RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Good morning!
Looking forward to paint, crew and completion on this wonderful Build. It has been total eye candy all the way through.
regards,
Painless

Thank you everyone for your interest and encouragements, its almost done. Just waiting for a few parts in the mail to complete and paint.

Here is the fine detailing, waiting for the end to make these as they would have been damaged during the construction.

The Tpz has 3 mirrors. In addition to the door mirror, the right side has an extra one at the front.
Each door has a foot step made of flexible twisted cable and a metal step.
AFV-Model has a new Tpz metal step available but with the pandemic, they no longer ship to America, so plan B for now is a plasticard step with the twisted cable that provides some flexibility if hit by an object while on the move.
The foot step reproduced with the "confined" available material. At least I keep some basic in store but not perfect.
The cabin interior of the Tpz. As the cabin is complicated and visible on my model only through the front windshield, I was not tempted to reproduce it in much details.
This is the AFV-Model Bundeswehr Fuchs crew figure, here used as a driver.
View of the cabin and driver through the windshield. I provided it with a red interior lighting. I will picture it tonight.
I gave the cabin a very basic interior. The dash is from a WPL pickup truck.
The side mirrors are made of 1mm brass and Heng Long Leopard 2A6 mirrors.
Continuing on following post

This little jewel is the AFV-Model MG3 machine gun coming with the custom rear butt mount. I installed it at the front but can also be installed at the back. For Tpz-1 without FLW200 turret, this machine gun at the front is given a large armored shield for the gunner which I guess would be in the way when shooting the main weapon from the FLW200.
The front is pretty much finished now.
The rear doors are given a foot step each. They are associated to a complex rounded part that need to be completely scratch built in order to complete the rear of the vehicle. The one on the left side is narrower.
Reproduced in the same fashion as the front ones. The rear still has the add-on armor attachment point to install, when I will get that washer shipment from Germany...one day I hope.
Continuing on following post

Here it is. I went as far as I could with the material I have. Still have to install some add-on armor attachments at the rear and top of the vehicle, plus the engine grills. I will continue the build when I get these, and then I will be able to paint and finish the model.

In the meantime, here is a photoshoot of the model on this beautiful day.

And a few evening shots
Regards, Louis

Good evening!
The Night Shots illustrate the level of car and craft that you have put into this vehicle. Almost better than even the roof or door details.
regards,
Painless

I am impressed by the level of detail you provide in such a short period of time! It's simply magnificent, bravo Louis

Louis, a wonderful build, as always.

I know the cabin interior is complex and you drew a line in the sand as to how much detail you were prepared to build. Did you consider making a printed image of the interior with a few 3D details in front? It is a method often used by slot car builders as a quick way to add detail to a cockpit that will only be seen at a glance.

Estnische wrote:Did you consider making a printed image of the interior with a few 3D details in front?

Yes, it is a retirement ( 1 year away) project of mine to get a 3D printer and learn about the different materials and the design of parts. I know myself and I will certainly be looking for the best one on the market because I do not like heavy 3D printing lines and the sanding involved. If I go there, the technology and printing quality need to be real good with a price range I can afford. Regards, Louis

Sorry Louis, my poor communication. I meant an image printed on photo card from a paper printer, with some of your plastic components in front to provide depth.

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