Jagdpanzer IV(A) - Dragon - Finished - 2/14/16

[adt70hk]

Outstanding work bob! Absolutely fantastic!

I must admit I hadn't come across this variant before but it's a nice change from the usual lower profile variant.

Andrew

[TRM]

Still looking great Bob! Fine job on the exhaust! Rather odd the posts don't slide through the road wheel pairs....oh well, they would be one of the first things stolen by another crew passing by!!

[wbill76]

Feb 5, 2016 18:53:54 GMT -5 afvfan said:

Feb 5, 2016 11:22:19 GMT -5 wbill76 said:

Making good progress Bob! Shame about the spare wheel situation...maybe you can fit one instead of the pair?

Bill - I don't know if I can mount single wheels. I've always assumed they were connected pairs, like the Mk III's. I don't think I've ever seen a picture of a MK IV sporting single replacements.

My fault, I misunderstood the width problem you're facing. I thought you couldn't fit two wheels because of the extraction fan and rods relationship, not because the rods themselves are too close to the hull wall.

[afvfan]

Thanks for the comments guys. T, you cleared up something with yours, though it didn't totally solve the problem.

This is the instructions image. The rods are so close together I assumed the arrows meant the wheels were supposed to go behind them. As I mentioned, the gap isn't wide enough. After T's comment I saw the rods were meant to go in between the wheels, however the spacing was all wrong. I also discovered there wasn't enough room to mount two of the wheels side by side.


This is what I finally came up with. You can see how wide the rods need to be placed for just one wheel.


Here's the setup with the wheel mounted. If I want to add a second set, there's room on the right engine deck, or to use an idea from pictures I've seen, on the left front next to the main gun.

[Leon]

Nice to see you got the wheel sorted Bob! Those instructions do look confusing.

[wbill76]

Now that makes a lot more sense, nice solution Bob. Adding the one to the front, especially if it's a steel rim, would add a nice personal touch for sure.

[reserve]

Yeah Dragon

Good to see some things never change

Great work on this

Regards,
Mark

[afvfan]

Leon - I'm just glad I missed the part in the instructions where they would have you drill out the post holes and insert the rods from underneath. Luckily, I had the thing buttoned up before I saw it, otherwise, it would have been a major problem trying to fix it.

Bill - I was having the same thoughts about the front mounted wheel. It was either a semi-popular option, or I've seen a lot of pics of the same tank.

Mark - Thanks. I could say in their defense that this is an older kit. At least, I could say that if the newer ones were actually better! Can pictograms get messed up in translation?

[dierk]

Glad to hear you got it sorted Bob!
In my experience (not just of Dragon instructions) I found that human fallibility knows no bounds

[afvfan]

Got the tracks mounted, as well as the side rails, jack block, front spare wheel, and gun scope sight. A bit more weathering is needed to blend them in before the dust coats go on.






I ran into a small issue on the shortened track. It's amazing the difference one link makes. As it sits, it's almost too tight, but I found that adding another link caused too much sag. You have to figure that with no adjuster the repair crew would have made it as tight as possible to keep the track from jumping off when turning.





Got to get motivated on this (and my Char B). I'd like to have them both ready for the IPMS show in Richmond on the 27th.

[Leon]

That looks great Bob! I like the shortened track.

[Tojo72]

Coming all together great.

[dierk]

Looks great Bob!
Had a similar issue with a Stug III, one link made the difference between pretty tight and really slack.

[SMJmodeler]

afvfan: Those final additions and the tracks look awesome!  It's amazing how much the look changes once the tracks are on.  I friggin' love your shortened track solution!  I can totally imagine how the crew would come up with the same idea to keep the vehicle operational.  Really enjoying watchin' this one come to the finish line...be sure to let us know how she does in Richmond.

[wbill76]

Almost done with this one Bob! I've seen that expedient track repair in photos before and you've chosen the perfect scenario to use it! Very cool.

[remarc777]

Hi there Bob,

Really stunning piece of work, very inspiring. I've got the newer Dragon kit in my stash (where it's going to stay for a while too unfortunately), this really gives me itches to start mine too.

I especially like the "short cut track idea". Thanks for sharing!

greetings, Richard.

[afvfan]

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

The short track solution had to be a temporary fix, at best - kind of like the old donut spare car tire. Towing the vehicle would be one thing, but the strain on the rearmost return roller must have been tremendous under power. It was never designed to take that much pressure and I can easily imagine it getting ripped off the hull under the strain.

[desertrat]

brilliant, like what you've done, good luck at the show,

[afvfan]

Appreciate the comment, DR.

[noname]

This looks great. Weathering is coming along nicely and the damage really adds interest to the whole thing.

[jsteinman]

[adt70hk]

Very, very nice job, Bob!

[deafpanzer]

Me like, me like, me like it ALOT!!!

[afvfan]

Thanks guys.Final pictures coming shortly.

[ironhand6]

Great work bob. I have to grab me one of these. this thing makes me want to build a TD now more than ever! Good luck at Richmond(I mean the others-- this is a total lock for a medal )

[afvfan]

Thanks Ironhand. It'd be nice if she won, but I'm not holding my breathe. Richmond draws a large number of modelers so competition's going to be stiff.

Here's the final pictures. Looking at them, there's not too much difference as most of the the final changes were small.









Here are a couple with a quick base I made for the show:

[Leon]

Another great finish Bob! Very nicely done.

Good luck at the show.

[panzerjager2]

WOW really nice work.....  For me I really like the this version

[reserve]

Very nice job brother
I've seen pics of the Panzer IV and its variants with the short track setup and it looks to me as you've nailed the way it was

Regards,
Mark

[Tojo72]

The simple base completes it nicely.