BlackMax12 Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 (edited) I know I said no more 1/35 scale for a bit but this is so ugly I couldn't resist. Love all of the rivets. Edited March 26, 2018 by BlackMax12 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soeren Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Nice. But I see, you are one of those "cross-out" guys too 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one. I fancy having a go at one of these at some point in the future so will be taking notes! Good start. Kind regards, Stix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackMax12 Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 Soeren Yes if I don't cross it out I forget steps and then it's usually too late to go back. I even circle things I have to install later after painting. Very rarely do I follow the instructions step by step in order, my way is better.....yah right, not always. Plastix After a month and a half without cutting plastic I've got this terrible itch to do something and this little guy sort of grows on you. So ugly only a mother could love but what the heck some dirt grime and grease and it should look half decent. So far it's a typical Takom kit, just falls together and the link & length tracks are a relief. Take care, Lloyd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redcoat2966 Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 1 hour ago, Soeren said: Nice. But I see, you are one of those "cross-out" guys too You should see my instruction sheets after I'm finished............scribblings everywhere....... Looking forward to seeing this to the end.....Just watched a documentary on Youtube that covered these....not favoured by the Brits when we had them in North Africa....something about getting a rivet or two in ear after a hit...... Nice looking build Lloyd , sounds like a nice quality kit. Simon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackMax12 Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 Thanks Red Yes so far it's been pretty easy. Looking at the suspension now and there's a fair few parts but it should be a rather easy build I think. Then the tracks. I'm fairly fed up with individual multi piece links a la Rye Field and Meng so these link and length babies are welcome. This is a strange tank though. Wonder why there is a 30 cal machine gun in a separate turret when there's a 50 cal machine gun mounted coaxially and why have a 37mm and a 75mm gun so you need 4 different kinds of ammo for everything??? Why make a sponson mounted gun with no traverse when you are putting on a turret and gun anyway? Engineers, designers and end users didn't talk to each other in those days either I suppose. Take care, Lloyd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripaman Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Go start Lloyd will be watching your progress. Regards Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackMax12 Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Thanks Richard Got the bogies assembled, lots of pieces in each and started the tracks. Finished for tonight though. Lloyd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris B Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 7 hours ago, BlackMax12 said: This is a strange tank though. Wonder why there is a 30 cal machine gun in a separate turret when there's a 50 cal machine gun mounted coaxially and why have a 37mm and a 75mm gun so you need 4 different kinds of ammo for everything??? Why make a sponson mounted gun with no traverse when you are putting on a turret and gun anyway? Apparently there may be explanation for this. One I've seen the program about those tanks and that roughly what they said there (I may by wrong and if so please correct me). The coaxial MG was used to get into the target before fire the gun as there was not so much them to waste and more expensive then MG rounds. In this particular tank the 75mm gun fires only high explosive shells, used against bunkers and fortifications, etc. The turret gun 37mm was actually anti-tank gun with armour piercing shells and that's why was mounted in the turret. Even if this make a little bit of sense, it still strange construction. I am waiting for another nice build. Any "ambitious" colour scheme or standard Olive Drab? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sairou Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 8 hours ago, BlackMax12 said: Thanks Red Yes so far it's been pretty easy. Looking at the suspension now and there's a fair few parts but it should be a rather easy build I think. Then the tracks. I'm fairly fed up with individual multi piece links a la Rye Field and Meng so these link and length babies are welcome. This is a strange tank though. Wonder why there is a 30 cal machine gun in a separate turret when there's a 50 cal machine gun mounted coaxially and why have a 37mm and a 75mm gun so you need 4 different kinds of ammo for everything??? Why make a sponson mounted gun with no traverse when you are putting on a turret and gun anyway? Engineers, designers and end users didn't talk to each other in those days either I suppose. Take care, Lloyd I'm pulling on very murky knowledge here, but I think the M3 tank was essentially a stop-gap until the M4 was put into production. So, they mounted a 75 in the body to give it that capability, as they were yet to develop a turret that could hold the gun (?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackMax12 Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Kris and Sairou Your explanations make sense but it's still a strange looking animal. Kris, nothing too exotic on the paint job, probably a beat up Olive Drabish but not too dark to hide those rivets. Then again maybe a captured unit in German white wash with lots of mud and gunk. Haven't decided, there's still quite a bunch of fiddly little stuff to add and another track to build. Here is the wee little ferocious beastie as of this morning. One track in place, going to be fun to paint, actually I think I'll have to break it to get it off for painting. I'll leave the other side un-joined at the bottom, hindsight is 20/20. The superstructure roof is just sitting so there's a fair gap on the right side that will close up with some glue. The bogies are a bit finicky and they flop around for movable suspension but the tracks aren't indy links so that's sort of a waste and makes the solid track harder to install. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeR Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Coming along nicely! Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 8 hours ago, Kris B said: Apparently there may be explanation for this. One I've seen the program about those tanks and that roughly what they said there (I may by wrong and if so please correct me). The coaxial MG was used to get into the target before fire the gun as there was not so much them to waste and more expensive then MG rounds. In this particular tank the 75mm gun fires only high explosive shells, used against bunkers and fortifications, etc. The turret gun 37mm was actually anti-tank gun with armour piercing shells and that's why was mounted in the turret. Even if this make a little bit of sense, it still strange construction. 7 hours ago, Sairou said: 16 hours ago, BlackMax12 said: I'm pulling on very murky knowledge here, but I think the M3 tank was essentially a stop-gap until the M4 was put into production. So, they mounted a 75 in the body to give it that capability, as they were yet to develop a turret that could hold the gun (?) I believe both answers are correct for the M3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Excellent progress Lloyd. Fascinating looking vehicle! Looking forward to seeing more. Kind regards, Stix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Lancaster Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Slightly late to the show here, but the build so far looks awesome, I'm thinking of getting one myself! Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Nice start, looking forward to watching this come together Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackMax12 Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Thanks guys, Got a really early start this morning and pushed it ahead quite a bit. May get back to it later today and at least get the other track on as it looks rather lopsided at the moment. Lloyd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackMax12 Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Got the second track installed and the rear fenders. Probably about it for today as the Missus was up all night talking to the big white telephone, must have a flu bug and of course I was up too holding her hand and cleaning up after her. Haven't done that for years and can't say I miss it. Just hope the bug skips me though. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripaman Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Hi Lloyd, Hope your wife is feeling a little better The Lee is looking good, looks like you are close to some paint Regards Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackMax12 Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 Thanks Richard Yes she's feeling some better, the throwing up part is over. We both slept most of the day as last night was pretty rough and extremely long........ I have to finish off the rear end with the mufflers, etc then the machine gun turret, some hatches and the lights. I managed to get the tracks off without breaking them as I had left the sprockets loose, that was a good idea. Sometime tomorrow when I can return to building I'll finish assembly and at least get some black primer on it, I hope. Take care, Lloyd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Glad your wife is feeling a bit better. The M3 looks great - very neat and tidy work. Kind regards, Stix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackMax12 Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 Thanks Stix Here it is this morning ready for some paint later today. Lloyd 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 That is looking superb! Looking forward to seeing it with paint on. Kind regards, Stix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackMax12 Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 OK, we have that Holstein Cow syndrome again. A light coat of faded Olive drab over this and she's ready for some dirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Wow, you're really motoring with this build. I've developed a bit of a soft spot for the M3s since building the Academy Grant; I still have the Takom M31 on my hit list. I am told that those Lees that were lent/leased to the Soviets, acquired the rather sombre nickname 'coffins for 7 brothers'... The British called them 'Iron cathedrals' . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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