Zvezda 3653 German Tank Destroyer ferdinand 1/35 Review

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Track-Link Build Logs

These Build Logs are journals that modellers go along of current projects. They are updated regularly with a new photo and a description. Other modellers tin respond to the chapters and inquire questions and make suggestions.

Blogs: 5695 Messages: 42878

Subject: Zvezda Ferdinand Tank destroyer kit 3653 Date: Mar ix, 2018 - 13:49 From: David Coyne
Late concluding year or early this year dependng on where you alive Zvezda released a 'Ferdinand Tank Destroyer' from the Battle of Kursk era. This is only the second kit of a Ferdinand to be released in plastic afterwards the Dragon kit which was released in 2001. Being a fan of German language heavies i just had to have one and see how information technology stacks up against the xvi/17 twelvemonth old Dragon offering and then follow forth to come across my thoughts on this brand new release.
David Coyne

Subject: Re: Zvezda Ferdinand Tank destroyer kit 3653 Date: Mar 9, 2018 - 14:xiv From: Stevie Gibson
Looking forward to this. Their panzer iv is very good and so I have high hopes for this.

Subject: Chapter 1 Some sprue shots. Date: Mar nine, 2018 - 14:33 From: David Coyne
On kickoff inspection this looks to exist a fine looking kit. I won't diameter you lot with shots of every sprue every bit yous can find them online. I'll but option out some of the parts that defenseless my heart. The engine deck parts look very overnice and break downwardly much similar the Dragon kit parts. The superstructure comes every bit a apartment pack that y'all accept to glue together yourself dissimilar the Dragon kit where this is a i piece molding. The usual reason given for doing information technology this manner is and so all of the undercuts and detail can be better captured. The downwards side of class is that there may be gaps here and there that need filling. The side wall. The roof plate. The hull tub looks adept and Zvezda have avoided going the flat pack direction with this piece. I simply wonder why they left a large hole in the flooring. In that location is a big plate to cover this over but I tin meet no proficient reason for doing information technology this way except to give you some other function to clean up and mucilage on. The wheel and intermission sprue is very simple much like Dragons version. I'chiliad ok with that, I detest fiddly suspensions. This ane looks robust and solid. The wheel item looks fine to my eye. The Tracks come as a link and length assembly. Upward shut they look fantastic. And this side looks good too, no ejector pin marks what so always. Simply wait, where are the track pin ends? The mudguards look fine. On the real thing the anti slip pattern should extend effectually the edges, but the limitations of injection molding don't allow this I guess. Not much comeback over the Dragon kit and then. Finally a molded tow cablevision with the brackets included. Even the old Italeri kit of the later Elefant had individual brackets although no tow cablevision was provided. There are 3 sets of markings provided. When I say sets of markings Zvezda take only given us numbers for iii vehicles plus German crosses. Not much to write home near. In dissimilarity the Dragon kits take the rear superstructure markings for the individual companies in the shape of colored boxes. It may plow out that these particular vehicles didn't accept those type of markings something for me to look into afterwards on I think. Anyhow here are some photo of two out of the three marker schemes. There is a vehicle marked 123 which I have no big photo for although a thumb size exists over on Tiger Im Focus wed site I just didn't bother posting it here as its tiny. The other 2 Vehicles are 612 which was a vehicle captured by the Soviets every bit far as I know and displayed in Gorky park in Moscow for a bit.In that location is ane other photograph of this vehicle over on Tiger Im Focus only oddly they don't have this one. The tertiary option is 501 damaged and captured by the Soviets and presently on display in Kublinka museum. At that place are enough of alternative shots of this detail Ferdinand to exist had on line and so here are merely 2.
David Coyne

Bailiwick: Hull molding Date: Mar ix, 2018 - 15:34 From: David Nickels
The opening makes information technology easeir to take a real sprue gate and get better molding into the hull mold. Otherwise, they could exercise it the old school way and have one of those annoying candle/pimple shaped sprues correct in the centre of the bottom plate that yous have to carve and sand off. This mode you only remove the mold gate, and mucilage the cover console in place neatly. I like the Zvezda kit from what I have seen looking at mine. It is Not an overly complicated kit, just the molded detail is very dainty. Even the molded plastic tow cables look adept for molded plastic tow cables. For what information technology's worth, the one-time Italeri kit does include tow cables only they are coiled and stow on the superstructure sides. Does your kit accept some mesh or screen for the rear vent at the back? The instructions imply something. I may use some scrap etched mesh in that location.

Subject area: Re: Zvezda Ferdinand Tank destroyer kit 3653 Date: Mar nine, 2018 - 15:30 From: David Nickels
Cool this will be fun. I have 1 to web log as soon as I finish the Flettner. I may do a double or triple blog every bit I have the Zvezda kit, the one-time Dragon kit and the Accurate Armour conversion for the Italeri kit.

