Merit 1:18 Flak 88

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 3:35 pm

As for I do not have enough builds going on, (3 on the shelf) I decided to start this very BIG gun.
It's my favorite gun, so to build it in this scale is simply awesome!
I will build this flak between other builds, just to take my mind of other builds and clear my mind from time to time.

I will not describe this build in the smallest detail as I would usually do when I do a GB or SIG, simply because I wanted to share this awesome Flak, and I do not feel like making this a big build threat.

I started at the gun barrel.
I'm very impressed at the size of the barrel.
The barrel is bigger than a whole flak 88 in scale 1:35

Downside is that the barrel is a two piece build, so a lot of sanding is needed...

So stop wining and get to it then...

The details on this gun are good, but for this size gun I expected a bit more fine details.
But that does not make this gun less awesome....

So far the beginning of this build
Hope to have you along the ride

Post by **Yevgeny** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 3:53 pm

Oh wow

This is going to be impressive

Post by **gustavlekstal** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 4:00 pm

Crazy big barrel of death! Looking great!

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 4:10 pm

Nice looking gun
Maybe i should get one sometime
Keep up the good work

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 5:52 pm

Yevgeny wrote:Oh wow
This is going to be impressive
gustavlekstal wrote:Crazy big barrel of death! Looking great!
MarkVerploeg wrote:Nice looking gun
Maybe i should get one sometime
Keep up the good work

Thanks guys!

Post by **Donkeywalloper** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 6:13 pm

Great job so far on a iconic piece of weaponry.
No AM for this?
John

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 7:40 pm

Donkeywalloper wrote:Great job so far on a iconic piece of weaponry.
No AM for this?
John

Thank you

And no, I could not find any 1:18 AM for this gun.
Maybe I searched in the wrong places though...

Post by **HamilkarBarkas** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:51 pm

I think that model will earn you the Pour le Merite

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 8:24 pm

HamilkarBarkas wrote:I think that model will earn you the Pour le Merite

Thank you very much!
der blaue max....wow

Post by **PaulAyrey** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 8:41 pm

That is HUGE! Looks great so far, can't wait to see more of it.

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:51 pm

AAAAND were back
Although I'm having a very bad case of man flu, I did managed to squeeze out another small update of this build.
I must say this is a very nice build, but all the seam lines are giving me a headache.
You would aspect that a big kit like this would have less lines, but I was a happy sander last weeks....

I finished the main gun, and started the crucifix platform.
The Gun shield isn't glued on for this will be done when all is painted.
This way it is easier to weather the gun.

Here are the pics, enjoy!

Post by **gustavlekstal** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 10:50 pm

You have been a good filler and sander the during your flu. Could you point me in the direction where I might find one of these massive guns of modelling happiness.

Post by **SyntaxModels** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:00 am

I'll be watching this intently, this kit looks ripper!

Post by **PaulAyrey** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:50 am

Awesome!!!!!!

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:57 am

It looks nice so far
Too bad it needs some filler in places as this is a rather new kit
And did you cut of the securing pins(on the sides of 2 of the base legs)
Or are they molded this way because then they kind of force you to make it in the firing postion
And those things where drilled out on a real gun as far as i know from the dragon kit as i don't k ow a whole lot about this gun
But keep up the good work
And eat lots of chicken soup for that case of man flu

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:14 am

MarkVerploeg wrote:It looks nice so far
Too bad it needs some filler in places as this is a rather new kit
And did you cut of the securing pins(on the sides of 2 of the base legs)
Or are they molded this way because then they kind of force you to make it in the firing postion
And those things where drilled out on a real gun as far as i know from the dragon kit as i don't k ow a whole lot about this gun
But keep up the good work
And eat lots of chicken soup for that case of man flu

I hate chicken soup....

but thanks!

I think you mean these?

Those securing pins are loose, and can be put into firing position, or stored back in ehm... travel mode if you like.
I don't now if the were open, can't find any info about them...

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:36 am

Here you go
I found one drawing with them

as you can see they are drilled but they are not in the right place , well not all of them

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:49 am

Hmm... indeed...

