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In December my son was away for the weekend, so I used his bedroom for a bit of a stash stocktake. I came to the conclusion that I've perhaps bought a few too many and should try building a few of them: But where to start? Too much choice! Oh, buy something new instead! - NO! Then, when I finished a 1/16 Renault FT for the "Go Large or Go Home GB" I hit upon the idea of continuing through my stash in the chronological order that the tanks went into production. This will put a much-needed structure around what I'm doing, and force me to tackle a few kits that are a bit daunting and would just never get built. I'm hoping to get through six kits in 2024, which sounds a bit unambitious, but 2/3 of them will have full interiors that grind me to a halt. Six kits will get me from 1927 to the end of 1933. 1934 can be a thread all of its own in 2025. Who knows, I might even make it to 1939 one day! Look at all those Panzer III's, I'll get to them eventually. They'll all be OOTB, and done to my usual no-prize-winning "looks OK from 6 feet away" standard, and I've gone off weathering completely because I just seem to end up with models that look the same when I've finished. Maybe building more will give me the chance to improve my skills, who knows? So - as long as the admins are ok with me having one thread for more than one build - off we go.

With my captured Panzer coming to a very satisfactory conclusion, time to consider the next project. I picked this one up last year at the local model expo for good knock down price, without knowing what was inside. Looking around I found this spectacular example: Despite the clear warnings from @Nenad Ilijic I think I’m keen to have a go. A review of the BEF version with good sprue shots can be found here: http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/britain/vulcan56008reviewab_1.html This kit has the addition of extra photoetch: There is also some extra styrene: Instructions are somewhat daunting: I’m going to do Anglesey as I gather the other markings are incorrect.

Hello everyone, Here's the kit for the true masochists. The model itself is quite nice actually, nice details, molding is fine, PE included is great, but the kit is engineered that way that it sucks all the fun from the building process. Especially the suspension. Anyway, the model I built should represent the tank belonging to 1st RTR, as photographed on 2 August 1940. It is still wearing the markings from the time before reorganization, when 1st RTR was part of the Heavy Armoured Brigade. However, at this point, 1st RTR was already a part of the 7th Armoured Brigade. The photo was taken during one of the initial raids against the Italians. Following initial skirmishes, 1st RTR participated in Operation Compass as a part of the 7th Armoured Brigade, and it was one of the units that were engaged in the chase across the desert to cut off the retreating Italians. It participated in the battle of Beda Fomm, suffering only light casualties. I don't know what exactly happened to this tank and its crew afterwards, but it probably ended up in Tobruk during the siege. When Rommel joined NA theatre with Afrika Corps, 'B' and 'C' Squadrons of 1st RTR were moved to Tobruk. They were there during the whole siege as a part of the 32nd Army Tank Brigade. The regiment broke out of Tobruk with the rest of the 32nd Army Tank Brigade and 70th Infantry Division, in November 1941 during the Operation Crusader battles. It was until mid-February 1942 that 1st RTR used their old and worn Vickers Lights and Cruiser tanks that they had from the beginning of the campaign. They were replaced in february with Honey and Grant Tanks, when 1st RTR joined 1st Armoured Brigade. You may notice that this is not the standard Caunter camouflage. The scheme itself is standard Caunter scheme for Vickers LT, but the paints are not. Instead of Portland Stone / Slate / Silver Grey combo that became standard later on, these tanks were painted in a higher contrast combination during Caunter scheme trials. It is not know which paints were used exactly, but the suggestion I got from @Mike Starmer is that it was Portland Stone, Green (for example No. 20 Olive Green) and very dark grey, almost black. This combination was not accepted because the contrast was too high. Model was mostly built out of the box. Spare wheel was not included in the box, so I used one from Universal Carrier Tamiya kit (not sure if it is exactly the same, but it is close enough). Also some stowage and POW canisters were added. Painted with a combination of MRP and Gunze and weathered with pigments and MIG's nature effects. And here's the real thing: And the replica my daughter built Thanks for watching and thanks for feedback. Cheers, Nenad

A tiny tank made even smaller by the fact that it is 1/76. I had been a long time after this tank as it was one of the most important tanks I was missing in my collection. I refused to buy the JB Models for 13 €, and bought it eventually the Airfix reissue for just 6 GBP or so. More pics here; http://toysoldierchest.blogspot.com/2013/06/airfix-jb-models-vickers-light-tank-mk.html