AFV Club 7.5cm Pak 40

[James Tainton]

Well for a switch I started this for a little diversion to the 251/9's. This one should be OOTB. :lol:
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/afv35071.jpg

So first the sprues...
"A" sprue -
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/Asprue.jpg

"B"
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/bsprue.jpg

"C"
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/csprue.jpg

"D"
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/dsprue.jpg

the metal etched parts
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/metal.jpg

the solid rubber wheels
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/wheels.jpg

there is a aluminum turned barrel as well which I forgot to take a pic of but you'll see it in the construction photos.
the parts for step 1.

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/breech1.jpg

[James Tainton]

the aluminum barrel has recesses cut into each end one for the muzzle break on one end and the breech block on the other. Here I ham seating the solid barrel into one half of the breech block main shape. The other half will close this stub on the barrel in, I used Testors liquid cement to do the job.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/brech2.jpg

some of the other parts added
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/breech3.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/breech5.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/breechblock6.jpg

the block and breech
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/breech8.jpg

looking at various reference photos the breech block needed some filling as you can see in these pictures of the real item there is no seam where these model parts are glued together.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/75mmPak40-003.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/Pak40_07.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/breechfilled.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/breechfil2.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/breechfil3.jpg

[James Tainton]

speaking of reference here are some links I found
http://www.zimmerit.com/main/PagineWeb/photofiles/pak_40.htm

http://tanxheaven.com/ljs/pak40/pak40ljs.htm

http://tanxheaven.com/pak40/pak40pic.htm

http://www.thetankmaster.com/ENGLISH/AFV/pak40.asp

http://www.twenot.nl/pak40.htm



using fine sandpaper and a 3M scouring pad I gently, because AFV Club plastic is so soft, sanded back the Mr. Surfacer filling.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/sandingblockfill1.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/sandedblock2.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/sandblock3.jpg

[James Tainton]

I noticed the sink marks on the back end- I did careful sand, fill, sand, so as not to lose the serial number...
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/blockendimples.jpg

here are the step three parts- the brass wire at the top I may use to replace the two thin parts used to slide the gun up and down the gun cradle
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/step3parts.jpg

this is how I filled those knock-out marks on the inside of the gun cradle sides.
Just used a drill bit end to punch out cirlcles of the right size from plastic card using an eraser as a pad.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/circlefills.jpg

in place
-cover with Mr. Surfacer and when hard scrap flat with curved blade...
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/circlesinplace.jpg

primed out the gun
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/gunstep3.jpg

here is the gun cradle with most of step 3 done
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/gunstep3b.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/gunstep3c.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/gunstep3d.jpg

[James Tainton]

I sanded the block again then filled and sanded the seams again. Sometimes it doesn't work in one go. A few other parts were added now that I was happy with the filling.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/blocksanded-again.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/blockedsandedagainb.jpg

here the gun and cradle together primed out (this is only a dry fit)
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/gunprimeda.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/gunprimedc.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/gunprimedd.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/gunprimede.jpg

[johnnyboy]

hi james this is looking awesome man. i have had that kit in my hands a few times now and havnt bought it but am going to now.what type of camera do you use just curious your pics are always real good thanks for sharing johnny

[Tuna]

thanks for the tip on the drill bit.. I didn't do a great job on my lefh18.. tried clumsily to fill them with putty then clean em with an exacto.

How does the drill bit 'punch' exactly? are you drills hollow?

My wife has a leather punch with different sizes.. I wonder if that goes as small..

[James Tainton]

Originally posted by johnnyboy@Jan 17 2005, 07:22 AM
hi james this is looking awesome man. i have had that kit in my hands a few times now and havnt bought it but am going to now.what type of camera do you use just curious your pics are always real good thanks for sharing johnny
It is a nicer kit tha the Tamiya or Italeri version by far ;)
Do yourself a favour and get the metal shield spacers that AFV offers. They are worth the 10.00 bucks.
As for the camera it is a Fujifilm S602 Zoom. It is an older maodel now ! ( 2 years?). It has man, many features.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujis602z/

thanks for the tip on the drill bit.. I didn't do a great job on my lefh18.. tried clumsily to fill them with putty then clean em with an exacto.

