Cab assembly. Seat is painted with a mix of Vallejo Red Brown #71.271 & a bit of Wood #71.077. The dashboard was painted flat black and highlighted with a Prang #36 Silver pencil.
The gas can was mounted with the supplied PE part.
Tracks. These were specifically challenging to assemble. One must start the large track sections first, being careful to align with the diagram.
Then the tiny track sections. While the tiny track sections are small they are well made and fit very well. Take your time.
Track, assembled. As you can see, some of the tiny track sections were not assembled as smooth as others, leaving the tracks a bit square vs. rounded about the drive sprocket or the rear wheel.
Finished model with payload. Bronco #GB7020 WWII German 20L Jerry Cans & 200L Fuel Drum set, along with Value Gear #720AG German Ammo Crates set.
Had to repair the front wheel, which I broke off in handling. This kit has very fine parts.
Extra parts, not used in this assembly.
Size comparison pic. Left to right - Hasegawa Kubelwagen & BMW w/side-car; ESCI Panzer II, IBG Models Maultier Halftrack, First to Fight Krupp Protze Kfz. 70 (on ramp) and the Italeri Me 321B-1 Gigant. All models are 1/72 scale.
★ Starfish ★ Excellent camo and very inspirational. I got a ver similar kit from IBG so your tips will come in handy some day!
18 May, 22:00
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Quote from Wikipedia:
"Soon after invading the USSR, German troops discovered that their wheeled transport vehicles were unsuitable for the sparse road network, particularly in the muddy conditions of the rasputitsa. Only half tracks like the Sd.Kfz. 11 could haul supplies to forward units in these conditions, but removing them from their combat role for supply duties was not feasible, so it was decided to produce half-tracked versions of standard Opel, Daimler-Benz, Alfa-Romeo and Ford trucks (lorries) by removing their rear axles, truncating the prop-shafts and connecting them to redundant Panzer I track assemblies. Heavier trucks (4 tons payload) were fitted with Panzer II track assemblies.
Horstmann suspension components employed by the Panzer I was practically identical to the light tank track system used on the Universal Carrier, with the Maultier's use of them closely resembling the roadwheel/suspension system used by the T16 American-produced version in its roadwheel design. Most Maultier conversions were based on Opel Blitz model S trucks, which proved successful in service.
Although they lacked the overall mobility of purpose-built half tracks, they were cheaper and sufficiently effective. From 1943 some Maultier trucks were fitted with armored bodies, designated Sd.Kfz. 4.[2] Some of these were armed with ten-tube rocket launcher Panzerwerfer 42, and were designated Sd.Kfz.. 4/1. "
IBG Models is highly detailed and fragile kit. Careful handling of the parts and painting is subassemblies is recommended.
Overall, it will be a nice addition to my collection.