What I find interesting is going over my limited reference material and learning about the vehicle. I guess like all vehicles we model this one had many incarnations, that is early late, etc. Tamiya seems to have for the most part portrayed an early version with some later parts included as options. As my insight into this vehicle is an ongoing thing, some of the information has come to late(such as the vision ports on the turret- many operational pics show the type used on 234 and not the heavily hinged variety seen on the kit), there will most likely be errors or omissions on my build, but I'm not to worried- this is just for fun. I plan to do some aging and stowage to add interest. Still not sure if I want a gray vehicle or a desert one...
So progress was made adding Eduard's Zusatzfrontplatte to the front of the 232, replacing the kit's thick and softly detailed version. A definite improvement. But the fitting was a challenge and after soldering and muscling it into place I used some finishing body putty to smooth out the face of the armor. You can see in these progress shots I have chosen to replace the bullet splash guards and the rain run off channels above the vision ports.
I have also sanded down the JR gun barrel as there were distinct step marks from the milling process and it appears to me that they ought not have been there.
You can see the Eduard provided tie downs in place- a nice detail, but unfortunately they didn't include enough...
second coat of filler after sanding the first.
after sanding a very thin 3rd coat
after spraying with Mr. Surfacer 500 to see how it looks.
the primer coat showed me some flawed surface details that were sanded out.
the exhaust systems were filled were the kit's screen is meant to be glued , I'll be using the PE's version.