Subject: Re: Zvezda Ferdinand Tank destroyer kit 3653 Date: Mar 9, 2018 - fifteen:57 From: David Coyne
Aye there is mesh in the kit David. Coming up in the next chapter existent soon. That tripple build would be interesting and feel free to fire away on it too but i volition be or am edifice the Dragon kit right now just to compare the two kits, Dave.
David Coyne

Subject: Affiliate ii Hull construction Engagement: Mar nine, 2018 - 17:47 From: David Coyne
And so yea, here we go. Make new tooled kit of the Ferdinand. Then excited to exist putting this ane together and the second large part I dry fit falls through the hull because its too small. I managed to just about residual (its balanced on an Cantlet) it on its extended wings for this photo just believe me it actually does autumn through the hull. Great beginning Zvezda. I spent ages trying to figure out what they were thinking because I could meet no mode that the plate below F9 which is L10 would actually fit to it. Locations points, forget it. So two parts into my build and I decided I needed to accept a look at how Dragon did theirs. And this is the Dragon front hull with a nice shelf to sit down the top plate onto. Back to the Zvezda kit and I had to shim the hull sides to narrow the gap so I could fit part F9. So y'all have this odd gap which to be off-white volition be subconscious past the fenders but Dragons parts are made thicker and accept no gap and they besides accept a little location lip so the main front plates can be glued together at the right angle without having to guess what that angle might exist. Zvezda Dragon They supply you with a prissy little gap to fill up on both hull side plates too. And another gap around the engine deck plate. I replaced the kit round vision port with a Dragon part. Its much better than the kit office and has a nice weld seam around information technology. I have a box of spare bits left over from edifice the Bergelefant years agone. Only as well I held onto them. Looks like they are planning an Elefant release in the futurity because these mounting strips are for the fender braces which were a later on feature. Remove them. Well one chapter in and then far and so good. I'1000 now edifice a Dragon Ferdinand along side the Zvezda kit to keep rail of mistakes and corrections that may be needed. Modelling is fun.
David Coyne

Subject: Re: Affiliate 2 Hull construction Date: Mar ten, 2018 - 01:34 From: Andrew Dyson
Dave, So glad you are sharing your experiences with this kit hither. I have to exist honest and say that I didn't even know the kit existed simply chances are that I would take institute it at a bargain price and wouldn't have been able to resist. I am looking forwards to seeing how you go on and what your final thoughts are on the kit as a whole cheers Andy

Subject: Re: Chapter 2 Hull structure Date: Mar 11, 2018 - 09:forty From: David Coyne
In a preverse sort of style i actually bask building awful kits. Perchance its the drama and the suprise's they throw up that keeps me coming back for more than and they make more interesting articles than a great kit build up. Thats why i'm not building whatever of the new Draron Tiger kits. You merely know they volition be virtually perfect except for the instructions then whats to say well-nigh them other than that was an easy build.
David Coyne

Subject area: Re: Chapter 2 Hull construction Appointment: Mar 10, 2018 - 12:17 From: David Nickels
The hull panel fit reminds me of that wretched Vulcan Vickers lite tank where the like parts were too narrow to fit properly. I also had to glue a "shelf" inside otherwise they would simply fall into the hull. Different kits - aforementioned stupid problem. Maybe they hired the same engineer?

Subject: Re: Affiliate 2 Hull construction Date: Mar 11, 2018 - 09:43 From: David Coyne
Hard to believe in this day and historic period or whatever day and age for that affair that such basic mistakes could be made David. You tin can even see it on Zvezdas build up model if you look closely at their publicity photos.
David Coyne

Bailiwick: Re: Chapter 2 Hull construction Date: Mar eleven, 2018 - 12:19 From: David Nickels
That is surprising too, as Zvezda's newer stuff has been quite nice. This is one reason why Tamiya is still Male monarch.... even their old kits from 45 years ago always fit like a glove. You don't encounter them brand such fundamental mistakes. Dragon, Academy, Rye Field, etc. all have had some kits with some abrasive fit issues.

Subject: Really those are non fender supports Date: Apr 8, 2018 - fifteen:42 From: David Nickels
And they should exist there. This is the Kubinka vehicle. On that vehicle, on the left side, also, the jack cake mounts direct behind these iron strips, not inboard of it. If annihilation, the Zvezda ones are not alpine enough. Only, they should be there.

