forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Modelers Lounge => Time to relax => Topic started by: Ian from Doncaster on May 01, 2015, 10:58:42 PM
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Here is my next build - of the same model as in the link http://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/2765-135-miniart-german-tramcar-641 (http://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/2765-135-miniart-german-tramcar-641)
I have had a good look at the parts (over 600) which seem to be decent quality, and the instructions whilst appearing complicated, look thorough. The paint call outs are not so clear, however it doesn't seem beyond the realms of imagination to paint everything on the undersides various shades of grey/black with metallic highlights and dirt/rust weathering. Anything interior that is wood gets the oil treatment, or the interior paint colour. I have not found any reference pics yet of the real interior.
Another link to a similar kit (different version ) is here http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/miniart/ma38001.html#build (http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/miniart/ma38001.html#build) - thanks to a forum user hiddeous1973 (I think)
This thread was accidentally lost when the forum had some server issues as explained by Des.
Hoping to start cutting plastic tonight.
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Made a start tonight, was hoping to jump ahead to some of the later assemblies but actually completed instruction processes 1 and 2 (out of 54).
This was to assemble the 4 footsteps that fit to the underside each beneath an entry door. The plastic is quite fragile, some of the step decorative molding broke - however all clean breaks easily put back together. At the side of each step is a bracket, only about 1.5mm cube overall dimensions, which later forms an attachment point for the leaf spring suspension. I dropped 2 of these but found them both before they were lost to the carpet monster.
This is not going to be easy, but experience with WWI models has taught me patience - not enough yet, but enough to handle a kit like this, just.
First lesson - clean up the sprue trimmings immediately after separating each component from the sprue. There are many component attachment lugs that are the same size and shape as the sprue trimmings, so it is a potential risk to remove the wrong bits. No mistakes yet. The floor panel undersides have at least 20 places where the mold was attached, looking like little cylinders that need trimming off. The underside assemblies are made of many small pieces so this tidy up is essential next.
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Excellent Ian, I'm really looking forward to seeing this one come together, it looks to be a very detailed kit.
Des.
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600 parts! Yikes!
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Having tidied up the huge ejector extrusions on the undersides of the floor sections, I primed the components and sprayed the underside humbrol gunmetal. This doesn't give a metallic finish, but has enough of a matt surface to take weathering powders. The colour call out is for black, but I think that is too stark. I can blacken the finish, add dirt and rust, with powders. I can drybrush a metallic effect where needed.
The top side of the floor calls for the metal painted black again, with wood strips. I painted the lot black first, then with a covering spray of humbrol metalcote steel. When dry, I masked off the non-wood areas, sprayed a sand colour then brushed over with oils. Then I removed the masks and attached the little ratchets (part of braking control?) at each end where the driver would go. Floors now in the cabinet for the oil to dry.
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/tram/floor_zpswml0edlc.jpg)
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/tram/floor%202_zpsp24dmbzj.jpg)
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Beautiful job with the wood Ian.
Des.
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Looks great Ian! Terrific start!!
RAGIII
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The wood looks great and the metal is just the right shade of black with nice variation of tones. The pigments give a good effect!
George
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Thank you :)
Sometimes I have a problem with modelling in that I am looking to take the finish a little further, with extra weathering etc - however there comes a time to know when to stop and leave well alone. Fortunately here the floor masking for the wood was straightforward and I am happy with the dark colour for the floor. So apart from a seal of varnish when the oils are dry, I won't try and weather this floor. This does mean that the model will represent a nearly new vehicle, so logic says to go easy on the external weathering and underside rust etc.
The front of the floor shows some unusual semicircular markings. This is not the paint, this is the underlying plastic itself, where the molding process has left a different surface appearance - not texture though - but from another angle this can't be seen. That portion of the floor will mostly be hidden by the driver's station.
I won't be too busy with photos on this log as it is in off topic, just significant milestones in the build.
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I won't be too busy with photos on this log as it is in off topic, just significant milestones in the build.
Yes, it's not an airplane, but I would love to see a complete build log with photos as IanB has done with his Airfix Blower Bentley.
George
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Thank you George - I will see what I can do!
