Jasper dog

Even though desperately trying to reign myself in, and slow down, I've continued with this meteoric build.... Eduard provide a replacement grill for the air intake....spot the difference. (The kit part fits perfectly btw! How do they get this so different? Anyway, as the part once fitted will probably never be seen I "adjusted" the pe grill to fit the housing. The black around the air intake is from pre painting the area. Little bit more of the eduard pe used. Some modellers do fantastic neat work and the pe looks amazing, clean and really professionally done....I'm not one of those! The rear final drive housings arn't yet secured in position, if wondering about the poor fit. Attempt number one at the front transmission drive cover. The instructions are anything but clear.... What's with the gap beneath the glacis.... At this point I decided I'd miss-fitted the earlier mentioned front cover, not that it helps the glacis fit. Re fitted the front cover as the lugs are supposed to stand above, or proud, of the transmission cover. Still have the gap at the bottom the glacis. However with a quick bit of research, whilst not conclusive in any way, it looks as if this "gap" is ment to be there. (No idea why and the only pic I could find was very poor). Be interesting to compare this kit with the later Dragon Ferdinand, as this kit is really showing its age compared to later Dragon offerings. I'm not suggesting its fighting back it's just not as good as we're used to these days. Instructions are pretty vague the fit is just about ok with a bit of filler and the detail is a bit vague in places. Still to decide upon the best way to fit the front final drive housings as these rotate to provide track tension. However there doesn't appear to be any positive way of mounting them to have them adjustable...worry about that later. TTFN Darryl

You say sneaking through, other less generous types might suggest.... Good to see you actually getting around to some modelling, and not before time.... Looking rather good actually. Atb

Coming together very nicely now Roger, wont be far off the joining the major components together. I like the used and grubby look of the tyres too btw. Atb Darryl

And I'll make that a third! Very nicely done Ed. Glad to hear the set up with Tamiya putty and the Trumpy zimm tool works. Atb Darryl

Hi, good luck with the build, I've heard the Vespid are quite good. (The cable on the side of the hull is for fitting the tracks, the position of the tow cable varied between vehicles. Some would have the towing eyes at the front of the hull deck others ar the rear). Atb Darryl

I think you might be right! Cheers

Tremendous and informative modelling MD, always a pleasure to watch and learn. As Keith has already said, I like your technique for the cut marks. Atb Darryl

And some folk just have a rubber duck! Just nice to see you've got the proverbial "finger out" and cracked on Keith. Looking like a Tiger now at least. Good luck with the respray. Atb Darryl

Looking good, always nice to reach the recognisable stage. Your Sanxin tracks look good, never tried them but should. Only available directly from China via Ebay? Atb Darryl

Nice work, lots of pe and super neat construction! Great modelling. Darryl

Hi John, I keep looking at your photo of the Crusader, is that a bar running through the hollow guide horns of the tracks? (Unlike Stuarts photo that uses the track pin holes and has the track at 90° to those in your photo).

Great job with the tracks, turned out really well. Diluted mix and only 10mins, all well and good, clearly. Just a shame to deny yourself the excitement of an overnight full strength dip! (Joke, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone reading this!)

Really nice job Keith. A couple of highlights for me has to be the finish achieved on the seats and exhaust, amongst others, smashing job! Great modelling! Darryl

Ooooh, and now for something different! Make a nice change from a Sherman. Haven't seen one of the italeri Crusaders built yet, even though they've been around a while, should be interesting. The at the time super secret Velcro, or was that only used for rope? HTH... Good luck Darryl

For me, I think the sag is fine, I'd be quite happy with that. Without surgery I doubt you could do anything different and if you did it wouldn't look as good as it does now. I'd guess that if it was much slacker in reality it would be at risk of shedding a track.

On the shelf I've both AK and Mig, probably the same stuff but can't be sure. If the half empty bottle is anything to go by it'll be the AK that I used last. Always been happy enough with the results but the burnishing isn't the end. I'd then follow up with either pigments or paint, if memory serves it was pigments. Probably shouldn't do what I've done and leave them burnishing over night, it dissolves the pins! Watch for any CA blobs as they won't burnish and can stand out. I've heard good things about the VMS burnishing fluid but haven't tried it. Fruil Panther tracks from the Panther GB a number of years ago. You say that but when I was looking for tracks for my poor pushed aside Churchill Fruil was the cheapest option... Good luck

I can neither confirm or deny..... I'm always being productive, it's just not always obvious..... I can certain confirm that, they're on now and won't be coming off again... Thanks chaps, always appreciated!

Got to appreciate a bit of Fruil action! That's an approach I hadn't considered, pre cut the wire to length... Enjoy!

And now for a little bit of silliness, as this thread is far too much on message at present. As tempting as it was to photograph and post each pair of roadwheels i decided that was probably a bit too silly just to to prove how productive I've been... So to that end: All wheels joined together, suspension units assembled and mounted onto the lower hull tray. The rear drive wheels for some unfathomable reason foul on the bracket infront of said wheel. No big deal apart unless one wanted to push it around the bench making tank noises! Rear hull plate not secured in position yet, weighing up the pe parts to accessorize it, sorry, enhance it. Well after that mammoth bench session, over nearly a week, I think it's time to slow down a touch! Ta!

All coming together really nicely, looks good on its legs. The exhaust staining will be fun but quite iconic of a well used Skyraider. Darryl

Thanks Bob, Ronseal might be worth a punt, can't be any worse than this Dulux! I've no objection to GSI, if getting it wrong has the potential to take the roof off. It's been a while, as the wife keeps pointing out, since I did any decorating, back then oil based gloss was the norm. And as for nasty chemicals, they took the lead out what more does anyone want! Thanks chaps!

Can't be any worse than Davros.

Is that a slight touch of sarcasm I detect Dan.... How the painting going.... Speaking of painting. WTF is going on with gloss paint these days, its water based! (Real world not our little world) No oil paints and this Dulux water based gloss is awful! No wet edge to speak of and I either get lots of brushstrokes or runs and the shine is ....dull. Has anyone found a reliable method of application that gets decent results cos I've painted a door frame 5 times just to get something vaguely acceptable.

Yeah i used something similar on the Jagdt' but painted them prior to removing from sprue.....won't do that again! Again the menage à, blessed threesome, becomes a priority! Are you sure? Have just messed up already! I presumed all kits came with at least one! I think of it as a guide or rating, a two, three or four bottle kit. Perhaps you should check with your supplier and report it as missing! Poor Winston, he's sat on the bench wondering what he's done wrong!

Yes you do, now stop photographing your tool cabinet, the wife would love having that wheeled around the home, stop procrastinating and get some modelling done!