Panzer 38t Maintenance Unit build

[lanrosta]

I have decided to do a Panzer 38t Maintenance Unit modification to one of my Aufklarungspanzer kits. I will be removing the top, turrent and gun of course and adding a tow package to the back of the 38t. I am scratch-building the crane with Evergreen Styrene rod and sheet materials, various scrap parts and PE kits.

The difficult part is finding any good resource photos to properly do the build accurately. I am currently using this pic as the build reference. Though there are 2 other images I have found on Google results (using 'Panzer 38t Crane' keyword), they all have different crane packages. So, I have some questions for any of the German Armor spec pros out there in hopes of finding some answers that I cannot seem to find with traditional internet search methods. This is the image reference:



Here are my main questions:

1.Does anyone know what the model/type of the crane in the image is?
2. Does this crane rotate, or is it fixed position toward the rear of the tank?
3. Since the front half of the tank is missing from the photo, I am curious if the engine is mounted in the rear (like a traditional turrented t38), or is it mounted in the center (like the rear-gun mounted vehicles) to make way for a rotational crane turrent?
4. What other interior elements would be prevalent on the Panzer 38t Maintenance Unit tanks? Is there the large internal wench disc (like in the field hetzers)?
5. Is the main cabin plate/hatch covered, or completely open (like a 38t ammunition's carrier)?

Again since the image only shows the rear half, and I cannot find any other reference photos, I am hoping someone on here has some more info or additional reference pics from books, etc. I would like to make this build as accurate to the tank in that photo as possible, but without additional reference images, or info, I may have to just wing some of it which I prefer not to do. Any help or info is greatly appreciated.

[lanrosta]

Hmmm. Image didn't come through. It is located here:

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k54 ... rane-2.jpg

edit: image should be showing now.

[lanrosta]

Follow this thread if interested in this topic (no one's responding to it here yet): http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op= ... =1#1994318

[Gav0909]

People will respond mate, a large number of members are based in UK and Europe and the topic was posted at the back of 1am UK time, so give us a chance haha.

I like the idea of this. I always like dioramas which show "behind the scenes" type scenarios. So best of luck.

Also if you post the IMG code from under the pic in Photobucket, not the bare html link, it will post the image.

[lanrosta]

Thanks for the heads up Gav.

[Nige1940]

Have you tried a web search for Bergepanzer38(T) ??
I found a few images that look like the vehicle you want to build .
first this http://www.the-blueprints.com/blueprint ... zer_38(t)/
have a look here too http://www.mojehobby.pl/products/Bergepanzer-38-t.html
and finally hope these help some ?

[lanrosta]

This helps! Thank you very much for sharing. It helps identify several other components I was missing in my original reference photo. Mainly the top of the tank. I did try using that keyword search term, but I did not see that image. Probably because I saw a lot of other tank versions (Pz III/IV) with cranes and not the 38 so didn't dig deep enough. The crane on this image is not the same crane I am looking for, but the other elements are great, so thanks a bunch! The crane on this image is similar to a PE kit another member brought up on the Armorama forum (thread link in above post). It's a beautiful PE kit crane that matches the design of the image you provided. The crane I am building has solid side walls and doesn't have that curve at the adjoining top of the hoist frame.The cabin plate cover in your image is a very helpful option though.

[Nige1940]

Hey bud ! Glad I could help at least a bit then mate .
often when researching its necessary to take elements of several different sources and bring them together .
I hope you find your crane ! I'll keep looking too if anything pops up I'll let you know .
Nkge.