Not much more progress yet - I have started preparing some of the underfloor frame components - of which there are many and duplicated for each end of the tram! The pleasing news is that the fit seems quite good, with positive locations for the locating tabs etc. I have noticed also that the colour call outs for some of the frames asks for a dark green, probably to match the livery of the body? I have seen some reference pics where the frames do have a green finish, so may drybrush some RLM 71 over the relevant components later. I think this pic is too green - perhaps this has been freshly restored in the museum - I favour a darker more worn effect for the model.
(http://www.panzer-modell.de/referenz/in_detail/straba641/029g.jpg)
edit: I have seen more of the reference pics with more differences in finish. Sometimes the interior floor is also painted green, others bare wood. Some of the interior structure is shown as wood, or in the cream colour.
I think I will use artistic licence to paint the model!
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I like the bare wood you've already painted on the floor, even if the real thing was painted green. I vote for you to keep the wood, not that this is a democratic process. 8)
George
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Excellent photo of the "undercarriage" Ian, this should be a great reference source for you.
Des.
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Excellent photo of the "undercarriage" Ian, this should be a great reference source for you.
Des.
Yes indeed, I have found a few sources of images and some of them conflict. I believe the above image is part of a set relating to the original vehicle that has clearly been museum restored or renovated, to the state it is in here.
Interestingly enough, the colour for the green part of the body (for the model, not necessarily the musuem pics) may be a suitable PC10, given that there is huge debate over that- so I will see what it is like in the flesh, so to speak..
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Made a start on the driver cabs, with the controls and supporting structures. There are a few additions to do, such as a set of tools that hang on the right hand panel. I think - but am far from certain - that the central control is a regulator for speed and the right hand control may be the brake?
Edit - I think that is for the hand brake (parking brake) - there is a tube to link the handle to the ratchet mechanism on the floor, and also the inverted U shape tube appears to be a simple lock to hold this handle in place.
I used a bit of variation on the blackened metal tones, and painted the control handles brass.
The assemblies are dry fitted to the floors for the pics only. Fit looks good so far. I am impressed with the kit (some delicate parts broke but were readily fixed) and for around US $50 looks to be great value.
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/tram/driver%201_zpsmvrtguif.jpg)
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/tram/driver%202_zps3vqzppbh.jpg)
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/tram/driver%203_zpsuhq19unz.jpg)
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/tram/driver%204_zpsgcakxftq.jpg)
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I seem to have missed this update. Looking terrific to date!
RAGIII
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Thank you!
I have done a bit more since - but no pics yet - such as some of the frameworks under the floor, plus the oils for the wooden bench seats.
Loads of sprue attachments to clean up - a bench seat panel or a beam for the frame work can have 12-18 attachments each!
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Great update Ian, the drivers cab looks fantastic.
Des.
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In recent times I have done much more of the underside assembly and framework. Much is still to come, especially the wheel assembly that sits centrally, but if that goes on now it may be too delicate whilst putting the bodywork together etc.
I glued the seats on - I am not happy that they sit correctly and may get in the way of the side panels. I'll prise the seats off, tidy up the glue marks on the floor and touch up the paint etc, then re-assemble once the sides are on.
I prepared and painted all the body panels and doors, cream interior and upper half outside. then masked up for spraying the green. The green is a little lighter to the PC10-ish colour on the box, but isn't too bad and may not be historically accurate but looks ok. There are a few leaks where the green came through but touching up will correct that. There is a darker green dividing line to paint at the bottom of the windows so any uneven-ness between the green/cream paint on adjacent panels will be hidden.
A few of the window frames are very delicate and have broken, but the breaks are clean. Rather than glueing now, I will repair when I put in the window plastic and/or assemble the panels together.
I have also done the wood paint for the interior panels and doors, and the oils are now dry. The references are inconclusive as to how much of the interior is in cream or varnished wood, so I will use artistic licence.
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/tram/seats%20on_zpsuxk8idnv.jpg)
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/tram/body%20paint%202_zpstqrni4j8.jpg)
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/tram/body%20paint%201_zpskf38hgfj.jpg)
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/tram/underneath_zpseptum2kk.jpg)
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Looking terrific! Although I am not familiar with the particulars of the tram car, the green and beige look perfect together so they must be spot on!
