sdkfz 7 build log.

[Steve Norris]

Wow that looks great, just love these parts when sprayed in red primer.
When you say the electrical connector work I presume you mean the cover opens and closes and not that it supplies power.
This is a great build thread, I always look forward to you next post and seeing what you have achieved.
Keep up the great work.
Regards
Steve

[simon_manning]

Thanks Steve for the input, hope all is well, This part of the build has been difficult to decide on what to do, making a floor with no visible seems or fixings and to incorporate floor inspection hatches, the diamond pattern i will add later, i used two thin sheets of steel, one to cover all the countersunk fixings and bolted underneath to the seats to hold all in place, simple in the end but took some thinking, for me. also tried out rifle stowage butts for position regarding the hatches, all the best, regards simon.

[simon_manning]

Just a small update to show any other 7 builder's out there how the floor worked for me, i cut out the inspection hatches. ready for the next step. regards simon.

[simon_manning]

Evening all, Dixon of dock green, This part has tested me, four attempt's, i looked a lot for a Diamond mesh pattern for the floor in scale, could not find it, so i made one, Alloy mesh as near the size as possible in scale, sticky back radiator foil stuck to the mesh to stop the glue oozing through the mesh to get an even pattern, then all glued to the floor plate under two nice flat bits of ply board, once all cured, then trim to shape, easy, no it was not, regards simon.

[Robert E Morey]

Simon
That is some serious dedication to detail and scale realism. Three gold stars for today. Really nice details all around your build - exquisite.
Following with interest.
Best regards,
B

[David Brady]

Hi,

Lovely detail to add and executed with your usual standard of amazing!

Now the real challenge is make a second one for mine

Regards
David

[simon_manning]

Thanks Dave and Robert, some more 7 floor progress, all the hatches are made, soldered, all metal and they will work, once i figure that bit out, some finishing detail work to do, thanks for the interest, regards simon.

[Jeffrey Goff]

Great work Simon, I look forward to your updates
Regards Jeff

[simon_manning]

Thanks Jeff, nice to hear from you. Added some details to the Driver's seat area, Fitted the Traffic paddle's, There is plenty of work in this area, floor, dash, etc, i will be in here for a while, regards simon.

[simon_manning]

Another job i was working on is the Rifle butt holder's, each one had to be carefully positioned to accept the Rifle, trying to drill evenly through the floor was a bit tricky. regards simon.

[Heiko Sattler]

Nice work my friend the work costs time. but the result speaks for itself

[mark j. radick]

Looking very good...love it !

[simon_manning]

Compliment's from you both is well received, i am pleased you like it so far, The next project is to build the dashboard and mill out the bulkhead to give some depth, i have a choice of part's to use from aftermarket supplier's, dial's, switches, some i will use other's i will make, i have cut out the dash front panel, illumination will be added as i go, all for now, and remember all the old vet's , it seems much more important as you get older, thanks to Michael Matata for all the reference's he posted, regards simon.

[Stephen White]

Simon, I haven't posted in a while on your thread but I've followed every step with fascination and a degree of envy. Great work and you've come up, as ever, with some really innovative solutions.

Hey, what's this about "old vets", who you calling old Bro? Seriously, I suspect there are far more people alive today under that age of 30 who've seen action than there are over 30. And a lot of young widows too sadly.

Keep up the good work.

Stephen

[simon_manning]

Thanks Stephen, it seems an age since the last Model Tank get together, i have missed it this year, this is sunday evening's progress, started on the dash, fairly easy but all hand work, cutting etc, surprising how much more there is to add to this part, regards simon.