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1/35 Spahpanzer 2 'Luchs' 8x8 Amphibious Recon. Vehicle with S.N.O.R. digital camouflage.

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  • spanner570
    SMF Supporters
    • May 2009
    • 15384

    #1

    1/35 Spahpanzer 2 'Luchs' 8x8 Amphibious Recon. Vehicle with S.N.O.R. digital camouflage.

    I bought this kit at Cosford last year. It was loose in a poly. bag with no decals and the instructions were water damaged and barely readable....but it was dirt cheap!

    The weird Luchs had two steering positions, one at the front one at the rear. All 8 wheels could be steered and it could swim! 408 were made and it remained in service until 2009.

    In 2001 Prof. Otto Seydlitz, a Lecturer in Art and Design @ Kiel University and self confessed 'Tank Nut' came up with a revolutionary type of armour camouflage. He noticed that trees and shrubs were not (as painted on most armoured vehicles) relatively large areas of colour, but more a smaller patchwork of greens and browns. Based on his observations, he designed a radical type of camo. and called it S.N.O.R. after his, and his wife's initials......

    He presented his idea to the German Military, who chose a Spahpanzer Luchs to test the Professor's paint scheme on. On completion, although thought a good idea, the process was deemed to be too complicated and expensive, and was rejected. Other nations took notes........

    I brush painted the model with Vallejo Model Air acrylics. I've kept to a small amount of weathering using a watered down beige and coated the whole of the model with a large, flat headed brush, allowing the paint free range to settle where it chose to. The wheels I simply painted, and then rolled the model through some floor sweepings.

    After marking out the 'Square Pattern' I brush painted the squares freehand with a very small flat headed brush, making the colour combo. up as I went along...... :upside:

    Here is the Amphibious Luchs painted in Otto's S.N.O.R unique three colour camouflage. Sorry, its just O.O.B.

    Strange, the instructions showed one of the step-ups upside down, so right or wrong, that's how it got stuck on!

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    The crazy and rather flimsy looking all wheel steering gear.....
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    One of the two propellers which can swivel through 180 degrees.
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    The vane in the operational position when swimming.
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    The base is a bit of old, battle scarred 4mm white faced hardboard which was originally the backing of a kitchen unit. I cut out the hole for the model, then painted the white surface with some left over brown fence panel emulsion. I've deliberately left some streaking on the surface. Once the model was in situ, I made the wake using clear silicone.
    The vegetation and trees were provided by Mother Nature. The rocks are bits of polystyrene.

    Here is the Luchs 'Doin' a' wot comes nachoorally!" Vane up...vane down.

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    The vane in use....
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    'Otto's Luchs', as it is fondly called, is currently owned by a private collector, who has a small military museum in the Baltic coastal town of Sassnitz.
    The curator kindly sent me a picture of the Luchs on display.
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    Cheers all and I hope this crazy vehicle passes muster.

    Ron
  • Jim R
    SMF Supporters
    • Apr 2018
    • 15669
    • Jim
    • Shropshire

    #2
    Hi Ron
    As always superb modelling and photography. Once again a very fine example of modelling on the cheap. As for the intro - am I being lied to? :rolling: Off to Google a certain Proffessor.
    Jim

    Comment

    • spanner570
      SMF Supporters
      • May 2009
      • 15384

      #3
      Originally posted by Jim R
      .....as for the intro - am I being lied to? :rolling: Off to Google a certain Proffessor.
      Jim
      Thanks for the encouraging post, Jim. I'm well happy you like the model.


      Not much point Googling Prof. Otto. It's an alias!

      He emailed me a few facts when he sent me the museum picture.
      Despite the German military's decision, he knew his camo. would be a winner, so he took out a patent on his design and called it 'S.N.O.R. Digital'
      When the world armies eventually used his camo. for their hardware, he made a fortune in royalties. Changed his name to Seydlitz (After the German WW1 Battle Cruiser which was scuttled in Scapa Flow in June1919) and promptly 'Disappeared'

      I know where he lives, but sorry to say I can't disclose his whereabouts. I hope you understand his wish for anonymity .

      Cheers.
      Ron

      Comment

      • scottie3158
        SMF Supporters
        • Apr 2018
        • 14201
        • Paul
        • Holbeach

        #4
        Ron,
        Another cracking build.

        Comment

        • Gern
          SMF Supporters
          • May 2009
          • 9212

          #5
          We need some more superlatives 'cos we've run out of new ones to use!

          Comment

          • spanner570
            SMF Supporters
            • May 2009
            • 15384

            #6
            Paul and Dave.
            Great and much appreciated comments.
            Thank you for posting.

            Ron

            Comment

            • Tim Marlow
              SMF Supporters
              • Apr 2018
              • 18892
              • Tim
              • Somerset UK

              #7
              Looks good, and as usual the photos are outstanding....never heard of the vehicle but it sounds like a modern version of the Skdfz 231/234.....complete with two drivers.

              Comment

              • spanner570
                SMF Supporters
                • May 2009
                • 15384

                #8
                Thanks Tim. Glad you like the finished model.

                It certainly looks a 'Cob' vehicle, that's for sure!

                Comment

                • papa 695
                  Moderator
                  • May 2011
                  • 22770

                  #9
                  Great work once again Ron.

                  Comment

                  • spanner570
                    SMF Supporters
                    • May 2009
                    • 15384

                    #10
                    Cheers Ian.
                    Thanks for taking the time to post. Much appreciated..... :thumb2:

                    Comment

                    • Guest

                      #11
                      Super stuff Ron :smiling3: .

                      Comment

                      • spanner570
                        SMF Supporters
                        • May 2009
                        • 15384

                        #12
                        Originally posted by SWR
                        Super stuff Ron :smiling3: .
                        From an 'Ace' water maker, that is indeed a compliment.

                        Thank you Ralph

                        Comment

                        • minitnkr
                          Charter Rabble member
                          • Apr 2018
                          • 7520
                          • Paul
                          • Dayton, OH USA

                          #13
                          Funny posts, & some excellent work, but there really was an early "dazzle" type 3 color camo tried out by the Riechsbahn in WWII. PaulEClick image for larger version

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                          Comment

                          • Road of Bones
                            • Jan 2020
                            • 254

                            #14
                            Beautifully done Ron- you put us aftermarket junkies to shame!

                            I have tried the digicam effect a couple of times myself:
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                            I think yours looks a lot better, to be honest!
                            Alistair☠️

                            Comment

                            • Jason Crausby
                              • Apr 2018
                              • 658

                              #15
                              Cracking job !
                              Jason

                              Comment

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