Remote Controlled Hummel

[warhawker]

Since I had a few request on construction of the Hummel, I thought I would detail out the build process, material and engineering and detailing that it took on this thread.
I first took a grey Panzer IV Ausf D and removed the turret. Since this Panzer model had a variety of functions, I thought one of the best would be to turn it into a late model Hummel since the earlier models have a variate of a hull structure. The later Hummels were extended about 3 feet and the motor was moved forward to allow a better crew access and compartments in the rear of the vehicle. I knew that I would not be able to extend the chassis due to the remote control internal hardware and decided that it would be very time consuming to re-modify the existing rear platform to a dropped level in order to finish this on time. I knew that this project was then limited in replicating down to 100% authentication due to those two factors but then I would make the necessary adjustments sizing/dimensions to fit the over all profile.
The material used for this project consisted of styrene, 1/2 & 3/4 tube styrene, parts from several ball point pens and one Jones Cream soda can.
The remote control Panzer had turret rotating gear box that allows the turret to turn 360' degrees. Since the gear box was horizontally, I modified it by rotating it 90' degrees so that I could use the same remote function of rotating the turret to raising and lowering the custom made 150MM howitzer. As well I created a 1/2 fitting gear that would interface to the gear box allowing the movement of the howitzer:
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/22 ... ySjv"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/62/462/4/ ... Sjv_th.jpg" alt="150 gun-detail"></a>
The base mount was then built and designed around the 1/2 gear fitting:
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/26 ... eoTH"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/52/452/6/ ... oTH_th.jpg" alt="gun and mount"></a>
The remote control gear box would then reside withing the gun mount.
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/24 ... BbIB"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/52/452/0/ ... bIB_th.jpg" alt="internal fitting"></a>
The most challenging aspect of this project was the angles of the side casings of the gun compartment and the howitzer face plate to the vehicle. Since the curvature of the plate wrapped around part of the mount and with many trials and lost effort, I found out that a regular soda can had the best arc for the plate and was easily modified for the job:
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/24 ... WRPb"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/30/466/4/ ... RPb_th.jpg" alt="can front1"></a>
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/22 ... ZInE"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/24/565/4/ ... InE_th.jpg" alt="can front 2"></a>
The end result did great for the over all Hummel:
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/20 ... Edtx"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/62/462/3/ ... dtx_th.jpg" alt="fitting2"></a>
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/22 ... LFDL"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/30/466/5/ ... FDL_th.jpg" alt="hummel front5"></a>
The gun compartment was completely scratch build from styrene sheets as well as the internal setup from photos research on-line and historical references:
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/20 ... hyPI"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/24/565/9/ ... yPI_th.jpg" alt="hummel crew2"></a>
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/22 ... qERD"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/60/460/9/ ... ERD_th.jpg" alt="hummel left2"></a>
Even the side grades were angled and modified:
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/21 ... hxJC"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/52/452/3/ ... xJC_th.jpg" alt="hummel close detail"></a>
The only part of the design that I feel fell short was on the width of the front side panels of the housing. They turned out to be narrower than expected but due to me not modifying the chassis base housing and the over all angling of the siding the affect is minimal to the over all Hummel scope:
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/26 ... ONOV"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/55/455/0/ ... NOV_th.jpg" alt="hummel front1"></a>
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/22 ... AcSW"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/52/452/3/ ... cSW_th.jpg" alt="hummel left3"></a>
After the vehicle was complete it was sprayed a dark grey color. I then used water and salt and brushed on the salt to mask the weathered parts of the Hummel and allowed it to dry. I then painted the entire vehicle in a tan color and then flaked off the salt to created the wear and tear of field operation.
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/23 ... fIVD"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/60/460/3/ ... IVD_th.jpg" alt="hummel front3"></a>
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/27 ... KGLO"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/30/466/2/ ... GLO_th.jpg" alt="hummel rear1"></a>
The only two details left remaining are the muzzle A-frame poles on the front of the Hummel and the four sighting poles to be added to the rear of it as well. I will add updates once those are complete.
All in all it was a challenging project to complete and over all fun and rewarding in the making. I enjoyed it even more by running the Hummel around the yard and thru in the flower bed with raising and lowering the howitzer.
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/23 ... qmaF"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/64/464/6/ ... maF_th.jpg" alt="hummel right3"></a>
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/29 ... bWEt"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/62/462/6/ ... WEt_th.jpg" alt="hummel left4"></a>
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/23 ... ZbKd"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/60/460/5/ ... bKd_th.jpg" alt="hummel left1"></a>
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/22 ... LFDL"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/30/466/5/ ... FDL_th.jpg" alt="hummel front5"></a>
I will add another thread to this posting with video of the Hummel in action launching salvos once I get it posted to a site. Enjoy!

[Jagdpanther]

That is awesome great job! Cant wait to see the video.

[Light.Inf.Scout]

WOW! Awesome job.

[tmanthegreat]

Amazing work with that Hummel, and its RC with moving parts to boot

[immeww2]

[kevrut]

Good WIP pics. Good job.