Allen's Nebelwerfer 42 auf Maultier, started in the late? 90's

[Jim R]

Hi Allen
Quite a few people have been laid low with symptoms of a bad cold - sore throat, runny nose and feeling rotten. Hope you get better soon.
Enjoyed reading the historical background.
Jim

[adt70hk]

Hop one for a speedy recovery Jim.

ATB.

Andrew

[Allen Dewire]

Afternoon World,

First and foremost, a huge apology for not answering you all in a timely manner. I am back to normal and to be honest, I had totally forgotten that I started this blog. Brain dead I guess and the funny thing is, I have been working on the Maultier all along. I'm sort of stressed out over this retirement waiting crap and work doesn't help either...........Anyway,

Thank you all for the get well wishes and for not falling asleep. I really do appreciate all the support as it keeps the Mojo going. So on to the build. I started with the launcher unit and found the first correction that was needed,



The tube sets had a plastic blob with the crater on them. These were the junction boxes for the firing cables and incorrect. I hacked off the blob (bottom tube set) and scratched a box and added the etch pieces (on the right). Then we had this,



At least it looks the part now. The tubes are also way too thick in diameter so I went about thinning them out,



Still too thick and need some more thinning.......I almost lost my mind and wanted to scratch new ones from tubing, but I want to finish this project and not take 6 months to do it...I moved on to cleaning up the resin and the rockets and painting the road wheels, tires and selecting some more etch for use as the kit parts don't cut it,



Next up was assembling the body. This was a surprise as the fit was actually real good. I painted a bit of the interior and the spare rocket tubes and glued the top and bottom together. The fit was great with just a bit of scraping and sanding. Then came the grill and the rear panel. Once again, a bit of fiddling and they fit damn near perfect too. The fenders/storage box pieces needed more scraping and sanding, but they went on good as well,





A little clean up on the joins is needed, but there was no need for filler/putty of any sort. I was surprised the fit was so good for this old kit. I moved on to the frame,



I hairy sticked the motor even though it won't be seen at all. I've since added the tow hitch and masked the frame contact points for the hissy stick. Now to some improvements on the body itself,



Folded up and glued the jerry can holders together and folded the side steps. They look a little wonky in the pic but will get fixed when they are attached. Still debating on the rear fender flaps. The kit part is kind of thick. The etch would be better, but on the left side there has to be the tail light and marker added. I'm not too good at sticking etch on top of etch. Oh hell, I'll give it a shot! I then found the biggest prob with the kit that needed to be definitely corrected. The kit gives you these,



The vision slits for the front and sides. They are a no-go and have these trenches molded around them. They should look like this,


For Discussion Purposes Only

A glaring error as even the boxtop art shows the correct ones. Out with the 0,020 plastic card, RP cutter, sharp pointed blade and a cold one to make these,



Not 100% perfect, but will fit the bill for this puppy!!! Oh, and the cold one was good too!!! That's about it for now. I can't fire up the hissy stick as our weather is crap rainy and cold. More to come...............

Sorry again for the brain cramp and thanks for looking in. All C, C and C is most welcome. Have a good one and enjoy your Sunday.......

Prost
Allen (almost Ret.)

[minitnkr]

Looking good Allen. Late 251s used a similar vision block design.

[scottie3158]

Looking good matey, nice corrections.

[adt70hk]

Those vision slits aren't even close to the real thing!! How could they be so wrong???

Great work Allen on the corrections.

ATB

Andrew

[Allen Dewire]

Evening Everyone,

Once again, I damn near forgot about this, but have been trucking on and making progress. Along the way, as usual, I forget to take pics of the progress between naps at the table.....

Thanks Paul, and some of the late versions had a slit cut into them for the side vision ports. cheaper in the long run. Snow gone yet???

Thanks too Paul, and like you, some things tend to bug the heck out of us. You don't want to go crazy, but you know they have to be fixed.....

Thanks and it's hard to say Andrew, but it was probably easier to mold them wrong to make the piece fit properly in the opening on the model. I honestly have never seen a kit that was at least 95% correct. For a kit from 1994, it's really not too shabby though and the fit was good overall. Still a few more tweaks to go....

