Two sdkfz 234 - reffiting the Italeri's - 234/1 & 234/2

[Striker]

A long time i don't post on my bench, as my USB ports decided to leave us for a better world (and as you can guess, the guarantee expired just 10 days ago).http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_064_.gif

As they decided to work for a few today, i can put some pictures of my new project - refitting again old kits http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_008_.gif

So i put a look at my shelf and find this two old Italeri kit, one partially build, the other mint in box.
I have unbuild the puma then rebuild him (i can make it better, stronger, faster :) ) doing some damage to the kit in the process as you will see on the picture. http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_024_.gif


Si i decided to post this pictures but in the same time, telling every parts that have to be redone, so if somebody have this old kit ... can help him in the future. http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_042_.gif
I have to admit that i will not "ultra detailling" the kit, just detailling it so it looks better

So here is a picture of the 2 kits in the current state

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20008.jpg

In details :

I've done near to nothing with the bottom of the hull, as it looks fine to me and after adding the fender and the wheels, a really few will be visible.

i've rotated the wheels axis (don't know the exact word for it) to add some dynamism to the kit. Just have to use your blade to cut the plastic then gluing it again and it's done. Only takes 5 minutes to do so http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_070_goodjob.gif
i've equally thin the front and rear plate on the bottom of the hull, protecting the mecanism to turn the front and read wheels.

And rescribe the welding lines with the back of a blade on the entire hull


1/ On the front bumpers, you must add a bolt in the center and two rivets on each side. Also one bolt added on each side of the fender.
In the center, you will have to add 4 bolts, as Italeri make an error here. In reality, 3 bolts have the be used but ... few knows.

2/ The light support is wrong and redone by cutting a 3.5x3.5mm square in 0.5mm plasticard. In the center i use a plastic rod and add four nuts made with a homemade "punch&die". Also added a piece of sprue on the side to simulate the piece that received the electric wire.
The lights themselves come from my spare parts box.

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20009.jpg
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20010.jpg
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20011.jpg
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20012.jpg

3/ The horn is from Tamiya and is wrong, but as i have nothing else. Still far better than the italeri one.

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20013.jpg
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20014.jpg

4/ The side hooks are thinned

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20015.jpg

5/ Some screw have been simulated on the upper plate of the puma. Strangely they are present on the 234/1 kit and not on the 234/2.
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20016.jpg

6/ On the real 234, the fenders are made from two parts, holded together by 6 bolts. So i scribe the line and add the bolts.

7/ 3 holes have to be reproduce on the side box (don't know why)
8/ Also scribe a line on the rear, to reproduce the fact that this plate is just put on the hull and not welded to it.

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20017.jpg
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20018.jpg
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20019.jpg

9/ As you can guess, i have redone the motor rear plate using plasticard.


http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20020.jpg

10/ One holes added on each motor hatchs.
11/ 4 bolts added on front part of the motor plate.


Hope your comments soonhttp://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_085_.gif

[Ropi]

Pas mal, ca m'plait! :thumb:
(exuse for french other members)

[pwranta193]

Looking good - I've got some sitting in the box and have left them there for a reason... :D

So far so good, Ben - I like seeing the two at a time approach -while it makes the overall build take longer - you end up with consitency across both build and many parts can go quickly as you use a bit of the assembly line methods. I'm trying to remember if there are any major issues with the wheels on these two kits?

Keep bringing it to us to see.

Paul

[Flak]

Looks good...

[Striker]

Thanks for your nice comments http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/Thumb_th_002_.GIF

So, i've finally found the origin of my USB problem (power supply) and continue my hard work on these models http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_014_.gif


First, the opening, to give them a better look :

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20021.jpghttp://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20023.jpg

But i have to admit that if you give them a close look http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_089_01.gif

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20022.jpghttp://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20024.jpg

Well... have to rework a little on this parts

The next corrections :

12/ The gine on the rear hatch


http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20025.jpg

Sorry for the putty, i put inadvertantly glue on the area and so ...http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_015_orz.gif

This is the end for now regarding the 234/1, as i have to paint the interior before continuing to work on this baby ... but he start to have a better look.

