Self Propelled Howitzer Sd.Kfz 135/1 - 1/35 Scale

[Proud Kraut]

This kit was on my bucket list for a long time. This week it finally arrived. It´s a model of one of the very early German WW II self propelled artillery systems. In this case a 15cm heavy field howitzer was mounted on a captured French Lorraine vehicle. I think only 90 of these howitzers were produced. They saw action in Russia and Africa. I have to do some more research concerning that.

The kit was made by "PANDA". The sprues look excellent so far. This will be my first model with metal tracks. Here´s the box:

 

 

 

 

[ArtyScout]

👍 Looking forward to the development of this build. You'll understand why; soon.

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

[RRA227]

Nice kit.  Rich A. in Pa.

[Proud Kraut]

Thanks Manny & Rich!

 

@Manny: are we working on a similar project?😁

[Old Marine]

Great kit.  I look forward to watching it come to life.

[ArtyScout]

On 10/19/2020 at 2:42 PM, Proud Kraut said:

Thanks Manny & Rich!

 

@Manny: are we working on a similar project?😁

LOL; no Lars we're not working on the same project per se, but I've started work on an 8inch (203mm) M110 self-propelled howitzer with a diorama base from Verlinden in Vietnam service. I'll be posting it up soon.

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

[Proud Kraut]

Artillery - SEHR GUT!

 

In the 80´s these Verlinden diorama booklets were our ne plus ultra modeling literature. I remember several Artillery dios including a M107 one called "Big Shot" and a M109 in sandbag gun position, both VN related. Can´t wait to see your´s soon now that you have finished the F-105.

[ArtyScout]

I've seen that M109 sandbag gun position diorama. It was very well done. I have that one and was thinking of using it but the M110's used a different type of gun emplacement which I have and believe I can also use. I'll be keeping an eye on your SP howitzer. Good luck.

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

[ArtyScout]

Hey Lars, I just wanted to show you the base that I have for my next project. I'll be starting a new post on the WMF soon.

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

 

[Proud Kraut]

I haven´t seen this one before. Very nice gun position, Manny!

[Proud Kraut]

It´s gonna be a LONG time project. After completing the chassis I started to build the metal tracks. Each consits of 107 tiny track links and 53 tinier pins. Horrible!

 

 

[ArtyScout]

Oh my God! Are the metal tracks AM Fruilmodel tracks or did they come with the kit? 

Well I know they'll come out great.

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

[patches]

Ach du lieber!

[mikie]

On 11/2/2020 at 11:36 AM, Proud Kraut said:

It´s gonna be a LONG time project. After completing the chassis I started to build the metal tracks. Each consits of 107 tiny track links and 53 tinier pins. Horrible!

 

 

My poor old arthritic fingers are crying just thinking of that!  

[Old Marine]

Good luck with that.  Repetitive work like that can be very zen like and meditative.  Or, it can get thrown at the wall.  I’ll look forward to seeing your progress.

 

 

[patches]

6 hours ago, Old Marine said:

Good luck with that.  Repetitive work like that can be very zen like and meditative.  Or, it can get thrown at the wall.  I’ll look forward to seeing your progress.

 

 

  "very zen like and meditative"

 

I like that description.

[Proud Kraut]

Thanks for your comments guys, I appreciate it! Well I was about to choose the "wall option" but since we have another partial Corona lockdown over here I have to exercise patience. It took some time to find out how to work with that metal track links. Step 1: mounting the links on the plastic tool. Step 2: Pressing the links together very carefully with a small pair of pliers. Step 3: Cleaning and opening the link slots with a needle. Step 4: Connecting the track links very carefully with the pin. And yes, there are 107 track links and 106 pins per track. It took me about two hours to complete the first track.

 

 

 

 

[Old Marine]

Great work Lars.  I am glad you chose the meditative path.  For model builders, all these virus shutdowns give us a great, guilt free excuse to spend time working on models.   

[Proud Kraut]

Well, we all have noticed the trend to make models more and more detailed. I think this one here is taking the cake. Please have a look at a 12 cm long model´s chassis consisting of 491 parts, lol. Tracks completed!

[ArtyScout]

Well those tracks came out very nice. Patience my friend; be safe and you'll have all the time in the world. Great job!

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

[The Meatcan]

Lars, those tracks were a ton of work but your efforts will pay off! When painted and weathered, they are going to look superb.

[RRA227]

Wow. That looks great.  Rich A. in Pa.

[Old Marine]

Fantastic.  The look is certainly worth your effort.  Great job.

[Proud Kraut]

Thanks very much for your feedback, friends! Work on the body of the Self Propelled Howitzer has begun. Searching a crew for the gun I came across this Tamiya Afrika Korps gunner set. I had to get me one of course.

 

 

[ArtyScout]

I have to admit that you are a lucky guy Lars. Finding the DAK Artillery Crew is awesome. Unless I find a Vietnam era arty crew I will be like Dennis; kitbashing the WWII crew that I purchased and I'm still waiting on it.😀 I'm glad that you got it. This looks like its going to be another nice build.

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny