First one - AFV Club 251/1 Ausf C

[GALILEO1]

Hi everyone!

Nice to have my vBench finally available so I can post some pics of my builds! Thanks Gordy!

Anyhow, as my first blog, I decided to tackle the nice AFV Club SdKfz 251/1 Ausf.C. The kit is coming along pretty well overall. There are a few fit issues here and there but nothing that some elbow grease couldn't take care of. I am building the model using the Eduard PE set but I must say that I have mix feelings about it's accuracy. Being the only PE set available for for this kit (I wish Aber of Lion Roar could make one) it was all I could use. It's better than some of the kit's parts though.

For markings, I am trying to depict this vehicle of the 16th Pz. Div on the Eastern front some time during the winter of 1943.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture.jpg

I don't think I'll make it this banged up (as it appears above) though I will try to capture the vehicle as best as possible.

Okay, onto the pics of the model:

Pic of the AFV Box art (pretty nice)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/afv350781.jpg

Some work on the driver's compartment (note the Eduard pedals - which are nice but not entirely accurate)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture041.jpg

Here's a front shot of the interior .

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture042.jpg

Here's a top view of the fighting compartment (some noticeable gaps on both sides where the rear floor plate meets the hull -- Any ideas as to how I could take care of this?)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture040.jpg

Here's the completed suspension ( added a brass rod to replace the steering arm (?) since the plastic one was completely deformed)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture044.jpg

A pic of the completed bottom (minus towing pintle, etc)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture045.jpg

Some work done on the bulkhead with some Eduard PE added. AFV's plastic is really soft so usually any sanding is very noticeable.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture049.jpg

A side shot with the front wheels installed and some of the roadwheels

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture053.jpg

Lastly, a front shot of the wheels in place. I love the inward slant of the wheels as in the real thing(had to use some Mr. Surfacer as there were tiny gaps when I joined the wheels halves together)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture055.jpg

Anyway, a fun project so far. The kit has its low points but it can't be beat when it comes to accuracy (reason why I decided to go with AFV CLub rather than with Dragon).


I'll post some more pics soon and will try to improve on the photography as well.

Robert

[dsleigh]

Nice, nice, very nice. If you care to though, you'll want to put that seam back in the tire. Also Lion Roar does make a set it is LR35033. Keep it up!

[Flak]

Nice start...Robert, keep it up...

[GALILEO1]

Nice, nice, very nice. If you care to though, you'll want to put that seam back in the tire. Also Lion Roar does make a set it is LR35033. Keep it up!

Thanks David!

Now, is there supposed to be a seam line or something on the front tires? I didn't realized the real one had them. I thought theyu were mostly smooth. Will see about adding them back, thanks for the tip.

Now, would you happen to know where I could get that set from Lion Roar? I have another Ausf C in the stash I would love to get that set for.

Thanks much!

Robert

[GALILEO1]

Nice start...Robert, keep it up...


Thanks, Marco! I actually got the idea for using brass rod for the suspension from your build of the AFV 251/17. Have youy finished that one yet? I would love to get some more pics if possible. Your step-by-step is really useful (as you can see):D

Thanks!

Robert

[James Tainton]

Hello Robert,
They are supposed to have the gap.

[GALILEO1]

Hello Robert,
They are supposed to have the gap.

Hi James,

Thanks for the tip! Yeah, I defintely did not realize they were supposed to be there. I mean the gap looked bad so I never thought it was something that should have been left alone. Oh well, live and learn....I'll see if I can rescribe the line somehow though.

Thanks again!

Robert

[dsleigh]

Robert,
You can get the LR set for sure here http://www.dragonusaonline.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=LNRLE35033 were else I don't know, you'll just have to look.

[Flak]

Thanks, Marco! I actually got the idea for using brass rod for the suspension from your build of the AFV 251/17. Have youy finished that one yet? I would love to get some more pics if possible. Your step-by-step is really useful (as you can see):D

Thanks!

Robert

Thanks...Robert. It still on the shelf :( and waitng for paint :)

[Sturmmann]

... I defintely did not realize they were supposed to be there. I mean the gap looked bad so I never thought it was something that should have been left alone. Oh well, live and learn....I'll see if I can rescribe the line somehow though.

Robert

The same thing happened to me :( I used a very fine file to get the groove back in them.

Nice work so far Robert! :thumb:

dave

[GALILEO1]

Robert,
You can get the LR set for sure here http://www.dragonusaonline.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=LNRLE35033 were else I don't know, you'll just have to look.

Thanks much, David! Will order today!

Robert

[GALILEO1]

The same thing happened to me :( I used a very fine file to get the groove back in them.

Nice work so far Robert! :thumb:

dave

Thanks, Dave! Will see how I can get some of the Mr. Surfacer out before I try to scribe.

