Jim's 1/35 Trumpeter Sd.Kfz 7/1

[The Smythe Meister]

Just seen this one Jim,
Looks a nice kit,I do love these units,will be following avidly Sir

 

[The Smythe Meister]

As an aside Jim,
I got this to help with my previous Tamiya Flak 7/1.
It's a cracking reference covering loads of variants in minute detail, can't recommend it enough
112 pages crammed with superb photographs and info,......

If you need anything detail wise, I'll see what I can see......unless you get a copy yourself of course!

 

[Jakko]

That book is just about impossible to get hold of anymore, so you’re lucky to have it (Though it is where the pictures of the leaf springs I posted earlier come from. Beware, though, that the vehicle shown in it as it was being restored, isn’t 100% correct.)

 

[Jim R]

Back to this GB now we're returned from our hols.
Continued to add bits to the chassis. As I said earlier this kit has great detail, due in part to the high part count, and the fit is not bad BUT the quality of the moulding is often poor and parts need a fair bit of clean up.
A example ...

and this ...

cleans up to this.


Sometime attachment points could be better positioned


Anyway enough moaning. This is where we are with the chassis.




Thanks for looking in.
Jim

 

[Steve Jones]

That sprue joint on the screw thread is a real shocker LOL. Keep up the great work my friend. I hope you both had a great holiday

 

[Mickc1440]

I’m sure you’ll knock it in to shape

 

[Jakko]

the fit is not bad BUT the quality of the moulding is often poor and parts need a fair bit of clean up.

This is typical Trumpeter, in my experience. Interesting subjects, a lot of parts, but designed and moulded as if it was a rush job. Which, given their output, probably everything is

 

[Jim R]

Thanks guys
There's has been a bit of discussion on Ian's and Jakko's threads in this GB, and Los mentioned it earlier on this thread, about the offset of the teeth/rollers on the drive wheel. It has been suggested that the teeth/rollers need to be cut off and refixed to allow the track to sit properly. I don't have the skill or confidence to do that. I doubt I would reposition the teeth accurately and in sorting one issue I may well create more. In order to see how big an issue it was I have made up and primed a drive wheel and build a length of track. Looking at it I can see the problem but I can live with it. When weathered and as part of the completed model I don't think many would notice the track not sitting perfectly.




It will be interesting to see how those brave souls who intend to carry out the modification get on.
Jim

 

[Ian M]

Having used most of the morning sawing the parts from each other and gluing them together again I can say that it was easier than cutting the rollers off and re-positioning them!

If I can just mention this while here Jim. The idea with the sprue shots for the GB builds is not just to show what's in the box but to show that the kit has not been started and or all the parts are in the box. Just so you know for the next one

 

[Steve Jones]

Looks good to me Jim. Keep up the great work on the modelling

 

[Panzerwrecker]

Thanks guys
There's has been a bit of discussion on Ian's and Jakko's threads in this GB, and Los mentioned it earlier on this thread, about the offset of the teeth/rollers on the drive wheel. It has been suggested that the teeth/rollers need to be cut off and refixed to allow the track to sit properly. I don't have the skill or confidence to do that. I doubt I would reposition the teeth accurately and in sorting one issue I may well create more. In order to see how big an issue it was I have made up and primed a drive wheel and build a length of track. Looking at it I can see the problem but I can live with it. When weathered and as part of the completed model I don't think many would notice the track not sitting perfectly.
View attachment 463500

View attachment 463501

It will be interesting to see how those brave souls who intend to carry out the modification get on.
Jim

They don’t look to bad Jim. My first build had whacking great gaps between the tyre and links. I tried the fix on my second build, and it works great. I will also be applying it to my Sd.Kfz 7 on this GB

I you haven’t already don’t glue the idler axle to the chassis!! You get to tension the track just as you want if left and you get the track sag you want. Then glue them up. I

Fix for anybody else building any of the below in this GB. Taken from the PMMS site (with a few additional notes) it applies to the below kits:

German Sd.Kfz.7 Mittlere Zugkraftwagen 8t early version
Trumpeter 1:35 Kit #01514
German Sd.Kfz.7/1 2cm Flakvierling 38 auf Selbstfahrlafette
( early version) with Sd.Anhanger 51
Trumpeter 1:35 Kit #01526
German 3.7cm Flak 37 auf Selbstfahrlafette
(Sd.Kfz.7/2 late version) with Sd.Anhanger 52
Trumpeter 1:35 Kit #01526
Drive Sprocket Modifications:

The main issue with the kit drive sprockets is the drive rollers are not offset as they should be but are located centrally on the outer sprocket facets which is very noticeable on these larger sprockets and prevents the track from sitting flush around the sprocket. The detail on the roller housings are also stangely facing rearward (see below how the fix also simply corrects this)


Assembled drive sprocket as it comes in the kit with the etched step ring.
Note the lack of drive sprocket teeth offset which prevents the track from sitting evenly around the sprocket.


