And just as I’m mentally planning ahead for the Kubelwagen 82 workshop version that I was going to do after the Mercedes VK170, including what I may need to scratch build, Dragon comes out with this;
http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA6338
And also an ambulance version;
Comes out? I bought mine in 2017 new.
These are re releases. I thought that I had seen something about these kits having some upgrade features, but I’m not seeing that in these pix.
But they’ve got new parts so must be good! At least they’re claiming new parts….
Not sure what’s new. Mine has the figures and the dog – who is pretty anemic. They don’t mention the little lizard.
Lot’s of big pieces of PE; really means I will have to successfully learn to solder to do it justice.
So to get me focused back on the VK170, I’ve still been ticking away at some smaller elements. I’ve resolved that I’ll be finishing this as a telegraph/line repair vehicle so there’ll be more work done to reflect that.
Not much change to the main body. I’m happy with the engine and wiring. There’s two wires coming out either side of the top part of the bonnet and these will be hooked up to the turn signals once I finish them.
I’ve also built a little rack to sit behind the front passenger seat, for the side windows which just clipped on. In the four seater sedan they were tucked behind the rear seat when not in use, but in the three seat version they were kept in the boot or behind the front passenger seat. The rack will work ok I think with the lower side butting up to the back of the seat;
And I’ve put in the windscreen wiper motors along with the wiring for them. This will be cut to length to fit into the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel.
Looking very nice Sam … lots of really clever attention to detail 
Sides are on albeit with a bit of gap and some wrestling. The equipment box now has supports in each corner. It will have the lid open and some things inside. Also the cable reels are being prepped. One to go on the back deck and one in the boot.
And a test fit for the equipment rack that will go in the boot along with the reel.
This is what I’m basing the equipment rack on although this is on a Stoewer (top photo is rebuilt and bottom photo is original) and this one is slightly different from mine in the VK170 as it has space for two reels in the boot although they both have similar design with the same need for space for telegraph/comms line equipment.
Really liking this build, the details are awesome.
Where did you get the cable reels? I could use some for my 251 build.
Ta Barney. I got the reels off an 88mm kit that I’ve got in the cupboard. I figure not all had the comms reels rolled up and sitting on the trailer whilst in action. I’ll just have to remember that I’ve already used them when I go to build it and scrabble desperately through the box for the reels!
I tried to scratch build them but no luck. I also had a look at sewing machine bobbins as a possible option but they’re too big.
Maybe someone on site has some spares?
I found these today from FC Model
Steve, has FC ModelTrend resolved their quality problems from 2023?
I don’t know, I didn’t know they existed until today. Thanks for the heads up.
That’s a shame if the quality is still poor as the cad version looks nice (as per all cad renditions!) but maybe other suppliers carry them?
I think cable reels in terms of peripheral equipment that helps build a scene for both Axis and Allied WWII forces, are right up there along with tools (wire cutters, shovel, axe etc…), boxes (food, ammo etc…,), personal equipment (bread bag, small pack, pouches etc…,), and personal weapons. Out of all this though, the cable reels are the hardest to find on their own and not many kits include them. The 88mm kits from most producers carry either two or four reels but almost none of the other artillery kits have them which i find odd. I have seen some German linesman figures (I think from the ‘Stalingrad’ company) that have the reel on a back rack but not many others. It’s the sort of thing I’d love to have in the spares box if possible.
I’m now wrestling with fitting the cable to the reel to make it look realistic and tightly wound. I get a certain part of the way then the bloody cable (it is fishing wire) just springs off and laughs at me! Perseverance will win though!
Consider using annealed copper wire, paint it with a Sharpie, or similar, or actual model paint.
Plastic rod (like fishing line) is just asking for trouble.
Copper wire is available in many, and very small, diameters.
At one time there was a resin conversion set to make a 251/11 that contained many more bits than that FCModelTrend set, but that was like 20 years ago. Dragon had a Kettenrad set with two reels (Dragon 6128). They look different from the spools on the 88mm Flak but possibly there were variations in spool design.
https://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6128e.htm
Good advice @Uncle-Heavy ref the wire. I was using fishing line as that’s what was in the 88mm kit (it’s an AFV kit) that I grabbed it from. I’ve got some more suitable wire now so I’ll try that.
I’m ticking away at some of the add ons that I’ll need to make it a telegraph/linesman vehicle. That includes things like gloves (proper line worker gloves not the nice driving gloves that some officer figures come with) which I’m trying something new for me so I’ll see how that goes.
First cable reel done and installed in the boot. Some add ons to put in then I’ll close the top off but will leave the boot open.
Also have a pair of gloves. I thought about linesmen’s gloves which are kind of bulky. Without putty to make from scratch, what could I adapt to look like these gloves? That’s when I thought of old Tamiya figures which had big blobby boots and hands. So I found some old Tamiya figures and cut their hands off, hollowed them out and weathered. I think they’re ok.
And just to have the pleasure of writing it, I’ve put together a field phone which the crew would hook up to test the line. I didn’t have one so, in the best MacGyver fashion, I made a phone from two hand grenades, wire, a rusty water pipe, stockings and two ‘o’ rings from an engine! I’m happy with it and will paint it up for next update.
I don’t want to bring bad news, trust me, but that cable reel …
Looks more like a fire hose than telephone cable, sorry …
Please use this gauge wire instead:
