Hello & welcome, Here are some photos of my Family, Work, Hobbies, Cars, Pets & other interests I enjoy. Email me at [email protected] if you have any questions. I hope you enjoy. Vince.
Kollegen!!! I have an addiction: build similar kits in pairs, to save time and research ... Sd.kfz.9 cargo and Sd.Kfz 9/1crane version towing a Tiger So, I'll show to you guys a couple of gorgeous German twins girls; Similar, but not identical ... Uops...wrong pic... The correct is this Tamiya girl, in two versions, in double building: Schwerer Zugkraftwagen 18 t SdKfz 9 - FAMO. Tamiya FAMO As I had two of these kits in my closet, I decided to build this pair at once (in 2010). But, first of all, let us know the history of this big lady. History: The Sd.Kfz. 9 Schwerer Zugkraftwagen (also known as "Famo" ) was a German half-track that saw widespread use in World War II, and the heaviest half-track vehicle of any type built in quantity in Nazi Germany during the war years. Its main roles were as a prime mover for very heavy towed guns such as the 24 cm Kanone 3 and as a tank recovery vehicle. Approximately 2,500 were produced between 1938 and 1945. Schwerer Zugkraftwagen (Heavy tractor)18 t SdKfz 9 - FAMO The Sd.Kfz. 9 had a ladder frame chassis. Power was provided by a Maybach 12-cylinder, water-cooled, 10.838 litres (661.4 cu in) HL 108 gasoline engine of 270 horsepower (270 PS). It had a syncromesh ZF G 65 VL 230 transmission with four forward and one reverse gears. It had two fuel tanks, one of 90 litres (24 US gal) and the other of 230 litres (61 US gal) capacity. Both tracks and wheels were used for steering. The steering system was set up so that shallow turns used only the wheels, but brakes would be applied to the tracks the further the steering wheel was turned. The drive sprocket, like all German halftracks, had rollers rather than the more common teeth. The rear suspension consisted of six double sets of overlapping, interleaved roadwheels mounted on swing arms sprung by torsion bars. An idler wheel, mounted at the rear of the vehicle, was used to control track tension. The front wheels had leaf springs and shock absorbers. The upper body had a crew compartment common to all versions. This had bench seats, one for the driver and his assistant, and another for the crew. The rear portion of the upper body was adapted for the vehicle's intended role. The artillery model had two extra bench seats for the gun's crew and space for its ammunition. FAMO SdKfz 9 artillery version The cargo or towing version had just two storage compartments mounted in the front of the cargo compartment, one on each side, that opened to the outside. FAMO SdKfz 9 towing version The windshield could fold forward and was also removable. A convertible canvas top was mounted at the upper part of the rear body. It fastened to the windshield when erected. The Sd.Kfz. 9 was designed to have a towing capacity of 28 tonnes (28 long tons; 31 short tons). This was adequate for medium tanks like the Panzer IV, but two or even three or four were necessary for heavier vehicles like the Tiger I, Panther or King Tiger. Two SdKfz 9 towing a Panther tank Two SdKfz 9 towing a Ferdinand/Elephan destroyer A Famo SdKfz 9 and a SdKfz 9/1 towing a Tiger tank It towed Sd.Anh 116 low-loader trailers to carry disabled vehicles. FAMO SdKfz 9 towing a Panzer III in a Sd. Anh. 116 trailer FAMO SdKfz 9 towing a Panzer III in a Sd. Anh. 116 trailer - rear view FAMO SdKfz 9 towing a captured Matilda II in a Sd. Anh. 116 trailer Preliminary design of all the German half-tracks of the early part of the war was done by Dipl.Ing. Ernst Kniepkamp of the Military Automotive Department (Wa Prüf 6) before the Nazis took power in 1933. His designs were then turned over to commercial firms for development and testing. Fahrzeug- und Motorenbau GmbH (FAMO) of Breslau received the contract for the 18 t (18 long tons; 20 short tons) heavy towing tracked vehicle. Their first prototype, the FM gr 1, was completed in 1936. It had a 200 horsepower (200 PS) Maybach HL 98 TUK engine and was only 7.7 metres long. The F 2 prototype appeared in 1938, but differed only in detail from its predecessor. The F 3 appeared in 1939 and was the production version. The design was simplified over