Bailiwick: Re: Actually those are not fender supports Date: April viii, 2018 - 17:14 From: David Coyne
Cheers for adding this correct info David. I searched but couldn't discover photos of the Kublinka vehicle at the time. I think someone else posted the aforementioned info on this blog a few weeks ago only its not linked to this chapter and i can't find it correct at present either. Dave.
David Coyne

Subject: Affiliate 3 Hull construction part 2 Engagement: Mar 10, 2018 - 16:22 From: David Coyne
Since the Ferdinand was constructed from the hulls of the VK 4501 gun Tank a new rear section need to be added. Zvezda may exist planning to do that kit also considering instead of moulding the whole hull complete similar Italeri did they have gone with more or less the same break downwards of parts as Dragon did on their kits. Dragon afterward went on to kit a Berge-Elefant and VK-4501 where this assembly was needed. Its a unproblematic enough process to put the parts together only there is a cooling vent in the rear compartment covered in mesh. Zvezda have chosen to supply the mesh from that awful nylon mesh that Tamiya and Dragon used to utilize in their kits at i signal. This stuff does not cut or glue very well so i replaced it with some one-time etch mesh i had. They may well just have done it in plastic like the first Dragon Ferdinand kits equally you lot can't actually meet it on the finished model. This rear section does not locate very well to the main hull rear due to in that location being no locks or braces to insure a right sit down. At that place is also some other problem with this area when you come to fitting the fighting compartment so keep that in mind and i volition go to that in the next chapter. Information technology looks ok in these photos but information technology is a little bit too broad when you lot fit the gun box above it. Ignore my ruby arrows for the moment.I will render to them. Ignore my red line here likewise. I'll return to that too. Now hither is how Dragon did it on their kit. I put this one together forth with the Zvezda kit as i was not happy with Zvezda's methods and wanted to compare both to bear witness how easy the Dragon kit makes plumbing fixtures these parts. You can see that Dragon have little location strips and blocks so everything lines up with everything else. Zvezdas parts just slide across each other until you add the glue and hope everything is strong enough to stay together.
David Coyne

Subject: Re: Chapter 3 Hull construction part 2 Date: Mar 11, 2018 - sixteen:21 From: Martin Webster
Funny you should mention the VK4501 as Zvezda has released a new version of it, though looking at it, the tracks would demand replacing equally there was a guide molar on every Track-Link and Zvezda has provided the same tracks as the Ferdinand. Martin

Subject: Chapter 3 Hull construction part iii Date: Mar x, 2018 - 17:28 From: David Coyne
Hither are the parts for the gun box or superstructure if y'all adopt to call it that. I can't see why Zvezda bothered to open the gun sight area on the roof as the gun cannot move so there is only one position the parts tin can be placed in. And yous tin can't leave the panels open up as at that place is no detail to speak of inside. Its very simple to put together and the outer item looks very overnice. In that location is no internal detail except for the basic gun breech and mounting. Regarding the mounting it only lets the gun motion upwards and down not sideways like the real thing. It reminds me a lot of the fashion Dragon did theirs. Every bit before long as I looked at the roof plate the foursquare commanders hatch position looked doubtable to me. Now I may be wrong because Zvezda accept a Ferdinand in Kublinka that they may have researched then all I can point out is that the Dragon kits hatch lines up more or less with the heart line of roof and Zvezda's does not equally you tin can run across from my red lines. The only plans I take are in Gun Power 22 and they agree with the Dragon kit existence correct. I searched for a roof photo of the Ferdinand just didn't find annihilation skillful plenty to settle matters simply it notwithstanding looks odd to me. A commander would want his hatch orientated directly ahead I would assume merely to go along his bearings. Zvezda kit Dragon kit. So we have the top and bottom hull main parts constructed and we bring them together for a test fitting and find a big gap between the gun box and the engine deck. There are 3 encompass plates to become beyond this area and we can see that this one which is not glued leaves a large gap if it is pressed to the hinges on the gun box front end. It actually should be shoved frontwards like the other two simply I just wanted to show how much gap there is in that area. Hither is how the existent cover plates look in relation to the gun box and engine deck. Here is a top view with the 3 cover plates in their right position on the engine deck. Y'all can see that they don't see the hinges on the front of the gun box. Ok this is non a big deal to ready if you lot know about it but I await a 2017 kit to have much better plumbing fixtures on major parts. You may enquire why I didn't fix information technology. Well I thought it better to build this kit from the box with all its flaws and there are more on the manner. At this bespeak in the build I was thinking of just giving upward and building something better fitting and not wasting my time but so I though lets go through the whole build just to do the review. Now the ready is quite simple if your bothered to build the kit at all. I of the outset possible ones I thought of was to trim the inside of the rear plate on the gun box but its non very thick so I decided against that. The other ideas that came to listen was to either scratch build the iii engine deck covers that continue the front of the gun box or cutting some plastic from the rear hull assembly. I actually think that this rear piece that we looked at in the last affiliate is the problem. If we go back to the photo of the rear hull from the last chapter and notation how much larger that red line section is on the Zvezda kit than on the Dragon kit I would recollect y'all could accept a millimeter or so out of the rear section and right things. Zvezda kit Dragon kit I would think if you trimmed this surface area and test fit things would piece of work out better. I had everything already glued in identify expecting things would fit correctly. This was actually the offset parts that I glued onto the kit. Information technology was merely later that I build the front end department and realized that this kit would requite bug.
David Coyne

