Stokesy's Desert Clanker - Trumpy 1/16 Pz IV Ausf.F2

[Stokesy44]

Thanks Guys.

Re the fan belts, there is aftermarket available but I need to see if its viewable once the engine is in the tank.

I plan to have the hatches open but I wont buy AM if it cant be seen.

[Stokesy44]

Building up some momentum now.

I found the sprue that had the remaining screw plugs for the engine. I then dry fitted the main floor into hull and did the dame for the engine. I'm going to mount the main assemblies like this as it keeps things tidy and gives me an idea of how the painting will go.



Big isnt the word



Painting bench will be used for storage for now



I then completed the the generator. I'm really impressed with the PE. Its strong and holds its shape nicely. I have a Tamiya PE sanding file and that did a lovely job on the shroud. Just shows what the right tool will do for you.







Once completed, it went into the hull for safe-keeping





Next up is the transmission. I've already started collating the parts for it and they look stunning. Cant wait for tomorrow.

[digger303]

[Tomcat64]

You be careful you don't put your back out with all that heavy lifting!!

Looks great

[Stokesy44]

You be careful you don't put your back out with all that heavy lifting!!

Looks great

Cheers Guys. A couple of times, when I've been rooting around in the box, the lid has come down and trapped me. Was stuck there for hours last night till my maid turned up this morning and let me out.

[Stokesy44]

Cracking session this morning. I am really enjoying this build now. The fit so far is superb, the plastic is really nicely detailed. The sprue gates, while chunky, have so far been nicely placed and easy to trim and sand.

Transmission first. Lovely detail and continued good fit. There are decals for the instruments and I've seen the unit on another build - they look very good.







Sits in the hull nicely. I'm beginning to see just how small the radio op / machine gunner's station is with the transmission being off-center.





Then I started on the main floor. The floor is raised under where the turret will sit. I wonder if the fuel tanks are below? I'm showing my ignorance here. I'm just happy to follow the instructions as tank interiors are not my thing. The shell bins come with covers but I plan to leave them off as the ammo is too good to hide away. As before, anything that I think will be painted separately is only dry fitted. The raised floor is glued on. The bins are not.



The limitations of my camera means you cant see the beautiful non-skid weave on the raised section around where the base of the turret basket will fit.

Starting to look busy now



PE for the bins will look good (hopefully). Its the same quality as the stuff I've already used in the previous chapters so it should not be a drama.



The hull is filling up nicely now. I've got to say, Its a pleasure to build this thing. The part count is daunting but I have not hit that point yet where I'm saying to myself - why have they done that? - Its all been common sense from Trumpy so far.

[digger303]

impressive kit

[BigWall]

It's really coming along nicely!

[Stokesy44]

Finished off the weekend sessions with the PE for the ammo bins



I added the rail mounts for the transmission. They fit like a glove. If the floor was glued down to the hull they would sit perfectly where the hull starts to rise up for the front glacis place. This kit is superb.





I've spotted a minor faux par on my part. As per my painting plan I've not glued any of the sub-assemblies to the floor. I should have thought about the instrument display though. Its white whilst the transmission will be dark grey. I should never have glued it on, I'll remove it. My bad.

[BigWall]

Nice progress! It's looking great!

[Kevthemodeller]

Looking good mate the detailing possibilities in this scale are endless

[Stokesy44]

Thanks Guys

Looking good mate the detailing possibilities in this scale are endless

Agreed, and so is the potential impact on the wallet! Found a site that did resin additions to the kit but, man alive, the prices!

I'm thinking about adding cabling but I'm aware of how much will be visible - even though I plan to have all the access panels and hatches open.

[Kevthemodeller]

Agreed, and so is the potential impact on the wallet! Found a site that did resin additions to the kit but, man alive, the prices!

I think it's fair to say most AM is bloody expensive, often costing nearly as much as the kit, fully load it and it will in some cases double or even treble the cost

I'm very, very selective these days, on what I buy in AM, as you know much aircraft wise is often on viewable once the kit is assembled, especially in the smaller scales. That's the problem with this kit most if not all will be viewable

You'd better start saving mate

[Quax]

massive but it looks fantastic already!

Paul

[digger303]

Looking good mate the detailing possibilities in this scale are endless

Going to need a big bucket

[Twokidsnosleep]

Superb work David
Saw the post on FB, but so much better here at home on the forum
Excellent stuff

[Stokesy44]

Superb work David
Saw the post on FB, but so much better here at home on the forum
Excellent stuff

Yeah, its best on here, my inner nerd can run free. On FB I try to keep a lid on him. People are just too serious.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Superb work David
Saw the post on FB, but so much better here at home on the forum
Excellent stuff

Yeah, its best on here, my inner nerd can run free. On FB I try to keep a lid on him. People are just too serious.