the course of the war to reduce costs and the use of strategic metals. Some vehicles produced by Tatra had its 12-cylinder, air-cooled Type 103 diesel engine fitted. Large spades were added at the rear of the chassis during the war to improve the vehicle's ability to recover tanks and other heavy vehicles. A new upper body was used for the Sd.Kfz. 9/1 which mounted a 6 t (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons) capacity crane in lieu of the crew's bench seat and the cargo compartment. It was issued to tank maintenance units beginning in September 1941. SdKfz 9/1 6 ton. crane in action A larger, gasoline-electric, 10 t (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons) crane was fitted on the laterSd.Kfz. 9/2, but this required outriggers to stabilize the vehicle before operations could begin. Sd.Kfz. 9/2 lifting a Tiger turret In 1942, was placed order for 112 self propelled 8.8cm Flak 37. The first prototype vehicle was completed at the end of October 1942. From July to September 1943, a total of 12 production vehicles 8.8cm Flak 37 (Sf.) auf s. Zgkw. 18t - a self propelled 8.8cm anti aircraft gun - were produced. The armoured upper body was 14.5mm thick armour riveted plates. The gun itself had limited traverse because of the armored cab and could only be fully traversed with the gun elevated. A platform with drop-down sides was fitted for the gun. During combat, these stabilizing legs had to be folded down for reasons of stability. The vehicle weighed 25 tonnes, was 9.32 metres long, 3.67 metres tall and 2.65 metres wide. 40 rounds could be stored in ammo boxes at the rear. Due to the increased weight of the vehicle, the chassis had to be strengthened. All 12 serial vehicles were assigned to Heeres-Flak-Abteilung 304 of 26. Panzer Division. They were used in Italy from 1943 to 1945. FAMO 8.8cm Flak 37 Selbstfahrlafette auf 18 ton Zugkraftwagen in AA firing position FAMO 8.8cm Flak 37 Selbstfahrlafette auf 18 ton Zugkraftwagen in firing AT position Vomag of Plauen began producing the Sd.Kfz. 9 in 1940 and Tatra joined in the last years of the war. 855 were on hand on 20 December 1942. 643 were built in 1943 and 834 in 1944. Approximately 2,500 were built in total. Specs: Sd.Kfz. 9 Type Heavy half-track Place of origin Nazi Germany Service history In service 1938–55? Used by Nazi Germany Romania Wars World War II Production history Designer FAMO Designed 1936–39 Manufacturer FAMO, Vomag, Tatra Produced 1939–45 Number built approx. 2500 Variants Sd.Kfz. 9/1, Sd.Kfz. 9/2 Specifications Weight 18,000 Kg Length 8.32 metres Width 2.6 metres Height 2.85 metres (overall) Crew depends on body type fitted Engine 10.8L Maybach HL 108 petrol, 12-cylinder, water-cooled 270 horsepower (270 PS) Payload capacity 2,620 Kg Transmission 4 + 1 speed ZF G 65 VL 230 Suspension torsion bar Ground clearance 44 centimetres Fuel capacity 290 litres Operational range 260 kilometres (road) 100 kilometres (cross-country) Speed 50 km/h (road) The kits: As I say, to do this double project, I used two FAMOs from Tamiya. Old kits, but very good and easy to build. My idea was to use a Bilstein crane in resin, which had built years ago and that was leaning in a corner of my workshop, waiting for the right carrier ...The other FAMO would be a cargo version. Bilstein 6 ton. crane - resin - Panzerserra's kit. For the crane version, I had to transform the kit Tamiya through plastic surgery. There are conversion kits on the market, but I like doing things on scratch ... It's part of the fun! This picture below was my inspiration. Notice the crane's base (rigid) and a toolbox in the rear of the loading platform. These are characteristics of the early versions of the SdKfz 9/1. SdKfz 9/1 - early version The later versions had a joint at the base of the crane and did not bear the toolbox in the aft. SdKfz 9/1 - late version Well, starting the fun...Engines: As I would leave the engines exposed, I sweat in the detailing and painting Gentleman, start your engines.... engines and transmissions in colors The two chassis... ..with the engines( dry-run)!! Painting the chassis in Panzer-gray: chassis painted While the chassis paint dries, I was taking care of the wheels ... So many!! Wheels in barbecue sticks, for