1/87 AlsaCast Famo & SWs test builds

[minitnkr]

First time w/this maker. Instructions are very poor. Parts came off sprues pretty well. Cleaned up OK, though tracks/bogies will require a little work. Bed is about 6" shorter than Wespe Famo. Will investigate. Drying primer now.

 

[Mini Me]

Hi Paul, I checked the dimensions on my FAMO, came out to 11.5 scale feet on the outside of the cargo bed. I bought this kit along with an sdanh. 116 trailer about 15 years ago. I suspect it came from CMK in the Czech. Rep. No markings on box or destruction sheet. Did yours come with photo etched detail parts? Looks like you are progressing nicely, will stay tuned for further developments. Rick H.

 

[minitnkr]

Thanks Rick, the Wespe sdkfz 9 is the same as yours, 11.5' & I think it's correct. The AlsaCast 9 is 11'. No PE w/kit. The front suspension was unusable & the front tires & wheels were not correct in my opinion as they were more like an 8 ton's. Working solutions. PaulE

 

[minitnkr]

Possible solutions. Top painted suspension instead of incomplete lower version...Painted wheels/tires rather than kit's. Suggestions/comments?

PaulE

 

[Mini Me]

I see what you mean about the wheels. I just checked my copy of Nuts & Bolts vol. 12, the only photo that did not have the reinforcing ring was an example at the Military Museum in Dresden. I checked my model and the wheels are the same as yours, imagine that! checked my PE sheet, no rings there, so I will make them with a punch and die set and glue on some nbw castings. Only other possibility I can think of would be to find some Evergreen tubing of the correct outside dia. and miter off a couple of thin cuts and lap them down until thin enough to work and again with the nbw. castings. Hope this helps. Rick H.

 

[JR]

All very technical guys, I shall sit and watch from the stove .
Dzhon .

 

[Steve Jones]

Far too technical for me too. I will sit on JR's lap by the stove. STOVE!! - How old are you?? We call them ovens nowadays mate

 

[minitnkr]

Model RR sh stuff to the rescue. Car height spacers & Grant Line nut/bolt/washer assys will improve the wheels I hope.

PaulE

 

[Mini Me]

Looks the ticket Paul, I think you are on the right track. No pun intended!
Rick H.

 

[minitnkr]

Progress. AlsaCast Famo came w/full tilts so modified passenger area tilt to fit Wespe Famo (bottom) & cut up HEMTT tilt to fit cargo area. Working grabs, shifters, steering wheel, crew & crapintheback for AlsaCast Famo SWs almost done, very pleased w/it. C&Cs encouraged. PaulE

 

[Mini Me]

Looks like you have it going Paul, got particular plans for these? Rick H.

 

[minitnkr]

Thanks. The Famos will be part of some pzr maint/recovery elements I have going. I'm still mulling the SWs' placement. PaulE

 

[minitnkr]

SWs is done except weathering.



C&Cs welcomed. PaulE

 

[Steven000]

Looking good PaulE,
looking foreward to the weathering
Cheers
Steven

 

[Mini Me]

Sws is the bomb Paul, the tracks are a huge improvement over the Roco units. I have some ref. Shots of these as artillery prime movers. Rick H.

 

[minitnkr]

Thank you gentlemen. They built thousands, some looked armored, but were of high carbon steel. Most pics I've seen are of them brewed up or as AA mounts and the one series of the PAK43 prime mover. PaulE

 

[minitnkr]

Ooops. Meant hundreds, not thousands. 832 I think, from PanzerTracts. PaulE

 

[minitnkr]

Test fit of crew & crapntheback. Holes drilled for side grabs. C&Cs encouraged. PaulE

 

[PJR]

Looks great!

 

[Mini Me]

Looks Super, looking forward to the finish. Rick H.