How does the drill bit 'punch' exactly? are you drills hollow?

My wife has a leather punch with different sizes.. I wonder if that goes as small..


I have heard people use these- I don't have one but hope to look into it some day.

[KingTiger]

Hey James,

I really like this AFV Club Pak. I bought and built the Tamiya kit for my "Waiting to Exhale" dio but I added an aluminum turned barrel. I like the metal shields and the rubber tires that came with your kit. This is in 1/35 scale? Nice job.

KingTiger

[James Tainton]

This is in 1/35 scale? Nice job.

yep
okay the next part I tackled was the PE metal shield and plastic spacers that come with the kit. I was determined to show people who may have whined about these, that they are perferctly useful and are a major step forward from the old Tamiya/Italeri injection molded kit offering. ;)

I used a scalpel to remove them from the tree very carefully. I then used a CA that has a bit more flex/shear strength than the usual stuff to glue them in place. Once these had set and hardened in place I then used a piece of 600 grit sand paper to remove the little bits left on the parts-it is much easier doing it this way than trying to clean the parts up before gluing in place as they are so tiny it is hard to hold them in between one's fingers. ;)

the parts on the tree
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/plasticspacers.jpg

inplace
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/inplacecu.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/plastic-spaceers-in-place.jpg

I then sanded prue attachment bits
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/inplacesand.jpg ;)

[James Tainton]

I then prime the two shields inside and out. I was going t o paint the interior faces where the pacer are black or dark grey but decided to go with a primer red.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/primedshield.jpg

[James Tainton]

Now this is an example where rushing ahead can cause problems :o
I should have added the part G4 and the two G3s prior to gluing in the plastic spacers. This is because these added parts are metal and I solder metal to metal parts for strength of bond. So in gluing these plastic bits and then priming meant big problems. Well... actually not too big of problems.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/intructionstep5.jpg

Now I would have to clean the plastic parts, (which would have been perfectly satisfactory)
out of the holes they had been glued into. There would have been no chance to do this without damaging and marring the plastic bits so I made a decision and dispatched immediately, without hesitation, the metal shields to a bath of laquer thinner with out mercy. :angry:
This got rid of the primer paint and weakened the bonds of the CA glue so I could easily physically remove the spacers.
I cleaned up the metal shields so they were like new. But now what to do?
Well this was not such a bad accident as now it gave me an opportunity to use the AFV Club metal shield spacers! These are definitely worth the extra cost and I am really happy to get to use them- even thought the plastic parts are completely adequate. I had proved my point but now to move on...
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/clubspacers.jpg

so here is the strengthening rib in place...
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/topbar1.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/topbar2.jpg

in the above pics you can see I added one shield bolt.
here a closer look. This was secured in-place with solder. The excess looks worse in the picture than it really was- plus any excess solder can be removed with steel wool
:) This joint will not break or weaken with time.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/metalspacerinplace.jpg

the front view with the strengthening part G3 added
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/frontstrengtheningplate.jpg

[James Tainton]

so here are a few pics showing how I soldered these shield bolts...
bolt sitting on shield
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/bolt1.jpg

some flux is added to the hole with a toothpick
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/bolt2.jpg

put in hole
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/bolt3.jpg

a tiny piece of solder cut from the roll and placed right beside the bolt
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/bolt4.jpg

sheild heated and the solder melted
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/bolt5.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/bolt6.jpg

complete
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/bolt7.jpg

from a back view
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/boltback.jpg

and the front cleaned up ready to be primed after being degreased and cleaned with clean laquer thinner. ;)
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/boltscleaned.jpg

and there is more than enough bolts left over to do another gun!

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/boltsleftover.jpg

[franck]

Hi James,

cool job on this one !!!

I now know why my soldering never worked .... i was lacking the flux step !!!!!

keep on the great work !

Franck

[Tuna]

Yes Frank.. the Flux is the big step.. I didn't realize that when I tried soldering the first time... good idea just applying a lil with a tootpick.. instead of that big brush in the flux bottle.. .duh.. I should've thought of that myself.. or use an old small brush...

looking good as usual James! :lol:

[Markus]

Man James, seems you keep yourself busy :lol: !
Can´t wait to see some more updates and especially some paint on it!

