Adam Baker
Active member
Adam Baker: DML 1/35 Befehlsjager 38 Ausf.M
Been plugging away on this build, but havent really made enough project for me to feel it warranted an update. I finally feel I have enough done to make a small update.
I've done a lot of searching on the internet looking for reference info & such, w/o a whole lot of luck, but I have found a few builds of Marder III Ausf M and one or two other Befehlsjager builds.
First is the transmission. Found a Marder III build that had detail I liked that seemed to match what few images of the real thing I've been able to find. Appears to have some kind of master cylinder or something on the left side of the transmission, w/ a fluid line that runs down along the floor and under the transmission. And then there's some kind of line that runs across the top of the tailhousing and then along the top left side and over the top. And then there are 2 rods that I assume are part of the steering system. The master cylinder is a block of resin that I cut & sanded to shape, then drilled holes and put a couple pieces of .040" rod in the top, and then used .015" styrene sheet to hold it in place. To add some detail, I used CMK button head rivets (those were a real blast to work with, let me tell you).
The next bit of detailing is on the drivers hatch. On the real thing, there's a large metal rib holding the body and the hatch assembly in place, that I decided to try to reproduce. Its not especially accurate compared to the real thing, but it gets the point across and I'm pretty happy w/ the results. What I'm really happy about, is that it will hide the seam between the hatch panel and the body when assembled
And from the inside. This piece has 7 of the CMK rivets, and I have to say it sucked working them in place, haha. I probably launched just as many off into oblivion before finally getting all the holes filled.
Next detail to add on the hatch is a small instrument panel that's not included with the kit. Without that, it leaves that area very open, so I ordered a set of Archer Fine Transfer's so that I could have gauges. Hoping to get that made and put in tonight.
Been plugging away on this build, but havent really made enough project for me to feel it warranted an update. I finally feel I have enough done to make a small update.
I've done a lot of searching on the internet looking for reference info & such, w/o a whole lot of luck, but I have found a few builds of Marder III Ausf M and one or two other Befehlsjager builds.
First is the transmission. Found a Marder III build that had detail I liked that seemed to match what few images of the real thing I've been able to find. Appears to have some kind of master cylinder or something on the left side of the transmission, w/ a fluid line that runs down along the floor and under the transmission. And then there's some kind of line that runs across the top of the tailhousing and then along the top left side and over the top. And then there are 2 rods that I assume are part of the steering system. The master cylinder is a block of resin that I cut & sanded to shape, then drilled holes and put a couple pieces of .040" rod in the top, and then used .015" styrene sheet to hold it in place. To add some detail, I used CMK button head rivets (those were a real blast to work with, let me tell you).
The next bit of detailing is on the drivers hatch. On the real thing, there's a large metal rib holding the body and the hatch assembly in place, that I decided to try to reproduce. Its not especially accurate compared to the real thing, but it gets the point across and I'm pretty happy w/ the results. What I'm really happy about, is that it will hide the seam between the hatch panel and the body when assembled
And from the inside. This piece has 7 of the CMK rivets, and I have to say it sucked working them in place, haha. I probably launched just as many off into oblivion before finally getting all the holes filled.
Next detail to add on the hatch is a small instrument panel that's not included with the kit. Without that, it leaves that area very open, so I ordered a set of Archer Fine Transfer's so that I could have gauges. Hoping to get that made and put in tonight.
