Trumpeter 38(t) - BUILD COMPLETE!!! (09.02.14)

[Hinksy]

Hi guys,

I'll be finishing my current WIP Dragon Pz.III H (early version) this weekend so will be looking at starting a new build next week

I was going to buy some Friuls for the Pz.III but decided to use the kit Magic Tracks and used the mobey for the Friuls to buy my first ever Trumpeter kit! I heard some good thing about it and after following Pete's blog of his build of this kit and being very impressed and then seeing the price of the kit (£20 + post) I definately had to have it!



www.internetmodeler.com/scalemodels/flarmor/Trumpeter-German-PzKpfw-38-t-Ausf-E-F-In-the-Box-Review.php

It arrived today and I am very impressed. It looks like a simple build which is what I wanted after building lots of mind-spanking Dragon kits! It's got a real Tamiya feel to it at a fraction of the price! The instructions look great and they are presented in a great booklet style.

The best thing is the glossy painting and decal scheme on A4 which gives manufacturers colour codes for Gunze Mr Hobby, Vallejo, Model Master, Tamiya and Humbrol - perfect!



One option is basic Panzer Grey and a really nice looking later war scheme with a DY basecoat and Red/Brown stripes! I'm very tempted by the late war DY version! Something definately different

There's a small bit of Etch but when I attempted to build Dragons Marder III Befehlsjager which really beat me I kept the PE Fret which was huge and has the Grouser box and proper clamps on it so I can bling it up a bit plus I still have the Magic Tracks and a pack of Friuls too - I'll save the Friuls for my next Marder III build that is in the stash which I have planned.

I'll be starting this next week and will start the blog on this Thread - I'll just change the title. Definately looking forward to this one!

Any tips or suggestions - please, throw them this way!

Ben

[wbill76]

Got to love a good 38(t) build project, looking forward to this one Ben!

[afvfan]

I'll keep an eye out on this. I've got the Dragon G model with interior that's penciled into be done this summer. It'll be fun to see how this one compares.

[deafpanzer]

You are going to make one guy here very happy... Dicky... you know how much he loves Trumpeter. Count me in!!! Good luck!

[Deleted]

tis a great kit just build and enjoy!

[Hinksy]

Jan 4, 2014 3:55:14 GMT -5 @snipersmudge said:

tis a great kit just build and enjoy!

You weren't joking Smudge - i've spent an hour on this tonight and reckon it will be complete (assembly) by this time tomorrow although I'm in no rush to finish it.

I'm was just sat in my bedroom watching CSI and I thought "hey - the 38(t)"!

I've got all the Dragon Magic Tracks and running gear etc from that last Dragon Marder III Befehls that totally whupped my butt a couple of years ago but luckily I kept all the PE clamps and PE Grouser box etc and decals.

All I'll be using is the Grouser box and the Convoy lights (all PE) to replace the kit parts. I dug out my Friul tub and sure enough in there was a set of Hetzer Friuls which fit this perfectly - one side had already been assembled!

So, the lower hull tub just fell together like a dream - I've spent too long building Dragon! All I've got left to do is get the tools on the Fenders, sort out the upper hull and the turret.

I'm planning to sort a basic Commander figure and perhaps scratch some basic interior - "stretch them legs" as wbill keeps telling me

Here's a few dodgy photos taken in my bedroom (God that sounds soooo wrong)



These were the one run of Friul links that were already made up so will need tidying up and shortening:





The Dragon PE stuff - I knew this would come in handy!



Proper update tomorrow!

Ben

[wing_nut]

Isn't any update a proper update? I'll be watching.

[Hinksy]

Jan 10, 2014 15:30:32 GMT -5 wing_nut said:

Isn't any update a proper update? I'll be watching.

Yeah it is - but ideally with some decent photos (apart from the second one which was ok)!

Ben

[Tojo72]

Nice start Ben

[wbill76]

Dodgy bedroom photos, a 38t with only one track on...I see what's going on here, it's a Panzer Tease!