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20028.jpghttp://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_058_.gif

Now, back to the puma that received the same corrections

And for his part :

13/ The cleaning tool on the left fender

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20029.jpghttp://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20030.jpg

14/ The antenna support - still the cable missing

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20031.jpg
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20032.jpg

15 / I add a rectangular square on the fender but don't know its use... if anybody knows the use of ithttp://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_039_.gif


http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20037.jpg

[Striker]

16/ Detailling the support for the wheel :

Less work if you let the wheel on :

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20027.jpghttp://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20026.jpg

And if you remove it http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_045_.gif

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20033.jpg
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20034.jpg
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20035.jpg
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/640/sdkfz234%20036.jpg

That's all for now as i have to work on a Base for another kit http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_032_.gif

[Sturmmann]

True modeling at its best!! As we have come to expect from you Ben, that is some nice scratch work :thumb:

Dave

[Driver]

Marvelous work you are doing on those two relics Ben. Just the thing they need to become great models!!

[sharkmouth]

Excellent work Ben!

Ruben, Dave,

With Ben doing such a wonderful job fixing up old kits 'Old School Style' can I nominate him as an honorary member of the BBC?

Regards,

[Striker]

Some news

I've redone the base of the antenna but still not satisfied with it ... damn', it's not a piece of plastic that will resist to me
http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/onionemoticon/th_046_.gif

Anyway

17 / I've done the missing rear box using dimensions found in a old "steel master" magasine and that found in "MODEL 3 - Saison 2"

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20039.jpg

18/ Also redone the exhausts. I've cut the italeri part, scratch in it and using an round evergreen piece of 1mm, redo the exhaust pipe.
The exhaust itself was enlarge by 1mm and i put a piece of 0.13mm of plasticard on it before sanding it.
Also take a rear german light in a Tasca detail kit, and do the mouting using a piece of aluminium of .30 mm

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20040.jpg

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20041.jpg

19/ The other rear box was simply detailled using a thin piece of plasticard to simulate the box's door and sanding the side face to be able to put it into place

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20042.jpg

I've decided not to add the second exhaust, leaving only the pipe to add some dynamism to the kit.

So, still some detail to do on this hull, some cables, some nuts, and all the tools holders and brackets.
But i have to wait a little for that, a friend of mine will give me some unused piece from his Dragon 234.


So i will first go back on the 234/1 to do the same detailling job.

[sharkmouth]

Hi Benjamin,

If the exhaust muffler is not used, there should be some mounts left one the mudguards as the vehicle was built with the mufflers.

Regards,

[kkiron]

woooooooooooo,spanking remodel works!

Great!

[Striker]

Hi Benjamin,

If the exhaust muffler is not used, there should be some mounts left one the mudguards as the vehicle was built with the mufflers.

Regards,
you're totally right, i've planned to add them as i realized that after have a look at the Dragon sprue. :)

[schlichtr]

Very nice. Alot of white plastic always catches my eye. Keep going.

Roy

[panzerjager]

A beatiful work Ben!!! I like superdetail without aftermarket sets!!!

Regards

Darío

[Striker]

So, i've just finished the puma's turret, just have to put some putty and wait for the tool handlers to finish this model :

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/sdkfz234%20043.jpg

So, here the tweaks list for this part

20/ The hooks on the turret have an incorrect form, i've take mine in a Pz III box

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20044.jpg

21/ Two smalls metal plates were on the side of the turret, but i don't know their use

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20045.jpg

22 / As the Italeri gun is far too thin, i've replace it with another one. So i buy an armorscale gun and put them in My Dragon Puma's Box... and the plastic from the box go on the Italeri.
The MG don't come from the Dragon's but from my spare parts's box

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20046.jpg

23/ A thin hole for the puma's commander is missing on the turret, next to the gun

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20047.jpg

24/ The periscope's protection are too high and thick, so they are retouched to have the correct thickness and size

I also replace the commander periscope with one coming from my spare parts. The other one will only be paint to have a better look

The hatch lockers is done using the italeri's one (molder on the hatch) cut, put a small round piece of plastic done with a punch&die and add another piece of plastic to reproduce the locker mechanism.
The hatch hinge was done using aluminium card

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20048.jpg

25/ The antenna base was detailled using a small round piece of plastic and replacing the antenna with fiberoptic

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20049.jpg

26/ The smoke launcher Italeri were unused and replaced with the one coming from a Tasca set ... far better looking.
The smoke launcher's basis were done using piece of aluminum, as on the real puma

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20050.jpg

Don't forget the electric wire to fire the launchers and it's done

http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20051.jpg


http://strikerfoxx.free.fr/Models%20Album/photos/sdkfz%20234%20x%202/800/sdkfz234%20052.jpg

[Flak]

Looks nice...

[Panzergrenadier]

Loving this usage of old kits!:thumb: