Nenad Ilijic Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Hello folks, Happy New Year, whish you all the best in 2023. Sometimes, you have to indulge your masochistic needs, and I think that this kit is perfect for the job I've heard stories about Ark Model kits and how disastrous they are, but I wanted to check that myself. And I can say that stories are true Here it is. It's the cheapest kit I ever bought (don't remember exact price, but it was definitely bellow $10), but I'll throw so much AM parts and time in it that it will probably end us as the most expensive . And here are some goodies that I'll use for this build: Those pin marks... Tracks are single link, but they are almost impossible to clean up and not much details. I'll replace them with Friuls. Some more "details": And of course, everything is warped: No comment on this. Had to sand the seam lines on wheels completely, because they are off-center. And the fit is... well... not perfect: OK, so everything is there for an exciting and challenging build 😆 I'll ignore the accuracy, especially dimensions, because I can't do much about that. But 'll try to fix some details and at least make it look not that ugly. There are quite a lot of reference photos around, which is surprising having in mind that there were only 12 of these vehicles built (all of them sent to North Africa). I am aiming to something like this: That's it for now. I'll stop ranting about the kit, I promise Cheers, Nenad 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddoxx77 Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 You must have superpowers to tackle a kit like that! Good luck! 👍👍👍 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColonelKrypton Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Good start to what looks like a challenging kit to assemble. Challenges like this are part of what makes this such an interesting hobby. How challenging would this hobby be if all kits fell together like a Tamiya kit? And such an interesting subject. I do not have that much interest in Second World War armour subjects but I was aware of this vehicle used in North Africa but was not aware that there were only 12 built. cheers, Graham 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Is this the point where I suggest that it might have been cheaper and less stressful - if a lot less fulfilling - to spend that extra money on the Dragon version..........😁 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef N. Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 It's going to be a bit of a "Trigger's Broom" kit. A tough build but you will pull it off, Nenad. All the best.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watto Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 Looks like you enjoy a challenge and in this build, it seems you'll certainly be challenged. I shall watch with interest. Good luck 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH1969 Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 It's a pity that you cannot find a way to warm the swinging arms and put some load on the leaf springs that would give it some realism it's not a bad kit, it's a very good starting point for mods and detail. Should be good when finished. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sardaukar Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 An interesting vehicle, bit of a glass cannon in war thunder where I remember having fun with it. I'd be tempted to cross kit with a better kit. interested to see how you get on with it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 Hi Nenad, Without a doubt, it is an interesting vehicle, I have seen the offers of this brand, and they really have a very interesting catalog of options, but, you confirm what I already feared with another similar brand that I tried (a T-34 85) from EASTERN EXPRESS... .it is a brand of lousy quality, which is going to require an immense effort just to make the biggest pieces fit as they should... Thanks to your exposure, it is a brand that I will totally avoid no matter how cheap it is. I am sure that you will achieve a more than decent result. Cheers and TC Francis.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echen Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 17 hours ago, FrancisGL said: Thanks to your exposure, it is a brand that I will totally avoid no matter how cheap it is. Good advice! Folks might find the same advice applies to Strelets artillery offerings - at least their Strelets 1/72 6" MK XIX Cannon. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vytautas Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 (edited) Hi Nenad, This is interesting and intriguing - I see two extremes in this build: the first - the kit is really scary, and the second - you are a really brave person! If you could make models badly, this build would be a very funny event, in which we would see how a crooked, terrible monster is born, but unfortunately, you can make models only well. Well, once again, instead of a crooked Quasimodo, we will be content with one more beautiful tank. Vytautas P.S. With all this in mind, the build should be very interesting. Edited January 6, 2023 by vytautas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeff Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 I'm trying to decide if you're brave or mad! The quality of the mouldings looks about as good as steel cutting for a T-34 🤣 I'm sure with patience, your skill and time, it'll turn into a decent finished product .... keep us posted! Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenad Ilijic Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 Thank you guys for the support. I'll need it for sure On 1/5/2023 at 1:14 PM, sardaukar said: An interesting vehicle, bit of a glass cannon in war thunder where I remember having fun with it. I'd be tempted to cross kit with a better kit. interested to see how you get on with it. Read some field reports about this vehicle and it seems it was not much better in real life compared to WT And not much better than this kit It had to be turned off every few hours in order for engine to cool off. Sand was getting in the engine very easy, causing all kinds of problems. Gun range was not that great, requiring constant relocation, which was almost imposible to do with all the engine problems involved. So basically, it was just some additional weight added to the otherwise good infantry gun, making it harder to move around I'll be crossing this one with the leftovers from few other kits, mostly Dragon and Academy. On 1/5/2023 at 5:44 PM, FrancisGL said: Hi Nenad, Without a doubt, it is an interesting vehicle, I have seen the offers of this brand, and they really have a very interesting catalog of options, but, you confirm what I already feared with another similar brand that I tried (a T-34 85) from EASTERN EXPRESS... .it is a brand of lousy quality, which is going to require an immense effort just to make the biggest pieces fit as they should... Thanks to your exposure, it is a brand that I will totally avoid no matter how cheap it is. I am sure that you will achieve a more than decent result. Cheers and TC Francis.