Subject field: Kubinka Ferdinand Roof and Elefant Engine Deck Engagement: Mar xi, 2018 - 12:24 From: David Nickels
I institute this photo online It does look similar the right rear corner of the commander's hatches is a bit more outboard than the front end right corner, which would indicate a slight bending to the opening but information technology may be an optial illusion ? One affair when looking at the APG vehicle's engine deck; the tank took a hitting to the frontal armor which broke the hinges across the front of the superstructure and pushed part of that widthwise strip in front end of it, downward into the engine compartment. Two of the three armored swivel covers were blown off and that whole surface area is a mess now. Italeri didn't realize this and replicated the caved in deck on their old Elefant kit. I recollect when they gave the vehicle a cosmetic repainting, they sort of pushed and prodded a couple of pieces dorsum into position, just I would not brand a lot of critical fit decisions based on the fit or appearance of the APG vehicle. If there are gaps or not on it, that doesn't hateful that is how it should be since that area was badly damaged.

Subject: Gaps at superstructure front end Date: Apr 11, 2018 - fourteen:17 From: David Nickels
I was really curious to see how the superstructure fit on my kit, after following your exccellent weblog. I found, actually, that information technology fit fine. I taped the rear hull parts to the hull and taped the superstructure in place and encounered no issues. I tin can think of at least one building "fault" that could cause a big gap upward front and that is when you gum the chief engine deck in identify. Initially, in my kit, I felt like I had to push the deck forward to make information technology fit at the front corners. Merely, afterward close inspection, I found a little trimming was needed and the deck would sit nicely without being pushed forwards. So, if you got the main deck on slightly forward you volition accept a gap at the back. Besides, the superstructure and hull sides in my kit are a bit warpy which doesn't help. I volition probably glue a thick strip of plastic or metal beyond the inside of the front to help keep it straight. Only, I had no problem getting the front of the superstructure to fit over the mounting lip on the deck so that the hinges on the deck line up with the holes in the superstructure. I also looked at good photos of both the Kubinka Ferdinand and the APG Elefant, including the APG engine deck photograph you posted higher up. You realize that on the APG tank, at to the lowest degree two of the hinged panels (the center one and the right 1) are Museum replacements, as are the hinges. All of this was blown off when a round struck the gun mantlet and deflected downwardly into the superstructure/deck joint. This blew away all of the hinges, armored vent covers, etc. That is why all of that item is missing in the Italeri kit, too. They worked off the APG tank before it was cosmetically fixed upward. The APG hatches, which lack the hole and vent encompass, are also larger than the originals and so that they could be welded to the residuum of the deck (the photograph clearly shows the welds). The Kubinka tank, in its original condition, shows at that place are gaps around the 3 hinged panels both at the front and dorsum. So, the kit fit seems fine to me.

Field of study: Re: Gaps at superstructure front end Date: April eleven, 2018 - 16:09 From: David Coyne
Not sure why you posted a photo of the superstructure on backwards David. Of course all of the kit issues can exist dealth with in some way or other every bit i said in this web log but its easier to deal with them when its already been pointed out to you in advance to watch for them. Coming cold into building this kit is a different matter and thats what i was interested in stressing in my build which i consider a review of a articles product and not a series of kit corrections to delight myself. Major pieces of this kit are badly enginnered regardless of how practiced a job you lot do of fixing it up. Dave.
David Coyne

Subject: Posted the incorrect picture Appointment: April 12, 2018 - 06:27 From: David Nickels
And cant edit it. Certainly the engineering could be better. It'due south non a Tamiya kit for sure.

