sdkfz 7 build log.

[mark j. radick]

WOW ! Looks awesome

[Derek Attree]

Hi Simon
It is a work of art this build looks like a real halftrack love the weathering and paint job.

Keep up the great work on this build.

Regards

Derek

[simon_manning]

Many Thanks Mark, Dave and nice to know your looking Derek, This spotlight started life from Michael Matata, i was in two minds to use it or improve it a little, the light bowl is made from a kind of chemical metal which makes it very brittle to work with, i made a metal reflector for inside the bowl which took an age to fit and then made the lens, tweaking all the parts to bring them together, i should have made the whole part from scratch to begin with, now off for a manicure, thanks for taking an interest, regards simon.

[simon_manning]

Another instalment on the 7, started on the front driver's floor ,Made the Gear lever's and hand brake lever all from metal to give these delicate part's some strength and durability, The gear knobs look a little oversize at the moment, lot's more to do on this part of the vehicle, all the best, regards simon.

[Phil Woollard]

Now do you need my 115 or do I need your 7? In any case the two would look great together.

[Chang]

Another instalment on the 7, started on the front driver's floor ,Made the Gear lever's and hand brake lever all from metal to give these delicate part's some strength and durability, The gear knobs look a little oversize at the moment, lot's more to do on this part of the vehicle, all the best, regards simon.

Hi Simon,
Thought you have completed (partially ?) the front driver's floor:

Sdkfz7 1-6.jpg (90.31 KiB) Viewed 3063 times

Just curiosity, are you re-doing it again now ?

Regards,
Lerh Chang

[simon_manning]

Hi Chang, i am remaking the front floor panel, the kit part is stainless steel and very thick, too difficult to work with if you want to add detail's, like the flush fitting floor lift handle's and inspection hatch, i would of liked to have used the kit part, regards simon

[simon_manning]

Yes Phil the Trailer is a superb addition to anyone's collection, i can't part with my 7, i had to build one sometime being my Favorite Armortek vehicle, closely followed by the rest, A work of Art you have there Phil, regards simon.

[Phil Woollard]

Your 7 will be epic for sure! Maybe with fingers crossed Armortek will re release the sdkfz7 and possibly offer the 115 trailer, the hetzer suits as well and we have that now. I'm sure they would be good sellers!
Keep up the Excellent build.

Kind regards Phil.

[simon_manning]

Thanks Phil, i will be looking when your 7 arrives, Not that much progress of late, still working on the front floor, i knew this section would take a time to complete, there's at least twenty components on this part, i could not get the correct floor pattern profile so made do with this metal checker plate, all for now, simon

[simon_manning]

The Front Floor is nearly complete, a few fitting adjustments and some paintwork to finish, This checker plate design is not correct for the period but trying to find the right pattern was impossible and i only wanted to use Metal, also making this section so it could be removed for any repairs, all for now, regards simon.

[Robert E Morey]

That floor is too pretty to paint! Beautiful.
Bob

[Chang]

Hi Simon,
The front checker floor looks so beautiful, even "the design is not correct for the period" to you, it is superb as in the state of the art.
Regards,
Lerh Chang

[simon_manning]

Thanks Chang and Robert, Pleased you like it, just a small addition to the Front area, the Fuel tap, i think, sits under the Petrol Tank, regards simon.

[simon_manning]

As it rained all day here i did a bit more, there's always lot's of little finishing job's i notice when i take a photo, regards simon.