painting.... Painting the wheels... drying... drying... ...and in the suspensions!!! front wheels front suspensions and axles... ready to build... The front wheels and reels winch of the chassis: engine and transmission: starting the weathering... close-up Used !!! Notice the chassis winches For now, the building of the girls are in parallel ... soon, they will differentiate. The snouts of the FAMOs... And now, the buildings will differentiate enough. Notice the differences between the tractor version and crane version. observe the red arrows ... all this will be removed and the side, cut surgery in the crane version The cabin's floor of the crane version with details already removed: details already removed: green arrows crane and tractor...side by side. cabin's sides of the crane version: surgery done !!!! And the cabins built ... Compare the two girls: The two cabins..Notice the differences!!! In the crane version, I cut the back part of the cabin, just to seize the support of the cab in the chassis. I cut in the green arrows and discarded the part in scratched red. I used only the lower portion of the part After cutting, testing the cabin's support in the chassi belly view - no differences!!! And the front view of the cabins: As the sides of the hoods will be opened, parts of firewalls should be seen. Details made with copper wire and pieces of my scrap box. details with scrap parts. the two cabins with panzer-gray... dry-run with snouts... making the steel cables of the chassis winches ..and building the cabins in the chassis... The tractor version... Using telephone wiring to transform the air filters hoses the radiator rods in metal... ...and painted in panzer-gray the steel cables... ..done!! The radiators dont have hoses !!!! To build the radiator hoses, I used the plastic isolation of the eletric wires stripping the wires to use the isolators ... Very good, indeed!!! hoses in place... After that, more surgeries...more complicated, this time... Notice the tractor and crane versions: belly view of the cargo bed tractor left; crane right: the two boxes will be cut. Surgery done... Sanding the cargo bed in the crane version... Done !!! The cargo bed supports: no differences in the belly view!!! Notice the air filter in place (red arrow) and the cargo beds painted For the crane version, I made a new plate in the cargo bed. Scratch with plasticard... I used scrap Photo-etched and rivets made with sprue. The scribing was easy...The crane place was cut with compass... The Bilsten crane resin kit came with parts to adapt the crane to FAMO or a Bussig-Nag. I kept these parts and I used them to complete the assembly in my FAMO... The Bilsten crane resin parts in place (blue arrows). Scratch in metal in the red arrows. Testing the crane pads in the cabin's rear Making the transporting supports of telescopic detachable legs: Telescopic legs in place...rear. Telescopic legs - front and rear, in place... Detailing the pads... Pads in place (dry-run) And my workbench...Bilsten crane in dry-run. Notice the tractor version and in the background, A Guy Ant (you will meet this rare girl, soon !!) Scratch in plastic: toolbox and wheel locks... Gentlemen, I found this picture and I loved the fuel/water (?) drums on the sides of the crane: SdKfz 9/1 crane - The Lady of the lake !!! I decided to reproduce the arrangement with the drums: Making the suports with balsa wood: Notice the balsa wood... and the drums in place... While the glue wood dry, I decided to finish the weathering of engines .... Engines ready close-up Between the hood and the firewall is a gap in the original vehicle. This gap is filled with a tarp. I simulated this canvas with putty softened in thinner mmaking canvas with putty Canvas done... ...In both girls... Now, It's time of painting...The girls under preparation... Using paper as masks The crane will be panzer-gray with yellow strips. The tractor will be dark-yellow with green-brown cammo The crane version The tractor version The crane with Bilster While cammo dry, I will build the LBL tracks. I always hate this step... I built a jig with popsicle sticks: Tracks under construction... The tracks done!! Painting...and... In the tractor and... in the crane. Adding the seats !!! Seats in the crane version. Notice the drums... I had to redo the wiring crane, because the boom is fixed in its support. I chose for my crane version the markings of 10th Panzer Division. As I did not have decals of these markings, the simbols were made with brush and steady hand... The Bison of 10th Panzer Division The Bison marking in the front fender... The Bison marking in the side of the FAMO The Bison marking in the rear.. In the tractor version, I applied Future to prevent silvering... Using decals from my spare box...