Subject: Re: Zvezda Ferdinand Tank destroyer kit 3653 Date: Mar 11, 2018 - 16:17 From: Martin Webster
Hi David I'g watching this with interest as I was planning on getting one, merely seeing the corporeality of work needed to correct it, I may salvage my pennies for something else. Martin

Subject: Re: Zvezda Ferdinand Tank destroyer kit 3653 Date: Mar 11, 2018 - 21:56 From: David Parker
Well, I bought one of these this weekend at my LHS. Cheers for sharing your build log. Hopefully I can save myself some problem as I larn from your experience. David

Subject: David Date: Mar 12, 2018 - 15:03 From: David Coyne
Hi David. This kit is fixable if you know what the bug are earlier hand. I just got stung because i took it for granted that the rear section would fit fine and but glued information technology in place. After that a lot of the particular is very basic in places so you will need to do some more than piece of work to improve information technology. Dave.
David Coyne

Subject area: Martin Date: Mar 12, 2018 - 15:04 From: David Coyne
Save your pennies and try to get a Dragon kit instead. Dave.
David Coyne

Discipline: Re: Martin Date: Mar 13, 2018 - 09:06 From: Christopher Tew
Get a large piggy bank and exist prepared to search, as these are going for nearly United states of america$100 with post on eBay. Even though on-line vendors are still listing it at around $60-70 plus post, information technology is in fact back-ordered or sold out, so that doesn't actually assist. Perchance the situation is different in Europe; promise and so for the sake of anyone who has discovered an urgent need. Yrs, CTew

Discipline: Christopher Date: Mar 13, 2018 - 14:00 From: David Coyne
Your correct information technology is hard to get. I see two on Ebay. 1 from Australia and 1 from Spain. These are the original kits 6133 and they are around €70-80 inc stamp. Dragon hasn't released a Ferdinand/Elefant kit since 2012. No wonder Zvezda released the kit. they apparently spotted the gap in the market place. Dave.
David Coyne

Subject: Affiliate four Wheels and Tracks Date: Mar 12, 2018 - 15:53 From: David Coyne
Zvezda more than or less insist that you build both the drive wheels front end and rear in a fixed position. Y'all can run across on the front one in that location is no central axle. Yous glue the inner sprocket straight onto the final bulldoze comprehend and so the outer sprocket onto that again. They would take yous glue the rear sprocket too and I did but there is a pocket-size axle molded on the rear. It won't hold a cycle in position. I didn't effort and so I may exist wrong on that merely it looked very small for the job. If you like to compare the details of the Drive sprocket betwixt the Dragon in calorie-free grayness and the kit function. The pause units are very directly frontward to assemble. Merely similar the Dragon kit merely i part of them works unless you remove the little location lock on the hull mounting. And so y'all could have a least a position-able interruption if you were doing a damaged vehicle. Italeri'due south old kit still has the best working interruption system of whatever kit I have seen which is neither here nor there but I just idea I would requite it a mention. It all looks good and robust when done. Now to the tracks. These looked skilful in the sprue shots in the chapter above. They are link and length and this is their gather sequence. They clean up actually easy and are set in no time for gluing together. Those spare Dragon parts in the background came in really useful subsequently on. Never throw anything away. Taking a closer look there is a knockout pin marker on effectually every seventh link which is not as well bad. But they exercise lack both ends of the runway pin for some reason. The road confront looks fine although on the individual links that get around the bulldoze sprockets the link with the track tooth is slightly thinner compared to the face of the B link. These ones are all uniform. Here is an interesting comparison between Zvezdas in sand colour and Dragons in calorie-free greyness. And hither are the existent Tracklinks borrowed from a Google search. Sad I can't remember where I got them. I just noticed when I viewed the posted photos that the existent ones are the B link and the kit ones are the A link with the guide tooth. I only have fifteen mins to edit this and don't accept the proper photos to hand so I volition do something on them in a future chapter. When I built my kit the 2nd run I did on the RH side went together superbly. But for some reason I screwed up on the LH side which was the kickoff run that I did. I put 2 to many links on that run by mistake and instead of doing a top and bottom run and adding them separatly like I did with the second run I tried to go the whole run onto the break. Well I couldn't figure out why they were not plumbing equipment until I noticed the run was as well long past two links. So I removed them and for some reason then the track run became also tight and I lost a lot of rail sag in the middle. I'm still trying to figure out where I went wrong simply I have the same amount of left over spare tracklinks for both sides. There are xiv spare links per side left over. Why Zvezda supplied 28 spare links is a mystery. They don't phone call out any spare track stowage in the instructions. Anyway they are on and this side looks good at least.
David Coyne

