1/35 Trumpeter Mörser Karl-Gerät & Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf F Fahrgestell

[OneSmallStep1966]

I have decided to challenge myself and do something big...VERY BIG, a 1/35 Trumpeter Mörser Karl-Gerät 040/041 and its companion vehicle, the 1/35 Trumpeter Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf F Fahrgestell.

This build nearly didn't happen because the courier lost the Karl somewhere between Poland and UK for nearly a month, but it got here in the end and oh boy, it sure is a big box






I want to build the late chassis 041 version, but I'm undecided on markings. I initially thought the 041 late version only appeared with the camo paintwork, but then I came across this photo of Adam in the Russian Kubinka tank museum that is clearly on a late chassis but painted in German Grey...



...so can any of you experts out there confirm if a late chassis 041 Karl-Gerät can be painted in German Grey or was Adam unique or re-painted after the war?

Let the building commence!

[privatepete]

good luck with that my friend, glad it turned upz it is certainly going to some build , what are the dimensions in English please

[OneSmallStep1966]

I've started and committed to the 041 late version Thor.

Trumpeter seems to have done a good job on this kit, lots of nice detail and very little flash to clean up.




It seems a shame to cover up all this lovely detail in the main drive, but nothing else for it.

what are the dimensions in English please

Just for you Pete, and yes, it really is a BIG N'.

[privatepete]

Hi Norm that is some beast all right, as you say it's a shame to hide all that detail, are you doing dio base for it , there some great pic's on Google.

[OneSmallStep1966]

I pushed on with the lower chassis today, mostly assembling and cleaning the road wheels, my least favourite part of any build.





I am slightly concerned that the vinyl tracks aren't very straight (see twist in photo) and I think I might struggle to achieve the required sag because the tracks seem very tight. I've never painted tracks fixed on to the model before but I'm beginning to think I might have to here?



I've also found a lot of ejection pin marks on visible surfaces that need cleanup. Trumpeter should have taken more care.

[privatepete]

What time did you start this morn, that one thing the Germans where very good at WHEElS

I am slightly concerned that the vinyl tracks aren't very straight (see twist in photo) and I think I might struggle to achieve the required sag because the tracks seem very tight. I've never painted tracks fixed on to the model before but I'm beginning to think I might have to here?

Does the track come off if so mark a line along top of track, come down 4-5mm, drill hole between the Idler wheels to take steel sewing pins make sure the pin sits in between the link so it is hidden and will give you sag ,CA glue in and paint (if it does not make sense phone me)

[OneSmallStep1966]

Does the track come off if so mark a line along top of track, come down 4-5mm, drill hole between the Idler wheels to take steel sewing pins make sure the pin sits in between the link so it is hidden and will give you sag ,CA glue in and paint (if it does not make sense phone me)

Sorry Pete, I've been a bit of a plank Re-examaning the instructions more closely, it shows that this beast only had track sag when the wheels were in the rail transportation position, otherwise no sag.

You're an expert in all things AFV, do you know what the interior colour of this would have been?

[privatepete]

I don't think there are any known pic's or references to the colour sorry (these may help some where down the road)












http://tanksim.org.ru/references/nic/ka ... ubinka.php

[arkbuilder2012]

Very nice thus far. I've got one about as far along as yours. Shelved after losing interest for some reason. Will be following along and maybe get inspired to open it back up.

[OneSmallStep1966]

I have been pushing on with this monster, but the large number of ejector pin marks on visible surfaces has slowed my progress considerably. I hate this part of building and find it very mojo-killing, but I'm determined to push on.









This is the first time I have primed a model before completion but I decided to do it early because once the walkway is attached it will be very difficult to prime the areas underneath of it, like the exhaust pipes.
I NEVER LEARN...my failure to put the airbrush cup lid on resulted in spilt primer down the inside, more flipping sanding






A tree of wheels




The kit comes with the drivers cab roof which will completely obscure it, think I might leave it off as the cab is quite nicely detailed.

[privatepete]

Hi Norm it is some monster all right and taking shape very nice it must take a while to spray, I'm glad I'm not hand painting it,did you find out the interior colour ? Keep up the good work

[arkbuilder2012]

Coming along very nicely. Are you going to use the short gun tube or the longer one?

[OneSmallStep1966]

Hi Norm it is some monster all right and taking shape very nice it must take a while to spray, I'm glad I'm not hand painting it,did you find out the interior colour ? Keep up the good work

It did take a lot of primer to do just the lower hull so I'll need to make sure I have plenty of the main base sandy yellow colour before starting (the interior is the same as exterior, so in my case, sandy yellow).

Coming along very nicely. Are you going to use the short gun tube or the longer one?

It's going to be Thor in the late 041 configuration, so it will have the longer barrel..

[digger303]

It IS BIG, but it is looking good. I have the one with the transport bogies .What I need is a display case that is bigger on the inside than out. Just like a tardis.
Aftermarket single link tracks are available from trumpeter
Keep up the standard of work and it will be a great piece.

[OneSmallStep1966]

What I need is a display case that is bigger on the inside than out. Just like a tardis.

With the rail transporters it will be huge, but mightily impressive

Assembly on mine is nearly complete, just the handrails and a few minor other details, but I'll be glad to see the back of the build phase, all the ejector pin marks nearly killed my mojo, but I now looking forward to painting it.

If you like BIG guns, here's a big'n...

[privatepete]

Love all that detail on the gun assembly, and your not kidding about the size it's Big

[OrionsPainting]

Mam thats awesome... I actually just got in the 1/35 karl with the train car the other day... The box is insanely big amd the sprue count... Man. Idk lol... Ill be using you for motivation

[OneSmallStep1966]

Mam thats awesome... I actually just got in the 1/35 karl with the train car the other day... The box is insanely big amd the sprue count... Man. Idk lol... Ill be using you for motivation

You will need plenty of motivation to complete the full Karl with Train Transporter kit

I have now finished assembly and primed in Ultimate Black (Spray booth just about big enough for it).

A hiccup has occurred with the vinyl tracks. I primed them with a lacquer primer (thinking it would etch into the vinyl) but the primer has started to flake off. I will need to remove the primer and re-think the tracks

[digger303]

Awesome looking weapon, the Germans liked big gear. I thought the new spraybooth would have been plenty big enough, but that kit only just fits ...wow.

[OneSmallStep1966]

I thought the new spraybooth would have been plenty big enough, but that kit only just fits ...wow.

Plus it took me over an hour to prime it and used a good amount of Ultimate Primer too

I've abandoned the vinyl tracks, they are absolute rubbish. They need cleanup (and I find vinyl difficult to work with), they are twisted and paint won't stick to them so I caved in and ordered a set of Trumpeter's own after-market late Karl track links. Why these aren't included with the kit is beyond me

[privatepete]

Hi Norm, how are you doing on this monster, found this.

[OneSmallStep1966]

Hi Norm, how are you doing on this monster, found this.

Thanks for the video link, very informative

Unfortunately all things modelling have come to a screeching halt due some major DIY projects