Re: Meng VsKfz 617

[jknaus]

Re: Meng VsKfz 617

The VsKfz 617 was a very strange vehicle designed to clear mined areas by driving over and triggering them. Heavily armoured and ponderous it was too big and slow for the modern battlefield. A good description can be found Strange vehicles .
Ever since seeing this beast in pictures many many years ago I have wanted to build one. Welcome Meng and their version. I'll let the following pictures from Saul give you an idea of what is in the box.

 

[jknaus]

Re: Meng VsKfz 617

The build is relatively simple and there are very few problems that I encountered. I'll let you google for a review of the kit rather than duplicate work. Overall this is a really refreshing build and wont take long nor tax your patience. There are a few places though that do have issues and that make you wonder.

The rear wheel was steered with a chain drive. Meng gives you a very fine chain with lots extra which can be used in other projects. I was really quite happy to see this as sourcing out such an item can be problematic. The chain exits the vehicle via 2 holes.

Now the holes are just dimples and you will have to drill them out. Not difficult, but they will take some work just because of the location. Here is were I would do things differently when I build another one. I saw one build where the fellow glued a post in the body and looped the chain around it attaching the free ends to the wheel.

I built it this time with the chain pushed into the hole and cyano glued in place. The post makes more sense.
I also didnt really like the Meng directions to tie the chain end in place at the wheel collar with wire and used a very fine bolt. Of course I forgot to take a picture

Everything went together very well and I had no issues at all. Fit was good and the simple box shapes of the real vehicle meant this was a simple place and glue exercise in the kit.

The little needle in front of the drivers visor is actually a steering needle. It tells you how the steering wheel is positioned. Quite simple and effective I think. The kit replication was spot on. I see that Voyageur has a PE set with this, but it doesnt really need to be replaced.

The rear deck is very well done and the grills under the protective plates are individual pieces. They can be lined up quite easily as they just sit in a groove.

 

[jknaus]

Re: Meng VsKfz 617

The hull upper deck fits in very nicely and I had no problems with gaps.

Now here is where I did have an issue. The wheels, They are quite easy to build, I just think they could have been done a different way.

When I build my next one I am going to try and attach the wheels with an axle. I want to do this so I can install them after the fact which will make painting easier. I think it will make it easier to install those cool weighted track pads also. Speaking of the track pads. Be frugal with the glue when you install the pics so that the pads pivot freely. Also (again sorry no pic) paint the pads off of the vehicle. It will save you grief trying to cover all the nooks and crannies.

As you can see I made an error in putting the track together before painting it.

The turret is pretty nice in itself. A good reference would help in sprucing it up some though.

I ended up using a spare Tristar Panzer I turret, just because it looked a little crisper and was handy.

 

[jknaus]

Re: Meng VsKfz 617

Okay here is where I ran into another problem and for some reason I didnt take a picture. On the front hull are 2 brackets. Personally I think i they were for head lights. Looking at pictures of the Kubinka exhibit I could see no holes for wiring to go into though. None the less the problem with the kit is the brackets are 2 pieces and not well defined. These 2 pieces attach to the hull and you have to adjust the angle of the 2 plates in situ. There are 2 slight ridges to help align them. A one piece bracket would have been much better and easier. Even better still a PE bracket, and at the very least locating holes that would have helped make the alignment. I lost one side as I kept trying to adjust, eyeball, adjust, eyeball, etc. Battle damage is my opinion :hmmm

The instructions show you three colour schemes all in German Dark Yellow with or without camouflage. The Boxart shows you a Dark Grey version. Well I went with the Dark Grey thinking about the time frame of the vehicle.

The markings are very sparse with basically only a cross being evident. I searched all over the net looking for pictures and let me tell you they are few. So here is where artistic license reared its head. I made my Minenraumer a LAH vehicle.

I did lite weathering and it is still sitting as I try to decided what to do about the paint around the wheel pads and how I want to weather it. Maybe its finished and I'll build another with some of ideas I have to make it easier. No matter it is quite an interesting model and quite a conversation piece. Anyone who is interested in German vehicles should consider this for their collection. Even if not it is quite a cool piece. And because it is so out of a 30's, 40's scifi mag I would love to see someone build one in that kind of setting. Maybe even Steam Punk.

Over all I think this deserves a 9/10 because of the subject matter, ease of construction, innovative design of the weighted wheel pads. My thanks to Meng through Saul.
James

 

[Iron Mike]

Re: Meng VsKfz 617

That is an interesting little build, James. Nice work! Might have to pick one of those up. The detailing of the parts looks really crisp too, what was the issue with the turret?

 

[moon puppy]

Re: Meng VsKfz 617

Cool!
Really nice detail on the parts. Great build up James, makes me want to give it a shot

 

[jknaus]

Re: Meng VsKfz 617

I think some of the bolt detail is a bit off. Really nothing serious and it is a nice representation. The Tristar turret has individual flaps for the guns and so looks a bit more defined. The kit turret is fine though.
I would change the guns out for metal ones though as the kit guns were the weakest point.
James