Subject: Chapter 5 Details Date: Mar 13, 2018 - 17:21 From: David Coyne
Lets look in close up and some of the kit details and fittings and a few of the things i added to brighten things up. The only parts in the kit that are non done in sand colored plastic are the mesh for the rear cooling grill at the rear and the vision blocks which come every bit clear parts. i only used the kit ones for the drivers hatch. On the roof i used left over Dragon ones in grey plastic. I don't like clear plastic vision blocks every bit its hard to come across if yous cleaned them upwardly properly and i never add together them after painting. The less parts laying around the demote the better. The jack brackets are a little heavy molding wise. I had Dragon pieces but they were not much of an improvement so i used the kit parts. The Jack block is merely that a block of plastic with minimum detail. I had to supercede the kit hatch stays at the elevation of this photograph with Dragon ones . The kit parts were just also large to use. I didn't fit the jack into the holder equally I will do my Ferdinand equally a knocked out vehicle and i'll use some of the tools on the ground effectually the vehicle. The jack is simply ok item wise. I'll add the two carry handles from copper wire afterwards. I left off the headlight and made a metal back up base out of plastic card and a wire sticking out from the hull just below it. The kit tow cable is molded as 1 complete piece. This is a scrap odd in this day and age. Well-nigh everything comes with copper wire and individual cable heads unless its a King Tiger or it seems a Ferdinand. While information technology winds its style around the particular quite well it has all of the brackets molded on and only has a partial resemblance to a real Ferdinand cablevision caput. Eureka brand a cable for the Ferdinand and also one for the Elefant which is a different type more like a Tiger I head. The real Ferdinand one has something like a flexible sleeve effectually the cable head end. Zvezda have tried to practice something to it only I'yard not quite sure what. Here is the Eureka set. I take a Eureka ane in the stash just I'thou not wasting information technology on this kit. I'll keep it for the Dragon i instead. For this kit I used the kit cable heads and some Eureka copper cable 0.9mm. I made upward the brackets for the mattock from shapeways 3D tool clips and a etch piece from somewhere or other. I had cable brackets left over from Dragon kit builds then I used them seeing equally the kit ones are molded solid to the cable. Some of the early Ferdinands didn't take spare track on the front mudguard and so Zvezda don't requite you an option on this except for spare tracklinks. I used the Dragon brackets merely I may non fit the fenders on the final model to increase the damaged look. I borrowed an etch side tool box from Dragons Premium Efefant kit thats been in my stash unbuilt for over ten years. I must give that one a become old. Those Premiums were incredible kits with Individual tracklinks and etch fenders plus a host of other goodies. The only skilful feature on this kit was the idea to have the pistol ports and beat out ejection port open. The trouble with that of grade is that the hull does not come in scale thickness and you lot can actually notice it when you see the thickness of the 4 plugs and the particularly the shell ejection hatch which I took from my Dragon parts. Dragon also opened these holes in their tardily releases but managed to add the scale Armour thickness as well. I added the etch chain to the pistol port plugs myself from Aber compose chain. Zvezda would take you close upwards all of the hatches because there is no detail to speak of on the inner face. Again I used Dragon parts for the lock bars. At that place may be more than detail needed on these hatches and i'chiliad looking into that at the moment. Finding reference on the Ferdinand is not easy. There are enough of WWII photos but not in close up detail and not many of the roof expanse. In that location is a real lack of detail around all the hatches. You lot could do with calculation bolt heads here and in that location. Just an overall photo taken before I put the tracks on. I never mentioned the gun barrel up till now. Its about correct compared to the Gun Power plans. It has a slide molded muzzle brake with internal rings to be added but the molding on the Brake itself is slightly off leaving it needing some sanding to get it round. At least the butt is a 1 piece molding and non separate in 2.
David Coyne

Field of study: Chapter 6 Build completed Date: Mar xvi, 2018 - xv:27 From: David Coyne
Well here nosotros are at the terminate of the build section. I volition of form become on and paint the model but that may take some time as i have a lot going on on my bench right now including the Dragon Ferdinand which i will add to this blog and so we can figure out some kind of comparision between the 2. And then i estimate i have to form some sort of opinion on this kit for those who simply read last chapters on build/reviews. Is it a proficient kit? NO, but it has some good aspects to it and yous can work with it to get an adequate model out of it. I did like how Zvezda handled the Tracks although i'thousand not a large fan of link and length. The way the wheels are fixed/glued in place i constitute annoying although they accept pretty practiced details to them. The basic hull plate detail is nicely moulded simply many of the smaller details are too large or only featherbrained like moulding the complete tow cable and clips together. Thats not what you expect from a 2017/18 kit. The kit is pretty much a blank as far every bit interesting features go. The real Ferdinand is but a block of metal so something similar the Dragon tool box that i used on the side would have been a nice bear upon if Zvezda had thought of it. Hatch inner item would have been nice too. The real problem with the kit is the awful fit of the nether size forepart plate role and the gap between the fighting compartment and engine deck. These are silly mistakes in a brand new kit. At the back of my mind this kit had me questioning my ain modelling ability thats why i felt the need to go and build the Dragon kit along side it. I'm yet looking forward to coming across some other review and seeing how the modeller handle'south this problem or fifty-fifty if he has a problem. The only up side that i can encounter to this kit is that you lot can purchase 1 correct now for effectually €35. Dragon's superior kit was first released in 2001 and last released in 2012 as an upgraded version and is very difficult to observe. If you do run into i in a model shop at a adept price go for the Premium release from 2007 kit 6317. Yous become lots of goodies in that one inc etch, indy tracks, new tool gun box etc. I walked into my local model shop yesterday because i remembered he had a Part etch ready for the Ferdinand that i thought i would use on my Dragon kit. Looking around the shelves i spotted a second manus Dragon Elefant initial release from 2000 for €30. I snapped it up in that location and then forth with another etch gear up and some Elefant Eureka tow cables. €fifty for the lot was a adept price since i see the kit solitary on Ebay for over €seventy. 1 more for the stash i estimate. At present terminal kit photos. The mudguards on both sides are removable so i tin pigment the peak of the tracks under them. On the concluding photo you may find the tool box is not present. It will be easier to leave information technology off and add later painting.
David Coyne

