sdkfz 7 build log.

[Kevin Hunter]

You should be proud of those lights Simon, all 3 of them. They’re very impressive.
Kevin

[simon_manning]

Thanks Derek and Kevin, yes Derek time does fly when you think of your sdkfz 7 build, i have started on the drivers rear seat panel, i had the kit part milled down 1mm to fit a steel panel i could solder too, it also makes it a lot easier to work on, adding the rifle rack clips and other small details, still plenty to do on this panel yet, thanks for all your feedback, regards simon.

[Jeffrey Goff]

Looking good Simon, another great build to keep us interested in
Regards Jeff

[Paul Wills]

Looking good Simon, lovely craftsmanship.

I remember making the rifle catches on the 2005 Sdkfz, they were very fiddley to make and tested my good nature!!

Paul.

[simon_manning]

Thanks Jeff and Paul, nice to see you on here, this panel is coming to the end, just some small cosmetic work left, there are over a Hundred rivets used in this panel, eight in each rifle clip alone, i could not get much information on the starter handle, so this is a bit of guesswork.
just to mention if it's of any help to other builder's of this vehicle, The Rifle clips and tool clips are from Tim Catton, The Brass half round is from EKP Supplies also the rivets, The Axe head Dave Dibb, all for now regards simon.

[Fabian Bekkers]

Wowwie simon superb details very very nice

[simon_manning]

Thanks Fabian, nice to hear from you, during this lockdown period i have been able to do a bit more on the 7, made and fitted the driver's seat frame and the stowage bin box lids for the top of the bulk head, completed the alteration's to the second row of seat's, Rifle clip's, hand rail's and other details added, a lot of work in this small item, as i keep saying, keep safe all for now regards simon.

[Steve Norris]

Hi Simon
What a great build your doing, love all the details. This will be one of the best when you add your trademark paint job to it.
Keep the posts up, it all very interesting.
Regards
Steve

[Paul Wills]

Wow Simon, you realy are taking the detail to the next level. keep the photos coming, I'm loving it.

Paul.

[Paul Wills]

Hi Simon,

I saw these photos of a Dak Sdkfz being shipped to Aberdeen USA. nice detail of the added fold down step for the passagers.

Paul.

[simon_manning]

Good photo's Paul, notice how the steps also act as a guard rail for the troop's when in the pulled up position, this i think is a later version sdkfz 7 with the side "climb aboard handle's" incorporated into the body panel's along the side's, The back end look's a bit home made, for more supplies, etc, i should think, i have seen this vehicle before but never these two photo's, many thanks Paul, steve, for the input, regards simon.

[Jeffrey Goff]

Great work on the halftrack Simon, I think Paul’s picture shows an artillery version on a sdkfz9 with the extra row of seating
Regards Jeff

[simon_manning]

Thanks jeff, i did think it looked big, Bigger, shows i i'm loosing the plot, cabin fever, regards simon.

[Paul Wills]

Hi Guys,
I wasn't sure myself, but acording to the guys on the German Halftrack and Softskin Research page, its a Sd.Kfz. 7/6 mittlerer Flak-Meß-Truppen-Kraftwagen captured in Tunisia.

Paul.

[simon_manning]

Keeps the interest going what ever model it is and i enjoyed the photo's, no matter how close i look i always miss detail's but only see them after iv'e made the item, this is progress so far, i have fitted the stowage lids and most of the Driver's seat fitting's, i am only working from Photo's and ref books so it hard to get a complete picture of the vehicle, i had the crew seat's re-profiled more like the real item, slightly sloping backwards with a drainage channel at the seat rear, a clever design when you look it, like most of the vehicle, good design thinking, all for now regards simon.