Tamiya 1/35 Sd.Kfz.124 Wepse

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 8:22 pm

This will be my second build in 30 odd years and my very first group build ever

I know it's late,

but I'm fairly confidant I'll get it completed in the remaining 3 months, well I'm certainly going to give it a go

This going to represent a vehicle in the low country winter 44/45.

IMAG2025 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2026 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2027 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2029 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2033 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2034 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2031 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2035 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2036 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2037 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2038 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2039 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2040 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

Not too sure about copying and pasting information so here's a link to a very good site with loads of information.

http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/n ... _Wespe.php

Post by **ForbesHutton** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 10:09 pm

It's a nice kit. I built it 2(?) years ago.

The figure in the great coat had been hiding in the spares box till now, he's going to appear in my build for this GB.

Post by **DC87** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:45 am

Looking forward to following this, nice choice.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 8:16 pm

After a week of research the build has started

all straightforward so far.

IMAG2044 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2046 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2048 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2049 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2050 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2051 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2052 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2053 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

IMAG2054 by Tom Tom, on Flickr

Post by **Bissyboat** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 10:23 pm

Very nice kit and you´re off to a good start.

Post by **SergioSolo** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 1:40 am

Gorgeous design. I'll be watching

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 9:01 pm

Today's update, not a lot of building been a very long day.

The crew/breach area is now starting to come together, I've left shell locker doors off and other parts to allow access during priming and base painting.

The barrel is going to need sanding and polishing being it's two piece, I was going to oped for a metal barrel but thought I'd hone my skills a bit more and stuck with the one in the kit. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to start the sanding/polishing chance to give to glue time to set hard.

YouTube · Post by **panzerman825** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 2:30 am

The project is progressing nicely. I've got this cool kit in my stash. Enjoy. Bill

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 10:46 am

Spent the evening on the bench

Sanded to barrel and started to assemble the gun mounting

Fitting the side plates was a little tricky as they fit at an odd angle, but all done

If you look carefully you'll see the ejection pin marks on the inner shield

All but gone now, little more work on the top right

Its a shame the kit doesn't have some interior as the hatches can be fitted open. You can buy an up grade but it's pricey so these will be closed down

Post by **privatepete** » Sat Feb 11, 2017 4:59 pm

Hi Kev very nice start, keep up the good work

Post by **pourquoi61** » Sat Feb 11, 2017 9:43 pm

Nice to see you using the kit's gun barrel.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sat Feb 11, 2017 11:18 pm

privatepete wrote: Sat Feb 11, 2017 4:59 pm Hi Kev very nice start, keep up the good work

Pete

pourquoi61 wrote: Sat Feb 11, 2017 9:43 pm Nice to see you using the kit's gun barrel.

Thought I'd give it ago. It's not too bad took a bit of sanding but I think it will turn out pretty good

Post by **Bissyboat** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 3:00 pm

Coming along nicely.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 11:42 am

Started to assemble the gun quite a few fiddly bits and a lot of sanding but \i'm getting there

I'm leaving the sliding breach out for now to allow painting.

I've now sanded the lower cradle join not shown in this picture

I'm pondering over leaving the shield off until primed/painted

I actually bought AFV club sights but the Tamiya ones are better I think

We are almost all assembled now

Its time for the detailing and PE..........

I'm gradually getting to grips with it.

It was very fiddly and time consuming getting these into the muzzle brake

But in they went

I Think I should have removed the raised area on the front of the muzzle brake before adding the Aber PE, this is where I feel the instructions are poor as there's no mention of what to do. Granted as you work with them you get to know but it's an expensive way to learn and will put some off especially if there on a tight budget

I'm going to attempt to remove the PE and level the muzzle brake

It all doesn't look too bad I think

Its on with the gun deck area and tool clasps

Post by **Timplastic** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 11:55 am

Good step by step build
The etch is adding nice details
You did not want to go for the full metal barrel ?
Look forward too seeing the process

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 12:06 pm

Timplastic wrote: Sun Feb 19, 2017 11:55 am Good step by step build
The etch is adding nice details
You did not want to go for the full metal barrel ?
Look forward too seeing the process

Thank you, I did consider the metal barrel but at almost half the price of the whole kit I thought I'd give the kit barrel ago, I don't think it's too bad but only painting will tell.

