Dragon 1/72 Panzerfahre Fahrendeck (Panzer Ferry) [Finished]

[PrivateMansoor]

This is my entry into this SIG.

I will build the kit OOB, and will not include a diorama. I do not plan to build the flotation platform with it either (that might change)

Kit Details

Kit Name: Dragon 1/72 Panzerfähre Fährendeck mit Gepanzerter Landwasserschlepper Prototype Nr.II
Kit Number: 7509
Kit History: This kit was released in 2013 and is based on kit 7489 released in 2012 but with more parts.
Kit options: Kit has only one marking option for a unit in German Army 1942 - Field Grey
Scalemates link: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/238889- ... type-nr-ii

Some details and history of the Panzerfahre:

In its combat operations during WWII, the German Army faced countless water obstacles, especially in the undeveloped tracts of Russia. Many attempts to overcome such water tributaries were made, and one of them was via amphibious vehicles. Though not as well known perhaps as the Landwasserschlepper, one of these amphibious vehicles was known as the Panzerfahre, which translates as "armored ferry." This vehicle was essentially an armored amphibious tractor that was designed as successor to the aforementioned unarmored Landwasserschlepper. The Panzerfahre (PzF) was designed to work in pairs, with a self-floating pontoon nestled between them. In this way, they could ferry vehicles and light tanks across water obstacles. The PzF utilized the hull of the Panzer IV. However, as Germany's tanks gained in weight as the conflict wore on, plans for the Panzerfahre were dropped in 1942 as it wasn't capable of carrying the heavier tanks then being produced. All in all, only two prototypes were completed, and the Panzerfahre never entered series production. Both examples saw service on the Eastern Front from mid-1942 onwards.

Box Art:



Kit Contents:



Intructions (i have photocopied them so I can have all the pages on the wall):



Pictures of the sprues:

Main Hull, top and bottom


Wheels and various parts:



More Wheel parts:



Tracks


The flotation Platform parts:



Decals



Well that's it for now. I will start this sometime this week.

[PrivateMansoor]

Work has started.

I cleaned up most of the parts and separated them into small plastic jars



The main wheels were then stuck into a foam using toothpicks and glutec



I also completed building some simple parts



The base was built up to some extent



The top was also built to an extent



This took me a few hours to get done. Once I had the parts setup for airbrushing, the painting began

I used Tamiya Enamel XF 63 - German Grey for the bottom portion and wheels
This was mixed with Tamiya Enamel thinner with ratio of 2:1

The base came out very nicely.









The wheels were first painted with XF 63 German Grey and then using an Black enamel paint marker (known as a Sharpie Permanent Marker) I went around the edges to blacken them. I then painted the tyre portion with Tamiya enamel XF 85 Rubber Black





The wheels took me atleast 3 hours to do. They have been the most tedious part of the build so far.

The bottom half was then assembled







Work also began on the upper portion This was assembled and sprayed with Tamiya Enamel XF-19 Sky Grey, this was mixed with Tamiya Enamel thinner with a ratio of 2:1.





The two portion then put together. I also took this opportunity to make a simple photo booth with 4 white A4 size cards on either side to take these photos.













I'm not sure about the lighting in my make shift photo booth. The model seems a bit dark as opposed to if I had taken the pictures without the white background.

Its coming along nicely. The tracks and small fiddly parts remain. Then Decals and finally some weathering. More updates next week.

[PrivateMansoor]

I have finished the small parts and put the tracks on. I had a few problems with the tracks. They broke and and had to staple them. Now I will wait for this to dry before removing the staple from the track. I will then try to get some sag into them as well.

I will also then do some weathering and apply decals.
Overall a very good build. I broke the tracks and that was my own fault, overstretched them.

Here are the pics













Its quite a large vehicle for 1/72, which is a nice change from making small 1/72 jeeps.

So yeah thats it for now. Will wait a week before weathering.

[PrivateMansoor]

Weathering has begun

I use Vallejo wash black + grey. The grey wash goes on the top part to highlight all the little rivets. It also helps to give it a murky look. The black wash was for streaking cause by water, I might have gone a bit overkill on that. I applied decals after the wash had dried. Here it is for now

here it is before the wash







Showtime!

After weathering and decals. I will still have to weather over the decals. That will be later.













So next woul be to seal the decals in and then weather them as well. Once thats done should have a final reveal up. I might also clean up the front portion as it looks a bit too dirty.

[SergioSolo]

Looking great!

[PrivateMansoor]

Looking great!

Thanks Sergiotron!

Well its all finished. I applied Tamiya Weathering Master, (Oil) to weather the decals. It is a pigment based tools and looks just right.

Here is what it looks like







Here is the Build Video

[youtube]SkgfIcGeMcI[/youtube]

Here is the link in case the video doesnt work:


Many more pics in the final reveal here

http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 05&t=19241

[BillBenBob]

Looks good man. I like Dragon's 1:72 series, good detail and quick builds. Just wish they were cheaper.
:Edit:
Just realized the rules say no amphibious vehicles, which is a shame because you really did a fantastic job on this little guy.