German BMW R75 with Sidecar

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.