I'll have to do more research on that.
If they are supposed to be open, it's easy to do that. Also takes care of the pin marks that are tough to remove.
Great drawing, thanks

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:46 pm

With the power of google
I wish i could draw like that

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 11:21 pm

gustavlekstal wrote: Could you point me in the direction where I might find one of these massive guns of modelling happiness.

I bought mine from a Dutch site, but as you are living in Sweden I think Germany would be the closed bet.
Found a good one here:

http://www.axels-modellbau-shop.de/kata ... :8245.html

Hope this helps?

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 6:53 pm

While working on the crucifix platform I discovered a new brand name at the bottom plate.
21st century toys. Now I now this name for the make die-cast models scale 1:18 for GI-joe fans, but how did they get involved here? A friend of my on Flicker actually owns a flak 88 in die-cast from 21st, so maybe Merit worked together with them. Weird..

Anyway, I managed to finish the crucifix platform.
There are still some seams, but I will fill them later....

And here it is in transport mode

And with the main gun on top of it, it's starting to look sweet.
I put a coin next to it to show the massive scale.

And with that, the main gun is finished (except for the seam lines and some minor sanding) and I can make a start at the bogies.

Cheers for now!

Post by **AchtungPanzer** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 8:31 pm

Wow . This is a Monster - looks verry OK

Post by **SyntaxModels** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:55 pm

Looks very cool mate! Certainly does have quite a bit of size to it eh? Those 50 Euro Cents are exactly the smallest coinage in the world! I've got one right next to me so I would know! Keep up the cracker job!

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 6:55 pm

Thanks guys for all positive comments!

After a bad case of man flue, I managed to squeeze out another update.

Starting with the build of the rear bogie.

The wheels are big and movable.
I put a 1:35 German mechanic next to it to show the scale.
The wheels itself are not glued on to make it more easy to paint them in a later stage.

Now how tho change those wheels....

The flak is almost done, just some minor sanding and I want to add some chains.
Here she is next to her little 1:35 Tamiya sister.

The reels had a nasty seem in the middle, I solved that by wrapping old Christmas light cable around it.
I always thought these reals had chains on them for lowering the flak, but they did had a winch for that.
I found a nice manual in PDF for this flak with all details, you can download here if interested... http://bit.ly/1wD8cI7

Here's the winch that was used to lower the flak off the bogies.
The kit does not had chains in it, so I added it myself.

While I'm working with chains, I decided to add the safety chains to the legs of the flak as seen here.

Modified it with some copper wire,

And added to the legs.

Back to the bogie...

Added small chains to the handles. This way they would not loose them on the battlefield.

Painted the tools with AMMO acrylics, and put them on the bogie for the looks.

This rear bogie is finished now.
The wheels, tools and gun barrel cleaning rod aren't glued on to make the painting a lot easier.

Next update will be the completion of the front bogie, and the final details.

Thanks for dropping by
Dutchman out

Post by **trnkepfc** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 7:16 pm

fantastic job

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 7:25 pm

trnkepfc wrote:fantastic job

Thank you very much!

Tue Dec 23, 2014 10:26 pm

Some very nice additions you've made there, I always admire a modeller who looks at source material and add stuff to make it more realistic.

Lovely work on the tools as well.

I have a 1 72 scale flak 88 I built a few years ago I wonder how small it would look next to this behemoth...

Post by **SyntaxModels** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 10:33 pm

This is stunning, the scale and the detail you have paid to this model is out of this world!

Post by **gustavlekstal** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 11:34 pm

Ooo great flak of fire! What paintwork are you gonna give this monster?!

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 5:56 am

WirbelwindModelling wrote:Some very nice additions you've made there, I always admire a modeller who looks at source material and add stuff to make it more realistic.

Lovely work on the tools as well.

I have a 1 72 scale flak 88 I built a few years ago I wonder how small it would look next to this behemoth...
SyntaxModels wrote:This is stunning, the scale and the detail you have paid to this model is out of this world!