Post by **privatepete** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 12:25 pm

Hi Kev looks nice and fiddly but good job though

Post by **Timplastic** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 12:26 pm

As long as you take your time and fill and smooth the barrel the plastic item can look very good

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sat Feb 25, 2017 1:11 pm

Had some good bench time this week, god this PE is tricky stuff this lot has taken all my bench time, but I do believe I'm getting better at it and faster

I still think Aber should sort out their naff instructions though, pictures of the assembled part, where on the model it goes would go a long way, rather than a simple line drawing with a line and what part/s need to be removed etc whould help. They do have pictures on some sets but not this one

Also on mine page 2 dealing with the gun and crew area the line drawing showing where the parts go is missing all I've got is the parts with lines

luckily the instruction sheet is online
These are the crew/gun deck area detailing

Shell case lockers

Shell case door clips

Think this is a fire extinguisher holder it's a scratch built part, stated on the Aber instructions

Upper Hull tool clips

Assembled tool and shell case locker clips

Shell locker hinges

Post by **spock1701** » Sat Feb 25, 2017 3:03 pm

Build appears to be coming along nicely. That PE can be tricky, especially the tiny bits, but it's looking good

Post by **Quax** » Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:33 pm

That's a great job you've done with the pe tool clamps,

I normally end up stamping on them out of frustration

Paul

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 6:55 am

Quax wrote: Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:33 pm That's a great job you've done with the pe tool clamps, I normally end up stamping on them out of frustration

Paul

Hi Paul

Oh I know just what you mean

I'm getting the hang of it slowly, I'm going to try another make other than Aber, I really find their instructions very poor, they're expensive that all said they do look great.

Post by **privatepete** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:10 am

Hi Kev nice PE work you have more patience than I have,keep up the good work

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:14 am

More bench time over the weekend

still battling with the PE but I'm getting there

My first real modification

My second mod

Right hand side of the fighting area crew shield almost complete

Got to find an MG34/42 for the mount above the shell cabinets and some storage or ammo boxes for the space left of the racking.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 8:54 am

privatepete wrote: Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:10 am Hi Kev nice PE work you have more patience than I have,keep up the good work

Thanks Pete, I've said a fair few Flips I can tell you

Post by **Stokesy44** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:34 pm

Super work on the PE Kev. Looks good now, wait until its got some paint on it - stunning stuff in prospect

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 10:52 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:34 pm Super work on the PE Kev. Looks good now, wait until its got some paint on it - stunning stuff in prospect

Thanks mate but can you spot the mistake?..........

The left hand she'll locker is upside down

it was a long day that day and I just wanted to get it finished. Hopefully easily solved.

That will teach me more speed less haste

Post by **Fridgy** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 11:04 pm

Looking great Kev,

You have more patenience that me when I comes to pe.
My 8 piece seat belt/harness was more than enough for me

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Wed Mar 01, 2017 8:32 am

Kevthemodeller wrote: Tue Feb 28, 2017 10:52 pm
Stokesy44 wrote: Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:34 pm Super work on the PE Kev. Looks good now, wait until its got some paint on it - stunning stuff in prospect
Thanks mate but can you spot the mistake?..........

The left hand shell locker is upside down it was a long day that day and I just wanted to get it finished. Hopefully easily solved.

That will teach me more speed less haste

Post by **TommyKillander** » Wed Mar 01, 2017 2:44 pm

Excellent job done so far...

Keep up the good work

Tommy

Post by **privatepete** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 4:19 pm

Keep up the good work Kev it will pay off in the end and stop that swearing we can hear it down here

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:17 pm

TommyKillander wrote: Wed Mar 01, 2017 2:44 pm Excellent job done so far...

Keep up the good work

privatepete wrote: Thu Mar 02, 2017 4:19 pm Keep up the good work Kev it will pay off in the end and stop that swearing we can hear it down here

Fridgy wrote: Tue Feb 28, 2017 11:04 pm Looking great Kev,

You have more patenience that me when I comes to pe.
My 8 piece seat belt/harness was more than enough for me

Thanks guys, Pete I'll do the swearing quietly from now on as I'm sure there be more

Post by **demarcation** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 10:14 pm

Love the PE mate, keep up the good work!

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 11:03 am

Well done on persevering with all that PE mate; I just had my first major run in with it and found that the swearing was actually cut down because I was holding my breath so much!

Great work - this is looking really good - hope you get that shell locker sorted easily.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 5:24 pm

Small up date after getting some bench time last night.

Got the shell locker door up the right way now

Started the other side shell lockers,

One of them (right hand side) was a real nightmare it just wouldn't go right

the kit door just wouldn't cut clean and the hinges were a right pian

Had another go this morning and made the best of a bad job, it doesn't look too bad. Hinges are much better but the door, nothing I can really do, I'll put it down as wear and tear

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon Mar 06, 2017 8:18 am

The weekends bench time

The jack PE

The PE kit tells you to cut the kit part in half along it's length where you can see the riveted plate and then replace it with PE.

And then remove the bulge area from the other side of the plate.

