dcrfan

The hand and body stance makes the GPMG look a lot lighter than it really is.

Very nice. The twin rear wheels really looks good to me.

I have seen at least one NZ T50 turret that was mounted slightly too far back and required a shallow curved section to be shaved off the front of the cargo hatch to enable it to be opened without clashing with the rear of the turret.

You can purchase tufts or tailor make your own by dripping PVA onto a plastic bag surface and adding your own static crass mix. Once dry the tufts will peal off and you can glue them in the pattern you want.

Most of those machines could of cause by used to represent a smaller machine in 1/35th scale by mounting it on a stand or table.

Heres a bit more of a backyard conversion 68503DCF-7E76-486F-B858-711BFA786A2A_1_105_c by tankienz, on Flickr

Ah I did wonder it that was your aim. I am also working on an SW Pacific island diorama just somewhat larger in scope and scale (1/48). Appropriately clothed people were equally difficult to find however I was lucky enough to find someone with 3D CAD skills to clone some scantly clad figures for me and then he doubled the numbers by printing them facing left and right 😀 fullsizeoutput_1c17 by tankienz, on Flickr fullsizeoutput_1b07 by tankienz, on Flickr The laying down coconut trees were knocked down while staging the photo 😒

Very nice setting indeed but I'm not sure about the rockets leaning up in the air waiting to be loaded. Do you have photographic evidence of that as I believe they should be flat on the ground? Paul

Yes the version I have which I just happened to have out - Pg 8 Austin K6 bomb flat and CO2 tender, pg 9 K6 aircrew coach and pg 10 with Coles crane MkVII.

And Italeri and Mirror Models in 1/35th

Your story is very believable. A great bit of research fiction. As to the model I suggest it really needs some of the Hairy Mary armoured train 'armour'.

Could you stretch to this classy old lady parked down the side of the garage mated with the German crane? FFAB8AF1-9075-4FF0-9049-5964CD3BDBFB by tankienz, on Flickr https://www.scalemates.com/kits/icm-35600-leyland-retriever-general-service--1259857

How about this crane? https://miniart-models.com/product/35576-3-ton-service-crane/

I've never been is a 1950/60 British garage but I would query it they would have had a lined roof below the roof rafters. All old garages I'm been had exposed rafters. I assume to increase air flow when engines were running. Just my thought.

I have one for a 1/35th layout. The box is definitely marked as 1/35th (in three languages) and I've passed the micrometer over the diecast. It definitely is 1/35th!

Outstanding work. I have had the kit in my stash awaiting a suitable conversion subject for many years. Now I have another possibility to consider,

Also postwar still used by British military fo some time. I've seen photo of one in late 1950s painted in Deep Bronze Green still in use during Malayan Emergency. Edit. I just refound a thread on civilian Austin Tilly I was searching for. See http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15829

Bootneck, While looking for something totally different (Mini Moke kits) I Googled upon this website https://motobitz.uk/kits--trans-kits1.html They offer conversions for the earlier 1/24th model Ford Transit kit mentioned above and all also a couple of 1/24th Land Rover conversions (front grill and wheels). Warning not cheap. You wanted large. Here in NZ they are offering 1/18th scale diecast Transits made by IXO. See https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/toys-models/die-casts/other/listing/3508618137?bof=6HFUXbKK Unfortunately it is several Ford versions before the one in your photo (a Mk 5?). It does not appear they make any later versions? This one claimed to be 1/36th is the closest I can find https://www.ebay.com/itm/114161444573 but being from Belarus shipping/payment at the moment ???? Just a word of warning when diecasts are listed as 1/36th they can be anything from 1/43 to 1/29th not that I think scale is actually too much of an issue for you as you want it as a standalone vehicle.

All hatches are not the same. Many of the photos show hatches open while the vehicles are in administrative situations when the colour is not so much of a concern. In combat they would typically be closed, then improved light reflection available inside the vehicle is important. However some hatches, primarily commanders and sometimes loaders hatches could be open right up to the point of contact so having a subdued interior colour is a consideration like the Panzer 1 turret hatches.

I'm unsure if the German fuel trailers were a standardised design but if you compare the two photos the construction details are quiet different. Fuel or water - both commodities were essential in the desert. 5508C786-721C-4888-BBB9-1D011E3673DB_1_105_c by tankienz, on Flickr 0B2913D8-2B56-491C-80C2-4AB023F34B14_1_105_c by tankienz, on Flickr

I go back to my opening question 'has anyone actually got a photo of the LRDG Chev 30 cwt trucks carrying 44 gallon drums as I can't find any.'

(when in doubt, brew-up). Can't beat that. You can go for several days as long as you have the occasional hot brew😃 Perhaps a 44 gallon drum of pre-brewed/stewed tea 🥴

Yes I have that drawing. Same concept but details are quite different.

Ah we are thinking the same. I agree 44 gal drums are not practical or safe except for establishing out of contact fuel dumps. I assume the trailer is ex German or at least based on a German concept as there are a couple of photos of similar but not identical designs in Axis History Forum Wehrmacht fuel tanker thread being towed behind tanks on Eastern Front. I do note the trailer does appear to have the sand tires fitted similar to the truck. Using common tyres make perfect sense.

Carius recently posted photos of an absolutely fantastic LRDG 30 cwt truck model. It has, like many LRDG models (and 1:1 scale post war copies) a couple of 44 gallon petrol drums in the cargo. As I don't want to spoil Carius's thread I've started this separate thread. Apart from one photo showing a single axle trailer fitted with two 44 gallon drums being towed by a CMP Ford F30 LRDG truck and a burnt out F30 (Bearded Brigands by Brendan O'Carroll pg 131) with two drums has anyone actually got a photo of the LRDG Chev 30 cwt trucks carrying 44 gallon drums as I can't find any. The two photos have the fuel hungry Ford F30 in common not the Chev 30 cwts. E516CA70-1C8D-4E87-9419-5CAB4F74B74F_1_105_c by tankienz, on Flickr