Keep it up

Markus

[shivadog]

Hey James, how is your Panzer I from Tristar project (i did watch it on Track-link) going on? Anyway im shure you have some chinese prisoners working for you, it's impossible to do so many models on such level :) anyway i admire your job.

Jerzy

ps are you doing anything besides modelling?

[James Tainton]

Originally posted by Tuna@Jan 19 2005, 07:29 AM
good idea just applying a lil with a tootpick.. instead of that big brush in the flux bottle.. .duh.. I should've thought of that myself.. or use an old small brush...

Thanks for the feedback.
One thing though Tuna- just to be clear- I was using a paste style of flux here not the liqid type-which I would prolly use a brush for. ;)

[Tuna]

oh ok.. I use the liquid stuff.. that would still apply with a toothpick.. just like CA glue right? I guess I'll just switch to an 'old' fine point paint brush..

thanks for the info!

:o

[James Tainton]

Originally posted by shivadog@Jan 19 2005, 03:37 PM
Hey James, how is your Panzer I from Tristar project (i did watch it on Track-link) going on? Anyway im shure you have some chinese prisoners working for you, it's impossible to do so many models on such level :) anyway i admire your job.

Jerzy

ps are you doing anything besides modelling?
well the Panzer I Ausf. A did get done and won First Place for 1/35 Axis at a IPMS show in the fall.
And it got best Armour Armour - Axis or Warsaw Pact. ( A nice little plaque)
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/pz1a.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/pz1b.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/pz1c.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/pz1e.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/pz1f.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/pz1g.jpg

[James Tainton]

The front shield part was easily placed in position and secured in four corners with solder on the spacers.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/sheild1.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/sheild2.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/sheild3.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/shield4.jpg

The little tool box that sits ontop of the front brace in the kit is pretty devoid of any detals so I decided to make one out of brass and replace it.
this went okay and I'm fairly pleased with the result. The added clasp is a little over scale but.... eiahh! ;)
I used the kit part to get the dimensions
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/box1.jpg

after folding and soldering the box I used the clasp parts from and Aber sheet.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/box2.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/box3.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/box4.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/box5.jpg

[James Tainton]

started work on the chassis
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/limber1.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/limber2.jpg

[James Tainton]

In the above you may see a lot of shiny areas-that is caused because I like to use the Testors cement to smooth out areas I have sanded. The AFV Club plastic melts easily and this can be a good thing in some situations ;)
Any howI did some more work on the shield- adding the interior storage tubes of various sizes. Two of them while not fantastically detailed were adequate. These also had effective locating pins that fit into holes provided on the metal surface so they were attached with some Insta flex CA glue, no problem. The other vertical one on the right was supposed to be attached onto two of these metal shield bolt ends that stuck out the back. While this may be okay for the original plastic to plastic joint- even with my Insta-Flex CA the practical ability for this part to remain attached was in my view slim. So after replacing it after it fell of 2 or three times I decided to make brackets like the real deal to hold the tube, (whatever it held...anyone know?...signal flags?... charts?)
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/sheildtubes.jpg

here I have attached the scratched metal straps to the scratched mounting brackets (Please excuse the lousy soldering).
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/straps1.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/straps2.jpg

I replaced the bottom part just to save me from cleaning up the straps on the old tube's body part.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/strap3.jpg

I also replaced the clasp that was pretty basically portrayed in the kit part.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/straps4b.jpg

[James Tainton]

now I've glued the tube into the straps hoop that is there after soldering the two ends together and then I primed the whole thing out. (amazing how these digital fotos show up flaws not visible before seeing the picture :( )
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/tubein1.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/tube3.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/shieldprimed.jpg

[Stuke Sowle]

Do you ever sleep???


:)

[James Tainton]

Originally posted by Stuke Sowle@Jan 23 2005, 09:04 AM
Do you ever sleep???


:)
hmmm yep usually after I take a book to bed and try reading it.... ;)

[Markus]

Excellent work James!
This is going to be another masterpiece!

