1/16th scale sFH 18 Howitzer

[Heavens Eagle]

I have set the 251 aside for a little bit. The complexity of doing the interior and hull has stressed me out to where I just have to do something else for a little while.
I bought this from @ Greg Kimsey a while back as something a bit different to build. The last few weeks it has been on my mind as a follow up to the Pak 40. It is a LOT larger build though as it is 58cm long which puts it just under 2 ft. I have done some reference sleuthing and found a site with a really decent walk around. Then there are some really neat photos I also snagged up. Have been working on it this weekend. The parts fit is about an 8/10. The clean up to make them look like steel rather than molded is taking some time, but not unreasonable. The only thing I don't really like is the rubber tires for it.
The instructions have 24 steps and I will be starting on step 6 soon.

Hopefully this won't be another kit where it has dozens of things wrong that I will feel compelled to fix.

Here is a photo that I found online. Colorized I am sure, but it looks to be fairly accurate

 

[Tim A.]

I know your stress on these big builds. It seems like every part is in your face. I fretted over the proper stance of the suspension on the Tiger build for several days.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

So far on this there are some rods that mount to the side of the carriage arms that are painted red and white. After looking at them and how they actually mount, I cut off the rear pin and filled the holes in the arm for it. The end fits into a receptacle and the pin isn't needed. Thus I can leave them off an paint the arms first. Much simpler to paint up.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I know your stress on these big builds. It seems like every part is in your face. I fretted over the proper stance of the suspension on the Tiger build for several days.

Another thing about these is that you really have to pay attention to the mold seam lines. While they are pretty good on this kit (so far), they tend to stand out more than on smaller scale builds. Not sure at this point how accurate this model is. I did find a fairly good walkaround of a gun (lots of photos. White painted gun with no extra goodies. Trying to build it where I can do in travel mode or deployed. I have figured out how the spades are held on and the one part has to be modified a little for it to work, and the retaining lever can't be glued in place. If it is holding the spade on, it won't be an issue as then it is friction and a pin. If in transport I will have to figure out something a little better.
I was also assembling the axle and hub unit for the carriage last night. Was just thinking now that you can see inside the unit, so I need to primer that before I close it up so you don't see the orange/tan plastic.