DML Sd.Kfz.234/1

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

This is my first posting in the Armor forum… I have been lurking around and posted my work mostly in the figures forum in the past. I took the bait and joined the Achtraden 8X8 GB. It took me about 3 months so I am one of those who build kits at slow pace. [:P] Married with two little boys…

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I found this drawing in one of my referrence books… decided to use this one instead.

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Inside the 234/1… that’s where I’d love to sleep in one day!

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Tried this step after reading Doog’s work… but I think it didn’t help because of the camo pattern but will try it again for monotoned schemes.

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I used the silly putty method and it worked like a charm… I learned about this trick from you guys at the forums. You guys rock!

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Another great tip I learned from you guys… thin coat of Future before decals were applied.

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Applied MIG Neutral Wash and Dark Wash that I bought at local IMPS Roscoe Turner show here in Indy last weekend… I used this procedure after failed dot filtering attempt. I think I bought the wrong kind of W&N paints and it was arclyic based instead of oil based. It nearly ruined the paint because it was applied on a coat of Future. Good thing I tried at the bottom of the hull first… [:^)]

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Applied MIG pigments… Light Rust to the mufflers. Mixature of rubble and soil pigment to the tires and under the hull.

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Completed… except for one little part… ‘peel-and-stick’ mirrors that wbill uses. Hope I can find it at AMPS show in Auburn next month!

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I can not tell you how much the forums helped me to build my first armor kit officially after being away for 20+ years. I think it is more fun than just doing the figures. At least I am planning to include two figures from Verlinden and build a diomara for this. I have signed up to do Stug III Ausf. B next for Turretless GB next…

Please feel free to make comment if there is anything I should have done differently… thank you for your time.

2

For your first armour build in 20 years, you really nailed it. [Y]

She looks great, and I like the nice subtle weathering. Enough to look used, but not abused.

3

Super job, cant see too much wrong with that at all.[Y]

4

You’ve gotten the nod from down under,and the UK. So let me complete the 'round the world trip and agree whole heartedly… well done.

An alternative for the mirrors is the inner side of one of those snack packs of cookies or chips. If you don’t have a punch the right size, glue it down and trim around the edge with a sharp new blade.

5

Nice job![Y]

Nate

6

Phil- THANKS! Being rusty after 20+ years, I practiced on couple of war planes that my boys bought at IMPS last summer and it helped. Don’t ask me how the boys treated their war planes… Also, taking airbrushing classes for 16 weekends at Hobby Lobby was a BIG HELP too.

Andy- From Andy to another Andy, thanks! Always good to see you drop by. Just wondered about your huge diomara with 15+ German figures. Bet it is taking alot of time…

Wing-nut- What an excellent idea! I did try foil and it failed miserably! My boys eat snacks wrapped in those packs ALL the times. Duh! And you just gave me an idea… my wife, who is into scrapbooking, owns several punch holers so I gonna raid into her hobby terrirtory. If you don’t hear from me by 1300 ZULU tomorrow… call 9-1-1.

7

Wow Andy, very nice work especially after a 20 year break! The hard edge scheme looks great and the weathering adds just the right look to it IMHO. [B] [B]

I think you’ve diagnosed your issue correctly, Future is an acrylic medium so using acrylic based washes/paints over it would likely cause a problem. The normal “rule” is to alternate acrylic and enamel/oil-based coats so that they can serve as barriers to each other. So, for example, I will paint my base coats in enamels, apply the acrylic Future sealing coat, then apply washes/filters using enamel paints/thinners. HTH for your next build! [Y]

8

Very nice! I’ve built this kit and it is very involved, especially the chassis…

9

very nice build on my favorite piece of German steel

gary

10

Nate- Thanks for your comment as it was snuck in when I did my last post. Didn’t we have fun with the 8X8 GB?

Bill- Thanks for your nice words… I usually like hard edge schemes so I am so glad it came out good. I am aware about the rule to alternate acrylic and oil based coats. Here’s what has happened… I bought the wrong set… I think it was misleading as the box says ‘Oil’ but didn’t realize it is mixable with water so it is really acrylic based? I pasted a photo of W&N set below that I bought. Too late… costed me $30 so will go back to Hobby Lobby to buy the right set. Again, your blogs were a big help especially the PUMA. Thanks!

