Juckenburg Nashorn

[lmcq11]

Hi,

The mug guards are installed. I sanded the large double diamond tread plate type shapes moulded on them. The pattern on the IV/Nashorn tread plates as shown in the B/W picture is really different. New tread plates that I think are as close as possible to the real ones are on order (and for the interior floor too). They have not arrived yet. Replacing them allows me to adjust them perfectly with the front armor panels instead of a 3mm gap.

Got the new rear hook section that will replace the kit part provided. It had too many issues to describe them.

Also got the King Tiger 88mm rounds that fit the Nashorn gun and that should fit in the rear bins. As expected, the size of the kit bins are too narrow. I will reuse the side parts but the back and front doors will need to be replaced. This is for the best because I can see that the new proportions will be in line with Nashorn specs. There would have otherwise be too much empty room between the bin and the radio rack.

Regards,
Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi,

Below is the tread plate pattern on the floor of the Aberdeen Nashorn as seen on Prime Portal. Below are the new floor plates prior to final preparation and installation on the model. There are made from JTT 97457 Tread Plate O-scale (1:48) which I believe the losange pattern favourably compares to the real ones. These plastic cards are simpler to work with than the photo-etched metal, and quite cheap, $5 for 2 sheets of 12x7.5 inches.
Regards,
Louis

[c.rainford73]

Very nice it's really coming along. Your added details will make this such an excellent build


Carl

[lmcq11]

Hi,
The rear section of the kit is not deep enough, missing likely about 6mm in depth. Very annoying, I blame myself for not seeing it sooner and I am questioning myself if I need to rework it.

Juckenburg Nashorn rear section

Interior tread plates and new rear bin installed, kit rear bin useless.

Juckenburg Nashorn tread plates installed

These are the ammo bin kit parts that I am planning to reuse. One bin will be closed, the other one will be open will 8 rounds, with mini hinges on order.

Juckenburg Nashorn bin section for reuse

The air bubbles on the vents still give me problems. Still need to apply layers of putty and sand, very annoying.

Juckenburg Nashorn side ventilation

Mud guards and tread plates are installed. These are JTT 97449 Diamond Plate HO-scale (1:100). They seem to match PZ IV patterns but not the 2 surviving Nashorn who have a dot pattern. I prefer Single Diamond plate pattern, looks better.

Juckenburg Nashorn front

The front light has been installed, the cables are under the mud guard entrenched within the resin and hidden.

Juckenburg Nashorn front light

Front light details.

Juckenburg Nashorn front light details

Next step are the ammo bins.

Regards, Louis

[HERMAN BIX]

Getting there mate, keep pushing !

[c.rainford73]

Louis you are doing an incredible job! Leave the rear of the hull as is it looks excellent. With the spare road wheels and tow hitch attachment it looks great!

[lmcq11]

Hi,

The ammo bins were built. You can see the size of the new plasticard parts compared to the original kit door that is too narrow. Also the hinges on it are misplaced. The ammo doors would not open with this arrangement.

Juckenburg Nashorn bins

The left ammo bin is set permanently closed. I have recycled the kit static hinges and placed them where they should be.

Juckenburg Nashorn bins

Juckenburg Nashorn bins

The right ammo bin is permanently open and will be full of ammo. I initially wanted to put some real micro hinges on the door but I figured it would be waisted. It's not like anyone will play with these doors... The 88mm KT rounds did not come with the kit and were imported from a German dealer.

Juckenburg Nashorn bins

Juckenburg Nashorn bins

Juckenburg Nashorn bins

Tomorrow, I will start work on the gun. There is still a lot to do on the interior so this will give me a break from the plasticard. The gun seems accurate and parts fit specifications. This is a relief because there is no way I could redo the gun.

Juckenburg Nashorn gun

Regards, Louis

[c.rainford73]

Keep up the great work Louis it's getting there.... Now the gun!

[lmcq11]

Hi,

This kit won't give me a break. I started the gun thinking that I am building an expensive kit after all. Looking at the reference and instructions, I noticed a part was missing, the ring around the barrel that connects to the recuperator. The part shows in the instructions but I do not have It, oh well, plasticard again. This kit is depleting my plasticard reserve.

Its a resin kit so I knew what I was getting into. Each small and big part takes about 10 to 20 minutes to prepare. Not many air bubbles or warping on the gun itself.

The gun is well detailed and has working elevation. Some parts of the mechanism are not provided but I think they will be hidden from view and won't be missed, i'll see. It's about one third complete, there are many small parts.

Juckenburg Nashorn gun

The missing part was not too complex, not a big thing but it's another 2 hours that could have been spent building the gun instead of mitigating issues. I did my best with the material I have. There is a sprue in double containing other parts so looks like a mixup.

Juckenburg Nashorn gun

It would require a lot of effort to bring a recoil mechanism to it. I won't go there.

Juckenburg Nashorn gun

The gun has some interesting details. Haven't checked everything yet to see if these are accurate.

Juckenburg Nashorn gun

See sample of the instructions provided with the kit, only black and white pictures, no text. Some of the pictures are really fuzzy and of little help.

Juckenburg Nashorn gun

References are essential for a complex project like this. The Nuts & Bolts Vol 14 on the Nashorn by Tony Greeenland and Detlev Terlisten is excellent. It provides clear Walk around pictures of the surviving Nashorn, some graphs, color schemes, history. Another book "Panzer at Saumur Vol 3" is also good for the graphics but the b&w pictures are too small and not clear. "NASHORN - MILITARIA 334" is also very good, specially the color schemes, graphs and wartime pictures.These help mitigate the lack of instructions. 1/35 scale builds on the web are also a good source.

Juckenburg Nashorn gun

[c.rainford73]

Very impressive Louis Amazing that you can make as much progress so quickly with all the issues you have had to overcome Those directions provided with the kit are a bit underwhelming so your research and references have been a useful resource tool for this build! Following along

Carl