[deafpanzer]

Holy smokes! You even had the tracks done already. Love the big rivets on the wheels... that's what makes 38(t) different from most panzers!

[Hinksy]

Jan 10, 2014 22:02:45 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Holy smokes! You even had the tracks done already. Love the big rivets on the wheels... that's what makes 38(t) different from most panzers!

Cheers guys!

Bill - thanks for that - I can't remember the last time I actually laughed out loud at 8am! Panzer Tease!

Andy - Yeah, these were Friuls that I was going to use on that Marder. One run was complete with the other still to do. These were one of the first sets of Friuls that I ever tried to assemble hence they look a bit 'rough' i.e. you can see the ends of the track pins so I need to trim those up and shorten the run a bit then I'll do the other later on in the build.

You gotta love these stonking big 38(t) rivetted wheels. Perfect for individual weathering.

Also, I was going through my research material last night and came across issue 57 of 'AFV Modeller' and on the front was:



Basically there's a BIG section set around a 1/16th build of a 38(t) which has given me some ideas

Cheers fellas,

Ben

[tigrazor]

There he is. Like it already.

[Leon]

Off to a good start Ben.I'll be following.

[Hinksy]

Thanks guys

I'm just having a quick snack and then I'll be getting the upper hull and tools fitted along with the fenders and engine covers etc.

Tomorrow I'll get the turret assembled and voila - job done! Onto paint - it makes such a nice break to have a simple low part count build that can be built in three short sessions!

Dragon will always be my #1 but they are getting silly expensive now and whilst we are all tightening our belts I'll be looking at a lot more Trumpy kits as this is making for one excellent build

I've decided that as it's a basic short build I'm really going to look into leaving the hatch open and fit a Commander figure. I've posted about it in the Q&A section as I want to make sure that I get the early WWII uniform correct.

I've been looking at a 'Torso-only' Passion Model figure. I'm going to try and source him or something very similar. I've got some AWFUL Tamiya figures to practice clothing painting on and shading and I've got some much better Dragon figures in 'Action Poses' with weapons which will be good on any bases and as they are mostly hunched the faces aren't as visible.

This commander figure is one I really want to get right - learning how to paint GOOD figures to complement my builds was one of my 2014 resolutions

Here are the Passion figures I've been looking at - suggestions, anyone?:





Update later,

Ben

[Hinksy]

Hi guys,

Wow - kicking butt on this one fellas!

I know it's a low part count kit but it builds up superbly!

Tools are on, Convoy lights & reflectors are on, frontal MG is on and tomorrow I'll get the rest of the turret and engine deck on.

Great kit!

The Grouser Box is dry fitted incase I go with the PE option









Cheers guys,

Ben

[deafpanzer]

I bought a figure set from Passion Model then I realize they were not really in 1/35 scale... much smaller in scale maybe 1/40 or 1/45 or so. I don't think I will ever buy another set from Passion Model unless that set was the only one that appeared to be small.

I'd be more than happy to post a picture of my Passion Model figures.

Your 38(t) is looking good man!

[Deleted]

nice progress there and clean build

[bullardino]

My woodworking had made me miss this one. Great start, looking forward to seeing more

[Hinksy]

Jan 11, 2014 22:30:42 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

I bought a figure set from Passion Model then I realize they were not really in 1/35 scale... much smaller in scale maybe 1/40 or 1/45 or so. I don't think I will ever buy another set from Passion Model unless that set was the only one that appeared to be small.

I'd be more than happy to post a picture of my Passion Model figures.

Your 38(t) is looking good man!

Cheers for looking in guys

Dammit Andy! I've got a stack of Tamiya figures that are all definately undersize - maybe 1/40 or so and the facial definitions are terrible. The only decent Tamiya figure I ever saw was the Commander Torso with Cap that comes with their late version JP.

I'm going to struggle with an underscale figure (I think) so what do you recommend I use? I'll have a rummage in the spare box later to see what I can find.