The interior details and surface finish is really good....for a tank

[Stokesy44]

The interior details and surface finish is really good....for a tank

You'll build an iron brute one day, by the old Gods and the New, I swear it!

[Twokidsnosleep]

The interior details and surface finish is really good....for a tank

You'll build an iron brute one day, by the old Gods and the New, I swear it!

Yes, god help me I HAVE been admiring some tank builds....I must be ill

[Stokesy44]

Evening session after work today. Had not really intended to do much but I just kind of got into it.

Working on the front brake drums and drive shafts.







Nice detail. There's 10 of those little stopcocks on each set. The instructions called for them just to be glued on to marks on the drum surface but I thought, screw that, there's no way they will stay on. I drilled out the marks on the drums and seated them properly.



Here's the plumbing. I assume this is for coolant? Or Oil maybe? I have to admit I dont know!

[RangerNeil]

That looks unusual... Normally the brake drums are on the output shafts - its how a tracked vehicle is steered (and why people who over-take them when they are turning corners get nasty shocks - as usual don't ask how I know this!!). And the last thing you want on the brakes is either coolant or oil as then not only can't you stop - you can't turn corners either... Not that that is a problem for a Tank:)
Beautiful detail though!! I really look forwards to seeing it all in paint.

[Stokesy44]

That looks unusual... Normally the brake drums are on the output shafts - its how a tracked vehicle is steered (and why people who over-take them when they are turning corners get nasty shocks - as usual don't ask how I know this!!). And the last thing you want on the brakes is either coolant or oil as then not only can't you stop - you can't turn corners either... Not that that is a problem for a Tank:)
Beautiful detail though!! I really look forwards to seeing it all in paint.

Thanks Ranger. Good to hear from someone who knows what they're looking at. I'm just following the instructions and thinking, hey, that looks cool!

[Kevthemodeller]

This is flying together mate

Those lines, hydraulics for the brakes perhaps?

[Casper]

stunning looking kit

[RangerNeil]

That looks unusual... Normally the brake drums are on the output shafts - its how a tracked vehicle is steered (and why people who over-take them when they are turning corners get nasty shocks - as usual don't ask how I know this!!). And the last thing you want on the brakes is either coolant or oil as then not only can't you stop - you can't turn corners either... Not that that is a problem for a Tank:)
Beautiful detail though!! I really look forwards to seeing it all in paint.

Thanks Ranger. Good to hear from someone who knows what they're looking at. I'm just following the instructions and thinking, hey, that looks cool!

Just for info - this is the engine/transmission of the BMP-1 class I used to own - you can see the transmission runs across the front of the engine just as the Pz IV models does and the brake drum for stopping and steering is clearly visible on the left side between the transmission and the shaft to the drive sprocket. Only connections to it are hydraulics - PAS for armour if you like! The large large bore white pipe to the extreme left is the forward bilge pump outlet. Light blue piping is compressed air at 2,500 psi and the brown - ISTR - is hydraulics....

[Stokesy44]

That looks unusual... Normally the brake drums are on the output shafts - its how a tracked vehicle is steered (and why people who over-take them when they are turning corners get nasty shocks - as usual don't ask how I know this!!). And the last thing you want on the brakes is either coolant or oil as then not only can't you stop - you can't turn corners either... Not that that is a problem for a Tank:)
Beautiful detail though!! I really look forwards to seeing it all in paint.

This is flying together mate

Those lines, hydraulics for the brakes perhaps?

I watched one of Nick Moran's tank chats last night when he was looking at a Pz4 Ausf F. He was with Hillary Doyle and they got down into the belly of the beast. The interior is pretty accurate which is good news. The piping is for fume removal as advised by Hillary.

I got some good guidance on painting which was great as the hull interior was finished off last night with some small units mounted on the wall to the right of the radio operator and the final shell storage bin.

My painting plan is intact in that everything can still come out and be painted separately so I'm hoping to start spraying at the weekend.

[Quax]

Your work is incredibly clean too Stokesy, I'm always ashamed to show build photos because mine look like its been washed in TET and bunged together whereas yours looks like it all came out of the box like that!