Manny- Thanks… you sure know how to crack me up! I plan to paint two German figures smoking cigarettes while hauling jerry cans (dangerous combination) when I have the chance and make it into to a diomara just to make you happy. GRIN So I will definitely be looking at your toots and few others such as Indy and Bodge.

Squeakie- I have to agree with you with this. That’s the main reason why I had to join the 8X8 GB. I have DML Puma kit in stock too and I’d love to buy 234/3 and 234/4 to make my 234 series collection complete. Well, it will not happen overnight…

11

SUPER build! Very nice work on the camo scheme…

12

Very nice indeed. I built that kit last year and loved it. I have seen references to Group Builds. Will someone tell me what these are. I am interested in participating.

13

Boyd- many thanks! Any chance you are going to buy me some lottery tickets while your winning streak is hot? 6 out of 13 prizes… congrats!

Clebode- Glad you liked it. Saw that your profile picture was a 234/1 so figured we will be friends. GRIN 8X8 GB started last November and it ends in April so if you build your kits quicker than I do then you can make it. It is still an open season… hope to see you drop by.

Guys, I neglected to include this great picture of 234/1… you can tell that it probably came out of the factory. It was the only picture I found with the hard edge camo…

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Few things in the picture I have noticed…

  • No antennas? Probably taken down during transportation but why?

  • The soldier is still a boy… little too young to be fighting unfortunately.

  • No signs of damage or wear… that’s why I didn’t overweatherize my kit. I figured it was in the service for a short time as it came out in late 1944. I don’t think any of 234/1 survived the war. Very few PUMA did…

  • I really liked the cable wrapped around the front bumper very much. But I looked thru many internet shops and I couldn’t find a good match other than Panzer heavy tow cables. Any idea where I can buy it?

14

Well done. Camo looks great. Very worthy build.

15

WOW…I’m ‘Gobsmacked’[Y]

I have one of these to build and the Blog by Bill of the the one he built, trouble is I’m afraid to start building; I paint with a brush and I need a lot more practice before I can get any where near to the quality of your build…cheers…Kenny

16

Dragon has done a great job in producing the 8-wheelers. I have a couple of the older Italeri kits that can’t compare to the Dragon details but still are worthy of some TLC. You did a fantastic job on your 234, especially the cammo paint and weathering.

17

Great looking Build Andy. Well done [Y].

Regards, Rick

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Tigerman & Rick- Thanks for the nice comments… glad you liked the camo too. Hope you will see more of this… I am hooked!

Spacepacker- There’s no question Bill’s blogs helped me… I lost count how many times I had to go back there. I will buy him a [B] or two if I get to meet him one day… I think you can do the camo just fine using the rattle cans if you use the silly putty method. It was FUN! I made a mistake applying too much paint in the rear of hull so be careful on how much paint you spray.

Plasticjunkie- Thanks for looking too! I have seen great built models using Italeri kit so it shouldn’t be a problem, I saw plenty of aftermarket PEs and accessories for the 234 series… If I were you, I would buy one if I had an Italeri kit. The PE for the anti-grenade guard (screen) really made a big difference!

19

Posting better pictures of my 234/1. The previous pictures were taken using my BlackBerry… sorry about that… I can’t live without my Cackberry. [:P] This time I used my Sony camera but I was surprised that it didn’t come out too good while taken inside the house. But it looked alot better outside while the weather was nice finally after two days of rain so enjoy the new pictures…

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This one is defintely my favorite picture…

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Now I am posting the picture using same Sony camera I took inside the house but I am afraid it didn’t come out too good. Actually its not a camera but duo camera/camcorder so maybe it is time for me to look into buying a better camera so I can take better pictures of my future builds.

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Thanks again for looking… hope somebody can answer my question where I can buy the tow cable as shown in previous posting. I only have seen heavy tow cables everywhere but none like this.

20

Nice work on the 8 wheeler I have this one as well ,thought it was a very goodkit so I bought it.The pix look fine you oughta send them in.