Too much for the little workhorse....

Choppa Nutta
Tamiya extra thin cement !!
I want some, difficult to get in the UK at a sensible price 🙁

Fabian D.
luckily no problem here, otherwise construction would be way harder... no locating pins at all...
noticed already some small issues with the instructions, but nothing serious.

Fabian D.
continued work on the little one, started wireing on the engine.
Before I can constinue construction I should add some paint first, but I´m absolutely clueless about what colors to use.

Choppa Nutta
red oxide base coat for the rusty bits 😄

Fabian D.
I´m glad I can skip the color discussion with myself for today, a lot of other stuff to do first. Although I´m no expert on engines I miss a few essential features, which I want to add... carburetor, exhaust and fuel pipe, pretty essential things, I was told😉

Choppa Nutta
lol yeah they are indeed especially if you want it to actually work 😄
have a look at what others have done and see what you like the look of, will you be going for the brand new look or a well used look ?

Fabian D.
Thanks Michael.
I thought of cribbing somewhere else... Problem is, the kit isn't that old, so hardy any build blogs out there. As it's a Beutefahzeug, stolen from the Russians and used by the Wehrmacht it will be well used in the engine bay...

Choppa Nutta
Colour reference from similar vehicles would be good enough though just to give some ideas etc. 🙂

Hunter Cummins
Do you reccomend this kit?
I can get it for cheap

Fabian D.
Absolutely! But even ooB it's a bit of a challenge for sure, but no nasty sanding til now. Be prepared to get out saw and tweezers for the really fragile parts😉

Hunter Cummins
Sounds good then
now to get some cash lol

Fabian D.
Oh, happy times as you could spend all your pocket money on kits 😉
you better get something like this (if you haven't something similar already), otherwise you will break not just few parts...
Model Saw (Trumpeter 09917, No)

Hunter Cummins
Got one already lol jist needs a new blade as the one I have now tends to get stuck when pulling it back

Fabian D.
Alright, been some time since the last update... but as the box is so small, it´s easily overlooked😉
Anyway, I´ve by now almost completed the main assembly of the gun, I have still to check some items if I have to add them or leave them off. The Trumpeter kit doesn´t look too bad from far, but putting it together isn´t that nice, at least if you would take care of all flaws and ejector marks. Otherwise you can go through with some liquid putty afterwards...😉
As the gun is in traveling mode without the barrel itself, I had to make a cover for that´s what´s left. (green stuff with Mr. Surrfacher ontop).
Still not shure how to adjust the wheels... might be I´m using 3D printing here some day.

George Bacon
Looking good! 👍

Es-haq Khosravi
Great job!

Fabian D.
Thanks George and Es-haq... I thought I´d be back earlier here, but well...
Started painting the engine, but need to let that cure before I can tackle the oil spills and other dirt.

Fabian D.
Interior done for the moment... has become quite busy compared to ooB...
Back to some plastic work, finally😉

Fabian D.
After another short "short" hiatus I finally had the motivation to complete the tracks and add the screen covers for the rear. Some more details and but then it´s time for paint. Russian green with german markings should look interresting...

Rui S
Nice project and scratching Fabian, look forward for the next photos 👍

Ulf Petersen
Hi Fabian, I am very much interested to see what you make out of the mirror models kit of the T-20 as I did the same. The interior looks great so far and I like the idea for your Dio very much! 👍
Be aware that I follow you closely! 😉

Fabian D.
Thanks guys, much appreciated.
Current plan is now to leave accuracy a bit behind, though. As I currently lack the motivation to produce the wheels for the horse drawn variant (both crafting them traditinal and virtual via 3D-printing), i'll use those out of the box for the moment. Removing the gun barrel including the breech should have been possible on the motor towed guns aswell. (I'll still check your hints, Rui. Thanks.)
@Ulf: I've followed your build aswell. Leaving out the bottom as you suggested served me well, other than that a lot of patience and dryfitting gets you out of the trouble quite often. We'll still have to see "how great" my skills in painting are compared to yours. The safer bet is probably on you😉

Hunter Cummins
How do you have access to 3D printing ?!?!?! And how did you make the dust on the engine and gear box floor by the drivers seat??

Ulf Petersen
Good progress, mate! 👍

Fabian D.
Thanks for your support,
@Hunter:
1. that opportunity has reduced to ordering via Shapeways or other shuch providers.
2. A brush soaked in white spirit, dipped in pigments, and smeared onto everything. Only followed by some of the stuff in the jars behind.

I´ve comenced some more reasech and found even some refernece for the limber (still better than nothing), I played around with CAD and was able to create a acceptable frist draft for the smaller set of wheels. The other one is a bit more complex... still have to find a prober way to create those oddly shaped cut outs. [img1]

Hunter Cummins
Danke! How do I get the thing I want to the right size and how do I design what I would like?

Fabian D.
Well, that depends on what you need. If it´s something "simple" (regular patterns, wheels, basic furniture, geometric shapes) CAD-programs are the way to go. Everything else (figures, complex curved objects) should be created with other tools (either done by scanning real objects or using other graphic programs (Blender for example)).

I haven´t worked with eiter of the later alternatives, but the process after that is the same as if you´ve created you model with a CAD program. As I´m told you have to save it in the required format, run and pass some checks, meet a few more criterias, select the material and other specfications and place your order... probably the easiest part of the deal.

If we go for the CAD option (easier to see succsess there😉 ) you need to aquire a program first, which shouldn´t be a problem. There are even legal and free options out there. Once you´re familliar with your program you can most likely answer both of your questions on your own.😉 I´ll get you a link to the program I´m currently using.