👍 Yup... and on top of that &*%^&&$ molding quality, plastic is VERY brittle. On 1/6/2023 at 6:17 PM, vytautas said: Hi Nenad, This is interesting and intriguing - I see two extremes in this build: the first - the kit is really scary, and the second - you are a really brave person! If you could make models badly, this build would be a very funny event, in which we would see how a crooked, terrible monster is born, but unfortunately, you can make models only well. Well, once again, instead of a crooked Quasimodo, we will be content with one more beautiful tank. Vytautas P.S. With all this in mind, the build should be very interesting. Thank you Vytautas for your kind words. Although, with this one, I would not be so sure 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenad Ilijic Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 Here's some progress. I made a new front glacis from plasticard. Also, made fenders thinner by scraping some plastic. Hope battle damage looks authentic, because it's in fact real damage One of the fenders shattered completely (plastic is very brittle) when I accidently dropped the model Metal part holding the Friul's sprocket didn't fit (of course) so I had to make some adjustments, sanding the metal part and scraping some plastic from the socket. Head lights from the kit are unusable, so I'll use the spare once from the Academy kit. Don't know where the wires should go from the head lights, if someone have a photo, please share? Removed rear mudguards and replaced them with Eduard PE version. Now that I am looking at the photos, I think that they are not attached correctly. Maybe I should remove the step and attach them directly on the rear armor plate? Suspension... far from perfect. And some holes patched with plasticard. Replaced this fire extinguisher abomination with one from the spares box. The biggest problem with it is that it's so oversized. I painted the drivers compartment interior before attaching lower and upper part of the hull, because it will be pretty unreachable later. Had no idea should it be RAL 1001, because it's interior, or RAL 7021 because it's visible from the outside (I doubt that it was painted RAL 8000)? Not sure if it's that important anyway because it will be almost invisible once everything is in place. However, it will be important for the fighting compartment. Do you guys know, should it be the same color as the outside? And here it is with wheels attached (temporarily). At least no issues with the alignment Cheers, Nenad 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeff Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 Looking good Nenad ... you're making progress and overcoming those problems! 👌 Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH1969 Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 Tony Greenland did an excellent model of one of these for his Osprey Publications boon back in the 1990's. I can see this build being as good. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Model Mate Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Interesting kit - unusual subject but it’s clearly a bit of a dog. There’s a lot of satisfaction to be had in making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear though, and I know you’ll turn this into a masterpiece! Great work so far. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenad Ilijic Posted January 16, 2023 Author Share Posted January 16, 2023 Hi everyone, Did some work on the engine deck: PE pieces are mostly Eduard PE set for Sturmpanzer II. I'm not very happy with PE lifting hooks. I'll probably replace them. Headlights and bosch siren are leftovers from Academy Panzer III J kit. Rear is mostly completed, I just have to add muffler and spare tracks, but I'll paint them separately. Forgot to fix those seem lines on storage box, hate when I notice it on photos Assembled movable TMD resin jack. There's a jack block included as well. I really like it. Here's the comparison between TMD version and the one included in the kit. Hat to assemble it as well . And some additional subassemblies still not attached: air intake covers, muffler, stowage boxes. Best, Nenad 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 You're certaily beating this one into submission Nenad. Great work. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echen Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 14 hours ago, Nenad Ilijic said: Forgot to fix those seem lines on storage box, hate when I notice it on photos Know how you feel. I do it regularly. I spend ages trying to "get it right", proudly post the pics - and there is the oversight for all the world to see! Great progress here btw. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milan Mynar Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 It looks like great building. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH1969 Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 Quite a difference looking good. Do you have a new gun shield with the etched parts or are you going to scratch build one from plasticard? Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 Hi Nenad, As it was supposed, you are overcoming all the obstacles, masterfully. Cheers and TC Francis.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 On 1/17/2023 at 9:20 AM, Bullbasket said: You're certainly beating this one into submission Nenad. Great work. John. Seconded Very nice work Stay safe Roger 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mukund SB Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 This is inspiring work..... I get easily frustrated when a kit is not great.... Here you have taken up a challenging kit and turning it into a superb model. Great detailing 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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