(number 2 and license plates) Wermacht!!! And Luftwaffe; Gen.Kommando Flak-Korps II le.Flak-Abteilung 74 side view Luftwaffe FAMO: rear view Keep distance !!! I'm a bad girl !!! Tying the drums with ropes The spare wheel locked by a chain... The instrument panel painted ...Notice the chains in the pads... Notice the weathering... The tractor version, with cargo... Starting the weathering... I had two motorcycles, lost in scrap box ... They are BMW and Zundapp, but without sidecar, like this: BMW R66 - Wermacht - Russia, 1941 German Luftwaffe motorcycle messenger with a BMW R35 Messenger with Zundapp solo - Wermacht And the girls in the cargo area of Famo: Two motorcycles in the cargo area; Zundapp and BMW And the Girls were ready !!! The Luftwaffe girl first : Tractor number 6 from Gen.Kommando Flak-Korps II le.Flak-Abteilung 74. European front. SdKfz 9 - 18 ton - FAMO - tractor version SdKfz 9 - 18 ton - FAMO - tractor version - right side Kojak and his cousin approved ... Huge girl!!! And the SdKfz 9/1 - crane version. FAMO number 2 from 10. Panzer-Division - Afrika. SdKfz 9/1 with Bilsten 6 ton. crane SdKfz 9/1 with Bilsten 6 ton. crane - Notice the crane arms tied in the front bumper A bucket of wine... Thanks for follow, Kojak approves !!! Auf Wiedersehen, for now !!!
Hello & welcome, Here are some photos of my Family, Work, Hobbies, Cars, Pets & other interests I enjoy. Email me at [email protected] if you have any questions. I hope you enjoy. Vince.
FW 190 D-13/R11 “Yellow 10” “Yellow 10” (serial 836017) was delivered to Jagdgeschwader 26 in March 1945, within two months of VE-Day. It was flown by Maj. Franz Goetz (63...
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Gunners!!! Now let's talk about a very powerful weapon of the WWII: The German 17 cm Kanone 18 heavy field gun. Achtung !!! This is a commission project for my friend Alois ! 17 cm Kanone 18 German heavy field gun in action History: The 17 cm Kanone 18 in Mörserlafette (German: 17 cm Cannon 18 on Heavy Howitzer Carriage) (17 cm K 18 in MrsLaf) was a German heavy gun used in the Second World War. In 1939 the 21 cm Mörser 18 began appearing in the German Army Corps level Artillery Regiments, replacing the obsolescent World War I-era 21 cm Mörser 16. 21 cm Mörser 18 captured by Allies Germany - 1945 Captured German 21-cm Mörser 16 in Stanley Park Vancouver - 1923 The 21 cm Mörser was able to send a 113 kg HE shell out to a range of 14.5 km, however by 1941 the German Army was seeking a longer range weapon and Krupp responded by producing a smaller 173 mm caliber increased velocity weapon utilising the same carriage, with the designation Kanone 18. The Kanone 18 quickly impressed German Artillery officers, firing a 68 kg HE shell out to a range of 29.6 km, the real surprise was the explosive power of the shell, which was little different from the 113 kg shell of the 21 cm Mörser 18. Production commenced in 1941, in 1942 production of the 21 cm Mörser 18 was halted for almost two years so as to allow maximum production of the Kanone 18. 17 cm Kanone 18 in Tunisia The Afrika Korps gunners preparing the gun for firing Tunisia- 1941 Design: A notable innovation introduced by Krupp on the 21 cm Mörser 18 and used by the 17 cm Kanone 18 was the "double recoil" or dual- recoil carriage, the normal recoil forces were initially taken up by a conventional recoil mechanism close to the barrel, and then by a carriage sliding along rails set inside the travelling carriage. 