Modeller Build Logs

Tamiya Steyr type 1500A/04 Constuction Notes

Tamiya released this kit, the Steyr type 1500A/04, several years ago. It is the archetypical Tamiya kit: well detailed, well engineered, easy to assemble and slightly esoteric. At the time had started the kit but put it aside. Now with the recent German soft skin vehicles that have ben added to the Gallery (of Mike Bedard and Marcos Serra) I've been inspired to finish it off.

It is a very good kit, but like all kits, there are good opportunities for detailing. Over the past few years several after-market accessories and reference books have been released. I did pick up the Part photo-etched detailing kit (no.P35-033) and CMK engine compartment. There are now sets from both Aber and Eduard.

As I stated, I started this kit a few years ago. I haven't done much. Most of the frame and I've assembled the body. I have thinned down the front fenders too. I'll provide a summary of the work so far and then focus on specific areas then I intend to detail.

My goals for this project (besides to actually _finish_ it) are:

1) Depict the "fragility" of a soft skin vehicle.
2) Construct a realistic tilt and frame
3) Depict a "lived in" look for the vehicle, with accurate crew stowage.

Here we go... (again)