Subject field: Re: Chapter 6 Build completed Date: Mar 16, 2018 - 16:03 From: Edward Schauer
Hullo David; Practise yous think this kit is any better than the one-time Italeri kit from mode back when.....??? When I saw the kits side by side comparison i.due east., Dragon and Zvezda upper fighting compartments, the Zvezda kit's welds and molding looked so much "softer", I thought the Dragon kit's details were crisper, you could run across everything so much better. When I run into a Zvezda kit on a LHS shelf, I run away from information technology...the only part I liked about that Ferdinand kit was the tracks which would brand it faster to build... Cheers, Ed

Field of study: Re: Chapter 6 Build completed Date: Mar 16, 2018 - 16:19 From: David Coyne
That onetime Italeri kit was e'er a archetype and so well done for its day. I think with a few added details and new tracks it would still hold its ain. The merely thing is its a subsequently version than the Zvezda kit and i'one thousand very suprised that Italeri didn't re-tool it merely a bit to back date it. When i become some pigment on the Zvezda top hull things might look a bit better. Recollect all of the panels had to exist glued and so in that location are shiny glue marks all around the weld seams which takes away from their appearence. The Dragon kits fighting compartment is a one slice moulding so looks a scrap cleaner. Dave.
David Coyne

Field of study: Re: Chapter half dozen Build completed Engagement: Mar 17, 2018 - 08:59 From: David Garrison
Well washed. That did non look like an enjoyable build.

Subject: Re: Chapter 6 Build completed Date: Mar 17, 2018 - fourteen:06 From: David Coyne
Believe information technology or non i did enjoy building the kit despite its flaws David. Its a funny matter but i'v built a few Zvezda kits, Tiger I and Panther D recently. The ICM King Tiger comes to heed besides because they are about the same standard. They all have problems only i'v had lots of Dragon spares simply waiting for when the day would come and they would be useful once more. They are not the kind of builds that drive you mad like for instance AFV Club or Bronco with their tiny sub-assemblies. I suppose yous just have to accept that they will not be state of the art kits similar virtually companies are releasing. I know i growl and give out a bit when building them simply at that place is a perverse pleasure to exist had from finishing them and hopefully making them expect expert. Dave.
David Coyne

Subject: Re: Chapter 6 Build completed Engagement: Mar 18, 2018 - 02:09 From: Andreas Wachtler
How-do-you-do Dave I never had been attracted to the Elefant somehow, but even so followed your build as I like the way how you improve and correct kits with spare parts etc. Also savor your kind of humorous comments :) The primary importance is to enjoy this great hobby and I feel with you when one can improve a kit and put a lot of passion into it. All of Zvezda' s kitties seem to have problems. I merely got their Merc. Maultier and that one received good critics, but maybe because there is no alternative. Besides their T90 and other new stuff is supposed to be practiced, but mayhap just until someone with knowledge builds them. Kind regards Andreas

Bailiwick: Re: Chapter vi Build completed Date: Mar 17, 2018 - 09:38 From: Mike Courter
Nice chore, David, I really like this vehicle... looking forward to the DML comparison... Mike

Subject area: Re: Affiliate half-dozen Build completed Engagement: Mar 19, 2018 - 19:14 From: Martin Webster
Despite its problems, it doesn't await to bad, like you, I have a number of spare Ferdinand parts just from the recovery version alone, it has a spare engine decks and other fittings, though not certain if it's for the Ferdinand or the Elephant, or even if at that place is a deviation lol. I might selection one up just to see what I can practice with it, I similar fixing bad kits if I tin. Nice piece of work David, I look forward to you getting some paint on it. Martin

Bailiwick: Re: Affiliate 6 Build completed Date: Mar 26, 2018 - 12:28 From: David Coyne
Hullo Martin. Different engine decks on the Ferdinand and Elefant. More armoured covers were added to the Elefant. The Zvezda deck is ok so no need to supplant it with Dragon parts but they will be handy for the smaller details. By all ways pick 1 up. I like the experience of building kits like this just to see what i tin can do with them beside the review aspect. Dave.
David Coyne