I've got no idea how to do that without risking destroying the the kit part, if I didn't have to remove the bulge I would just file it down, i.e. destroy the bulge. I think this is going to defeat me.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Tue Mar 07, 2017 9:43 am

Really good progress with that detailing Kev - I think you're allowed some wear and tear on these things.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:20 am

Mon and Tues up date, still more PE the jacking block.

Jack and block, the left hand bracket butterfly screw has been eaten by the carpet monster

I've dropped loads of this stuff but have thus far managed to find them all, not this bit! I've got one last trick up my sleeve going over the floor with a magnet, falling that I'm going to put it done as wear and tear and use some wire as a in use fix

Towing hook and axe

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 7:49 pm

Today's up date still on the PE

Edging ever closer to the painting

Post by **Quax** » Fri Mar 10, 2017 9:26 am

Great work with the pe so far Kev, I dont know how you have the patience let alone the eyesight!

I would have put it on a hard surface and stamped on it by now...

Paul

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Mar 10, 2017 12:48 pm

Keep at it Kev - nearly there

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Fri Mar 10, 2017 1:01 pm

Quax wrote: Fri Mar 10, 2017 9:26 amGreat work with the pe so far Kev, I dont know how you have the patience let alone the eyesight! I would have put it on a hard surface and stamped on it by now...
Paul

Thanks Paul, I can tell you I've had my moments with the PE, I'm really not a big fan.......or at least I wasn't/aren't of Aber. I first used PE (Aber) on my return to the hobby build Fury Sherman viewtopic.php?f=29&t=17439 I chose Aber only because it was sold by the shop I bought the kit through. I don't like the naff instructions or rather lack of them they rely on you knowing what they mean i.e. what has to be removed, cut, filed etc plus where and how to a great extent how the bit is to fit. Yes they do have pictures on their site but there not the best and not for every set, this set has none, I'd almost reached the point of doing exactly what you've described.

I set about looking for alternatives and found Eduard. So I took the plunge and bought their set for this kit, oh boy worlds apart

although the pieces aren't as complex i.e. the clips/clasps don't open close etc. The quality of the etch is amazing, it's far easier to use, the instructions are way better with clear guidance of what to cut/file/remove etc a whole better experience in my opinion. I'm not saying Aber are rubbish far from it, just not as easy to use especially for a novice such as me and a lot more time consuming

Give them a try mate as the PE really does make for a better model I think and I certainly get a lot of achievement out of using it.

Post by **Quax** » Fri Mar 10, 2017 8:05 pm

Thanks for the tip Kev, I'll try to be brave next time out

Post by **spock1701** » Fri Mar 10, 2017 8:27 pm

I second that plug for Eduard. I'm using their PE set for my Tamiya Panther A right now. The instructions are very clear 95% of the time, and most mistakes were just me being nooby because I hadn't used PE before.

I finished the PE in about 2 weeks, about an hour a night on average.

I'm looking forward to seeing this come together, Kev. Looks great so far

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 8:28 pm

spock1701 wrote: Fri Mar 10, 2017 8:27 pmI'm looking forward to seeing this come together, Kev. Looks great so far

Thanks mate much appreciated.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 8:33 pm

Busy family weekend so not no bench time until this evening, still on the PE it seems never ending

Few more pieces for the side shield, added an MG42 as this is mid 44 I guessed an MG38 would have more than likely been replaced, I'm probably wrong but it's all I've got.

And gunners deck area

Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 9:08 pm

Very nice Kev. Beautiful detail on that PE.

Post by **SergioSolo** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 11:02 am

Impressive detailing work! Hats off to you, sir

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:31 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: Mon Mar 13, 2017 9:08 pm Very nice Kev. Beautiful detail on that PE.

Sergiotron wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2017 11:02 am Impressive detailing work! Hats off to you, sir

Many thanks guys

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 7:19 pm

Been a bit hectic this week, so only the odd hour or so.

Started to fit out the radio set.

Having trawled the internet and found a really interesting site for all things radio WW1 & 2 it would seem Tamiya may have supplied the wrong radio

This site suggest a Fu16 set up should be in the Wespe http://www.rkk-museum.ru/vitr_all/433_e.shtml where as Tamiya appear to have supplied Fusprech.f http://www.rkk-museum.ru/vitr_all/312_e.shtml

I've therefore gone with the site information and scratch built the correct round speaker for Fusprech.f set an L.S.Fu.a, although I'm in two minds as to whether I should fit LSG (Fu) b, as the only picture I've managed to find of the L.S.Fu.a shows the speaker mounted on top of the set. Plus all the mounting brackets for LSG (Fu) b are there

The power supply is also correct to the radio.

All the wires are just loose one end so I can remove the radio for painting etc, they'll be cut to length once I've primed and got the base coat on.

At last it's really coming together and I can start painting, shields are all dry fitted and the shell case lockers need fitting below the radio