SPA Modeler

Posted: **Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:26 am**

speedgraflex wrote:I have no idea how to approach assembling the tracks, Kari, so I soak up your thoughts and fantastic photos eagerly! A pity about the engine being sealed away! I am considering adding weight to the model I am making as well as instinctively turning towards diorama ideas. It’s such a pleasure to read your posts! Keep ‘em coming!

Thanks Bruce, I am ”processing” in my mind the approach..
Adding weight is a great idea! Makes the build much more ”solid”. I will skip that though, as I have already sealed much of the possible hollow places where to add som weight.. must be in balance, in other words both in the front and the back.

I had also first an idea of diorama, but then I enter again into new territory, I simply just don’t have bandwithd for such at this moment..

- Kari

Posted: **Sun Nov 18, 2018 11:12 am**

Will you flatten and/or bulge the tires and/or turn the wheels as you did in your first model? I was thinking about at least the look of weight bearing down—this seems to add to the overall appearance. I’m still wondering if I should paint the tracks on sprues... but I wonder if the parts fit well enough to forgo fitting them until after the color coat is applied...

Posted: **Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:41 pm**

I have started to flatten the pads.. Regarding the tires, I don't think I will bulge the tires, most of the reference pics I've found there is hardly any (if) bulge visible. I am though planning to sand the tires slightly, they should show more wear..

BUT, yes, the wheels will be turned, for sure! :-)

- Kari

Posted: **Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:31 pm**

Posted: **Sun Nov 25, 2018 4:20 pm**

Kari, I finally caught up with this as well. Beautiful work so far. Very nicely done. Congrats on finding a way to get the tracks completed without losing your sanity. Every time I see tracks like this in 1/35th scale, it makes me glad that I only build in 1/72 scale!

I am also impressed with your little Matchbox halftrack, I'm glad you still have that. I also still have my first ever small scale armor vehicle that I built.

I'm looking forward to seeing more.

And Bruce, earlier you mentioned using boiling water to re-straighten parts. It does work, but you have to be very careful with the temperature. Too hot and the softer plastics will curl up into an unusable piece of slag. Very warm or hot water just under the boiling point could work for most medium soft plastics. Only one time I used boiling water to fix a warped plastic assembly: one car of my German armored train was so badly warped I had to stir it in boiling water then clamp it between two boards to straighten it out. Fortunately, it worked!

Okay, now back to your regularly scheduled program. Bring it on Kari!

Posted: **Mon Nov 26, 2018 10:15 am**

Duke Maddog wrote:Kari, I finally caught up with this as well. Beautiful work so far. Very nicely done. Congrats on finding a way to get the tracks completed without losing your sanity. Every time I see tracks like this in 1/35th scale, it makes me glad that I only build in 1/72 scale! I am also impressed with your little Matchbox halftrack, I'm glad you still have that. I also still have my first ever small scale armor vehicle that I built.

I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Okay, now back to your regularly scheduled program. Bring it on Kari!

Thanks Duke !

- Kari

Posted: **Tue Nov 27, 2018 8:24 am**

Got a small change to "work" with my 251/1 and decided to shoot one layer of Mig Ammos black One Shot Primer on the body.

Idea is to start working with the "internals" first, before starting to put together the "box".

Researching modus needs to be activated, as have not really yet figured out the color combinations there..
For example, I guess that box in the pic is a radio. What should the color be I must figure out..

- Kari