Robert

[astralscooter]

http://www.luckymodel.com carries Lion Roar and much more besides at very affordable prices. Free shipping on many PE and decal brands as well.

http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=LR%20E35033

"Available" means out of stock, and restock may sometimes take a while. Depends on the brand.

Arild :)

[GALILEO1]

http://www.luckymodel.com carries Lion Roar and much more besides at very affordable prices. Free shipping on many PE and decal brands as well.

http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=LR%20E35033

"Available" means out of stock, and restock may sometimes take a while. Depends on the brand.

Arild :)

Thanks a lot, Harild!

Robert

[James Tainton]

Rob- you could order a nice set of Hussar replacements- only $11.99 CND.
http://www.airconnection.on.ca/HUSSAR/airconnection_HUSSAR_35033.htm

[GALILEO1]

Rob- you could order a nice set of Hussar replacements- only $11.99 CND.
http://www.airconnection.on.ca/HUSSAR/airconnection_HUSSAR_35033.htm

Hi James,

Thanks for the link. I will definitely have to order a pair...

Robert

[GALILEO1]

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the long absence here (got just too much going on).

Okay, continuing with the build, here's another update on this 251.

Worked a bit more on the driver's compartment adding more Eduard PE to replace the MP40 machine gun 'holder' brackets (the ones on the kit were just blobs of thick plastic). I have to say, however, that I am not that happy with them since they look a bit out of scale but, at least, they do look a bit better than those solid plastic pieces. I also added some pieces (like the gear shift columns and that tube on the side of the hull - sorry, I don't what that's for) from a Dragon 251 I have laying around.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture013.jpg

I went ahead and also removed the rear floor plate since, as you me recall, there was a pretty big gap on each of the sides, which I just hated!. Removing this thing was tough as it was attached pretty strongly to the bottom piece. I used a small spatula and slowly worked my way in to 'pop' the thing out. Of course, after I removed it, as you can see, the floor became useless! :D

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture014.jpg

Thankfully, I had another rear floor piece plate laying around that was saved as a result of a failed attempt made at these AFV 251s. So, I grabbed the extra floor plate and decided to use it. Here you see the piece with all of the 'needed' holes drilled and one (which could not be used) plugged in with Evergree plastic rod.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture015.jpg

Here's another shot of the floor and the plug

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture016.jpg

This pic has the floor dry-fitted. Certainly looks much better than that old piece!

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture017.jpg

Now, here's another shot of the wheels. If you recall again, I unknowingly filled the gap in the middle with Mr. Surfacer. I tried removing the Surfacer from them but I ended up melting the plastic, so I went ahead and obtained a couple of wheels from someone and this is the end result. Also certainly looks much better than the previous piece!

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture019.jpg

Another shot of the right wheel

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture020.jpg

I also dryfitted the one of the sprockets to make sure all was fine.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture022.jpg

Lastly, I went ahead and dryfitted the bulkhead and PE dashboard just to see how it looks. The dashboard and bulkhead will be painted separately so as to avoid getting paint on the dials (which Eduard made out of paper instead of acetate?!?)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/robertCarvallo/Picture023.jpg

So, this is where all stands at the moment. Next up will involved some PE work in the fighting compartment which will include the rifle rack, vision block boxes, etc. I decided to try my hand at soldering to do the boxes since working with CA is just getting really frustrating at this point. Since I've never solder anything, and since I need to find some information on how to do it, this next stage will probably take the longest. Stay tune, however, as I'll continue to work on this slowly but surely ;)

Rob ...

P.S. Does anyone know where I may be able to find a tutorial on soldering PE? I have almost all the materials already (except for tining fluid and flux paste)

[Dazzer]

Hi Rob, nice build.

I have a 251/9 I'd like to start, but really nervous about doing 'open topped' vehicles :o

Regarding Soldering, try looking at this....

http://www.indy-amps.org/articles/soldering/soldering.html

[RickLawler]

P.S. Does anyone know where I may be able to find a tutorial on soldering PE? I have almost all the materials already (except for tining fluid and flux paste)

Try this:
http://www.planetarmor.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3789

You are doing a great job....

Rick

[GALILEO1]

Hi Rob, nice build.

I have a 251/9 I'd like to start, but really nervous about doing 'open topped' vehicles :o

Regarding Soldering, try looking at this....

http://www.indy-amps.org/articles/soldering/soldering.html

Yeah, I was too before I started. Not so much anymore though. I just work slowly to make sure I can as much 'useful' detail as I can without going all out. I don't really like working with PE but, at least for this kit, I felt it was necessary since certain parts really need some help.

Thanks very much for the link! I'll definitely make use of it!

Rob

[GALILEO1]

Try this:
http://www.planetarmor.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3789

You are doing a great job....

Rick

Thanks for the feedback and the link, Rick! Excellent resource!

Rob