I've been working on conversions for the TPz-1 Fuchs on and off for about a year now. I wish it was more on than off but that's how things go I guess. The first item I would like to show is the TPz-1 Hornisse which is part of the EW unit and is responsible for radio direction finding. The first picture is a real world example, this one happens to be Dutch.
Here's mine...
The modifications were done using various bits of plastic stock from Evergreen. Its kind of chunky and I'm not fully satisfied with how it turned out but I'm working at the small end of what they have available. I'm leaning towards doing some etched brass work to get the mast unit down to a reasonable profile. Perhaps when I'm finished painting it I will like it more as well but that's where it stands for now.
The next item in my stack of conversions is the other part of the EW team - the TPz-1 Hummel which has the radio Jammer aerials. Again I'll lead with a picture of what exists...
Here is my conversion. The first is the basic conversion...
And the next is the same model with the 3 color NATO scheme.
I'm pretty happy with this conversion and its almost finished. I just have to add the additional generator set affixed to the back door and its done.
My last conversion for right now is the TPz-1 Para which is the RASIT battlefield surveillance radar. Again here's the real world...
And my conversion...
I love this vehicle and the fact that there are nine in a recon battalion but again my conversion is chunky and not totally satisfactory. I think I'll switch to brass rod and maybe some etched brass parts for finer deatil that what is possible with plastic alone. Many thanks to Ben for some new photos that will help me refine this effort.
Fine work, Paul. After looking at the Hornisse conversion, I can now better understand your interest in photo-etched brass. I can't help but wonder if there would be a market for PE brass detail or conversion kits for micro, such as exist for larger scale armor kits.
Yes, I'm really keen on figuring the PE brass process out. The Hornisse is okay for table top play but the photograph just shows how far out the state of the art is.
av8rmongo wrote:Yes, I'm really keen on figuring the PE brass process out. The Hornisse is okay for table top play but the photograph just shows how far out the state of the art is.
Paul
Maybe there is a market at least among friends.
There's certainly nothing wrong with it for wargaming purposes, but it does show the limitations of using "off-the-shelf" sizes of plastic rod and bar stock. You can make finer bits of plastic rod by stretching it over a flame or candle, but warpage can be a problem. I think PE brass would indeed be the way to go. I was actually dropping a not-so-subtle hint for GHQ to think about. PE add-on kits would not involve a lot of capital expense, it just remains to be seen how many takers there would be for them.
I use Tamiya acrylics. The green if XF-65 Field Grey, the brown is NATO Brown and the Black is NATO black toned down with some green to make it less black. I thin the paint somewhat with Taniya acrylic thinner to make if flow a little better but that's it. And I'm still working on a good dry-brush/weathering technique. Hope that helps a little. OBTW I'm experimenting with a batch of vehicles using Tamiya spray paint. The spray version of Field Grey is 'greener' than the bottle version so the jury is still out until the three color pattern is done.
It works really well from your photos - thanks for the guide. I'll keep at it. I've some French VABs at the moment that keep getting 'resprays' until I get shades I'm happy with.
Thanks! I'm pretty pleased with how the Scorpions and Hummels turned out. My EloKa and TPz-1 PARAs still need some refining though. Next up on the list is fuel tanks for my MAN 5t trucks and a CL-289 Drone launch/control truck.
Paul
Last edited by av8rmongo on Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:11 pm, edited 3 times in total.
excellent work! I enjoy your modern German conversions!
There is one "BUT" . The Hornisse you show is no Hornisse it is a so-called "Peilfuchs".
The designation is TPz-1 A1 EloKa (used for VHF/UHF Detection) AEWV. I am not sure if "Peilfuchs" is an official designation.
The TPz-1 "Hornisse" looks very different, for example it has a different mast attachement.
Both vehicles are in service with the Germans and Netherlands.
I have only very few photos of the Hornisse (Dutch) and only one of a German one in my newest book. The Hornisse system (in fact the whole system is named Hornisse as far as I know) also deploys truck-mounted mast equipment as well (MAN 15t mil gl KAT 1 A1.1 with AMA 40m - impressive vehicle!).
The Hornisse system is used for ECM (HF).
May this info be of interest and help.
Ben,
I've seen pictures of the other vehicle you describe but the photo caption said it was only a "developmental" model and was not fielded. Good, now I have another vehicle to make! All the conversions of "Hornisse" are based on internet pictures labeled that way but I'm always happy to learn the proper names of things.
no prob. I fear you have been misleaded referring to the "Peilfuchs"...
I know about one source naming it as HELAS. I told the responsible webmaster that this is wrong - the TPz-1 HELAS AEWV is again entirely different and in fact did never enter service. I have lots of literature dealing with the TPz-1, there is such a wide variety of versions ...
The Germans have beneath the known and mentioned Hummel, Peilfuchs, Hornisse some other EW versions. Some are still in test status, some never entered service, others are in limited service.
I will post you some further details on the EW variants (including Hornisse pics) to your mail-address.
. The Hornisse you show is no Hornisse it is a so-called "Peilfuchs".
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