DML Sdkfz 251/22 Ausf D

[wbill76]

Gary, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner on this one. I've not built the AFV Club kit but have heard that it has more challenges than the DML kit. I don't know what extras it does or doesn't come with and the general consensus seems to be that the DML kit is the better one of the two. HTH!

Rob LOL, you're secret's out! 2 HTs begging for bench time...never a good sign. Thanks for the comments!

Modelfreak thanks as well!

[wbill76]

The beautiful thing about a 3-day weekend is that it usually results in extra bench time! I made good progress as promised with the first dose of attention going to the PaK 40 details. I applied some light chipping/scuffing using MM enamel Burnt Umber and detailed the breech, hand wheels, and sighting scope off the gun before installing into position.



The recoil tray's bare metal contact surfaces were done using a base layer of MM non-buffing metalizer Steel followed by some dry-brushed enamel Burnt Umber and a light wash of enamel Raw Umber. The block and inner surfaces of the round chamber were done using non-buffing metalizer Steel that was then toned down a bit with some black artist pastels. The rest of the gun will get weathered when the exterior is done so it's not complete, just the details done and installed at this stage.



That brought me back to the exterior and the remaining elements called for in Steps 13 and 14 of the instructions. The bins and fenders were added to both sides with the left side requiring some gap-filling with putty to correct a slight fit issue with the top hull on that side. I added Griffon PE clamps for the axe and pick on both sides and used the kit-supplied brass width indicators. These come straight and a bending guide is provided on the back of sprue C to help get them into the right angle. I lost the kit's mirror due to tweezer-pult and grabbed a replacement off an older HT build that had become a practice/donor kit some time ago. I also used a #76 finger drill and some 0.5mm diameter solder wire to add the missing Bosch headlight wiring conduit that feeds down under the fender and into the hull opening near the front suspension. I also added the empty MG42 swing mount to the top of the hull rear.





The rear hull received some detail attention as well, the fragile details that I'd left off in Step 12 were added in the form of the tow pintle and the rear door handle. I also replaced the inaccurate kit-supplied rear Notek convoy light (it has 5 lenses and is too big) with one from the spares bin that had the correct number of lenses (4) and a better profile. Used the same drill-and-solder combination to create its wiring as well.



The last little detail involved the travel lock from Step 20. The kit instructions are vague and suggest that it installs to the top flat plate over the driver's compartment. This is not the correct position, it actually installs to the angled front plate between the two view port covers. The design of the lock is also incorrect, it has handles on both sides when it should only have a handle on the side facing the driver's visor. I corrected those issues easily enough and also did away with the "pins" on the sides as the kit-provided PE part is too flimsy and too small to be of any use. The lock was glued into position and the gun test fit on the base mount with a bit of blue-tack putty to make sure everything lined up. I'm not showing the gun locked down since the handle is in the "open" position but same sanding/trimming was required at the tops of the lock opening to allow the barrel to fit correctly if the gun were positioned in the slightly downward pointing locked elevation.



That's where she stands so far, next up will be getting some paint on the exterior and perhaps assembling the tracks.

[reserve]

Up to your usual high standards again, I see. If you need any track parts I've quite a few left over.

Regards,
Mark

[bigjohn]

Ahh yeah, the three day week end has thrown me for a loop. Wasn't expexting an update yet. Nice progress and she's starting to take shape.

Track you say? I know they are not fun. I've built a set of the dragon 251 tracks before, and I followed your advice of assebling them in small sections and setting them aside to dry.

Looks great Bill

BJ

[TRM]

Beautiful work so far Bill!!!

[bullardino]

I had missed all these nice progresses.

Great job, Bill

[deafpanzer]

Are we expecting another update today because its a holiday? LOL Looking real good as usual! That kit was on sale at Dragon Facebook last week. But sorry I didn't buy it and I am proud of myself...

[wbill76]

Mark thanks for the offer! Should be ok with the kit-supplied links but you never know.

BJ, they are a little tedious but I love the fact that DML designed them to be workable. Once you get a little system going, they assemble fairly quickly I've found but still a lot of parts to work with.

T thanks as always!

Luigi thanks for stopping in and catching up on this one!

Andy sadly no...it's not a holiday for me as I have 3 chapters of Stats to read and 45 problems to work on, so "business as usual" as far as that goes. ;D Glad to hear you remained strong in the face of temptation, holiday-themed sales offers are always tough to resist!

[wouter]

Nice painterising again Bill, lovely stuff mate

Cheers

[wbill76]

Thanks Dicky and Wouts! Spent the day working on the wonderful subject of probability and uncertainty predictions...so I can say with a 99% confidence level that there's at least a 75% probability that I will be painting the exterior this weekend.

[bigjohn]

Hey Bill,

Whats the odds of me starting another model project this year before I Finnish another one?................................. ;D

[wbill76]

Dicky I bribed the researcher to make sure I got the desired result!

BJ, there's too many unknown quantities in your original question that would require further definition since you've posed a conditional probability scenario. However I think it's safe to say given your current rate of progress and levels of completion to date and the average afflication rate of "polybuildism syndrome" among the modeling population in general that you have a at least a 95% chance (within 2 standard deviations) of starting another model project this year before you finish another. ;D

[bigjohn]

LOL, I knew it, I'm screwed.......

That one earned you a karma..

[wbill76]

Just so long as it's not a T-rex...they don't have enough fingers! ;D

[Deleted]

Been catching up on your 251 build Bill , must say it's looking very nice.
The PAK is a real beauty.
Cheers Steve

[wbill76]

Dicky, can't argue with that approach!

Steve, thanks for the comments, much appreciated!

[bbd468]

Bill, I learn somthin' new every day and "polybuildism syndrome" fills my quota. For that i thank ya! ;D

Gary

[martyncrowther.]

Nice job on the interior Bill

[spud]

looks great bill

[wbill76]

Gary, no problem sir! We all have a condition of some kind I'm sure...whether diagnosed or not!

Thanks Martyn and spud, comments are appreciated!

[wbill76]

Well as the laws of probability allow for...things have conspired to prevent me from getting any time at the bench today and tomorrow is full with football and chores that I have to accomplish. Will try again next weekend with better odds!

[wbill76]

Thanks Doc, glad to have you on board for the ride.

[bbd468]

Hello Bill,

Just stoppin' in to see how your doing. All is well im sure. Hope to see an update soon my friend. Take care!

Gary

[deafpanzer]

Wait a minute! No update last Sunday? That explain why I am having a bad week... please help me!

[wbill76]

Doing fine Gary! Just busy with work, MBA stuff, and of course the distraction of the Niners-Packers game on Sunday. Shouldn't have the same problem this weekend all things being equal so should be able to get some progress in and keep this one rolling.

Andy, my apologies for the disruption! Please stay on the line and the next available styrene therapist will attend to you shortly...

[Deleted]

great build, I made the AFV club version some time ago yours is very nice indeed

[wbill76]

Thanks snipersmudge, appreciate the comments! After spending the full day today slogging through statistics, I'm ready to sling some paint tomorrow for sure!

[bigjohn]

Sept 14, 2012 16:52:04 GMT -5 wbill76 said:

Thanks snipersmudge, appreciate the comments! After spending the full day today slogging through statistics, I'm ready to sling some paint tomorrow for sure!

Looking forward to an update Bill!

[modelfreak72]

Did I hear paint! Bring it Bill! ;D

[deafpanzer]

I smell paint fumes coming from southwest of me...