SimonL

That looks great. The cast texture comes across really well. Hope you sort the track issue out.

Fantastic! Love the presentation as well.

Fantastic work! It looks great - love the dusty look. Your desert tanks are an inspiration. I have the Border Crusader Mk III sitting in my to do pile.

Thanks for all the positive feedback. Very happy with how this turned out. Ah, noted. Will sort out next time I get the black paint out!

Thanks! And yes, it is as detailed (even more so in places I suspect). Hope you enjoy the ride 😀 Thanks Keith. I’m looking forward to it. Thanks - and yes that’s very helpful! Made a start today with the hull. A few injection “plugs” to be removed from the end pieces, but otherwise really straight forward. Everything went together well, and the plastic seems to work well with my usual Tamiya Extra Thin. I’m leaving the running gear (wheels and bogies) off at this stage, as I intend to paint and weather separately. First bit of photoetch. It is a long skinny bit that fits quite tightly into a groove, so far than use superglue, I just softened the plastic with Tamiya Extra Thin and then pushed it down into place. Once the plastic has hardened, I will seal it in place with a thin coat of Tamiya Gloss Clear. Much neater than my usual mess with photoetch. The top of the hull fits nicely into place. That’s it for today. The detail really is exquisite.

Oh no @Nenad Ilijic - not sure what the problem is. Is anyone else having issues seeing them?

Thanks Roger - much appreciated. Hope you like the new project.

For my next project, a change of pace from 1:35 scale light tanks - Vespids 1/72 Australian Centurion in Vietnam War markings. It’s a relatively small box, but stuffed with plastic. Last but not least, the turret, hull “tub”, a rather nice digitally printed mantle, aluminium gun barrel, etch and a small, but colourful decal sheet. The paint scheme is the same for all of them - lustreless olive drab - just different markings. Not sure which one I will make. I found this useful resource on the web: https://mikesresearch.com/2023/02/26/centurion-tanks-in-vietnam/ It’s clear there were some differences between the early arrivals in Vietnam in 1968 and the same tanks after a couple of years “in-country”. It looks like the kit does provide for the main differences. I’m likely to make a later one - so that will involve stowing the searchlight and leaving off smoke grenade launchers at the very least. To help me with my build I also found this useful log of the AFV Club 1:35 version.

Oops - hadn’t noticed the prop had fallen off the Taifun 🤣

Here is my attempt at the immensely fiddly, but rather charming, Vulcan Models Vickers Light Tank VIB. It is completely out of the box as “Anglesey” serving with 1 RTR in North Africa in November 1940. The early Caunter Scheme is the to the same pattern as the “normal” scheme, but has green in place of silver-grey and a dark grey, almost black instead of the usual slate. Brush painted with Vallejo and Tamiya acrylics. I added some stowage and a tea-drinker modified from one of the crew that comes with the Tamiya Matilda. Build thread can be found here: Thanks for looking! And one in black and white to finish.

Thanks everyone! This one is finished. While I enjoyed it (on the whole), @Nenad Ilijic is right - it’s one for the masochist. Final bits added were the spotlight lens and front “cap”, which I opened up a little. The spotlight reflector was done with a chrome pen, and I added the clear plastic lens wth some Tamiya clear gloss as a gentle adhesive. I also added a wire for the searchlight, which was very fiddly. Taking what @edjbartos said to heart, all I’ve done is add a coats Vallejo Model Wash Desert Dust. More photos in an RFI shortly. Thanks for following!

Thanks Roger. Consequences of a week off after Easter! Today was spent weathering. First some washes (of various dilutions) of MIG Ammo Afrika Korps Acrylic Wash, followed by some light chipping of Tamiya Dark Iron acrylic applied with bit of torn off sponge (mostly on the running gear), a coat of Greenstuff World Maxxx Matt. Finished with a light dry brush with Tamiya Medium Grey acrylic. A few minor touchups needed, and I need to finish the front spotlight and add a few easily broken bits before some dust washes. I have a tendency to over weather my desert vehicles, tried to be a little more restrained this time. So close to finishing.

Thanks - it looks striking certainly. Thanks Ed. Thanks John - and I am sure it was 😃 Welcome! And thanks. Thanks Keith - it was a bit of challenge. thanks Andrew, i assume you mean the tank 🤣 After the gloss coat the decals went on really easily (all on nice flat surfaces), and that’s the main construction and paint job done. Weathering is next. Almost done.

Just catching up with this. I built the Vespid Comet 1B last year - a delightful kit! Sadly i made a hash of the birdcage sight and ended up using some stretched sprue to complete it. Build thread is here: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235128304-comet-1b-vespid-172-finished/

Thanks Ed and John. I think the end is in sight! I had forgotten some etch - two supports for the petrol can cage. They needed tiny rivets added as well, which I did before bending them to shape. The bottom one in this photo has had the rivets added. And the two supports in place. Turret with couple of coats of Vallejo Model Air Portland Stone. Started the painting disruptive colours, and some rusty washes on the exhaust and muffler. Stowage added at the back, with a strap made from masking tape and a buckle from some copper wire. Added the painted pioneer tools and fire extinguisher. Turret painted. Searchlight sorted. Painted the inside Tamiya Chrome Silver. The lens is just a push fit. Added a handle on the back from a spare on the sprue. I’ll get a gloss coat on tonight and the it will be time for decals. oops almost forgot tea drinking man.