Cheers dude,

Ben

[Hinksy]

Hi guys,

A quick Sunday evening update:

I'm flying through this 38 now. Cracking little kit and it's soooo nice to only have a few sprues kicking about instead of having parts for one section of the build randomly placed around ten different sprues!

Just the gun and Turret assembly to go now

I've just checked out Pete's (Snipersmudge)38(t) and am really liking the DY colour so I'm very tempted to go with a DY basecoat and very fine red/brown and dark green random stripes. I've got loads of stuff in my stash that will be painted in grey so Tri-tonal will be a nice change for this one. My last build was Pz. Grey so I'm brightening things up!









Cheers for looking guys,

Assembly should be wrapped up by this time tomorrow!

Have a good week,

Ben

[bbd468]

My goodness brother Ben, you dont mess about do ya! Great start on this 38t.....fruils look awesome! Im in bro.

[Hinksy]

Jan 12, 2014 13:02:09 GMT -5 bbd468 said:

My goodness brother Ben, you dont mess about do ya! Great start on this 38t.....fruils look awesome! Im in bro.

Cheers brother Gary!

Seriously - if I'd sat down and gone for it I could have built this in a few hours as there's such a low part count but it builds into a great little tank - all of us could have blitzed this kit but there's no fun in that! I like to pace myself and I'll be building a LOT more Trumpeter stuff from now on.

I already had the Friuls with one run ready-assembled, that one just needs shortening by a few links. I actually forgot about the second, unbuilt run so I've got a bit more to do than I thought!

I've been doing a lot of research into the 38T and am looking into a figure and maybe a base too?

The time saved building a simple model like this gives me more time to look at adding stowage and hopefully applying a killer paint job!

Cheers dude,

Ben

[bullardino]

Great job on the 38t, Ben.

[wbill76]

Rolling right through this one Ben, good idea not to rush it...just let it flow and you'll be happier in the end!

[Tojo72]

Really fast assembly,looking good Ben

[wing_nut]

Looks great Ben. The color shift in the one pic making it look pink is just word though.

[Tobi]

Jan 10, 2014 15:19:37 GMT -5 Hinksy said:

All I'll be using is the Grouser box and the Convoy lights (all PE) to replace the kit parts. I dug out my Friul tub and sure enough in there was a set of Hetzer Friuls which fit this perfectly - one side had already been assembled!

Hi, maybe this info comes a litte late, but the 38(t) and the Hetzer tracks differ clearly in several details.

As the discussion had already been going on in Pete's thread. DY base coloured 38(t)'s later were a common sight on armoured trains (in "Streckenschutzzug" role), where they could be unloaded together with infantry for fighting Partisans behind the front lines.

Cheers,
Tobi

[Hinksy]

Jan 13, 2014 2:51:19 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Jan 10, 2014 15:19:37 GMT -5 Hinksy said:

All I'll be using is the Grouser box and the Convoy lights (all PE) to replace the kit parts. I dug out my Friul tub and sure enough in there was a set of Hetzer Friuls which fit this perfectly - one side had already been assembled!

Hi, maybe this info comes a litte late, but the 38(t) and the Hetzer tracks differ clearly in several details.

As the discussion had already been going on in Pete's thread. DY base coloured 38(t)'s later were a common sight on armoured trains (in "Streckenschutzzug" role), where they could be unloaded together with infantry for fighting Partisans behind the front lines.

Cheers,
Tobi

Thanks for looking in guys!

Tobi - So, are we saying that the Friuls I have would not have been the one's found on a late war DY 38t?

They fit okay and will be pretty muddied up so that won't be an issue. I've had a look and have just seen Friuls for the 38t, the Hetzer, the Marder - I just assumed one chassis meant one track?

It's not a big issue to me but out of interest - what Friuls shouls I be using on an early and a late 38t?

Cheers fellas,

Ben

[remarc777]

Hi there Ben,

I'm gonna tag along with this baby. As a German Armor fan I love this verhicle and especially the fact you are giving us full blown detailed in progress pics  .

Thanks for sharing!

greetings, Richard.