20mm FLAKVIERLING Sd.kfz7/1 GERMAN 8t HALF-TRACK TAMIYA 1/35

The half-track in the middle of the assembly. A lot of figures are attached and I think it to be a realistic model.

I have built this type of flak many times. There are differentiated of the parts depend on the manufacturer, it’s interesting.

It was fully assembled easier than Dragon Models. Both sides of the sheet are not yet being adhered, in preparation for the case to match the figure.

I was able to buy it for 1,500 yen (USD15.00 at the current FX rate) by this volume at a certain time. The same as the 88mm anti-aircraft gun, this kit was one of the full volume kits. It was a popular kit among children.

The metal shafts are used.

Because a parting line was in the center of the rubber tire, I sharpened it neatly.

I assembled these wheels without any question at that time.

Driver’s seat assembly is completed.

I have finished making all chassis.

It was temporarily assembled a couple of modules.
(17-October-2016)

The front side of the belt caterpillar is fairly good.

It’s an old kit of the 50th item of the Tamiya military miniature series, the backside of the caterpillar is flat and is unsatisfactory.

The photograph which I wound the caterpillar. It may look good that put a notch between the track outside of the belt by a cutter.

A caterpillar of Modelkasten or Friulmodel is the best, but it is in short supply, and the price is a little high.

After all, I bought this Modelkasten caterpillar. Hahahaha, Ummm… higher price than the kit. Anyway, it’s wonderful detail.

Oh no! I have already assembled the wheels. I noticed the Modelkasten kit includes the original wheels which perfectly fit into the tracks. It’s not fit to the Tamiya’s parts. It’s very regrettable, I’ll use the belt caterpillar.

The width does not match, too. By the way, this belt is very strong. I pulled it steadily to increase some length, but come back to the original length.

Bonnet and front grille, the front seat and side panels were bonded. Quite a difficult work.

It’s an old kit, so there is a lot of work of deleting parting lines. Fitting of parts is a little bad, but we manage it.

I fixed the panel on the dashboard.
(18-October-2016)

Even it’s a belt caterpillar, if adhered at the exact key points, came out slack with a sense of weight.

Rare white color figure parts.

I think this face is detailed enough…

I changed it for resin heads. I had to be careful not to be hurt because I used my power with a chisel and cutter in various parts.

I used a high-performance primer for the belt caterpillar which was difficult painting. It is SOMAY-Q MICCHAKURON which I used several times in the past.
(19-October-2016)

The base color is German gray.

I glue chairs and buttocks together and adjust later.

There are magazine cases, canvas, and rifles.

Combination with the anti-aircraft gun. It is a quite good sense of reality.

White was painted with the figures, but you don’t know which place was painted, right?

The rough painting was completed.

I thought to get it wet with water after painting water-based white, because the white has low concealment power, stack coating increased. Then paint film is thicker and does not permeate to the hair spray. It does not peel off easily. Some areas of hair spray air blast might be insufficient.

I cut the masking for the front window to leave a marking of the wiper.
(21-October-2016)

Tamiya 8t half-track was completed. Not only the transport type, but various types of half-tracks were also made.

This vehicle is loaded 4 coaxial machine-gun, and with the dreadful anti-aircraft ability. There was a similar vehicle in the US, and were called “meat chopper”. I had that vehicle Smart Kit before but threw out on the way. I want to make it sometime.

For the caterpillar, I felt that the quality is inferior compared to the fine detail of the Bronco and the Dragon Models.

So I prepared a Modelkasten caterpillar, after all, it did not work I had already assembled the original parts road wheels and not recovered.

The folding seat on the carrier was folded.

The loading platform floor, I wonder how much weathering and trial and error. Some area of anti-slip molds, the white coating was peeled off a little.

The balance of the mud of the wiper, I wonder I should have done more weathering to the underbody.

If I could the belt caterpillar make slacking, the appearance improved.

I think the sense of unity with five figures is splendid.

The white winter camouflage is often painted in an emergency at the front, it’s said that they could often tear off easily. The German gray base color would be seen at many points in the early spring.

It is very kind of five figures to be attached. In this case, the best match is the winter camouflage.

I focused one by one from this photo. Changed all the face to resin heads.

Looking through the sight seriously to focus targets.

They are rifles, barrel case, and magazine cases. There are many accessories.

Overall length is about 20cm, quite large. When all carriers are the open state and 5 figures are placed, big volume and good looking. The Modelkasten caterpillar is in the middle of assembling, I would like to use it for other 8t half-track kits someday.
(22-October-2016)