Oh, an update is included here too!!!.......I decided to go with some more etch pieces than normal as they do make a difference when they are not pinging off after gluing them on. This was the stand as of Saturday,



Rear steps in etch and scratchy locking handles on the loading hatch. Rockets only half painted as the rest will be in the barrels (lazy). I tried to sand/grind The barrel ends thinner, but stopped, with the risk of losing the glue points holding them together....Moving on,



Chassis masked, motor not glued in, all of the etch bent and CA'd together and ready to rumble on the chassis with the hissy stick. NOT, crap weather and no sunshine put a damper on that. Painted the chassis with a hairy stick. CA'd all the etch on the body, assembled all the road wheel components and affixed the front resin wheels and we ended up here,



I need to do a few dabs of paint on the idler wheel caps and the nuts on the road wheel suspension arms. I also have to paint a base color on the vision blocks as they are white plastic. another shot,



The front wheels are steerable and add a nice effect. The open driver's vision port adds interest (who am I kidding?) to the scheme. The etch steps and jerry can holders do make a difference though. One more for the Gipper,



The body isn't glued on and will be painted with the hissy stick when our weather gets (hopefully) a bit better. I still haven't decided on a scheme, but the base will be dark yellow (Dunkelgelb). I am leaning towards a winter whitewash though with maybe a little snow thrown on her. The figgie I have picked out to use is in winter uniform too. I also haven't decided whether to use the kit tracks or give her a set of Friuls. Too many decisions and not enough beer in the fridge!!!

Thanks for looking in and commenting on this oldie. All C, C and C cheerfully accepted and have a great week folks. Most of all, stay safe...

Prost
Allen (almost Ret.) and may never be..............

[scottie3158]

Allen,
That is coming on very nicely indeed mate. Bring on the paint.

[Tim Marlow]

Yep, concur with Scottie, coming along great….paint please!

[adt70hk]

Coming on very nicely Allen, keep up the great work.

Andrew

[Steve Jones]

Lovely tidy work my friend. Nice to see

[minitnkr]

Looking good. Tubes came out great.

[JR]

I think the open vision shot is good, just that hint of detail .You've made a good job of the kit brother.

[Allen Dewire]

Morn, Afternoon, Evening All (choose one),

It's been hell the past few weeks and I haven't had a lot of table time either. Trying to finally get retired has shot my nerves out the window and the Mojo too. I am still working while waiting to get that final paper stating I am fully retired and can sit on my butt and play....

The Maultier is moving along at a snail's pace, but I am making some progress. Thanks Paul and Tim, but the sun hasn't been out since I can't remember when. I have wanted to shoot a coat on the body, it's just too dark. I have a lamp for the booth, but I'm afraid to mess up the paint job if I use it (missing spots or too thickly applied and it runs, etc.). One day....

Andrew, Stevie, PaulE and Dude 2, thanks for the kind words and the votes of confidence on this It's much appreciated and does keep me going. Paul, I almost bought another kit to build and scratch the tubes out of brass to make them thinner, but I drank a beer instead. No major scratchy on this one either......

I finished up the chassis, even though you won't see hardly any of it,


Yea, I could have wired the motor and added the radiator hoses and the like. I still haven't made up my mind on which tracks to use either. While waiting for the sun to shine (so I could use the hissy stick), I added a few more bits of etch and worked on the MG 42 mounting,



Etch shovel holder and pick-axe holders in place. Shaved off the MG mount as it will be replaced with a Dragon part with MG 42. The cap on the roof will be explained in a few too. The MG stuff ready to be used,



The belt is too long and will be trimmed to fit. The swivel mount will be painted on the vehicle and the MG 42 added last with the belt glued on. The cap is part of the vehicle and from the crew member that will be standing on the open hatch in front of the nebelwerfer. I went with a figure out of the MiniArt winter tank crew set #35021. I present to you........................................



Lutz, the headless loader and 3rd crewmember of the Maultier. Lutz has to hang out of the hatch as there are only 2 seats inside (driver & commander) and he has no place to sit. He could sit on the floor, but the ride would be very uncomfortable for him and the cold steel is hell on his 'roids. Another shot,



He also gives you an idea how low the body was on the vehicle. I hope to paint him this week and add is head and hat to top him off. That's it for now fine folks. Thanks for the support and your patience. All comments good, bad or indifferent appreciated. Take care and stay safe out there...........

Prost
Allen (no idea and still slaving away at work)

[Steve Jones]

Great update Allen. The project is coming along well. Keep it comin my friend