OK, so here we go with a first session at the bench with this kit.
It’s been a while since I last built an un-armoured Trumpeter 8 Ton. I have built this one before, but it’s got to be at least 10 years ago. I built their Flak 43 variant recently but that has the strengthened rear load bed supports to take the weight of the gun platform. It also has the armoured cab.
Compared to the Dragon versions the moulding detail is a little ‘chunky’ and although there was no flash present there are plenty of pin holes, many of which are visible. There is also a fair bit of mould offset so again that does require cleaning up. From experience many of the witness marks for attachment points can be a little narrow so again, opening them up before fitment makes life easier.
I did make some notes about the issues I had with the first outing of this kit so along with the published ‘fixes’ I will try and point them out as I go along.
Trumpeter Sd.Kfz.7 8t Km.11 Late version. Kit 01507
What’s inside the box?
These are the sprues included in the kit. In the substantial and large kit box there are ten main trees in grey plastic and six brown trees for the tracks. The rear canvas cover is separate as are two frets of photo-etch, the clear film for the screen, some string to simulate the winch cable, some wire (also for the winch system) three rubber tyres and a decal sheet. The decal sheet does include the cab dash instrument gauges.
Build time.
Trumpeter go with a multi-part affair for the chassis and whilst it has far more detail than any Dragon equivalent it is a bit fiddly to assemble. I much prefer the Dragon one piece affair. It sacrifices detail but much of it is unseen once assembled and it is a much stronger sub assembly and saves at least a couple of hours of work.
Following the instructions, we commence in step 1 with the gearbox. This is fitted between the chassis frames so it cannot be added later. I will not add the photo etch or levers (parts D13, D38 and D54) until it is ready to receive the cab floor as they are easily broken.
Step 2 builds up the basic chassis. Whilst this looks simple on paper the fact that the gearbox sub assembly built in step 1 does not actually provide any real structural rigidity makes it tricky to line it all up and keep it straight! Help is it at hand if you utilise part A41 (shown in step 3) and dry fit it between the frames to get the correct spacing but first of all you need to get everything connected
The front leaf spring assembly connect the two chassis legs at the front and the flat rear tray (part WA15) connects them together at the rear. You also have to fit the gearbox inbetween. The gearbox connection points to both chassis legs rely on just the tiny and imprecise ends of part A7. The weight of the gearbox tends to make it droop making both legs in the middle bend inwards at the top! Not the best engineering as the gearbox will connect both winch and engine shaft in later steps! The only reference for lining up the gearbox straight is to sight it up using the two holes behind the sprocket housing in the frames. I found it easier by connecting just one side of the gearbox to one chassis leg first. Once lined up and dry connect one side of both the front leaf spring assembly and the rear tray to one chassis leg. It doesn’t matter what side, its just essential for those parts to stay perpendicular.
Once both these connections are dry you can safely connect both halves together. Dry fitting part A41 mentioned above will also aid keeping both sides parallel. TBH the upper middle parts of both legs have way too much flex and don’t get any rigidity until the fuel tank in step 7 is attached. There’s plenty of manhandling beforehand so beware!
Step 3 connects the myriad of parts that connects the suspension pick up points. Plenty of clean-up is needed especially on parts D23 and D24 so dry fitting everything before committing placement is recommended. There are also two small pieces of photoetch to add in this step and they need to be assembled correctly as the holes in them accept the winch housing.
Progress to step 3 so far.