German 8 Wheeled 233 Build

Pulled this out of my stash. Started it on this first day of 2025. Lots of PE and fiddly parts no one will ever see. Instruction booklet is nice and large. Actual build instructions for part placement is poor. Parts count is unknown, but probably in the 300 to 400 range. I built the frame, and by itself without suspension it is almost 30 parts. Just the frame, kids.

It is not Tamiya crispness on the sprues, with some flash. Fitment is OK so far. As long as you can figure out where the hell the part goes due to poor instructions for part placement. Lot's of fiddley stuff that could have just been molded onto the frame without detracting from the kit accuracy.

Kit includes a full interior minus the engine's top half. So I am giving it a go while playing Lili Marlene and war films. I expect this one to be a month long build. Including paint and weathering... At least.

I would give this kit 8.5 stars on a 10 star scale. With 10 being the best. But I just got started... my rating may go up or down.

OldManModeler said:

Lot's of fiddley stuff

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It's an AFV Club kit, yep I've said it elsewhere too, but don't build an AFV Club kit if all you've put together so far have been Tamiya ones. You get all of the small detail parts that Tamiya moulds onto other parts or conveniently forgets exist, with slightly less good fit (but far better than many other manufacturers — you may have to drill out locating holes, but it's never a loose fit) but in the end you'll have a much more detailed model straight from the box. And they do many subjects nobody else would even touch.

Nice! Should keep you out of trouble for a while!
"...And this little fiddley ran all the way home!"

Keep us posted!

Jakko said:

It's an AFV Club kit, yep

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Anxious to hear how it goes, @OldManModeler.

I have a few AFV kits in the stash, including SD.Kfz.11 and the redoubtable 88.

Sounds like @Jakko has few under his belt, so we won't be without a guide in the wilderness!

I have, yes I would rate them, together with MiniArt, as probably the plastic kit manufacturer who tries to go for the most complete details they can provide. Which makes for complex kits, of course.

Jakko said:

It's an AFV Club kit, yep I've said it elsewhere too, but don't build an AFV Club kit if all you've put together so far have been Tamiya ones. You get all of the small detail parts that Tamiya moulds onto other parts or conveniently forgets exist, with slightly less good fit (but far better than many other manufacturers — you may have to drill out locating holes, but it's never a loose fit) but in the end you'll have a much more detailed model straight from the box. And they do many subjects nobody else would even touch.

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Thank you. This is not my first AFV Club kit. I actually prefer Dragon over any manufacturer, as I've had mostly good results and typically better detail than Tamiya. I think the detail is pretty good with Dragon. I have built many Italeri as well just because they offer a kit I want. I have many Tamiya, Italeri and Academy in my stash. And a few Das Werk and Trumpeter as well. But just because I can stash and build kits doesn't mean that I rate with you guys!

If I want a real challenge I'll start a AFV Club kit. So here we are. I have already had to remove flash from tiny <1/8th inch sized parts and used my pin vice for one locator pin. And I just started. LOL

Be well. Model on.

Eric

Getting the drive axles, diffs and suspension A-arms put together. Fiddly but not to the point of wanting to quit! Frame with rear driver pedals installed, and two of the four drive axle units are in the pic.

Yes, those are tiny cv-joint axle boots made from flexible vinyl so the axle shaft follows the suspension arms up and down. How cool is that!? The suspension is totally movable at this point.

Once the hubs are installed it gets glued up tight. But now it is still flexible so you can pose the suspension articulated if needed for a diorama, etc.

Close up pics shows that I still have some sanding to do.

These 8 wheelers are fun to build. I did this one a while back. Had a ton of parts specially the suspension.

plastickjunkie said:

View attachment 133215View attachment 133216These 8 wheelers are fun to build. I did this one a while back. Had a ton of parts specially the suspension.

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Nicely done! You must have a dog to have nailed the begging interaction, can almost see the tail wag!

So, the build saga continues...

All this detail is getting covered up by armor panels. Makes me want to diorama this kit.

I bent the steering column for the rear driver's position when placing the floor onto the frame. Tried to heat it up to straighten it and the part turned into a slinky. Whoops. The instructions have you put the floor down on the frame after the rear steering column and pedals are in place on the frame. It's almost impossible to do unless the glue isn't dry for the pedals. I will use a common sewing pin to replicate the steering column when I get back into building the interior.

I bent the rear beam bulkhead support on install. It was very fragile and I am not too concerned as it will straighten out when I install the top hull. And that part will never been seen again.

Going to have the wheels turned just to point out that ability when finished. Like @plastickjunkie did in his awesome diorama. I got one wheel hub on... in the pic. After the hubs, the final steering linkages will go on.

Top side interior with pedals. These pedals actually mount to the frame underneath. Crazy detail AFV Club!

Had to cut off some details and install PE for the detail in the correct position. That was all in the instructions. A little Vallejo plastic putty and sanding and it's barely coming along.

I'm not frustrated, but very amused. I think the detail covered is a waste. But still having fun.

Onward ho!

Be well. Model on.

Eric

OldManModeler said:

I will use a common sewing pin

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Nice: sometimes, MacGyvering a part is more fun to do than the actual one!

OldManModeler said:

Had to cut off some details

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The true meaning of 'plastic surgery'

Keep on, keep on!

BarleyBop said:

Nice: sometimes, MacGyvering a part is more fun to do than the actual one!

The true meaning of 'plastic surgery'

Keep on, keep on!

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Yep. I agree. Scratch building or scratch repairing is the best form of plastic model enjoyment sometimes.

The steering column that I bent and ruined was a simple rod, with no details above the floor. All the real fine details for steering like the steering box and etc, are under the floor and on the frame. BTW all of which is covered up by skid plates and armor. Lol.

I am going through the motions but this super detailed kit is reminding me why an old dude like me needs to go with 1/16th scale or larger! But it is a fun challenge.

I am not posting this build for kudos, Lol, but just for the comradery of it all on this forum. And for everyone's critique and advice as they see fit.

Be well. Model on.

Eric