ausf
Master at Arms
I'll start a build thread on this since it's a kit and I don't have to figure anything out on how to RC it, Tamiya has done all that work for me (at great expense of course).
I got a bit of a shock at the start; it turns out that Tamiya used ABS on the 5 'A' sprues (roadwheels and return rollers). After glueing with my trusty Testors Blue, clamping, unclamping and picking up the pieces again, I had to grab some MEK to get the job done. I've never come across this with any other kit, the remainder, thankful is just plain old styrene. I always wash the sprues before I start a kit and something felt odd, but I put it off to a different finish on the wheels, not thinking material.
Tamiya recommends of course, their Extra Thin Cement so I assume that's MEK based. I wish they put a little heads up in the direction though, they can't assume someone wouldn't use any other glue.
Off to some pics:
First is the aluminum hull onto which I applied some zimmerit. I have great ref pics of this particular pattern, the initial vertical rows are gone over around all obstructions. The front and rear will be covered by spare track links and mud splatter respectively. The sides will most likely be covered by Thoma Schurzen.
And up on her feet. The bogies are steel with a leaf spring and roller bearing.
I'm going to prime and paint the lower next before installing the tires, the electronics and gearboxes, then it's off to the upper.
I got a bit of a shock at the start; it turns out that Tamiya used ABS on the 5 'A' sprues (roadwheels and return rollers). After glueing with my trusty Testors Blue, clamping, unclamping and picking up the pieces again, I had to grab some MEK to get the job done. I've never come across this with any other kit, the remainder, thankful is just plain old styrene. I always wash the sprues before I start a kit and something felt odd, but I put it off to a different finish on the wheels, not thinking material.
Tamiya recommends of course, their Extra Thin Cement so I assume that's MEK based. I wish they put a little heads up in the direction though, they can't assume someone wouldn't use any other glue.
Off to some pics:
First is the aluminum hull onto which I applied some zimmerit. I have great ref pics of this particular pattern, the initial vertical rows are gone over around all obstructions. The front and rear will be covered by spare track links and mud splatter respectively. The sides will most likely be covered by Thoma Schurzen.
And up on her feet. The bogies are steel with a leaf spring and roller bearing.
I'm going to prime and paint the lower next before installing the tires, the electronics and gearboxes, then it's off to the upper.
