Completed May 2019
Because of its size, this was a really fun model to build. The size made it easy to add detail, whilst at the same time, making it a challenge because the details had to be more detailed that they would have in a smaller scale! Mud and dust were also easier to simulate than on the smaller scale. I really enjoyed this. To crown it all, this model went on to win Popular Vote at the IPMS S.A. nationals in 2019. Indeed an honour.
I used Italeri's 1/9th scale "German Militar Motorcycle with Sidecar" and (against my nomal way of doing things) decided to buy some aftermarket resin accesories with which to enhance the kit. I'm glad I did.
I was (pleasantly) gobsmacked at the size of this model! It was massive compared to what I had been exposed to up to this point. Though the parts did not always fit nicely, I progressed quite fast. (My hands are of average size).
This was my first experience with resin accessories and I was really pleased with the end results. The LMG looked a thousand times better than the one in the kit.
This kit had some wicked seamlines and flashing.....
...... but even this all added to the building experience and fun, and I soon had a box full of parts that had their base coat applied. Then I moved on to the engine and wheels.
Dipstick
I did not like the connecting pipe thingamabob so I made my own from real brass.
I also did not like the thingamagoo that goes in the footwell of the sidecar, so I made my own using paper card and wood.
Weathering the bike..... Nothing extreme, just a dirty, dusty bike.....
On with the sidecar......
The accessories....
Research showed that these bikes had a first aid kit. This was not included in the kit, so I made my own using styrene and copper wire.
I was really impressed with the resin accessories.
Looting by occupying Nazi forces is well documented. I also made some scale artworks to put in the sidecar, but did not take photos as this was done as an afterthought and to fill up space. I mean serioulsy.... many painitngs were looted, so this sidecar had to have some too.
I bought some bottles from a dollhouse accesorry place and made a crate from wood. Research showed that wine bottle crates at that time held 8 bottles, so I turned two on my lathe.
On with the bike......
I then made a quick base, mounted the bike and called it done!
Extra loot added after the above photos were taken.