BR52 - Germany 1943 - 1/35 scale

Standard Techniques

Weathered BR52 steam locomotive model, three-quarter front view on a diorama

"Off we go ! We're off to summer camp !"


Box for the Trumpeter 1/35-scale Baureihe 52 steam locomotive kitThe "BR 52"—Germany's most famous locomotive—certainly deserved a 1/35-scale model kit. Trumpeter has filled that gap...

A model of a BR52 steam locomotive being painted, with a red frame and a gray boiler Despite having hundreds of parts, some details are missing and flaws remain. The first step is to carefully glue and fill the two-part pieces so that the seams are invisible...

Scale model of the BR52 locomotive's boiler and body in metallic gray with pipingPhoto-etched kits and resin parts are available, but they significantly increase the cost per part. Here, we used photo-etched parts from a surplus box that we reworked to fit. Many of them are invisible once glued in place, so we limited ourselves to adding only the improvements that are clearly visible. The piping has been redone using plastic rod...

BR52 steam locomotive model under construction, with a gray cab and red wheelsA number of missing nuts and some bars are glued to the wheel carriage, as well as in many other places. The window frames and handles are made of plastic. The running boards are fitted with non-slip plates.

Needless to say, photographic documentation is essential at this stage...

BR52 locomotive underframe painted gray with piping and brass photo-etched partsThe interior of the cab roof is detailed based on reference materials. The mold lines are filled and sanded...

Detailed interior of the driver's cab of the BR52 steam locomotive modelThe cockpit has been greatly improved using parts from the surplus bin. The seats have been reupholstered, controls have been added, and cables and various other parts have been installed—all based on the documentation...

BR52 steam locomotive model, side view, with a red frameModel of a BR52 steam locomotive, viewed in profile, with a red frame and a partially painted boilerThe editing is almost finished...

Le montage pratiquement terminé...

Model of the BR52 steam locomotive being assembled, with a brown frame and gray bodyThe tender has also been significantly improved. The ladders and bolted plate have been replaced...

Le tender est lui aussi notamment amélioré. Echelles et plaque boulonnée refaites...

Model of the BR52 tender in gray primer with a brown undercarriage and rear hatchIt is important to thoroughly seal all joints and openings with liquid sealant. The two-part door seal must be perfectly sealed...

 The charcoal is made from crushed cat litter—the larger pieces, that is—and held together with wood glue...

Gray and red BR52 steam locomotive model with tender on the trackThe locomotive and its tender are in position...

La locomotive et son tender en position...

Gray chassis from the BR52 model under construction, placed near a railroad trackTwo flat cars made of resin and plastic from the IRONSIDE brand will complete the diorama...

Deux wagons plats en résine et plastique de la marque IRONSIDE vont compléter le diorama...

Gray chassis and axles from the BR52 model laid on a miniature railroad track

The Trumpeter ballast and rails are matched with the Ironside resin ballast—not an easy task... The flatcar's trucks are assembled and glued directly into their slots to make final positioning easier...

An overview of the base with the two rails and ballasts attached...

Silver-gray BR52 steam locomotive model with tender, side view on the tracksThe flatcar is in place...

Le wagon plat en place...

 

Painting

Gray model of a BR52 steam locomotive, seen in profile on a model railroad trackThe base coat: The three parts are given an acrylic base coat of HOBBY COLOR black using an airbrush... 

La base : les 3 parties reçoivent une base acrylique à l'aérographe du noir Hobby Color... 

BR52 steam locomotive model under construction; close-up of the frame and wheels

Gray model of the BR52 locomotive's flat tender placed on a railroad track

...then as a halo using TAMIYA XF63 German Gray and XF53 Vertral Gray...

Model of a gray BR52 steam locomotive on a diorama with soldier figurines

Gray BR52 locomotive model with a tender loaded with coal and paint cansThe camouflage is applied with a brush using TAMIYA 69 yellow mixed with white, followed by dry-brushing with 71...

Model of a gray BR52 steam locomotive with light camouflage, side view with tenderThe camouflage is finished...

Le camouflage terminé...

Camouflaged BR52 steam locomotive model, side view on a track dioramaModel of a BR52 steam locomotive with a tender painted in a yellow chevron camouflage pattern on railroad tracksA solution of 98-84 HUMBROL black, diluted to 70%, was applied to the entire piece. The product is wiped off gradually with soft paper...

Model of a flat car with an aged gray wooden floor displayed on a railroad diorama

 Dirt is being applied to the flatcar's deck...

Top view of a BR52 steam locomotive model, with a camouflaged boiler and a tender loaded with coalWe finish with a dry-brush technique using HOBBY COLOR H308 gray, H334 barbey gray, and TAMIYA XF66 light gray...

On termine en dry-brush avec de l'Hobby Color H308 gray et H334 barbey grey et Tamiya XF66 light grey...