Paul

[digger303]

Your work is incredibly clean too Stokesy, I'm always ashamed to show build photos because mine look like its been washed in TET and bunged together whereas yours looks like it all came out of the box like that!

Paul

My thoughts exactly. Must be using a hypodermic needle and just injects the tet while holding the parts together.

[Kevthemodeller]

I watched one of Nick Moran's tank chats last night when he was looking at a Pz4 Ausf F. He was with Hillary Doyle and they got down into the belly of the beast. The interior is pretty accurate which is good news. The piping is for fume removal as advised by Hillary.

Those tank chats are really good Fume extraction sounds right. My idea of hydraulics was they were run inside a tube, bit like armoured electrical cable to offer protection.

My painting plan is intact in that everything can still come out and be painted separately so I'm hoping to start spraying at the weekend.

Looking forward to the painting mate

[Tomcat64]

Lovely, clean work as always mate - that looks superb!

Like Kev said I'm looking forward to seeing it painted up

[RangerNeil]

I watched one of Nick Moran's tank chats last night when he was looking at a Pz4 Ausf F. He was with Hillary Doyle and they got down into the belly of the beast. The interior is pretty accurate which is good news. The piping is for fume removal as advised by Hillary.

Those tank chats are really good Fume extraction sounds right. My idea of hydraulics was they were run inside a tube, bit like armoured electrical cable to offer protection.

My painting plan is intact in that everything can still come out and be painted separately so I'm hoping to start spraying at the weekend.

Looking forward to the painting mate

Makes two of us - and doubtless more besides....
After the paint job on the 88 I am really looking forwards to seeing the finished items.

[Stokesy44]

Thanks Guys.

The hull is pretty much finished. Driver and radio op's seats and controls will go in after the painting is done.





I then started on the back end. A bit of a sprue hunt and I'm still looking for 1 part that is incorrectly labelled in the instructions. I'll find it at some point and its not a big deal anyway. Little bit of filler required for the muffler bit then it was 2 halves of a cylinder so I cant really complain





Funny bit of info about the muffler. I watched a YT vid of a newly restored PZ4 being driven off the transport into a museum last night. The muffler had just been painted but by the time the tank had driven into the museum, the paint had already started to blacken! Looks like a job for wet rust pigments when the time comes.

Thanks for your comments about me being a clean builder. I cant take credit I'm afraid. Its a combination of the wonders of Tamiya Extra Thin cement and the fit of the kit parts, 99% of which have been superb. I also use a gel based CA glue which is much easier to handle than the liquid version.

A bad workman blames his tools. In the case, an average sausage fingered workman has to give credit to them

[Kevthemodeller]

This is flying together mate and it's paint time very soon

[Stokesy44]

This is flying together mate and it's paint time very soon

Thanks Kev. My evening work is going to stick to building so I’m going to keep working on what I can build and save firing up the airbrush for the weekend.

[Stokesy44]

Yesterday was a blow out as far as getting to the bench.

Started the painting this morning. Removed everything then applied the Mission Models Red oxide for the floor and rear of the engine firewall. I then mixed Tamiya White with a little Vallejo Chocolate Brown for the sides, bins and general interior.

I then slid the floor back in and glued it down, then added the rear firewall and the shell bins.





Now the floor is glued in I will paint the engine compartment with the oxide



Happy so far. My painting plan is still intact so its all good



The overspray at the front is hidden by the drives so no touch ups needed

[DBMiller]

This is going to be something special! Is it easier to work on this scale or harder because now you have more detail to worry about?

[Stokesy44]

This is going to be something special! Is it easier to work on this scale or harder because now you have more detail to worry about?

Hi DB. There are so many ways to look at that question. Purely on a physical level its really nice to work on. In its favor the kit is well engineered and everything fits nicely so far. As a subject I've never built the guts of a tank before and I'm enjoying how it goes together, the various crew positions and big chunks of engineering like the engine, transmission etc. Could it be more detailed? Definitely, but I dont know enough about the subject to take it on and the only after market for it is resin and its incredibly expensive.

I think the only thing it could really do with is wiring and cabling. Easy enough to worry about during the build phase but when the tank is put together, even though I plan to have all the hatches open, including the maintenance hatch over the transmission, The views inside will still be pretty restrictive.

The interior is pretty accurate as it goes. I watched a tank video on YT the other day and all the major stuff will be in there, once the build is done.

Its just very pleasant to work on, whether that's the scale alone, or married to the quality of the kit, I dont know. Its a solid effort from Trumpeter and no complaints from me.

