8.8cm PAK-43 Waffenträger Self Propelled Gun

[geegad]

that barrel looks quality bud can't belive that comes with the kit

[Guest]

Just a bit more brass bashing today but it is the largest bit of brass I have ever dealt with, the gun shield.

First up, the outer skin has to have the sides and top bent back, once again I soldered the joining points to stop it springing open later.



This then had to have 30 tiny plastic spacers put in place that will not only space the two skins but show as rivet heads both sides. No, I didn't solder these



The inner skin then fitted over these spacers so superglue was the only option. I was getting a bit worried about these plastic spacers as I knew some heavy soldering was coming up.





Next up were two outer single skin 'wings' which had a fairly small contact area in the form of a bent edge. I knew for strength, this would have to be soldered along the full length. This is what worried me about the little plastic spacers because of the heat that would build up here but, by using a heavy clamping tweezer to hold the piece in place after coating the contact area with solder paste, I applied the heat in the shortest I could to give a good joint. The clamping tweezer would, and thankfully did, act as a heat sink and the plastic spacers were not affected.

So this is the almost finished shield. From here, there will be more pieces added as detail and a big ammo box as can be sen in the box art. After a bit more cleaning up of course. Time to break out the fibre glass pen and the tweezers because every time I use the fibre glass pen, I get loads of tiny shards in my fingers, really painful sometimes lol

[mossiepilot]

Coming along beautifully Graham, cracking brass work, well done mate.

Tony.

[Guest]

Nice job Graham. The folds are spot on. I want one of them floding thingies you got for Christmas. Where did you get it from mate?

Cheers

Andy

[Ian M]

John sells them in the shop...

Ian M

[Guest]

Thanks Ian. Do you have the correct name for it please?

Cheers

Andy

[Guest]

Just checked Ian, Out of stock

Andy

[yak face]

Fascinating stuff graham, the brass looks amazing! Some very intricate procedures but youre doing a beautiful job , it looks as if theres more brass than plastic!!Top work mate keep the pics coming , cheers tony

[geegad]

that has got to be the biggest bit of brass ive ever seen in a kit...and it all comes with the kit

[Guest]

Thanks guys. Yep, all the metalwork comes with the kit which cost me about £25 at a show which is around the normal price. Best thing is, you don't have to use the brass if you don't want to, there is a really good plastic alternative to it all.

Andy, John has the 4" version in stock. Oddly, the bigger they are, the less likely you are to use them for small jobs, I intend getting the little 'Bug' at some point as it really makes bending smaller pieces, especially aircraft builders type PE simple, accurate and quick.

[papa 695]

Great work on this one Graham even more so with useing all the PE

[geegad]

just looked on hannants and this very kit is going for £29 how cheap when its back i will be getting it thanks to and your quality build more on the xmas list cheers

[Guest]

Very little modelling done this week, just a couple of hours today to finish off the gun shield. All the brass (I hope!!!) is on the shield now including the lovely shell store, there are shells to go in it. I was toying with the idea of leaving the gun shield in red oxide with the rest of the vehicle in a light, late war, dark yellow (yep, a light dark yellow.... it does make sense if you look at the later colours). However, not sure if it is becoming too much of a cliché also, it has to be done really well to look good.

So, here is the gun shield ready for priming. Not much of an update but a step forward none the less.

[Guest]

Thanks guys. Yep, all the metalwork comes with the kit which cost me about £25 at a show which is around the normal price. Best thing is, you don't have to use the brass if you don't want to, there is a really good plastic alternative to it all.Andy, John has the 4" version in stock. Oddly, the bigger they are, the less likely you are to use them for small jobs, I intend getting the little 'Bug' at some point as it really makes bending smaller pieces, especially aircraft builders type PE simple, accurate and quick.

Graham,

The bigger the better for my builds as you know. Perhaps i could buy yours off you if you wanted to and then you can get the one from John and probably have a little cash left over.

Cheers

Andy

[Guest]

Oh! and nice work again mate.

Andy