diablo rsv

Welcome along.

Thanks Ivan. With a bit of paint and a wash it should work out OK.

Thanks John and Darryl. I will have a look at Accurate Armour's site. I did consider the Voyager set but it's quite an expensive way of doing it as I doubt I would use most of the set and the thought of waiting for something to arrive from China is also putting me off. I did have a rummage around the kitchen but to no avail. Hopefully the printed parts will do the job. Wayne.

Having looked through some photos that were very kindly sent by John @Bullbasket and a few from the internet I couldn't find much that really needed to be added to the Takom kit. Turret wise I have moved the position of the grenade launcher wire where it exits the turret to the correct higher position. On the Mk.11 it was moved to allow for the TOGS and it looks like Takom have used the same moulding for the Mk.11 and Mk.10. The missing foundry casting symbols were added from Archers Fine Transfers. I have also added a little more texture to the surface of the Stillbrew Armour areas and removed a couple of moulded in seams that don't appear in any of the photos. I have also added a little depth to the holes in the grenade launchers, but these may receive some covers as I'm not entirely happy with my efforts. I am contemplating whether to replace the handles on the bazooka plates but it's not one of my favourite jobs, so for now I have just given them a bit more definition by putting a gouge in the top edge. On the hull I have added a few missing bolts but that's about it for now. My biggest issue is with the engine deck grills though. Takom have supplied some photo etch covers for them but I feel that the mesh is too thick and also, being photo etch, too flat. I have found some after market 3D printed ones but they are yet to arrive and I'm not holding out much hope for them. Finding the right scale mesh on the internet is proving difficult as I just can't tell from the images what I am going to get. Any ideas would be appreciated. Wayne

When I was watching your WIP on this I thought it was going to turn out to be an excellent model and you really have delivered. That is an excellent build Ed! Wayne

That's coming along very nicely Richard. The 'Goose neck' version is a later release and does have the correct radiator. Wayne

If it's not too much trouble John I would really appreciate that.

I am indeed an Essex boy John. I was born in Witham and didn't stray too far until I got married when I moved near to Cambridge. I continued to play rugby for Maldon so I was often in the area but didn't realize there was a museum there until fairly recently. I still have family in the area so I shall go and have a look once we are out of lockdown. I would appreciate it if you could post some photos especially if you have any that show whether there was an anti-slip coating applied. Wayne

Thank you all for your interest. As I'm attempting to build an example of every British AFV and show as many different camouflage schemes that I can the Berlin scheme is a must do really. I think a lot of modellers are put off at first glance by the complexity of the scheme but I'm hoping that with a bit of forward planning it wont prove too difficult.🤞 You're right about the Tankograd book Ivan, although there are photos on the internet the book has already proved invaluable. It must have been an impressive sight Alex, although somewhat scary when you realize what they were there for. Wayne

Chieftain Mk.10 Berlin Brigade. Whilst waiting for a few new releases to materialise I thought I really should finish off some of the uncompleted builds that I have laying around. Inspired by @Big_Bad_Bill and his Mk.11 I decided to get on with my Berlin Brigade Mk.10. Most of the construction work has been completed but as there has been a few builds of Takom's Chieftains already on the forum I don't think it matters that this topic will be more about the painting. A brief explanation of the Berlin Brigade camouflage scheme with a little help from the Tankograd book. Up until 1982, British armoured vehicles in West Berlin were camouflaged in the standard pattern of green or green/black. With the deployment of D Squadron, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, the commanding officer started to challenge this way of camouflage as the vehicles always looked out of place in urban areas. After trials on cardboard it was decided that a rectangular pattern of white, grey and brown would best match the buildings, windows, doors and fences. Variations of the size and pattern of the scheme were to be kept to within two inches so that each vehicle would look identical making it harder for the enemy to determine the amount of vehicles or units. A few of the external details have been left off to make painting a little easier. Looking at the close up images in the Tankograd book I'm finding it difficult to determine whether there would have been an anti-slip coating applied. If it has it appears to be quite a light covering. There is a Berlin Brigade Mk.10 on display at a small museum in Maldon, which is not far from me and I was thinking of driving over to take a look but with the current climate that is probably not wise. So any help would be appreciated. Wayne

Hi Heather, Is it to late to be added to the list? I've always had a passion for building WW1 aircraft but I managed to miss your group build proposal.

You've made a first rate job of that Nenad! Very well painted. The sagging jerry can rack is a nice touch. Wayne

Impressive work Stuart! Time spent on all of the extra detailing has really paid off. Looking forward to seeing the final photos. Wayne

You've made a nice job of that Ozzy. It's quite a fiddly build at times isn't it? Looking forward to seeing what you are planning for a base. Wayne

You're making great progress with your build. I'm another one that has this kit in the queue. In fact I will be doing the same scheme as you so I thought I would tag along, at least I will know what pit falls to look out for. What was your concern regarding the chassis colour? Wayne.

Stynylrez ( one-shot) does need a bigger needle/nozzle and a lot of air pressure for it to spray nicely. I use an old airbrush with a .5 needle in it and I use 35-40 psi. You can almost hose it on and it will level out nicely. I use it on most of my armour builds although I prefer Mr Surfacer for smaller subjects. I find cleaning up Stynylrez a bit of a pain. Great progress by the way. I managed to miss out the fire suppression handles on mine but some strategically placed tow cables covered up my omission (almost). Wayne

Thank you both very much! Wayne

Excellent work David, and very nicely presented. What did you use for the anti slip coating? Wayne

I, for one, am glad you stuck with it. That's a lovely model, very nicely painted and weathered. There is something very appealing about those early tanks. The grey looks just right to me in the first photo. It looks like the white balance is a little on the cool side on the others, giving them a slight blue cast. Did you mix your own grey or have you found one you like? Wayne

Thank you very much Witold! I used this kit https://www.scalemates.com/kits/tamiya-35300-matilda-mkiii-iv--122691 Wayne

They are both very well done. The weathering and painting is spot on and your attention to all the little details has made these an excellent pair of models. Wayne

That pretty much applies to every model I have built. I do wonder sometimes how this hobby is meant to be relaxing.

Excellent work John, I have enjoyed watching this one progress. The painting and weathering look very authentic and the time you have spent on all of those extra little details has really paid off. Wayne

Lovely work Bill, that turned out very nicely indeed. Wayne

That's looking really good Bill, After watching your progress I think I really should get some paint on my Mk.10. As much as I'm looking forwards to doing the Berlin scheme I actually think the Chieftain looks better in the green and black. I thought the Amusing Hobby Conqueror was a great kit. I built the Mk.1 a little while ago. My only issue was that the inner side skirts were badly warped so I had to make some replacement ones from plastic card. There were no clear parts in the Mk.1 kit which was a little annoying. It makes up into a lovely model though and captures the imposing nature of the original. You can see mine here. Wayne