RAGIII
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Thanks Rick,
In Europe especially, trams wore all sorts of liveries in different towns and cities - people would recognise where they were from by the colours. A colour plus cream/white was a frequent combination and carried on through the 20th century with busses.
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Your work on the tram so far Ian is excellent, this is a really interesting subject and I look forward to seeing more updates.
Des.
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This is back on.. After a long time off, I did a bit more tonight.. I had had to disassemble this once due to not going together properly.
There are too many broken parts as the plastic is brittle, and one of the windows has fallen out, after I put the roof on...
This won't be my best work, and I could do better a second time, but this takes too long and I want to complete this, as best I can, and build an aircraft again.
Although the kit and my build has issues, I quite pleased with the "undercarriage"..
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/IMG_1198_zpslbjdovfs.jpg)
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/IMG_1206_zpst7wgnui9.jpg)
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj621/ianfromdoncaster/IMG_1200_zpszcgssoov.jpg)
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Saw this thread only today: Great topic, beautifully built! Thanks for sharing. Wonder whether I should get MiniArts new offering of this kit with tracks, bench, passengers etc., especially as there are decals for a Munich version!
Richard
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Thanks Richard, the model actually looks ok from a distance! I may be over critical but there are loads of snags..
There are many thin parts like handles, window rails etc that are thin rods which are not only brittle but have far too many sprue attachments and they break too easily. I replaced many items with brass tube retaining only the end moldings.
But nonetheless, I would recommend this kit. 600 plus pieces means a LOT of patience is required..
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Saw this thread only today: Great topic, beautifully built! Thanks for sharing. Wonder whether I should get MiniArts new offering of this kit with tracks, bench, passengers etc., especially as there are decals for a Munich version!
Richard
I just had a look at the Mini Art website, the one you are referring to looks like a re-box of this one with extra decals, paint schemes, and the passengers etc.
I would seriously get this again, especially with those different schemes, in order to do a better job. But I wouldn't have the time with 40 odd kits in my stash!
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Thanks for the recommendation, Ian. Well, Christmas isnot far, so there's hope..!
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I can understand why you can see the mistakes Ian, but from where I am sitting that looks to be an excellent model to me and one which I would be proud of.
Stephen.
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Excellent model Ian. Wow the new boxing has 10 figures, awesome.
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Great to see this one finished Ian and you have done a superb job with the build, this has ended up being a really nice looking model and one that I will probably purchase sometime soon.
Des.
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I have still some way to go - finish re-assembling the second cab end, attach a few peripheral bits and put the wheel bogey on.. Not too much work but there's touch up paint and repairs.. Hopefully not too much longer, realistically should be done before Christmas.
Am hoping to knock out one of my WNW Eindeckers next as that should be quite quick!
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This one is really coming out nicely from my perspective! I am glad to see you come back to your build log and finish this one up!
RAGIII
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I ordered the kit today Ian, got it from Lucky Models, they had the cheapest price and the best postage rate, but it will be 2 months before their stocks are replenished, I'm in no rush.
Des
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I finally called this model "finished"..
That means I added on as much of the peripherals as I dared, and touched up some of the paintwork.
No new pics, it isn't good enough IMHO. Too many repairs and touch ups, but I was too far in to bin it. I needed to come to a conclusion to get my mojo back and open a WWI aircraft kit again.
As for this kit, it does, well at least it should, make an excellent model. The era of the tram overlaps WWI just, so it is of the period I am interested in, and you can be creative with colour schemes.
It has difficulties mainly in the fragility of the thin components - virtually every component with a tubular section of 1mm or less broke on the sprue, or on cutting off, or on sanding. As with many kits, I could do a better job another time, but this has taken me well over a year on and off, and slowed me down big time.
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Nicely done, seems like a lot of kit for the money.
Ed
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The photos that you have shown show that it is a good model in spite of your comments.
Hopefully we are going to see you back again on this site with some more of your excellent WW1 aircraft.
Stephen.