2024 Sdkfz 7 - First time build

[Andy Walker]

After spending a many happy hour cleaning and priming, here is the start of the upperworks. Yes, I know I shouldn't be doing this until the motion pack is here, and the motors installed, but as I am going to add some rivet detail, (really shouldn't look at other peoples work) I wanted to see how it was all going to come together. My hope is that I can do the rivets, fix the the body sides on to the deck/body rear/front bulkhead and mudguards, blend it all in, prime and then bolt the whole assembly down on to the chassis. The assembly in the photo is only held down by a few nuts and bolts to check for fit/alignment, I will see what access is like for the nuts to chassis fixings when I remove it.
Any tips on how to close the ga at the front, I have tried "sneezing" the side on to the mudguard but it isn't having none of it.

You could use Milliput...fills just about anything.

[Colin Stevens]

Started on the rear end hatches a while ago. For the love of me I could not get the bottom hatch to work properly. I spent ages trying various ways round and could not get it right. Sooooooooo, I, being a total wally, took my Dremel to the rear casing and reshaped the top of the hatch opening where the latch goes. Worked a treat. Went in to the garage the next day, looked at the manual again to do the 2 upper hatches, and the penny dropped. The hinge is actually in a L shape. After I finished smacking my head, I set about repairing the damage I had done. Fortunately the rear casting fitted onto the bed of my proxxon mill, and I milled out a slot to take a length of brass. This was then tapped and then epoxied in place and retain with bolts. Several of the trades I used to work with used to say that the sign of a good tradesman/craftsman was knowing how to put ones mistakes right, or at the very least hide them. This particular mistake was a goodun, but now its sprayed no one will know. A good save but would have been happier not having to have done it.

I have also started adding rivet detail, off to a good start here I hope.

[Martin Usher]

I can relate Colin, finished assembling all the leaf spring units the other night thinking I am going well.... until i noticed i'd built the last one upside down.. complacent i guess. could not even blame the Vino.
Martin.