Yes, the 4.8 volt battery is internal. The compartment bay is located right of the rotor wheels.
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Day 32
I threw some decals on and gave it a matt finish. I wish I had more detailed decals for the 251 right now, I will have to possibly add at a later time. It looks very plain without some vehicle placards,
I guess the next step is weathering! I’ve never done it before so it should be interesting! It will be a new vehicle so the scratches and rust will be kept to a minimum. Dust and dirt will be the order. I would like to subdue the paint brightness just a little. What doesn’t work will be camouflaged, haha.
The licence plate number is 12th SS from Ardennes offensive. It will work for my project. I didn’t put numbers on because this vehicle was too new to be identified before 6 June.
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Hi Steve, very much enjoying this project & you’re doing a fantastic job especially with the radio detailing. Please set me straight, the image in your first post seems to show a randomly splotchy camo scheme, and that was Harmel’s ride which you’re replicating (?)…so I’m unclear why the scheme you’ve done?
I must say I don’t recognise the Harmel-photo scheme or what colours were used, I much prefer yours which I believe is equally authentic. But being less brave than you, and given this is the Ardennes, I’d probably chuck several scale-buckets of whitewash over it all to silence PITAs like me 
Whatever, looking forward to seeing how you subdue the tones 
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Hi Tim, thanks for the compliment. I am attempting to replicate what would be Kurt Meyer’s ride. Harmel’s IV is the most documented in Normandy.
The paint scheme I (attempted) did is based on the tri-colour. The liberty I took was using a darker yellow aka Gelb RAL 7028 Ausgabbe 1944. This new colour was only “official factory” introduced in Aug/ Sept, 1944. I will explain more on this reason.
These specific IV vehicles started to arrive in France in very late May/ June according to the TO&E for the Panzergruppe West. The deployment was supposed to be done through the summer of 1944. It is unknown if Meyer actually received his IV due to fighting, at this point in research. These vehicles were special as they required the frame antenna in order to operate the Fu11SE100 while mobile, and 9m telescopic mast with star antenna while stationary.
My end goal is to build a massive diorama depicting the North Nova Scotia Highlanders (NNSH) ambushing a 12th SS HJ “O group”. The time period of this fictitious battle is somewhere in the late July/ Aug. I had three great-uncles land at 1040, 6 June on Juno Beach whom were NNSH. This diorama is a tribute to their massive contribution and would like to donate it to the NNSH museum.
With the depiction at a later summer time, the darker yellow may have started to appear at the front. For artistic reason I choose this (and I liked the colour). For now I am leaving off vehicle number as I am unsure what would have been Kurt Meyer’s HQ vehicle number. I am also entering this in the D-Day build, so it would have just arrived at the front for 6 June and they may not have had time to paint numbers on! So it is a more generic IV that would have belonged to Panzergruppe West.
Here is a pic of one of my uncles. Five years as a Private, he was known to get in a bit of trouble… He was also part of the “Originals” of the NNSH. These NNSHs were on the first boat to England.
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Aha thanks, I had a feeling I’d missed something – Meyer’s ride, not Harmel’s. All understood
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Day 33
Today took me to new places I’ve never been. First was the application of filters, second was washes. I have never done these two things ever. It’s been a learning experience for me. It’s very easy to make a mess of things!
Even though the vehicle is depicted as new, there is still going to be some dirt, dust and grime in places. It did have to move from the factory and has seen some off road and there was rain prior to 6 June.
Of course a couple of pieces broke off. I’m building a collection that will be attached at the end. Some things I need to order aftermarket for replacements i.e., width markers, more decals.
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Good work with the wash and filters, certainly looks the part
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Looks good to me, wish my attempts came out that well. Keep going youth and be proud of your work.
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Welcome to the madness Anthony … what sort of builds do you usually do ?
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Thank you, my main interest has always been pre 45 armour from all countries but mainly german. Due to poor eyesight and very shaky hands I have moved to 1/16 scale, the smaller scales are just too difficult for me these days, which is a shame as the quality and detail on them is superb.
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Be good to see some of your work when you get a chance to load some images …
There are various tutorials to show people how the site works and the admins are all very helpful and will lean in to assist with Q’s etc … ( as will most people here actually )
Its basically a trust level system and the levels increase with how many things you comment on, talk about, like, start your own threads/posts etc … the tutorials explain it all.
There are a few here who also lean towards 1/16th, namely Donald @oldwarloke … he does some great builds and also points out issues as he goes along.
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Yes, seen some of his work, he is very good and clearly explains any issues, my next build will be the trumpter 1/16 panzer iv ausf J, been doing research and assembling some aftermarket bits for it as the kit seems to be a lot of seperate sub assemblies with nothing to connect them together, atm I am making a hash of the gecko panzer 11, more as practice than anything else. Photo’s may be difficult as I have a medication induced tremor in my left hand which makes blurred the order of the day, lol. I will have a go, once I start the new project.
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Welcome aboard Anthony, and thank you for your comments.
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Day 34
I did some dabbling with accessories today. I’m getting a bit more friendly towards PE, but not by much. It is still very fiddly and it seems the only thing I’m good at is breaking the piece then soldering it back together!
The larger cable reel will be for the GE400 generator, the other reel for the star antenna. Every vehicle needs a slop bucket!
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Day 35
Tried out the new airbrush today and WOW! Significant difference and ease of control. I also painted the tracks but I forgot to take a pic, d’oh!
I did some more weathering. I think I have enough grime and wear now, maybe add some rain marks. The only thing to add is dirt and mud around the running gears.
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Where does the “IV” come from?
KL
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It’s coming along beautifully, loving your work.
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Hey Kurt, it’s about the radios carried and it’s intended function, copied this from wiki for you .
- 251/3 I - FuG8 and [FuG5] Radios
- 251/3 II - FuG8 and FuG5 Radios
- 251/3 III - FuG7 and FuG1 Radios (for ground to air coordination)
- 251/3 IV - FuG11 and FuG12 Radios (with 9 m telescopic mast); Command vehicle variant (Kommandowagen)
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Day 36
Speaking of telescopic masts. I did the rigging today, of course one string was giving me trouble.
Did some more painting on accoutrements. I have to matt varnish them then give a bit of weathering.
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Really building up nice. The extra detailing is going to make this a real cracker. Great work Steve.
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