Wumm

I think actually it's the words that fail me!

"Where did you get that hat...?" And is it AC, DC or purely Psycho-kinetically powered?

There are some truly imaginative People out there. Not only with the vision and concepts of such creations, but the ability to transfer all that into reality. S

The solution... I chose to remove all of the details along the sections of the gun carriage where the sprue gates were located. Then, finely stretched sprue was added along the centreline of the sides; attached at first in a small section, allowed to set, and then the remaining portion pressed down with the flat side of a scalpel blade while adding glue by capillary action. It's a little thicker than the replaced weld beads, but I found that the sprue at that diameter was simply dissolving. The gun carriage proper was then completed, adding the feet and the four tiny spindles to the sides (all the while remembering that the Tristar gun has these already attached, and constantly having to remind myself again as to why I chose this option). Everything undercoated now, and on the rear deck with turntable added it's starting to feel more like I'm making progress.

I got even less than that. Playing with fire... Stretching some sprue.

I see sandpaper... So most likely then yeah? Is that the PCM Ta-152C Gaz?

...which is good reason for Gaz's question then I guess.

Egg-hole? Ist alles Schwein für Mich!

That sounds more like a Mess Hall!

Next up, an initial mist coat of Tamiya Oxide Red fine surface primer straight from the can. I was worried about too much paint clogging the mesh screen, but needn't have as it turns out. A heavier second coat followed shortly afterwards, along with the completed gun deck. While these parts cure, attention turns to the gun platform. Once again, sprue gates are gong to be a slight hurdle here. There are 4 that are placed on the sides of the platform, right over a mould seam that is a feature of the real item, and needs to somehow be retained. This might take some consideration.

Back in the '80's, we used to have tariffs over 50% on imported vehicles. Under the Button plan, Manufacturers were 'encouraged' to model share some of the more popular models, which amounted in most cases to simple badge engineering. Ford; even though already in partnership with Mazda with the 323/Laser and Bravo/Courier pickup combinations, paired with Nissan to turn the Patrol into the Ford Maverick... The Falcon pickup (Ranchero) then became the Nissan Ute. Holden (our local GM branch) initially paired with Nissan, but eventually co-operated with Toyota to release GM variants of the Corolla and Camry. Because Holden were exporting locally made (Buick) V6 and V8 engines, this gave them tax credits that allowed Toyota to keep importing Hilux and LandCruisers. The plan was to keep Australian Factories manufacturing more of the cars that were selling here, mainly large sedans. It worked for a couple of decades, but consumer tastes changed and large sedans stopped selling at the end of last decade. Ford and Holden were being given millions in Government subsidies, but even this wasn't enough to keep Auto manufacturing going in what is a very small local market. Ford left first, and then Holden and Toyota in 2017. So in the end, protectionism didn't work for us here. But then again we're down here at the a*** end of the World. My Wife bought a Holden Cruze new in 2016. It was the smallest locally-built car available. It wouldn't have been my choice, but it was important to her to buy Australian and I supported her in the decision.

"Talk to the gun, coz the C#ckpit ain't listenin'..." Ah, I love Rob Brydon

Yes... But neither are likely to foster a collegiate atmosphere quite like a social dining event now, are they?

Tariffs? Protectionism? Just wondering why?

That might come in very handy to know one day... I'm just impressed that there's a Banquet at the US Nats. At the big Show in Melbourne; you get the constant buzz of cars going 'round the adjacent racing circuit, accompanied by the distinct aromas of Anorak and body odour!

It's OK Ern... He's playing you. (Playing with your deck!)

Plugging away, little by little... The deck tailgate has been cleaned up, and the mesh insert added. There are vertical braces to be attached on the outside of the frame; these are provided as p/e strips but I have gone with hand-cut Evergreen styrene strips instead for a firmer hold on the mesh screen. I'm not too concerned with this change, as ammunition containers are still to be added on the outsides, which will face downwards anyway as I intend to have all the screens folded down for this build.

Mickey Mouse wappen matches fuel triangle shade in first photo...RLM 04. Cowl is not stark enough for white, so for mine is RLM 27, as is the "S". Note the far right depiction of the "A"s from this site, and the differences in the yellows particularly. http://www.thelightfarm.com/cgi-bin/htmltutgen.py?content=01Sep2013 S

Agree completely... If only for your own peace of mind. My Wife's Workplace is in the process of letting go their entire Casual workforce, almost 100 people in total. It's one of the few Heavy Industry Manufacturers in the Auto/Transport sphere left operating in this Country, and a sluggish Economy coupled with a lot of uncertainty around the recent Federal Election meant that sales aren't anywhere near the targets this year. Two of the Guys in her section were meant to go, but got a reprieve because Management didn't realise that the people they replaced are on Holiday. I really feel for you, that's sounds like such a raw deal you've been handed.

Back to the specific question... The basic Sd.Kfz.251 was used throughout the War to tow all kinds of guns. If you remove the Pioneer bridges and equipment from the kit, you have a basic '251/1 (I believe there are parts to make a C or later D variant as well.) Occasional photos of the '251/7 can be found also towing field pieces. So while it wasn't the usual practice, it's also not out of the realms of possibility either. S

Thank you for the suggestion... I am already on Terry's site quite a bit for this build. His assertion that there are alignment issues with the tracks and wheels on the Dragon Sonder 10 kit is the main reason I haven't attached the main suspension components yet, waiting until track assembly and a dry run for myself before committing to glue. The Flak 38 comparison still doesn't say which kit is the more accurate despite the measurement discrepancies. 3mm at 1/35th scale equates to four inches in reality. When Modellers are losing their Nut over a supposed 2mm discrepancy on for instance the Hasegawa 1/32 Bf109 fuselage (which is a complete fallacy BTW, but that's for another time), you would hope that a Reviewer would tell you which one is the more dimensionally accurate kit in a four product review. I've had the Tristar Gun kit for nearly a decade now, and was going to use it mainly because the details look crisper to my eyes, the styrene shields are noticeably thinner than the Dragon ones, and I hate bending photo-etch! I niavely expected to be able to finagle it onto the Dragon chassis, but the effort required doesn't justify the difference between the two. It can go onto a Ford Maultier or into a Dragon Sonder 251 body that I have instead, where a custom mount is required. We can build one together Ern!

Maybe that's why I haven't finished one in a good while Mike... I've been keeping mine open! The frame has been attached to the gun deck, having tacked it on at four points initially and then using capillary action with Tamiya extra thin along the framework spars. Be sure to place the frame side down while it sets; this ensures the whole assembly stays flat, as you don't want any warpage to the deck itself. The optional p/e parts for the underside mentioned in post 10 above cannot be seen. The deck itself has two hinged panels to be added, these have plain and textured sides so be sure to glue them right side up. The triangular notch should be positioned so that they can be lifted to access the stowage area below, and not interfered with by the placement of the gun carriage. The hinged side panels of the deck are next up. I recommend leaving the internal sprue gates of these parts still attached while trimming the external areas first, as this adds structural integrity to these easily damaged areas... You will want nice straight edges here to frame the mesh screens that will fit within them. S

Yes... And goes "KSSSHHHHHHH" when she opens the door.

I found these Guys in San Antonio after a quick search Ern. Not an endorsement in any way, but just to give you an idea. My Wife keeps an 80 gallon tropical Reef, she want to upgrade to double that size and have it built in if possible... I say it's not happening. We do a 30 gallon water change every two weeks, I can't imagine how to accomplish that with the tank embedded in an internal wall.

Yeah... But imagine how annoying the sound the door makes every time your Wife brings in a Coffee tho!