Field of study: Re: Zvezda Ferdinand Tank destroyer kit 3653 Date: Mar 26, 2018 - 03:40 From: Stefan Sjoberg
Hi, thank you for sharing this build log. I´m edifice the aforementioned kit right now. Concerning part F9, I don´t believe information technology´s to narrow, I constitute the walls (where F9 connects) to exist a bit warped = spread to broad autonomously. I clamped the sidewalls so the width fitted F9, glued it in place and let it dry out overnight. Information technology has not caused any issues to other parts in the area so it´due south a solution that works. The strips/ribs on part F9 can actually be seen on the Kubinka Ferdinand so I believe they are plausible, at least on some vehicles. I take the volume "Ferdinand and Elefant Tank Destroyer" by Thomas Anderson and on page xxx there´s a manufactory fresh vehicle where these ribs can exist seen. Thanks, Stefan Sjoberg

Subject: Re: Zvezda Ferdinand Tank destroyer kit 3653 Appointment: Mar 26, 2018 - 12:37 From: David Coyne
Well thats interesting Stefan. Its always useful to get someone elses feel of building a kit like this. I looked for warps in mine but didn't discover any. I'k sure its always possible to squeeze a hull together only you shouldn't have to but to fit a part. On the discipline of the ribs thats good to know. I didn't have photos of the Kublinka area but they were non on the plans i had in Gun Power 22. Here is the photo of the kit area for those who don't know what we are talking most.
David Coyne

Subject: Chapter 7 Painting function 1 Date: Mar 26, 2018 - 12:47 From: David Coyne
So here is the first stage of painting and decal application. I did a generic Kursk camo pattern. I didn't want to spend the time looking at the actual 612 photo and trying to follow the verbal pattern as its very random and complex and this kit getting finished is non summit of my list of things to do. If you look at the WWII photos every Ferdinand seems to been done by a different person as every pattern is slightly dissimilar. Y'all go from heavy applications of greenish to low-cal to more than artistic to very tight and great to large heavy bands in cloud patterns. i would say they were camouflage painted in the field and each crew did their own vehicle. Between photo 1 and 2 you can see that i sprayed a mist of Deck tan over the camo to tone it down a little. The kit decals went on ok but the crosses look a fleck on the large side and the register of the outer white cantankerous is slightly off. Side by side up, a bit of weathering.
David Coyne

Subject: Re: Chapter seven Painting part one Date: Mar 26, 2018 - 15:41 From: Christopher Tew
It'due south only inexcusable in this day of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation targeting devices that unproblematic, two-colour decals would be out-of-register. I got the HobbyBoss/Tristar Marder 3 Belatedly on sale cheap concluding calendar week (give thanks goodness "on auction cheap") and while the kit is skillful for a basically ten yr-old mold, the generic number-set decals are totally useless as both the red and black are miss-aligned on the white background. Yrs, CTew

Subject: Re: Zvezda Ferdinand Tank destroyer kit 3653 Engagement: Mar 26, 2018 - 13:23 From: Stefan Sjoberg
David, you fabricated me aware of the fit problem - and then I owe you :) But yous´re right - on a new kit one don´t look to find fit problems like that. The panels just in forepart of the gun superstructure (L11, L15 & L20) don´t fit perfectly and I actually tried to motility the superstructure a bit forrard - but, no it doesn´t work. Other than that I´ve hade no existent problems getting the kit together. Anyway, squeamish paintjob!

Subject: Nice job Date: Apr xi, 2018 - 14:36 From: Paul Owen
Smashing build log and model. I _may_ become this kit. I accept always liked the Ferdinand. I converted the old Italeri kit to a Ferdinand ages agone. I still have photos around hither somewhere (the model was stolen). Paul.
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Subject: Chapter 8 Painting part 2 Date: May iii, 2018 - 09:36 From: David Coyne
Some progress to report on this kit. I finished painting and weathering a few weeks ago and I'k working on a base and figures at the moment.I have a lot of other projects I'm working on at the same time doing more than or less the same thing that's why this ane looks and so wearisome equally far as progress goes.
David Coyne

Subject: Bang-up stop Date: May 3, 2018 - xix:59 From: Paul Owen
Great finish, I tin't look to run across bigger images in teh Gallery. I may get this kit at present later seeing your model and David's and Stefan's. Paul.
Paul A. Owen - Rail-Link Webmaster. Assistance meliorate and support the site: http://www.rail-link.com/support-track-link

Discipline: Re: Chapter 8 Painting role 2 Date: May 4, 2018 - 03:12 From: Stefan Sjoberg
Overnice work David! /Stefan

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