Small Scale Military Headquarters

Hi All,

I ask this question as i`m about to undertake a STUG & maybe a Marder III or WESPE.
Using Tank bases that are already out there (Joe,Chap mei,etc armour) & customizing them. Have used Jimbobwans scale calc for 1/18th scale dimenstions on the armour i`d like & will post once done for your opinions.

I`m planning on building from scratch: Sdkfz 250 & Sdkfz 222 also.

So i`d love to know what has been done before (customizing vehicles & Scratch buildt vehicles) & maybe get some advice & moreso see the custom armour too

Thank`s

Ja
Steel Bonnet

i've done it a bit in the past and one tip i can pass on is to get a model kit of the subject you are going to make and use it for scaling. I made an Sdkfz 233 armoured car years ago and i used a 1/35 model kit of a 232. It was invaluable for taking measurements of all the bits and pieces and sides and just scaling them up to 1/18. Took a lot of the guesswork out of the project and made it faster and easier.

If you want to be exact you multiply each measurement on the 1/35 kit by 35/18. If you don't mind the final product being slightly overscale (i'm talking 1/17.5 scale instead of 1/18) then you can simply double all the measurements on the 1/35 scale kit. ie so if something is 1 inch on the 1/35 kit make it 2 inches on your scratch built model.

It costs a few extra bucks to buy the model kit but it well worth it.

If you're doing a stug you could get the new XD panzer IV and use the barrel and most of the wheels and other details (for a Stug III) or the whole chassis for a Stug IV.

Good luck.

Aferg,
Thank`s mate for the tips mate

As it happens i do actually have a 1/35 scale Stug to use.I part built a 1/6th STUG a few years back then lost interest in 1/6th.

As for using the MK IV Panzer. I`d love to just use that as a base for a STUG alas I`ve not even been able to get the MK IV as it is to keep as a MK IV,never mind customize one....LOL

Though if someone made a basic copy of the MK IV Hull i think that would be a fantastic base for so many German Armour pieces.
here`s hoping 21st see that too

Ja
Steel Bonnet

I have been thinking of stripping down an M41 Walker Bulldog and using the chassis to make some other WWII vehicle out of it.
Possibly, a German tank. You can find them at Wal Mart on the reduced isle for as cheap as $12 and would make for an inexpensive project.

Any thoughts on what it could become?

That sounds like a great idea just wish over here in the UK someone was selling XD tanks that cheap.

Well as for what you`ll do with the hull mmmmm a SP unit?

Ja
Steel Bonnet

The M41 is a good base for a M24 Chaffee. I'm working on one now, but it is a lot of work. I have been working on my Chaffee for 3 years now.

Another tip would be to find as much info and pictures for refences, both of models and of the real thing. Good luck on your porjects.
momaw nadon

One of my thoughts was maybe making a German Wespe out of it! Similar track wheel configuration a little shorter though, but after all it is but a toy, so some liberties could be taken! Like using a stripped down 1:32 Flak 88 as the gun unit.

And the diehards are saying "What blasphemy!"

Well the Chaffee sounds a great idea as too the WESPE (one i`m planning on myself)

I too strongly attest to lots of ref which is available online & from books.

The more books the better IMO & of most armour pieces there out there too.
One bible book i have is the "Encyclopeda to German Armour" cost me £70 when i first got it but damn a Great buy for ref on ALL German Armour & tons of photos & designated names.

Also signal books,Concord,Osprey,Polish have a great range too (& some are bi language too).

Plenty book wise to get & lots to be saved from online too

Also close to scale is good enough for me mate & glad your thinking like that with your Wespe too Nice to say 100% accurate though sometimes close is just as good

ja
Steel Bonnet

I'm currently working on a Jagdpanzer IV. I've tried twice to put some pics in my webshots account but no luck... Error, pics can not be up-loaded during peak traffic times. I'll try tonight.

