Panzerpaul

I thought I’d share photos and info on two models I recently crafted for FRAG because we needed more German transportation on our Battlefield. The models began as 1/16[SUP]th[/SUP] scale Highway 61 die cast 1946 Chevy grain trucks. The model with the open load has a resin cast Opel Blitz cab with German wheels cast in rubber. The one with the covered load has an all metal Opel Blitz cab along with the original wheels from the Chevy truck. The metal cab, doors, hinges, plastic windows, misc detail parts and the German style wheels are from Asiatam. Asiatam offers a complete RC truck kit of this model, but it is quite expensive in USD. I elected to buy only a portion of the parts since FRAG only needed static display models.

Basically the Chevy truck frame and beds were retained and the original cab and motor castings were removed. The front of the frame was shortened about 3/8” and the Opel Blitz cabs mounted thereon. I used the interior seating and dash boards of the Chevy trucks, and inserted a German driver to complete the look. Everything was painted gray, decals added and then I weathered with sprays and chalks. The tarp for the covered truck bed is from an old hi-quality cotton dress shirt, painted on both sides with brownish spray paint, which makes it stiff and foldable. Very fine string was glued to the inside for rope pulls and anchored to the metal strap holders glued to the side boards. The various details in the truck beds are resin cast boxes, barrels and fuel drums that I make up and paint.

As noted above, one of the cabs was cast in resin. The mold box pictures show the basics of this effort which means making a 2 part RTV mold of the metal cab and doors. The same was done for the German wheels…one mold for casting the rubber tires and one for the wheels/hubs. I used Silicone Inc. GI-1110 RTV mold material, Easy Flo 60 for resin casting and Alumilite Flex 40 casting rubber for the tires. I decided to reuse the existing wheels and tires from the Chevy truck to save time on the second model. The difference is not all that noticeable.

Both models were photographed on the diorama that was made for that purpose. The last two model pictures are of German trucks that I made for FRAG a few years back. I have always loved the Opel Blitz front end look and decided to go to the extra effort this time, to make more accurate looking 3 ton truck models. Hope these encourage you to make your own. PP

Andy Antipas

Nicely done Paul.

edoubleaz

My Feedback: (1)

I like it them but my urge is to see a FLAK 38 in the bed of each one....

Panther F

I'd like to have the one used in the movie 'Kellys Heroes'.

Nice work Paul!





Jeff

karel47

asiatam have one in metal and on ebay a german guy sell's the 1/16 opel 3T in resin cabine with metal chassis ... the foto shows metal cabine but it is resin , but asiatams one is far more detailed and ready for rc



the gray one is mine with the flak from that ebayseller ... not worth the money ... asiatam is cheaper and better to get rceed and much stronger and more details; the other is asiatam metal 1/16 Opel Blitz 3T



by asiatam you can choose a 2x4 or 4x4 version of the truck

Panther F

Only $370.00!

Hey! I have that in pocket change! LOL





Jeff

karel47

its worth every penny the asiatam, its a lot better constructed then most HL tanks wich you like to spend money on
you won't regret

the 4x4 cost 299€
the 2x4 cost 250€

that's a fair price for it no doubt about that guy's

that ebayseller sells them for 350€ with resin cabin, that's a not buy ... asiatam is better