Amusing Hobby 1/35 Panzerkampfwagen VII VK 7201 (K)

[Mini Me]

Massive looking "Brute". Nice progress Ron.
Rick H.

[spanner570]

Thanks Rick. Glad you like it thus far.

It is a bit of a brute that's for sure.

Ron

[spanner570]

Rick, this morning I've made a start on the track links. My initial link total maths was all to cock.

Here is a shot of the track link sprues..... You can count them if you can be bothered - I can't!


You get a little jig which is 4.5cm. long. All the links in this shot fill the jig. Just to be awkward the ones in the lower right are two different types too!


First, the bigger links sort of loosely interlock together on the jig.




The separate links in contact with the road surface then glue into tiny holes in the above on top of the joints and hold them together. Once dry, the whole thing 'Hinges' very easily without coming apart.

So here's the result of a good half an hour's work to stick together 15 pieces to produce just 4.5 X 3cm. of working track!
All very clever, but Jeez, it's hard work on the old peepers!


Cheers.
Ron

[Jim R]

Hi Ron
Rather you than me with those tracks. You're gonna need more than one can! Certainly does look a brute. Was this actually built and in service or is it just a design idea?
Jim

[spanner570]

Thanks Jim. Cans at the ready!
The tracks will test my patience but I have to keep at it. It's no wonder the young toe rag didn't want to build this model.... :angry:

The design only existed on a blueprint and was never built.

Ron

[Mini Me]

Yeah, the Germans probably binned the idea when they figured out how difficult it was to assemble the tracks! LOL:tongue-out2::tongue-out3:
Cheers, Rick H.

[prichrd1]

Ron,

Forget the cans - just invert the bottle - attach IV drip line - insert pointy end into arm!!!

How long is each track length????

I was thinking about purchasing this one - ermm - not so sure now!!
:flushed::flushed::flushed:

Paul.
:smiling2:

[Guest]

Here is a shot of the track link sprues..... You can count them if you can be bothered - I can’t!

Each sprue is 9 × 4 links in size, so 36 links per sprue; six sprues like that makes 216 links.

You get a little jig which is 4.5cm. long. All the links in this shot fill the jig. Just to be awkward the ones in the lower right are two different types too!

What are those things, anyway? They look like offcuts or bits of flash or something, that you’d throw out.

[spanner570]

Paul - Each track is about 16" / 40cm in length.

Jakko - They are the parts of the track that are in actual contact with the ground.

[Guest]

They are the parts of the track that are in actual contact with the ground.

Oh, yes, I see that now you explain it. Is there a reason for them to be separate parts? Like, is there an undercut that would be impossible to mould if they were simply part of the link?

[spanner570]

Oh, yes, I see that now you explain it. Is there a reason for them to be separate parts? Like, is there an undercut that would be impossible to mould if they were simply part of the link?

If you take a look at the stage construction of a track section a couple of posts back, I try and explain just why they are a separate part.

[Guest]

I realised it later: they’re there to trap the next link so the track articulates.

[Guest]

Ron,
Looking good on the paint finish, no jokes about linking the build together, you are doing a great job - by the way i have a set for a Bren carrier if you are interested in straining your eyes some more.
Cheers, Mike.

[JR]

570.
Your doing a splendid job, rather you than me with those tracks, they look a nightmare waiting ! .
453 .

[spanner570]

Cheers boys.
Michael - What a fine offer. Sorry, but one this occasion I must pass it by. I hope you will understand.....:tongue-out3:!

I had a luuuurverly time yesterday...... :dizzy::loudly-crying:
To be honest once I had sussed out what went where and figured out a quick way to assemble the bits, it was a relatively straight forward exercise. Apart from a quick swipe to remove the minimal dots where they were attached to the sprues, the links were a joy to fit together - But mind numbing at the same time!

I've read of various techniques regarding the painting of armour tracks. Many are far too fiddly, long winded and complicated for a simple soul like me who wants an easy life. No primer. I just give the tracks one brushed on coat of Vallejo Model Air Dk. Sea Grey, then a very thin wash of some sort of Dk. Brown. Finally I shine up the road / wheel contact areas with a pencil.

Here's the tracks with the grey coat of paint.

The four top and bottom long lengths.





I always glue enough links to the drive wheels first. Simply because there's only one position for them to go - On the cogs.


....and once in the roughly the correct position, the idler wheels too. Again both ends of the running gear a straight forward fit.


This kit really is a joy to work on.

Cheers.
Ron