Actual drive sprockets for reference *Note there are no engraved lines on the face and these should be filled on the kit part




With a little work it's possible to modify the kit sprockets to allow the drive rollers to be offset correctly and in turn allow the track to sit evenly around the sprocket, thanks to Bernard and Peter for the feedback.

The drive roller ring (part B15) has small brackets included that fit into the corresponding recesses in the outer drive sprocket half and the first modification is to carefully cut these brackets from the sprocket ring using a very sharp knife or scalpel blade. These brackets should be saved if possible to re-attach to the outer sprocket half to ensure the gap around the outer rim of the sprocket is the same as original.

Modifications to the kit sprocket roller ring and drive sprocket as per text.


The small brackets are then glued to the inside of the outer drive sprocket (part B21) in the same position they would be if still attached to the sprocket ring, test fit the sprocket ring before cutting off the brackets to note the position.

Brackets cut from the sprocket ring glued to the outer drive sprocket.


The modified drive roller ring can them be fitted to the outer drive sprocket with the drive roller offset aligned correctly, you can also position the ring with the detailed side facing outwards to further add to the detail instead of facing inward as it comes in the kit. Before adding the inner sprocket half (part B1) cut away the small locating pin inside the locating boss to allow this to be aligned correctly with the outer sprocket.


Modified sprockets showing the correct drive roller offset and the
track sitting flush around the sprocket as it should.

You should note that the drive roller is located forward on the sprocket facet on both left and right sprockets so they are facing forward when fitted to the vehicle and so are not the same on both and you should insure you align these appropriately for each sprocket.

This corrects one of the main issues with the kit sprockets with the only remaining issue being the six engraved lines on disc face which is another challenge.

---

 

[JR]

Good job I'm not attempting this then Jim you know my love of tracks !
Plenty of mud comes to mind.

Find things like this so annoying, these manufacturers have every method available in getting things right so why on earth do they just blindly carry on. Not bothered comes to mind, think we modellers are far to lenient with errors. If the manufacturer had a load of returns from merchants and refund requests they may attempt to get thing right in the first place .
Grumpy or Linc's

 

[Mickc1440]

That's quite a bit of work but you've got this Jim

 

[adt70hk]

Jim,

Apologies missed the start of this! Good luck with the sprockets, whatever approach your take.

ATB.

Andrew

 

[Jim R]

Ian - Sorry about the sprue shots. I didn't realise that the GB rules wanted actual photos so I just referenced them in my first post. It was a genuine misunderstanding. If I join any further GBs I will willingly post my own sprue photos.

.... but to show that the kit has not been started

Actually posting sprue shots doesn't show the kit hasn't been started prior to the GB start date as the posted photos could have been taken way before the GB start date and just included in the introductory post.
Steve - always value your support.
Los - WOW! All that info. Thanks. Far too much for my geriatric brain to cope with I had actually seen it all before on the PMMS site which I reference in my first post. I tend to be a cut it, glue it, paint it and hope it looks summat like whats on the box breed of modeller
John -

Plenty of mud comes to mind.

Aaaah yes, mud, glorious mud. A modellers best friend. Your love of tracks is well known! Appreciate you looking in.
Mick - there certainly is a lot of work which is why it has sat in the stash for 10 years. At least it doesn't scare me now as it did back then so hopefully I'll get a result.
Andrew - welcome on board.

Now for a bit of an update ...

 

[Jim R]

Engine built. Lots of parts. It won't be seen as I'll have the bonnet closed. I built it partly for fun but also as I wasn't sure how much of it was needed to fix/strengthen the chassis and the bulkhead. So no wires, cables or belts to scratch








Jim

 

[Tim Marlow]

Seems a shame to hide that engine Jim, looks great.

 

[Ian M]

Nice work on the motor Jim, very neat and tidy. I have had the same thoughts on my build. A nice motor and never seen again.... Yes we could faff about opening the bonnet/leaving the sides off but will we?
No me neither.

The bit regarding the photos is a trust thing. we had all kind of suggestions, some almost on the verge of proof of life. Sprues and a newspaper with the date... I think we are all OK with that we just take a picture of the sprues and trust each other. lol.

 

[Tim Marlow]

I’d be in trouble with that one Ian…..I haven’t bought a newspaper for about thirty years…..

 

[Lee Drennen]

Nice one Jim as well as the updates