WOW look forward to seeing those mate

ja
Steel Bonnet

I've done some scratch-building/modifying in the past but have tapered off in the last couple of years. I still have a Bulldog that I would like to convert into an M18 Hellcat but the time and energy to do so are not there at the moment. It takes a lot of time to do a quality build but it sounds like you may already know that. The results can be very impressive as you will have a unique piece. Go for it!

I can't wait to see some of the pieces you guys are talking about!

Steelbonnet, the pics are up. You'll see the panzer needs more work, this is just to give you an idea of what it looks like at this point. Click on the website button below.

Looks great Normandy, as always.

I find it amusing how everyone has done or is planning customs with the Bulldog...it's so close to many things but not quite right for anything.

WOW Normandy,
Looking fantastic mate,truely.

So may I ask what you are doing with the MK IV turret? or that spoken for another project?

I hope my armour looks half as good. These after all are a big step up from my Scimitar CVR(T) tank i did.

Ja
Steel Bonnet

Great work, Normandy.

Looks like it will be an excellent conversion. Detail is top rate. Plans look very good, as well. I'm looking forward to seeing it completed a bit more.

I'm in the midst of fixing BBI's Abrams tank. I've completely taken it apart and revmoved some of the things I don't like and started rebuilding it up again - customizing as I go. Hopefully, it will start to look like something soon. Put some paint on it to spruce it up, but it's just green right now. Don't have much spare time for it right now, so it's a slow go.

Finally got around to weathering the Firefly, so it looks much better. Still needs a few more touches and a base made. Still want articulating track for the thing, but have not sorted that out.

Have an excellent project for the F18, but I'm stalled until I can find somone to make 1/18 scale decals - real good quality decals.

Any thoughts or experience?

HD

Thanks guys... Aferguson, it still needs work but its on moving along.
Steel Bonnet, the turret + one more are going to end up on a 1/18th Railwaypanzer armored pursuit rail car. There was an article in Military Modler mag. 03'93 by Duane j. Pfitster in which he built a 1/35th scratchbuilt armored train. In 1/18th scale it will be almost 3 feet long and with extra Panzer turrets... what the heck. Its just the time factor, I have the drawings in XD scale.
Hardensteel, I'd like to see that Abrams your working on and as for the F-18 we'll find you decals one way or the other.
Once more Thanks for Your intrest. Normandy.

Awwww WOW Normandy.
An armoured train I think i saw the same article.

Now that will be impressive. You going to make at least one or two flat beds to carry the armour you have too? Maybe a couple of carriages too(troops/General)?

Now this whenever it happens Normandy will be an impressive custom to behold mate

Ja
Steel Bonnet

Steelbonnet, I think I'll just stick with the armored pursuit rail car. This armored train was armed with two Panzer IVs tank turrets and a crew of 21. Uh...I think I need more figures.
As far as the flat beds and the carriages that would be cool, but I have to work for a living that would take alot of time. Now if I could do customs for 21st. that would be a different story.
I'll finish the Jagdpanzer first then some new stuff

normandy,
You wouldn't have some pictures of that armored railcar would you? Have you started anything on it? Do you have any idea on how you are going to do the trucks or wheels?

Great Jagdpanzer. I always like to see the work you guy do. Thanks for sharing.
momaw nadon

Here's a cool site with various Polish armored cars and trains, along with one of the German versions.

http://www.geocities.com/pibwl/drsok.htm

Hi guys, sorry my scanner is not working. So pics of the article will have to do. I want to finish the Jagdanzer IV , then get on with the Railway Panzer. Check out the new folder at my webshots account click the website button.

Normandy,

WOW mate that is going to look FANTASTIC mate,truely it will

I look forward to seeing that done.

As for the Jagdpanzer IV again look forward to seeing theat completed too
Awesome work mate awesome.

Ja
Steel Bonnet

It looks like that Jagdpanzer is coming along nicely. Thanks for the pics. Normandy, I always enjoy seeing your work ... makes me want to start up customizing again. Maybe I'll find time around Christmas ...

First rate as usual Normandy. You seem to have quite a nack for technical drawing as well.

Mark