New from KM Model, a Schützenpanzerwagen U304(f) mit 2 cm Flak 38 (early version).
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/km-model-schutzenpanzerwagen-u304-f-mit-2-cm-flak-38
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/km-model-schutzenpanzerwagen-u304-f-mit-2-cm-flak-38
3 Likes
Very cool subject.
I have a bit of a love-hate thing going on with KM Model right now. I’m working pretty hard on their Panzerjeager-Fahrzeuge U307(f) 7.5cm pak 40 right now, trying to fix the interior and the scale issues. I’ll update my progress in the forum today. You have to be very careful with this 3D printed plastic. It will shatter and fragment in ways that are unexpected and aren’t easy to put back together. Luckily, they take Tamiya putty and Mr. Dissolved Putty really well and any surface issues can be worked that way.
I still wish Tamiya or someone would make a series based on these P107’s/MCGs. I think one of this big issues, or at least one I’ve run into, is the lack of reference materials, particularly regarding the rear areas where weapons and custom seats were mounted. Not as much of an issue with this variant.
5 Likes
Thanks for the info on making these kits. Can you use Tamiya Extra Thin type cement with these or is it a super glue situation?
2 Likes
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get Tamiya’s extra thin cement to work.
I had to resort to super glue for most areas. One has to be very careful, though. I started out using Bob Smith’s gap filling CA and it ended up warping the chassis frame out where there was a much larger gap by the time it fully cured. I delicately tried to remove the CA with CA remover and remove the frame piece, and it shattered into 4 pieces. The plastic is very volatile in that respect.
I did have some old leftover Model Master glue in the black container with the metal precision tip. That did work in some areas, but I’ve mostly used medium CA with a precision tip and some kicker for the difficult areas.
One thing that does work very well, is Mr. Dissolved Putty. I’ve used a lot of it for filling gaps and leveling with sanding sticks. The plastic takes to it very well and it’s easy to manage.
4 Likes
Blimey! That’s a lot of trial and error, you’ve done really well to not just give up, I’m pretty sure I would have 
1 Like
For sure friend.
For you or anyone else out there, my progress on KM’s Pak 40 Somua MCG can be found
here
3 Likes
I just ordered this from KM Miniatures. I know there are flaws, but this vehicle interests me. I think If TriStar were still around, they could do wonders with a vehicle like this. The other major manufacturers are content to let the resin kit makers handle the early war French halftracks and German conversions. I would, along with many others, like to see these vehicles in injection molded plastic.
1 Like