Schwere Plattformwagen SSyms 80

Here begins the Trumpeter kit 00221 Schwere Plattformwagen SSyms 80 build.  

I have built this kit twice, the first build was straight out of the box some years ago and the second 2 years ago.  I only have the finished Photo of the first build which will be posted next to the second build as a comparison.

The second kit was detailed up and corrections made where possible.  I used LZ Models Kit 35309 German Kunze-Knorr Wagen brake set.  The plastic deck was replaced with timber stirring sticks from the local $2 junk shop.  There was some experimentation with weathering these timber sticks but I think I got it right in the end.

The first series of photos is of the kit box art and instructions.  I have not bothered building the loading ramp for the tanks and I will only show the final track bed photo.

 

 Sprue Shots

 

Note the prominent sink holes on the underside of the timber deck and absence of wood grain pattern also. 

The timber grain is passable and does come up well painted and weathered but real timber is a much better look should you go down this path.

There are prominent sick holes on the flip of each rail which need to be filled.  I have found the best option is to fill with super glue, hit it with zip kicker and you can file it down using a fine diamond file straight away.

The same sink hole problem exists for each rail wheel and sadly it's on the rounded visible side.  The only solution is to scrape it smooth with a rounded scalpel blade.

I did not take any shots of the early stages of the build, but things did go together smoothly and without issues.  First up is the triple wheel bogey assembly.  I was able to find technical drawings of single and double axle assemblies but not of triple axle assembly.  This is the best I could come up with and can't vouch if this even works.  I used the LZ Models aftermarket kit for a single axle system and scratch build parts for the remainder.

View from underneath.

View from above.

Now the frame assembly.  Additional length and cross bracing added (missing in simplified kit).

Added supports on left hand side for hydraulic line supports.

First of the triple axle bogie attached.

Whilst the second bogie is not yet finished, it was placed in position in order to align the additional connection rods and pipework from the brake system and pressure tank.

 

 

Both completed bogies

The sub frame is complete and corrections to the both sides done and springs, levers / handles added and connected through to the other side. The beams also added as these are not included in the kit.  Axle guards also added.

Using AK red Brown primer, this was sealed with Testors glosscote and a light hair spray coat added.  This followed by a coat of Tamiya German Grey and sealed again Testors Dullcote.

Decals followed.  These were of very good quality and were applied using Mr Hobby Decal softener and fixer and then sealed with another spray of Testors Dullcote.

The timber flooring of the kit were replace with crafts sticks from the local junk shop and stained before gluing down.  

Weathering using Mig pigments and a very light spray of Tamiya dark brown sealed with Dullcote.

Two more purchases 

  Here are two more purchases that I believe will be great.

The first one is True Metal paints

I have bought brass, copper and steel to use on my BR86 and BR52 locomotives, especially the pipework on the boiler backhead. Yes I have not actually used them yet but I believe you paint it on and then buff the paint to a bright finish, well here's hoping.

The second purchase was as a result of watching too much youtube, I was watching a fellow's build log of his 1:200 Nichimo Yamamato , a huge huge model and when he got around to painting it he recommended using  Gaianotes black surface primer. Well would you believe Metro Hobbies stocks it so I now have a bottle. Of course i have not used it yet but most certainly will. 

David

 My latest purchases

Today I want to introduce some nifty purchases I have just made starting with 

1.  SMS paints used on my BR86

I must admit this was my first time using these paints and they spray beautifully straight from the bottle, no thinning.

2. A second purchase was the Trumpeter engraver 

We needed to scribe the plastic floor of the cab of the BR86 locomotive then paint it stained wood. I remember reading that scribing plastic with a blade etc left ridges either side of the scribed line but an engraver caused the cut to be clean with no ridging, so the Trumpeter engraver was bought.

3. Third was a saw set

          I needed to cut off a small plastic item but the only saw I had was a U-Star handy craft saw however the blades are really thick and do not go into tight spaces so a search on the BNA website showed up the ManWah fine saw set where the blades are only 0.10mm thick, just the thing 

4. A good pair of nippers

A fellow ACT modeller recommended these nippers as the blades are very different from normal nippers in that one blade is flat and the other is sharp such that a cut is made by the sharp blade cutting against the flat blade. Now this may seem a load of rubbish however the proof of the pudding is in the eating and they are superb, highly recommended

5. Now back to painting the cab floor of my BR86. Normally my wood effect is achieved by first painting the part with a sand colour e.g. AK Desert Sand or my favourite Panzer Aces 310 Old Wood, followed by a coating of Citadel Devlan Mud. However my Devlan Mud  is nearly empty and apparently it is no longer made. So asking Google it told me a good alternative was "The Army Painter Quickshade Strong Tone"

A search on the web showed Mighty Ape had not only the strong tone but a full set of  11 washes , how cool as I get all these washes to experiment with .

6. A new magazine to me was a book from Mig Jimenez 

This small book contains all the basic steps of weathering, I hope to use his techniques with the BR86

7. Another publication from the same stable is the following book also hopefully to be used on the BR86 

and finally a few photos of my BR86 so far