[DBMiller]

This is going to be something special! Is it easier to work on this scale or harder because now you have more detail to worry about?

Hi DB. There are so many ways to look at that question. Purely on a physical level its really nice to work on. In its favor the kit is well engineered and everything fits nicely so far. As a subject I've never built the guts of a tank before and I'm enjoying how it goes together, the various crew positions and big chunks of engineering like the engine, transmission etc. Could it be more detailed? Definitely, but I dont know enough about the subject to take it on and the only after market for it is resin and its incredibly expensive.

I think the only thing it could really do with is wiring and cabling. Easy enough to worry about during the build phase but when the tank is put together, even though I plan to have all the hatches open, including the maintenance hatch over the transmission, The views inside will still be pretty restrictive.

The interior is pretty accurate as it goes. I watched a tank video on YT the other day and all the major stuff will be in there, once the build is done.

Its just very pleasant to work on, whether that's the scale alone, or married to the quality of the kit, I dont know. Its a solid effort from Trumpeter and no complaints from me.

[digger303]

I was looking at a barrel for a trump tiger 1 in 1/16 and that was $37 , but if you want a muzzle it had to be ordered separate. Mainly because early and late tigers were different, but the muzzle was going to cost $50. It was starting to be like ship building in that if you wanted to jazz it up the kit was going to be the cheapest part.Think I'll stick to 1/35 unless something cheap pops up.

[Stokesy44]

I was looking at a barrel for a trump tiger 1 in 1/16 and that was $37 , but if you want a muzzle it had to be ordered separate. Mainly because early and late tigers were different, but the muzzle was going to cost $50. It was starting to be like ship building in that if you wanted to jazz it up the kit was going to be the cheapest part.Think I'll stick to 1/35 unless something cheap pops up.

Is that for the Hobbyboss Tiger 1? The Trumpy kits are on a different level. The Pz4 comes with a metal barrel and 2 different slide molded muzzle breaks. I know what you mean about ship kits though. It seems like the bare bones kits just dont cut it detail wise. Its only by pimping them outrageously that you get a good looking final version. Its why I dont build ships myself.

[digger303]

I was looking at a barrel for a trump tiger 1 in 1/16 and that was $37 , but if you want a muzzle it had to be ordered separate. Mainly because early and late tigers were different, but the muzzle was going to cost $50. It was starting to be like ship building in that if you wanted to jazz it up the kit was going to be the cheapest part.Think I'll stick to 1/35 unless something cheap pops up.

Is that for the Hobbyboss Tiger 1? The Trumpy kits are on a different level. The Pz4 comes with a metal barrel and 2 different slide molded muzzle breaks. I know what you mean about ship kits though. It seems like the bare bones kits just dont cut it detail wise. Its only by pimping them outrageously that you get a good looking final version. Its why I dont build ships myself.

No for the trump kit.

[Stokesy44]

No for the trump kit.

Trumpy dont do a Tiger 1. I've just read their Tiger IIs dont have metal barrels, I think they have slide molded plastic ones. The new panthers do have metal barrels (I've got one).

[Kevthemodeller]

Oh yes, really starting to pop now mate

[digger303]

No for the trump kit.

Trumpy dont do a Tiger 1. I've just read their Tiger IIs dont have metal barrels, I think they have slide molded plastic ones. The new panthers do have metal barrels (I've got one).

Your right Stokesy it's for the Tiger 2's ....kingtiger

[RangerNeil]

No for the trump kit.

Trumpy dont do a Tiger 1. I've just read their Tiger IIs dont have metal barrels, I think they have slide molded plastic ones. The new panthers do have metal barrels (I've got one).

Your right Stokesy it's for the Tiger 2's ....kingtiger

That must be a hell of a size beast as a model!! I saw the real thing in the Saumur museum a few years ago. it was parked beside a Panzer IV and dwarfed it.

[Stokesy44]

That must be a hell of a size beast as a model!! I saw the real thing in the Saumur museum a few years ago. it was parked beside a Panzer IV and dwarfed it.

Side by side you can see it. I have a 1/35 JP4 and next to a Tiger II it looks weeney. I actually have a 1/16 Jagdtiger and just by the box, the size is frightening.

[RangerNeil]

Damn it man - now you have led me down the path of temptation from which there is no return!!!
The wife is gonna KILL me after we move......

[BigWall]

This is looking great and it definitely sounds like you have some very cool builds coming up!

[Tomcat64]

Awesome progress mate - the paint has gone down beautifully and is really bringing it to life.