17cm Kanone 18 firing in Normandy Notice the shield over the top recoil oil cilinder The gunner seems to be expecting the worst... The dual-recoil mechanism absorbed all of the recoil energy with virtually no movement upon firing, thus making for a very accurate weapon. For all of its bulk, a full 360 degree traverse could be achieved by one man. The same gun abovr...17 cm Kanone 18 Notice the gun in total recoil, after fire... Afrika Korps - 1941. For travel both the 21 cm Mörser 18 and the 17 cm Kanone 18 were broken down into two loads, which was common for heavy artillery of the period, with the barrel being transported separately. 17 cm Kanone 18 waiting restoration... The gun is dismantled for long distance transport Sapun-Gora Diorama Museum - Ukraine. The cradles of two 17cm Kanone 18 under transportation The carriage was well equipped with a series of ramps and winches which made removing the barrel a reasonably quick task for its time, but still required several hours. For short distance travel the 17 cm Kanone 18 could be transported intact. 17cm Kanone 18 traveling slowly in one piece. North Africa - 1942 The 17 cm Kanone 18 was considered a technically excellent long range artillery piece for the German Army, its greatest weaknesses was that it was expensive to build, and it required careful maintenance. It was quite slow to bring in and out of action, fairly difficult to manoeuvre and very slow to move off road, many were lost when their crews abandoned them to avoid capture by advancing Allied forces. The haste in retreat ... 17 cm Kanone 18 ready for transport, but abandoned by gunners. This weapon was thus found, by the New Zealanders - North of Africa -1942. Use: The 17 cm Kanone 18 was employed at the Corps level in order to provide long-range counter-battery support, as well as filling the same basic role as the 21 cm Mörser 18. In 1944 some Allied batteries used captured 17 cm K 18s when ammunition supplies for their usual guns were disrupted by the long logistical chain from Normandy to the German border. It was also proposed for use on the Geschützwagen Tiger (only 1 prototype built), in the Sturmgeschutz Maus and Sturmgeschütz E-100 super heavy assault tanks. Nothing ever became of the proposal. Geschützwagen Tiger - artistic view and prototype Specs: 17 cm Kanone 18 Mörserlafette Type Heavy gun Place of origin Germany Service history In service 1941–45 Used by Nazi Germany Wars World War II Production history Manufacturer Krupp (until 1942), Hanomag Produced 1941–45 No. built +/- 338 Specifications Weight combat: 17,520 kg travel: 23,375 kg Length 8.53 m Crew 10 Shell HE shell: 68 kg Caliber 173 mm Breech horizontal block Recoil dual-recoil hydropneumatic Elevation -6°to +50° Traverse 16° on wheels 360° on platform Muzzle velocity 925 m/s Maximum firing range 29.6 km The kit: The kit is the Trumpeter (#02313) German 17cm Kanone 18. The box art: Trumpeter (#02313) German 17cm Kanone 18 The kit is very good, very well detailed, as PMMS described years ago... Building by the book: Starting by the two side arms of the gun In artillery pieces, alignment is everything !!! Chassis and carriage frame The beast is huge!!! Studying the byuilding of the chassis, I discovered that I had glued two inverted pieces. Glad I'd glued with a drop of welder... Holly crap!!! It was easy to take off and reposition the pieces in the correct position !!! Fixed...Uff!!! Adding many details... My good friend Alois wants his girl in a firing position. I listen and obey, Pukka Sahib !! Preparing the girl for firing position !!! Done!!! Adding details... Notice the big wheels!! ...and details... As I said before, I like to study about the weapon I'm building ... The kit comes with two (excellent) steel springs (see red arrows, below..) , to support the rear bogie. But looking at the spring in scale, I thought the thickness of the spring wire is a bit thin. I compared the actual photos of the gun and this impression seems correct: the spring has its wire with a very thin thickness ... The kit with the original springs in the chassis rear... I compared the actual photos of the gun and this impression seems correct: the spring has its wire with a very thin thickness ... The real spring. Notice the thickness of the spring's wire Well ... Let's test the theory ... I'll make the springs using a thicker wire ... New springs made with electric copper wire... Testing in the chassis... No doubt!! Chuck was right, again!!!!!! Much, much better!! And the chassis almost ready, with