SimonL

Thanks John - never fear a refill is on the way. Thanks Milan. Thanks. A despite the fiddly bits, yes it is. Thanks, so glad I picked it up. I gather it’s long out of production. Thanks! The photos are somewhat kind.

Thanks @Peter2, I suspected as much. @Jasper dog hmm, not sure. 🤔 and yes the suspension was fiddly. Today was spent getting the the wheels and tracks in place. I painted the bogies and lower hull in advance, using Vallejo Model Air 71.228 for the Portland Stone and Vallejo Dark Rubber for the tyres. Wheels thankfully all touched the ground. The tracks were a bit fiddly, but once in place and painted look pretty good. I slightly bent the top sections to add a bit of sag. Some little bits of cleaning up and some paint touch-ups to do, but pretty happy with how it’s looking. I also sorted the last bits of noncomplicated stuff on the turret. Quick check to see how it all goes together.

That’s a tricky question! It’s as John says above, you never stop learning. In relation to AFV builds, it was perhaps my attempt at a composite Sherman - modifications to a kit, aftermarket decals, stowage, figure painting and serious weathering in the form of mud.

…and also given me ideas for the future 😀 great detailing as usual.

Your wish, is my command @Keeff Needs a touch of filler here and there, but tea-drinking man (North African Campaign) is sorted. Also made a (limited) start on the tracks.

I’m not sure. For this particular tank, I think the very large searchlights were specifically fitted for Operation Compass against the Italians. Perhaps for night attacks?

That’s sounds fabulous. And yes, it was! Now that gives me an idea. Been having some issues getting a reasonable pose. How about this? I can fake up a mug if teach from some sprue I think.

Looking great. John, in relation to periscope guards, I have aome left over from my RFM Firefly from year before last, if they are of any use to you?

Thanks - and that would be something to see! 🤣 This weekend I cracked on with construction, with a nice new cutting mat as well. The plastic is a bit soft - a bit like Airfix kits perhaps? And while the detail on the parts is great - not so much the sprue numbers. Thank heavens for a sprue map. The hull went together pretty easily. There were a few places where bolt heads needed to be removed, but the instructions are pretty specific. While very complex, they are pretty clear if you read them slowly. Turret next. Here I ran into a bit of problem, I was a little enthusiastic in sanding the edges of the base insert, which lead to a step. Luckily the step was just the width of some plastic strip I have and it made quick work of my cock-up. Should I include a figure? Time to deal with the running gear. The wheels very definitely have one side that is better than the other, so I made sure that was facing outwards. At this stage the wheels are glued, but each set of bogies is mobile around the central pivot point. To sort all the springs and bits for the suspension, I used some double sided tape stuck to my cutting mat. The castle nuts on the sprue take a bit of getting used to - thankfully there are a few spare (which I used all of). It took me all afternoon, and in places is a bit rough, but I managed it without losing any parts (or my temper). Next step are the tracks. I’ve read they are actually potentially the wrong way round in the instructions- anyone able to through any light on that?

Many thanks for the supportive comments! Thanks - and yes indeed! very much appreciated John. Thanks. Thanks, really happy with how it came out.

Lovely little vignette. Great finish.

Thanks - and I really don’t think so. With that huge searchlight it looks so unlikely? Very steampunk. Thanks John - perhaps I am beginning to get the hang of it? Thanks - I am get a tad nervous of the highly skilled builders who have it in the stash, but not had a go at it 😳.

Humph. No kangaroos. I’m going to sulk.

Great attention to detail as always. Looking great.

Here is my attempt at the Academy Panzer II Ausf F “North Africa” completed as a tank captured by US troops in Tunisia. The kit was a delight to build, needed some modifications to better represent the actual tank. These included scratch building a storage locker and jerrycan rack as well as re-positioning the spare wheel. I brush painted with Vallejo paints, and used Mig Ammo Acrylic Wash for weathering. Aiming for a fairly weather beaten look, as that was the appearance in the photos I found of the actual tank. Build thread can be found here: And one in black and white: Thanks for looking!

And this one is done! Some dry brushing with Tamiya medium grey acrylic, an overall wash of Vallejo model wash Desert Dust and then some heavily diluted Italeri Acryl Sand on the running gear. It’s still drying in this pictures. A throughly enjoyable build, where I stretched myself with a little scratch building and the finish. Thanks for following, RFI up tomorrow hopefully. And the last one again in black and white.

glad to be of service - although I think of myself as a newcomer to the AFV game. Thanks Ed - appreciate the support. Too kind Roger - thanks. Today was spent finishing construction and adding all the little bits left over to the hull. I made use of the kit provided string for the tow rope, painted with Vallejo Oily Steel. Then I used the MIG Ammo Acrylic wash as I did for the running gear, before a brushed on Matt coat of Greenstuff World Maxx Matt. Just some little touch ups, some dry brushing and the final dust coats to go, but will leave it overnight before I do that.

Nice work - love the footwear impressions.

Great thread, and fabulous final result.

Pull up a seat Roger! I had to go and look what you meant by that 😂. As for the label - I don’t know. It’s on the instructions as well. I peeled it off and underneath it says “Desert Theme”. Perhaps decided to be more specific? Thanks Ed. oh - that makes me nervous 😬 Thanks Milan. come and join the fun!

Nice work Milan.

Just caught up with this. Looking forward to the next chapter.

Thanks - looks like I’m committed! Thanks, although I will be fixing everything in place. It has link and length tracks, so not sure why the potential working features. In a similar fashion to my Bronco Chaffee I’m just going to glue everything to keep it from moving. Thanks - I have a certain amount of trepidation!

Ok, made a start. Photoetch is provided for the desert tank side storage lockers. You also get a styrene version. Now photoetch isn’t my favourite, but with nothing to lose I thought I would have a go. The fret. Folding under way Done -except for little bits like the latches and pad locks. It’s a bit glue stained, and maybe a little battered, but compared to the styrene - what do you think? Yes or no?

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.