One of three SSy variants of 50t famous heavy flatcars, used by the Deutsche Reichsbahn to transport armored fighting vehicles such Panthers, Tigers and other heavy armor throughout Europe for the German Wehrmacht during the WWII now in development for LZ models
I have almost finished masters for frame construction, and all the parts are checked for fitting. Few PE parts will be also involved in the build 
Prototype moulds are done and castings for test build are coming out. I will start the test build in a couple of days
Frame construction. There are mostly larger parts involved, here is "sprue shot 1" and a couple of pics I had taken earlier when checking the bogie fit. More to come...
"Sprue shot 2" and frame assembly started. The construction is actually very easy, all parts fit in slots made in opposite parts. I started with inner floor sections, added 3 cross beams (high one in the middle), assembled both side beams - they have to meet each other exactly in the middle of the floor, and all secured with drop of C/A. I used some thicker black C/A to make welding lines look in areas where the cross beams are joined together and fill any tiny gaps during assembly
Now I assembled construction for bogies on both sides and all the reinforcements at the ends. I used my sanding stick here to make sure that non of them is longer than needed....before both buffer beams are assembled. There are still some small parts to be added....
I assembled the hook spring and got ready some parts for brake equipment. So far the parts are just dry-fitted, and they will be assembled properly together with PE parts.
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First I got ready some PE parts needed for another progress. Many of them are two halves soldered together to get right thickness. Then I assembled first part of equipment which passes movement of hand brakes to the wagon brake system. More of that soon. Then I started with other parts of the brake system. This wagon had more advanced Hildebrand-Knorr brake - graduated-release brake that simultaneously affects all cars of a train. I could also mention that many parts have pre-marked small holes which can be adjusted later for wires and rods assembly, always to make joints stronger
I have found some unexpected issue last night that needs to be solved... I worked on base of two different drawings, one from my collection, which is more complex, but some small details missing, and another that sent me friend of mine scaned on paper, very large one, with many detailed drawings and cuts. I used it to create exactly the frame and some other parts, some brake parts I made on base of my drawing - in digital format in my PC just ideal to do PE design and prints for further work - so far so good - but never noticed that both drawings had different brake model. Large brake cylinder in one - Hildebrand brake I mentioned earlier, which I used - thin brake cylinder - probably the same manufacturer, but older make - in other. Well, I made more advanced large cylinder from one drawing, and the brake arms to operate whole system from another, where the cylinder was smaller - and the result is that 2 of 3 holes on one side are too close to the third one - all right for thin cylinder, but trouble for the other one - there is a crossing rod to be assembled in second holes - it has to pass the cylinder body, but that is too thick and it just wont
Not a problem to fix it, I could do either new older cylinder or change the PE parts for production. Easier way is to keep the advanced cylinder and change the PE parts. It is just about to move two holes a small bit inside, following the other drawing with large cylinder now... exactly what the test build is here for - to get everything right for the kit. For my test build I filled wrong hole with solder and made new one in correct distance.
I have added all the resin reinforcements underneath (thin pieces with holes are simply cut by the side edge, and then pushed in and securet with a drop of glue) and also other small details - another part of hand brake equipment - little cogwheel is placet exactly opposite to the sliding rod at the other side. Next picture shows final version of brake arms, which are now used to get together whole thing. There are some plastic rods involved, exact dimensions will be shown in assembly instructions, so just to mention that they have flattened ends which are to be placed between two PE arms. This is easy done with suitable pliers
Continued with brake system assembly, I put together all the parts and secured with a drop of glue. The brake cylinder is placed in its position and a connecting rod for the hand brake assembly is also on its place. Finally I closed holes in PE arms with thin slices of 1,2mm rod do get nice looking pins
More parts added to the brake assembly. PE sliders for bogies glued in position to fit with opposite parts mounted on bogies. Then continued with brake power switch and air tank cylinder
All the air pipes and connections done. Also releasing lever for brake power switch has taken its place. Another little job in this area will follow later - but there are some really tiny levers which cannot be done in 1/35 scale at all...
Bogie assembly. These parts are very thin and easy to work with. To shape the top piece with turning base properly I glued it in the middle area first, and then I used hot cloth to warm it up a bit and bend it easily. Finally a drop of C/A used to secure it in position. Extra care has to be taken to assembly bogie sides. I marked centre on all pieces first to fit it right, and then I used flat surface to make sure that all the angles are correct, before all parts are secured with glue. Wheels mounted on axles, bearing housings added and whole things slided in slots. Their right position is shown in picture - so far they are just dry-fitted. Now there are some PE parts to deal with....
First batch of PE bits soldered together to create various brake assembly parts. Another smaller batch to be done. And now most of the PE parts is ready to be assembled. I soldered together the brake holders, glued hangers on brake blocks and added spacers - four on the left and four on the right. Just a couple of more small things to be done before everything will be stuck together
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I got ready operating rods for the brakes and hung the brakes in the bogie. Also cross beams added and some small bits to get the right look. Continued with brake assembly, pictures will explain better than words
Continued with brake system, I have assembled second half of the boggie and also the springs are in position. Just very few small jobs to be done to finish it
More parts added on the bogie, though these spring bumpers in first picture will be made of PE in the kit. Also all the secure holders assembled. Once all finished, the bogies can be connected to the main brake assembly through 1mm rod with flattened end. At the end I glued on buffers, coupling, air hose assembly and few other details
Now the build is almost finished. I added some tiny PE parts for brake assembly, and wires for brake system air release and brake power switch. On sides there are almost all the parts mounted as well. I used just one safety hook for stanchions made of wire to show, there will be resin ones in the kit. There will be also additional PE holders for stanchions stored on wagon sides, I will add them once received prom PE producer. Also plates for brake power switches are temporary ones, there will be slightly different ones in the kit. Before that I will stick my build in surfacer coat.....
I have applied surfacer coat. I will add few more bits when PE parts arrive, but generally it is almost finished
Just a few parts to be added to my build here. Stanchions missing in my build so far are done. According to the reference pictures they were mostly missing anyway, though they came as a part of the wagon from production. They can be assembled standing or stored on holders on both sides - or they can be just left of course.
