JackG Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 I'll be doing AFV Club's Stuart V. Bronco's individual track links will replace the kit's 'rubber band' tracks. Also have a PE update from Royal Model, along with a Commonwealth crew figure set. Plan is for a Canadian marked vehicle, so have acquired Decalcomanics dedicated decal set - though might opt for an Archer product. The ones pictured here look great up to a certain distance, but up close can see a printed screen on all the colours except black. regards, Jack 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arniec Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Good choice Jack. This will be a great GB with all those different model subjects. Cheers, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish fairey Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Nice one Jack, should build up nicely.....................Smudge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vally G Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Hi Jack, Looking forward to this one! Kind regards, Adam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 (edited) I know little or nothing about tanks but I rather like the look of this one. Often admired them when they're on display. I like the look of the tank crew figures too. Will watch with interest. Edited June 3, 2014 by PlaStix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 In for the duration.....Up to my eyeballs in empty popcorn containers! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smuts Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 looking forward to this one ..... Andy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 Thanks everyone for the expressed interests, finally got this one on the bench. Had started with the hull, but replacing the footman loops with PE was slow progress. So switched over to the turret, the interior is now complete. This looks to be a great Stuart kit, judging by what I see in the box, as well as what I've seen others post online. One criticism I do have, although decals are provided for British markings, AFV have omitted including a no.19 wireless radio, only an American one is given. Luckily, I perused my stash and found a donor radio from a Valentine II kit (also by AFV), as it includes both a no.11 and 19 sets. regards, Jack 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Aye up Jack, That's really great work on the Stuart. The AFV Stuart VI that I did recently drove me bonkers! Look forward to seeing this progress. Regards, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Wow! That's impressive! I'm new at this tank building malarkey but I have really enjoyed the current one and am already thinking what I should try next - I do like these with interior detail. Keep up the good work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 (edited) Thanks Steve. I think you did a super job with yours, as witness in the finished gallery. Only problem I had so far was fitting the co-axial mg in the turret. Just did not seem to be a clear location to affix it, so had to rely on photos and eyeballing it lo look level. The kit does have a lot of parts, some say over engineered. I think AFV wanted the detail there, but avoided utilizing slide mold technology to keep prices down? ------------------------------------------------ PlaStix - thanks! ----------------------------------------------- regards, Jack Edited August 10, 2014 by JackG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Great start so far Jack. This should be good, especially after the Italian tank! Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 Sean - thanks! Yes, hope to do as good here as on that Italian job. One thing for sure, Moriarty will not be showing up on this one. regards, Jack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Oh you never know, think beautiful thoughts, and he'll be there Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 15, 2014 Author Share Posted August 15, 2014 Turret construction is done, but no antennas attached yet, for obvious reason. I also might go back later and look at the weld beads once those on the hull are addressed. The commander's hatch, starboard side, is not glued as plans are for a figure in there. Both hatches were a tad large in fit, and noticed Steve's build log also had some fit issues here. Not sure what else is wrong here, but TMD found it necessary to offer a resin replacement for the whole roof for both the Mark V and VI. The grousers were a bit of chore to do, requiring some delicate surgery to remove from the sprues. Grab handles are just some metal twist ties stripped of their plastic covering, and then bent and cut to required size. regards, Jack 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 Main construction is complete, only tracks left to go. Topside of both turret and deck look very interesting, in a busy sort of way, with all that detail. You'll notice some seams were improved upon by using a two part green putty. The running gear has been left off for painting purposes. I always seem to run into problems of paint build up when trying to spray into every nook and cranny. The drive sprockets are also removable, as they have the polymer cap inside. The fit though is loosey goosey, and will have to be permanently glued once the tracks are ready. Started up a few of the individual track links, which is going to take some time. Really have to be sparing with the glue in order to maintain the 'workable' properties of these tiny things. regards, Jack 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 That is looking very impressive! I like all the added details. Looking forward to seeing it under some paint. I don't know how you have the patience to do the track links! I realise it will look better in the long run but still....... In a model shop recently I opened a tank kit box that came with individual track links - it just so happened they were on top in the box - I quickly closed it up again and put it back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 Thanks Plastix! That was funny about your encounter with individual track links. Honestly, I should have done more research on this particular brand, as I don't think I would have purchased them if I had known the number pieces they were in. Oh well, I have them now so might as well use them. regards, Jack 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Hmmmm.....They look like fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Aye up Jack. That's looking really great. But....... those tracks! BIBBLE!!!! Your a far braver man than I Looking forward to seeing how you get on with these. Regards, Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arniec Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I know that those tracks are horrible to make, but the end result will be worth it. Keep up the good work. Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 Sgt.Squarehead, Steve, and Arniec - thanks, and yea the track pieces are small, but still possible to hold onto with fingertips - though anyone that bites their nails would have trouble picking them off the workbench. I found adding the guide teeth to one side before diving into the actual construction helped somewhat. The opposite end though has to be done last, otherwise the rubber pad portions would not fit in due to the location pins. Hold on, if I trim off those pins beforehand, I could conceivably slide the two track pad halves together underneath the guide teeth. Stay tuned ... Pictured here is some colour modulation process. Some people go nutz on this stage, but I've kept it low key. I've been using LifeColor olive - it's a three bottle set containing a base colour along with a dark and lighter shade. I did apply Florys dark dirt wash, wiping it off on the larger areas. regards,Jack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Looks great Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 That is looking fantastic Jack!! The effects you've created on the paintwork and all the features looks very realistic!! And I still don't know how you had the patience to do that track!! Looks very impressive. Can't wait to see what it looks like when it's painted and weathered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arniec Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 That looks stunning already. Can't wait to see it with the tracks on. Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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