BIG X Posted April 1, 2018 Author Share Posted April 1, 2018 I have a 'spare' 50cal and gunner from my set of halftracks - as I intend to use one as an ambulance at some point... it helps that he is wearing a helmet - one less beret clad head to worry about. A quick test fit - using a bit of blu-tak... ...he may be a little 'too tall' and his bum might need a bit of sanding - to ease him back a touch - but I'm liking the idea so far. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 1, 2018 Author Share Posted April 1, 2018 More rummaging in my rapidly growing spares box yielded a set of jerry cans... ...the problem is they are all stuck together and come all the way up to the central divide - so this guy is going to have to sit on the middle until they use up some fuel... Now my first thought was... Can he sit there or will he burn his bum - again photo evidence proves it would be OK... I like the way his hand falls naturally on the bodywork... ...but I am going to have to fill that hole in his back... The other problem were his feet were a bit big... ...but a bit of sanding and I 'think' I've got away with it... He's also from the halftrack spares BTW and the other upside is - he is also wearing a helmet too - RESULT 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 1, 2018 Author Share Posted April 1, 2018 If you got the impression that I'm stalling over this supposed radio set - then your right... ...I haven't got a clue how to make it look like a radio in such a small scale - but I am working on it and must be on plan D or E by now. I think I may have to have a rummage through some aircraft kits - maybe bombers - to find something usable or a plastic block with some dial decals on - I don't know for sure. I did try a plastic block with a few shallow holes drilled in it - but it looked carp. Any bright ideas would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 Do you have a set of micro drill bits ? You could take a thin sheet if plastic drill the holes out. Then glue the sheet on the radio block. It looks semi passable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 1, 2018 Author Share Posted April 1, 2018 41 minutes ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Do you have a set of micro drill bits ? You could take a thin sheet if plastic drill the holes out. Then glue the sheet on the radio block. It looks semi passable. Thanks for the tip Dennis - that was plan A - but I couldn't get the holes neat enough - they just looked 'raggy' if you know what I mean. I will try this again though in the morning - with a fresh pair of eyes so to speak. Also I'm off into the loft in the morning to have a scout through some aircraft kits - to see if I can find any radios - as 9 times out of 10 on an aircraft - you install them - then you can't see them - madness 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 (edited) Wow - only just found this and already deep into page 2!!! Looking like another thoroughly entertaining build. Like the 50cal idea - adds a bit of interest and the varied stowage is nicely done. I might have something you can use for a radio - will have a dig in my spares tomorrow for you. All the best and looking forward to the next updates Edited April 1, 2018 by badger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 1, 2018 Author Share Posted April 1, 2018 Just now, badger said: bbcWow - only just found this and already deep into page 2!!! Looking like another thoroughly entertaining build. Like the 50cal idea - adds a bit of interest and the varied stowage is nicely done. I might have something you can use for a radio - will have a dig in my spares tomorrow for you. All the best and looking forward to the next updates OOH - that sounds promising. I really do fancy varying these - a radio version / a 50cal version / and a 'standard' one - better than just 3 the same I think. Good to have you on board Ben - I know I can always trust you to point me in the right direction - in a friendly kind of way. Glad you like the 50cal idea - I just need to do some careful measuring so I don't cook it up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 Morning all - it was an early start today - up into the loft - to rummage through aircraft kits that might yield something that could pass for a radio. I came close on a couple of occasions - but then I struck GOLD... ...or BRASS to be more accurate... I don't even know when or why I bought it - but it was lurking inside an Airfix 1/48 Spitfire. There are lots of things that look like dials and knobs and I think by using 2 or 3 different ones I might get something better than I have managed so far. At the end of the day the complete thing will only be around 4mm x 4mm x 8mm and it is beginning to hold me up - so I want to get something that 'suggests' a radio. I know my limitations. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 After several attempts yesterday and zero success I finally have a radio set of sorts... This is the sort of thing I was trying to copy... ...the 2 bottom boxes and the 'thermos' thingy. I experimented with 2 boxes - but was too tricky - so I cut one block and roughly scribed a dividing line. I will fill this later with black wash - so it looks like 2 boxes. Then it was on with some suitable looking panels... Then it was time for the 'thermos'. I found some 'star' shaped knobs amongst all the brass - but sods law says the only suitable round rod was actually a tube - the rest were too fat or too thin... The star thing didn't quite cover the hole - so it was out with a bit of filler... So after a fun half hour - I have the finished result... and in temporary position... ...at 8mm and with a few slaps of paint I'm hoping it will do the job. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 With the radio sorted we need an operator - or someone with headphones on at least - maybe listening to radio Luxembourg So do you remember this chap... ...that's right - in my Cromwell triple build I had 3 tank commanders - but only 2 open turrets. So the guy on the right didn't make the cut. However I did promise him I'd find him a job at some point. The obvious problem is - he only has half a body... Solution... I've just chopped one of those lounging passengers in half to give him a pair of legs... ...he looks quite at home I think and his elbows leaning on the sides seems to work too - woohoo 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 I mentioned earlier in the thread about a 'dashboard' - but the driver is actually going to be looking at a slit in a metal plate - or peeping over if he is a little taller... The 'dashboard' is actually on the right hand side... ...on reflection it looks a little too complicated with that diagonal at this scale - I'll have a play - but probably give it a miss to be honest. