I now see that the photo I was using as a reference does not have the spades dug into the ground but are sitting on the two "hungry board" extensions.
My bad, but no biggy (scrape clean and start again :)).
Coops

I don't know if this was mentioned before but we are getting a gun crew for this kit!!
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/SteveCoops/dr6461Medium.jpg