Hanni Freikorps-Tank: Mark iV 1919 in Berlin (28mm)Hello all. I have started to work on a new subject area and decided to set up some vehicles and figures from the time of the German Revolution of 1918/1919 (and following years).
To start with I have taken a Mark IV from Skytrex and modified it slightly to represent a British Mark IV used during the suppression of the January Uprisings in Berlin.
Whether the tank itself was involved in actual combat action is not known. However, there are several photographs showing the vehicle driving through the streets of Berlin or positioned on public squares (probably for deterrence purposes).
In addition, the model served me as a testbed for several new techniques and materials:
a) test of a new brush for applying paint splashes (looks like airbrush).
b) color test for a three-tone paint job
c) use of 3D-printed MGs
d) test of decals from different manufacturers
e) test of aging with oil paints
f) test of self-made stencils for tactical signs (skulls)
General information about the model:I usually write reviews on resin models covering the WWI range as well as subsequent years (uploaded in the German Sweetwater-Forum). So maybe I will upload here a more detailed article about the model and what you need to keep in mind to assemble it properly in the near future.
But in advance this much:
In itself, the tank is cleanly cast and nicely designed. However, the casemates are a nightmare: the inserts do not fit well into the side walls of the model and without putty you end up with very large gaps (you can still see them on the top of the booms on my model). Also, the turrets are all too small/low. You really need putty here or use plastic sheet to adjust the height like I did. Otherwise it looks like the towers are floating in the air or have underarm wide gaps at the top and bottom (in comparison to the scale).
More on this maybe later, as I said.
Historical background:I wanted to depict the tank named “Hanni” as it was still in its original 1918 Imperial Army paint scheme.
This of course includes the three-tone paint scheme, the iron crosses, and the tactical mark of the red four in red ring, which identifies the tank as the 4th vehicle of the 12th “Beutepanzer” department.
Whether the name "Hanni" was already worn at the time or was added later is not known.
The skull with the crossed bones and the "Kokampf" sign that identifies the vehicle as car 153 of Department 01 were added only in Freikorps service*.
*It is not completely settled whether Kokampf should be considered a government force or a Freikrops unit. In the literature available to me there are different statements on this.
Now to my model:The only change to the kit was replacing the Hotchkiss 1914 machine guns with Lewis MGs. These are 3D prints that I purchased from Shapeways.
I also omitted the digging beam, as it was not included with the original tank either.
To keep the model from looking too bare, I put a rusted tow chain and a blanket/tarp in the storage box on the roof.
The painting was done exclusively with brushes. Only the primer was done with black spray paint.
For the decals I used a mixture of different manufacturers and the skulls are painted on by brush.
Differences to the original:The iron crosses are unfortunately a bit too small and should be about 2 mm larger.
The right casemate should be equipped with a 08/15 MG. (I left a Lewis MG there, because first of all I had no German MG left from that time and secondly, I prefer a uniform armament).
All German booty tanks of type Mark IV got a retrofitted flap on the roof of the driver's dome. Here I was too lazy to create it. ^^° But since there is not any shot of the roof section of that tank that I know of anyway, I can still argue that there was no hatch. :-P
Conclusion:For my taste, the tank turned out a bit too dark. Next time I will lighten the gray more. Otherwise, the final result is acceptable.
Welcome, Guest. Please 
March 21, 2023, 02:23:27 AM
April 20, 2008, 04:23:12 PM