Thanks guys!

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 6:03 am

gustavlekstal wrote:Ooo great flak of fire! What paintwork are you gonna give this monster?!

Thank you!

I was thinking of painting this beast in Dark yellow with camouflage, But I wanted to do Panzer grey too.
As I already have a : flak in dark yellow, this puppy is going to be painted in panzer grey.
I'm toying with a winter wash or a winter camouflage for her too, but Just panzer grey weathered on the correct way would be great looking too!

Wed Dec 24, 2014 11:20 pm

Panzer grey sounds good, maybe you could also add something like this...

http://www.meh.ro/wp-content/uploads/20 ... o11729.jpg

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 12:21 am

WirbelwindModelling wrote:Panzer grey sounds good, maybe you could also add something like this...

http://www.meh.ro/wp-content/uploads/20 ... o11729.jpg

I could add that indeed.

lol. I like the last markings.... They shot dow 3 ufo's

Post by **Hillbilly** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 1:07 am

Love all the detail you've added to the 88'

Now you need to find some 1/18 crew to man it.

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 9:58 pm

Yeah! Build is finished!
That is, I need to sand down the seem lines from the tripod legs, but I will do that soon before I'm planning to prime and paint this monster.
I will do that when I have a new compressor. I have a small one now, and that's perfect for short use.
If i'm using it longer than 15 minutes, it gets red hot and will cause condensation in the air hose.

I put a 1:35 figure next to his flak for scale.

Enough jibber jabber, please enjoy the photo's.
I'm open to criticism en tips, if you spot anything that can be done better

Transport mode

The bogies

Firing position

Primer ready

I'm putting it on the shelf for a while until the new compressor stands in my cave.
Also I want to start the Tiger1 build, as soon as the Photo Etch has arrived from down under.

Thanks for dropping by again guys!

Post by **jbellos1** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 7:14 am

Good googily moogily, great balls of fire! That is massive! Excellent chain additions and the level of detail is awwwwsum!

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:25 am

jbellos1 wrote:Good googily moogily, great balls of fire! That is massive! Excellent chain additions and the level of detail is awwwwsum!

Thank you Jon!
I added those chains for that little extra detailing.
It really looks great on this model

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 8:02 pm

Great looking gun
I will be looking forward to the finish

Post by **peppie** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:51 am

Looking great so far

Also like your choice off colour, can't wait to see it finished.

Tips? How about some battle damage? These things were pulled everywhere, so some dents or something on the fenders would make it look a lot more realistic (I think.... He, you asked

).

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 9:37 am

Hello people!
It's been a while I came with a update, but I had to wait for my new compressor to arrive and I'm busy with the Coen Tiger1, but I did manage to find some time to begin painting this monster.

The new compressor I have now is 5 time's bigger and 100 times better, so lets start priming this pile of Flak.

I used a grey primer from MIG. I first put a thin layer on it and let it dry before spraying on the next.
know that MIG does not stay on the model in just one go.

With MIG shadow for panzer grey I pre shaded the model, And with MIG Panzer grey I sprayed on the base colour.

And that's all I did for now. I know, not much, but This is a really BIG model,( It eats paint! ) and I do not want to spent whole day at the spaying booth, so the bogies are up the next time

Thanks for looking, and happy modelling guys!

Post by **Nev** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 10:09 am

Awesome!!! It's massive!

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 11:40 am

Nev wrote:Awesome!!! It's massive!

Thanks Nev!

Post by **FishBowlMan** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 4:58 pm

Looks great, Frans. Not exactly a weekend build!

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 6:27 pm

FishBowlMan wrote:Looks great, Frans. Not exactly a weekend build!

LOL! Nope, add a few more weekends!

Thanks mate

Post by **PaulAyrey** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 7:58 am

Good grief that is simply stunning!

Post by **Yevgeny** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:38 am

Great looking gun and kit. You doing a great job here.

Post by **rodrant** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 10:27 pm

now , that's BIG !!!! But again you are doing a fine job with this one