Sd.Kfz.138/1 Grille Ausf K/M

[fusilier1944]

This is a work in progress vehicle I'm working on as a commission. There are a dozen or so details left to finish off. It is built on the chassis from one of the prototype Marder III M kits I had done. There were some problems with these kits so I kept them for myself (heck, I paid for them, why not use them?). Nothing majorly wrong that affected this build. The whole upper structure and crew compartment were scratch built. PVC pipe used for the barrel and ammo tubes. The cannon elevates but I have yet to put the gears on the underside of the cradle so it can hold its position; it does slide back in a recoil position. The elevation wheels are plastic wheels used on rubber band airplanes, they came 12/$3 or so and I couldn't pass that up. I have use my rivet method in lieu of bolts all over (too tedious!) and have accented with microfastener's bolts where more function was needed. Most of the nylon airplane hinges were bolted on in this way. All the pointy bits sticking out the top come off so they won't break during shipping. Wheels pivot on swing arms like I've done with my Marders. That's enough rambling, now for some pictures:

That's where I have to leave off. I'm going away for a couple weeks and won't be able to work on this for a little while. Almost ready for paint but the details can bog you down...

 

[Der Faust]

Very nice Carey. Looking good as always!

 

[inxsone]

GREAT looking build Buddy

 

[johnro6659]

Nice! That is going to look great when you finish and get some paint and weathering on it.

 

[Hoffner]

Carey, that thing is awesome.

 

[thetoysurgeon]

Freakin fantastic! Looks superb can't wait to see that puppy painted up

 

[Prof. Sakai]

If I lived in U.S.A., I would go to see your tanks.

 

[Loke666]

Amazing!!

I envy you your talent!

Henrik

 

[Germanbilly1]

Very Well Done. Can't wait to see it all painted up.
GB

 

[TAG01]

Very nice looking! With that many angles, details, rivets, etc. you must have to have the patience of a saint! Great job!

 

[Sixth Vanguard]

Great work as usual Carey Do you have any of those hull kits to spare ?

 

[Kev Longino]

Great work , looking forward to seeing the finished article too.

 

[fusilier1944]

Thanks to all for the compliments! I just got back so I can finally start working on this one again. At the moment I'm pretty sure I'll only be putting primer and a base coat of paint on this. Detailed painting will be up to the real owner or the guy who he paints with.

I do have more of these proto kits but none to spare. They're all mine! I know I'm greedy but they're worth more to me if I build them than sell the kits.

I'll update when I can...

 

[blitzkrieg]

Great work! Congratulations!

 

[fusilier1944]

Last detail pictures before paint. I actually started priming it already but took these ahead of time. Similar process as before. I used a plastic coat hanger for the exhaust, drilled a bunch of holes on the muffler. Track holders have a ridge on the inside to hold the JD tracks. Travel lock folds and has little pins to hold it up. Brass cross bar with slider to fold. The gun site extends and retracts, has a little screw handle. It is made of evergreen plastic, pvc, and mechanical pencil. Tow hitch has a little brass chain on it.

The Bondo putty likes to stain the plastics so it is not nearly as bad as some things look. The primer does tell a lot though so when that's dry I'll give this a going over with sand paper. Next time you see this one it will be in primer or paint...

 

[fusilier1944]

Last pictures of this one. The new owner asked for it to be left in primer so he could paint it to match some others in his collection. It will be getting shipped off first thing next week. I'm giving it some time to air out and dry before sending it off. I think that's about it!

I threw the Goliath, Johan, and the dog in there for size reference. Before you ask, the dog came from the "Dollar Tree" $1 store and is polystone. I first posted pictures halfway through June but I've been working on this since early June. Having the kit to build on and the wheels already cast made this a fast build! Thanks for following along...

 

[Germanbilly1]

Very Nice Build, Lots of very good detail. Would love to have one of those to go with my Armor.
GB