Flak38 - Ostpreussen Restoration Project

[Frozzer]

Hello everyone!
This is the first post of my rebuilding Flak 38 project. I want to show here progress of rebuilding. Maybe that will be helpful for someone.

A little history of my project:
A year ago I had the opportunity to buy an aluminum cradle for Flak - I did not hesitate and I made the purchase, With cradle I received also a late floor, which unfortunately did not fit the cradle because cradle is an early variant. Also, I received two curved bearings lifting the cradle in a vertical direction. Everyone told me that the cradle is the most difficult element to find. And if I received it, I think that finding the rest will be much easier

[Frozzer]

The next item which I received was a three-legged base. I had two choices - one uncutted but rusted and full of holes and the second made from a good stell, unrusted but in three parts and with missings because it was blown up. I choose the healthy one - if I am going to renovate, it can't be too easy, besides healthy material is always healthy material and there would probably be easier to renovate. Also, this one has three foot present, which is not easy to find separately. I also got an early saddle - also a bit damaged by an explosion and a gun-sight box.

[Frozzer]

In the meantime, individual armor plates, small details, rims, hubs came to my project from different sources.

Also I want to thank for all friends from whole world for helping me with finding FLak38 parts.

[Frozzer]

All the time I was thinking about the early version of Flak38 - to which my aluminium cradle will match.

If we are talking about early version - I should have also early mechanisms, but unfortunately, the turntable should be made of aluminum ... well, I had a steel one. Maybe in the near future, I can change it for an aluminum one.

Finally, In exchange, I got a lifting mechanism made in aluminum also with an early crank. Everything is getting better Early Flak is not so far as I thought.

[Frozzer]

Beacuse of Polish Law - I cannot have an original gun. Or maybe I can - but I am to lazy to make all necessary concessions, documents, registrations etc.

I decided to make an replica. It is not hard to make, I think so... Thats why I found this nice Flak38 muzzle brake - it will fit great to barrel replica

I have two of them - also for spare barrel
Photos before and after cleaning

[Frozzer]

After a year of searching, at the end of 2019 I was able to get a base stand with a Sd.Ah.51 trolley and........ aluminum floor !!!! in very cool condition. Great news because if I want to build early Flak38 - I need an alluminium floor.

As always, most of the parts needs straightening, but metal is in very good condition. That was an unfinished project wich I had an opportunity to buy. Now I can start to repair all parts and trying put them together.
Still some missings - but when I have base stand I can build now whole construction.

[Frozzer]

Sd.Ah.51 trailer, as You can see it is complete, in nice condition. Fenders need to be repaired but they are original and that is one of the hardest part to find if You are repairing this type of trailer. I will start to repair it at spring 2020.

2020 will be the year of ostpreussen Flak38

[Frozzer]

Base stand for Flak38 - another hard to find item. It is in nice condition but needs to be straightened, as most of my parts I never think that building flak will be so hard and needs a lot of metalwork. But... I am not hurry.

Please notice aluminum floor - great condition wich fits for my early cradle. Early Flak38 is slowly cames from the asches Like Phoenix Nashorn ))

[Frozzer]

I removed Base Stand from the floor. It need to be done because I want to clean floor and dismount all parts to clean and repair it. I must remove floor panels and bearing because I want to clean floor from dirt and paint all parts to be ready to mount base stand on.

Maybe someone of You has a square flap which my floor is missing ???

[Frozzer]

I received small delivery from Hungary. Flak38 battery box which I need for my stand. Now it is complete.

[Lampwick]

Very interesting and well done in sourcing all those parts from all over. It looks as if you'll be busy for some time. Keep posting the progress.

[Frozzer]

I am working on round stand floor. I removed bearing and all metal parts because I want to clean aluminum, make some repairs and repaint everything like it was done pre 1945. Also, I need to clean floor bearing and make it fully working. It will take some time to do this because it is a bit damaged. I am surprised of the condition inside, It looks very nice and clean.

[Frozzer]

Next day, next challenges. Today I am disassembling feet from triangle base. Not easy to do without a torch One feet is removed, still two more to go...

[Frozzer]

Just received two packages today. One from Estonia and second from Russia. Great parts for my project. I am very happy of gun shield. Very hard to find. I am still missing one shield - upper right.

[Frozzer]

I want to present this great gift which I received from Tank Hunter
. Very nice Schebelkreisvisier 38. Some work and it will be fully working again Great addition for my Flak 38 project.