Okay, okay, I know…..don’t start new kits, finish what’s already started. The problem is that this one was started way before I had the skills or references to finish it.
No locating pins, missing details, crude details for what’s there, basic assembly drawings, mis-molded parts and a material that is very unforgiving. What’s not to love? Oh, did I mention that it’s the only game in town for this scale?? Yup, a 105mm German anti-aircraft gun in 1/35 scale.
After many years languishing in a box almost better off forgotten, I’ve dragged this out to have a second go at it. One of the biggest hurdles was the barrel. Cast in one piece, with a warp that would almost allow shooting around corners, no amount of heating/cooling, flexing, etc would leave it straight. At one point I considered drilling trough it and inserting a steel rod, but I could figure no way to drill 7+ inches through the length of the barrel.
Lots more work to do and a lots of details to scratch build and add. This one will be a while, but hopefully I’ll be able to plug away at it regularly.
Don’t tell me about bad models. I know all about it and I too was often disappointed with what came out from a box, but with some tricks of the trade and some skills one can easily turn a miserable kit into a tiny masterpiece, and so is yours. I still have two Krupp and one Rheinmetall 128mm PAK44 to be built but from what I have seen in the boxes I was really impressed by their details and metal gun barrels. Naturally they all came from China and are highly well elaborated. Still, the instructions are all in Chinese, but since the drawings speak by themselves with a little effort I will manage anyway. I have even finally have found the correct ammunition that goes with these monsters, but only this year.
All this to tell you that I completely understand your frustration, but hey, you have unique model at hand and as you said, the only one of its kind.
I am sure you will be proud of your finished work.
Thanks for the info, I had no idea that kit was out there. Interestingly, there is very little info about it and can’t find one available (only pre-order or sold out), so not sure if it actually made it into production.
I did find a couple comments saying it’s a preproduction model, with some differences. There is also a 3D print one in development that looks ok from what I’ve seen.
I’ve managed to avoid Facebook so far and not too sure if I want to sign up at this stage, but it’s tough when there is so much information within groups there that isn’t posted anywhere else.