BR52 steam locomotive model No. 52 8139, with camouflaged cab and tenderModel of BR52 steam locomotive No. 52 8139 with air deflectors, three-quarter front viewThe decals and transfers have been applied and weathered. As a reminder, to make the decal film invisible, apply a coat of gloss varnish to the surface, place the decal on it after it has dried, and then, once everything is dry, apply another coat of matte varnish...

Model of a gray BR52 steam locomotive, viewed from the rear in three-quarter profile, with tenderBR52 steam locomotive model with camouflaged boiler and separate tender

Scale model of the BR52 flat tender on a railroad track, featuring detailed couplers and buffersMore views...

Autres vues...

Close-up of the boiler and chimney on a BR52 locomotive model with a gray weathered finishDetails... Some black pastel powder got inside the chimney flue...

Détail... De la poudre de pastel noir est passé à l'intérieur du conduit de cheminée...

Top view of a BR52 steam locomotive model, with the cab open and the tender loaded with coalPainting the driver's cab...

Peinture du poste de conduite..

Detailed driver's cab of the BR52 model train, featuring red steering wheels and boiler controls

Detailed driver's cab of the BR52 model with red steering wheels and a weathered floor

Details... 

 

The second flatcar

Gray model of the BR52 tender on a railroad track with ballast being laidWe'll use only one-third of IRONSIDE's second flat car to ensure the continuity of the train. It is therefore cut in half, and only one axle is used. The assembly is glued to the track...

Model of a BR52 flatcar loaded with drums and crates on railroad tracksAccessories are arranged and glued onto the railcar...

Des accessoires sont disposés et collés sur le wagon...

BR52 locomotive model covered in white gauze on a railroad track dioramaA piece of absorbent gauze is laid out and glued to the entire surface with wood glue...

Une bâche en gaze hydrophile est disposée et collée à la colle à bois sur le tout...

 

The vehicles in the convoy

Model of a German Panzer IV tank, No. 224, in camouflage, in front of a historical photo of tanks

 Inspired by vintage photos, armored vehicles will be added to the flatcars...

Small cut-out wooden blocks and tweezers on the work surface for the BR52 model

 Balsa wood blocks are cut to fit the tracks and wheels...

Model of a Panzer IV tank and a German military vehicle loaded onto a flat railcarChains are also added to hold everything together...

Des chaînes sont également ajoutées pour maintenir le tout...

Model of a BR52 armored locomotive with a flatcar carrying a camouflaged military vehicleAnother view...

Autre vue...

 

Figures & Accessories

Collection of painted German soldier figurines and a Schwimmwagen amphibious vehicle for military model kits32 figurines from various brands will add to the scene...

32 figurines de différentes marques viendront agrémenter la scénette...

Numerous soldier figurines painted gray and miniature accessories arranged on a workbenchModel of an anti-aircraft gun and wooden crates on a diorama painted gray

A Flak 38 gun will be installed on the tender for air defense...

Top view of a BR52 railcar model with an anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on a platformNote the coal residue around the tender's tank and the rings around the hatches. Pastel powder has been deposited on the floor of the tender...

A noter les résidus de charbon autour de la cuve du tender, et les auréoles autour des trappes. 

Note the coal residue around the tender's tank and the rings around the hatches. Pastel powder has been deposited on the floor of the tender...

BR52 model with Flak anti-aircraft gun, two soldiers, and a truck on a flatcarAnother view...

Autre vue...

Model of a military vehicle, top view, next to a BR52 locomotive on a dioramaThe Schwimmwagen parked next to the locomotive...

La Schwimmwagen disposée près de la locomotive...

Painted miniature accessories for a BR52 locomotive: crates, bales, and cargo arranged on a workbenchMiscellaneous accessories...

Accessoires divers...

 

The Setting

Weathered model railroad track on a diorama, with paintbrushes and a palette of paints for weatheringAcrylic paint tubes and a palette next to a weathered model railroad track that is in the process of agingWeathering a miniature railroad track with acrylic paint tubes and car frames on the workbenchPainting Process - Acrylic Base...

Progression de la peinture - base acrylique...

Model of a camouflaged BR52 steam locomotive with a car loaded with military vehicles on a dioramaScale model of a camouflaged BR52 locomotive with railcars, military vehicles, and German soldier figurinesPainted backdrop depicting a sky and landscape, with a palette and paintbrushPainted backdrop depicting a cloudy sky above a hilly landscape, used as a diorama settingA background painted with an acrylic brush is attached behind the train...

Un fond peint au pinceau à l'acrylique est fixé derrière le convoi...

Diorama featuring a BR52 locomotive with railcars, a Tiger tank, and German soldier figurinesBR52 steam locomotive seen in profile, with soldiers and an amphibious vehicle on the railroad tracks

 

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