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Radio looks really good and I particularly like the operator conversion - very effective. Did have a look for a radio for you but couldn't find one (sure I have some somewhere!) For the dashboard could you use some decals from an aircraft instrument panel? I've done similar in the past on trucks and it can look quite effective. Great progress so far!! All the best 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 32 minutes ago, badger said: Radio looks really good and I particularly like the operator conversion - very effective. Did have a look for a radio for you but couldn't find one (sure I have some somewhere!) For the dashboard could you use some decals from an aircraft instrument panel? I've done similar in the past on trucks and it can look quite effective. Great progress so far!! All the best Thanks mate and thanks for having a look for a wireless too - it's appreciated. Re the dashboard - it's more the wedge angle that has me stumped - I was thinking of using some more of the etch panels - there are plenty of thin ones - but the best I can do is a 1.5mm square section - I may come back to it later today. I'm just in the middle of playing with that 50cal again - it's 'do or die' time as I'm about to commit myself by sticking the pole to the front armour - no going back from there - it will either look great - or I might just be making 2 carriers instead of 3 ...back shortly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niall Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Photos of British Carriers with 50cal are very rare, most are Canadian. Those I've seen have it mounted on the AA mount(the rectangular "hatch" in the centre near the front) on the engine deck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 On 02/04/2018 at 14:37, Niall said: Photos of British Carriers with 50cal are very rare, most are Canadian. Those I've seen have it mounted on the AA mount(the rectangular "hatch" in the centre near the front) on the engine deck. ...as I said - they won it in a poker game They said they are going for this look - I think they were copying some Canadians they saw on the beach in Normandy... ...mounted just inside the hatch - I can't stop them - mind you Hitler couldn't either 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 OK - it's really to late to go back now... The lads have had the welding gear out and fixed the mount in place - so I thought I'd better give a test with an unmanned MG... Looking on the bright side - if the standing figure doesn't fit properly at least I have some more unmanned MG's I can use with a seated figure. Wondering where this one came from??? ...it came from my up-gunned halftrack... I never glued it in place - so it can waggle up and down. These guys got theirs in exchange for a case of Johnnie Walker - they're all beer drinkers 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 More progress... I had been avoiding the light on the front... The kit part is well made and sturdy - for a light - which I have a nasty habit of snapping off on most kits. What has been delaying me is there is no actual 'definite' fixing point - so I've had to 'wing it'. But before I could there was the small matter of a nasty sink mark in the back of each one... ...not to mention the oil canister that sits somewhere beneath it. So it was out with the mr surfacer... After this was dry and sanded I bit the bullet and glued on the front plate - along with the oil canister - in a 'best guess position... ...then hold your breath and glue on the lights in a 'convincing' position... So with everything ready - it's primer time - which I will get done in a minute - just wanted to share this first. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 ...oh I almost forgot - I got my 'tin boxes' built and stuck on the rear of the central divider... they will look great and add a bit of interest when they're panted - honest... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 ...also... ...and it's too late now - as I'm definitely going with them... ...are these actually German, rather than Allied jerry cans??? ...I can't get a straight answer from the crew - they just keep shrugging and telling me that 'fuel is fuel'. On a more serious note I can't even find a definitive answer on google... I did find out the reason for the 3 handles though... ...single person and two person carrying - every day is school day... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 Final update before bed the priming is done... ...not a lot of progress maybe for 4 days work - but I'm having fun. I have booked the rest of this week off work - so even more fun tomorrow - starting with the main SCC 15 bodywork and possibly the tracks. I know already it is the troops and their uniforms that are going to slow me down - so maybe I should start with them instead - I'll decide in the morning. See you tomorrow - hopefully - and thanks for looking in - Steve 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikkita katana Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 that's loads that is for 4 days. Can't say as I know much about what you're making but looks to be coming along great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niall Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 The jerry can is the German design, but it was copied by the British and made in the UK. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 1 hour ago, Niall said: The jerry can is the German design, but it was copied by the British and made in the UK. Brilliant - Thanks a million Niall - I was concerned about the particular cross pattern on the side - you have put my mind at rest sir - Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sairou Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 I seem to recall the 'oil can' on my Tamiya kit having a 'water' decal. Good work on these, speedy little builds, but you've added plenty of extra detail. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 Well I have been off work today and I'm off for the rest of the week too It's the first holiday since Christmas and I'm ready for the break. The missus is working - but after 33 years together we can manage a few hours apart without getting too worried. When she got home tonight she came out with the immortal line - 'so what have you been up to today' - 'oh just messing about' came my predictable response. So here are the results of my messing about... After priming last night the first job was a good clean of the airbrush and load it with 71.260 for SCC15... ...basically the bodies / mud guards / the dividing sections / the track wheels and the spar wheels. Then it was time to give the troops a blast of their main uniform colour - 71.323... That was all pretty speedy - but after this everything needed brush painting - so things slowed down a lot. That and I started watching Alex Guinness in 'The Malta Story' on Forces TV. I can't say I've seen it before and if you haven't either it's quite good. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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