[shivadog]

Thanks for showing pic of your Tristar Panzer I Ausf. A this is really great! What unit is this camo?

all the best

jerzy

[James Tainton]

Originally posted by shivadog@Jan 24 2005, 08:58 AM
Thanks for showing pic of your Tristar Panzer I Ausf. A this is really great! What unit is this camo?

all the best

jerzy
the cammo is the very early type- the division is like- I'll have to check for sure- but I don't think it was anything more than he first training groups at that time- The Panzer Tracks book has great info- The markings sometimes were not on the vehicle and would change I think with almost every excersise, I'm shooting from the hip here. I did have something in mind but haven't gotten around to the markings yet.

But now more updates on the gun.
The parts are all pretty much attached and I have kept several sub assemblies seoerate to aid in painting into the tighter areas (if everything was together that is).
I have primed everything in Mr. Surfacer 1200 and then coated with fine coating of Humbrol #67 for the Dunkelgrau RAL 7021. I was going to do Dunkel Gelb but chganged my mind. Not sure of the proper filter colours to use with the gray as most articles I've seen are on a yellow base coat so we will be experimenting a little here.
All the parts in gray...
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/partsingray.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/partsingray2.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/shieldingray.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/cradleingray.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/baseingray.jpg

[James Tainton]

well it's been a while since the last update- Let me just say that for the last few days I have been adding "filters" to the Pak 40. After baseing everything out in Humbrol #67 a good facsimile of Dunkelgrau, I gave the model subassemblies all a thorough airbrushing with Humbrol enamel satin. I allowed this to dry overnight. Next I used some raw umber Artists oils to give it its first filter. Then I remembered that it is suggested that enamel model paint be used, to aid in drying. Anyway I then used a light blue from Humbrol #48 for the next filter. I used a hair dryer to speed the drying time. This was followed with a med. gray, Humbrol #64. I was gong to do another filter with a darker blue but when I open the tins lid the paint inside was hardened. So oh well. I decided to give the parts a wash now (without a Future Pre coat!)with thinned down Artists oil raw umber. When that was dry I then gave every part a light dry brushing with a grey slightly ligter that the base coat. This was followed, when dry with a dry brushing of a metal colour from Humbrol on high contact areas. Then I started with the powder pigments which I thinned with spirt paint thinner. This was all hit and miss and evolved as I went. The basic technicue was to apply the dust/mud mix and when dry remove excess with a spare brush. So here are some pics of where it's at now.
filters are on
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/filterson.jpg

shield with filters-you can see a bit of the red oxcide primer showing through. I have read that the paint was applied quite thinnly on German equipment and vehicles.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/sheildfilterson.jpg

here the wheels with the filters on
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/wheelsfilterson.jpg

here the raw umber wash darkens thing down again
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/rawumberwash.jpg

I added some buff-able metal to the gun tract
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/cradledarkwash.jpg

[James Tainton]

Now the dirty part ;)
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/applyingmud.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/basemudon.jpg
after it was dried excess removed
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/removingexcess.jpg
this is the early stages remember...
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/dirtonsheild.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/dustonwheels.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/frontarmourplate.jpg

[Stuke Sowle]

ahhh, I can see some character starting to shine through on it James.

I suspect this will turn out as well as youi 251/9.

[James Tainton]

well after working all week- (only 50 hours Stuke-bit of a slow week :lol: )
I can now post pics I took last Sunday

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/moredirt1.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/backend.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/frontleft.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/leftside.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/carrage1.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/barrelon.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/moredirtoneverything.jpg

[Stuke Sowle]

50 hours?? Child's play sir!! :)

Looking very good. Are you going to be putting this on a base, or stand alone?

[James Tainton]

Originally posted by Stuke Sowle@Feb 6 2005, 08:24 AM
50 hours?? Child's play sir!! :)

Looking very good. Are you going to be putting this on a base, or stand alone?
Yes, in the past we would often do 11 hour days and 12 13ect. but the movie industry is "normalizing" out to some degree.
What is it you do? I paint sets etc.

The kit?...will prolly just stand alone.

[James Tainton]

added the muzzle break and painted it in place after sanding the seam.
this is just a tentitive dry fit - more work yet to be done.
http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/muzzled2.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/panzerii/AFVPak40/muzzled.jpg

[seyahmit]

I enjoyed reading about your build James. You are doing an excellent job on this.

Tim