gun and kojak, for size comparison. Indeed, this gun is very huge!!! Big, big baddah boom gun!!! And the building is 99% done. An absurd: why the trumpeter don't send a single shell for this big gun??? The kit is full in details, but dont have a SINGLE PROJECTIL?? WHY??? The adults are stupid!!! The Kojak in the catwalk...Big girl!!! Details of the advantage of a good search: shooting tables in a real photo ... German gunner aiming his girl... And the reason of the 2 plates in the kit: The reason of the two mysterious flat parts in the gun ... Bingo!!! I do not settle for the Trumpeter silliness !! Next step: painting and markings. As usual, I like to made a profile as a guide for my markings. My friend Alois request an artillery piece in Russian Front. I introduce to you guys the 17 cm Kanone 18 Mörserlafette "ANTON" serving in the German Army Group North; German Eighteenth Army; 1st Infantry Division; 37th Artillery Regiment; A Battery in the Siege of Leningrad, March 1942. Tod den Bolschewiki !!! The bluish Panzer-Gray...first colors... Our friend Cesare (he have an excellent blog: NEBELWERFER) asked me "What's the recipe for my bluish Panzer-Gray??" Well, Cesare...Thanks for your presence and sorry that I did not add my alchemy in the photos, but here it goes: I use Vallejo Acrilic Model Colors. For base color, I used Field Blue (#70.964) pure, in my airbrush (after dilution, of course ...). When the base color dries, I apply a thin layer of light tone, obtained with a mixture of 5 drops of Luftwaffe Uniform + 1 drop of White. After dilution, apply to the flat and convex surfaces of the model. After the light tones, I apply the dark tones, using a mixture of Field Blue (4 drops) with Black (1 drop). I apply the darker tones in recesses and concavities. You must realize that I belong to the "Old School." I particularly do not like the exaggeration of "Color Modulation" !!! The colors for my Panzer-Gray Base color: pure Field Blue Light tones: Mixture of Luftwaffe Uniform and White And dark tones... Well you can vary the amount of white and black, getting interesting intermediate tones ... The cool thing is to try. But I liked the result of this mixture: the Panzer-gray does not get so dark and, at the same time, not very gaudy blue, as it seems to be the fashion nowadays ... After the painting, markings: The decals, made with my Laserjet: In position... Battery and shooting tables (red arrows) A of ANTON... Almost ready: Weathering almost ready... And the Big Girl was ready: 17cm Kanone 18 Mörserlafette "ANTON", in service with German Army Group North; German 18th Army; 1st Infantry Division; 37th Artillery Regiment; A Battery in the Siege of Leningrad, March 1942. 17cm Kanone 18 Mörserlafette "ANTON" 18th Army; 1st Infantry Division; 37th Artillery Regiment; A Battery Leningrad, March 1942 17cm Kanone 18 Mörserlafette "ANTON" with Kojak and Rover, the dog. Kojak in the 17cm Kanone's catwalk... 17cm Kanone 18 Mörserlafette "ANTON" with Sherman II DV for size comparison The Alois's girl is really huge!!! 17cm Kanone 18 Mörserlafette "ANTON" 18th Army; 1st Infantry Division 37th Artillery Regiment; A Battery Leningrad, March 1942 See you soon!!
Only a few German self-propelled guns were converted from captured British armored vehicles. These 10.5 cm howitzers were based on Light Tank Mk.VIs.
Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank MBT Germany technical data fact sheet pictures video
The Junkers Ju 52 (nicknamed Tante Ju ("Auntie Ju") and Iron Annie) was a German trimotor (3m) transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler. The Ju 52/3m was produced principally as a 17-seat airliner. The fleet of Luft Hansa eventually numbered 80 and flew from Germany on routes in Europe, Asia and South America. In a military role, it flew with the Luftwaffe as a troop and cargo transport and briefly as a medium bomber. The Ju 52 continued in postwar service with military and civilian air fleets well into the 1980s. As of 2008, eight Ju 52 remain in operation, four of which operate pleasure flights from Dübendorf, Switzerland airport.
Scale models, model reviews, tamiya, 1/32, 1/48th , aircraft modelling, model building, tank model, car model, figure model, 1/72nd scale, star wars,
