ModellerMick

Hi Jim Thanks for the advice. Fortunately the exhaust and shields come of quite easily, so I should be able to fix them without affecting the rest of the model . I was even thinking of replacing the shrouds with mild steel and letting them rust Cheers Mick

RT Thanks for your comments. There is something about French interwar armour that appeals to me. From the Renault Ft17 which was just a scouting tank, to the medium SOMAU S35, and of course the Char B1 bis, I think they were tanks ahead of their time. It was the French military doctrine that limited their impact. The fall of France and the German occupation prevented the phenomenal advances in tanks that the rest of the world saw. I can’t remember who quoted, “Nothing promotes progress faster than warfare” Mick

Hi All This is my first AFV kit for about 30 years, having been heavily into radio controlled tanks. It’s one of my favourite tanks, ahead of its time in many ways. The diorama is Fields of Glory Bocage house on a Vignette base “In the Ruins” The interior of the house is scratch built using balsa and cardboard. Free French flags and period wallpaper are ETA. Paint is Tamiya acrylics, and weathering Vallejo Dark rust, Oiled earth, and Thick mud, plus AK Europe earth pigments. In addition to the Tamiya kit, I’ve used FRIULMODEL metal tracks and an RB Models brass aerial. I used metal tracks after seeing the wear pattern on the Char B1 bis that was at Bovington last year for TankFest. I think I got the wear about right. What I have struggled with is the corrosion on the exhausts. I used a Dark Oxide wash, but couldn’t get the right finish. Any suggestions would be great. Compare the real one to my effort Hope you enjoy. Happy for any comments. Cheers Mick

Thanks RT I have the Tamiya “Otto Carius” Tiger 217 in progress. I thought from the box art, it would come with moulded zimmerit, but it doesn’t. I used Tamiyas stick on zimmerit, but I’m not that impressed with it! Using the gun metal for the tow ropes is a good idea, it gives them the weather steel look. My Tiger is a long way from finished, but I’ll post as soon as it’s done. Thanks for your help. Mick

Nice Tiger RT I have a couple of questions for you. Is the zimmerit moulded or is add on? Are your tow ropes the kit supplied because they look pretty good. A good looking Tiger, I only hope mine turns out anywhere as good as yours. Keep up the good work. Cheers Mick

Spot on guys. Stirring worked a treat That will teach me to skimp on my prep Thanks Mick

Spot on guys. Stirring worked a treat That will teach me to skimp on my prep Thanks Mick

Thanks Mark. Best I get stirring. Mick.

Hi All I am having an issue with both Tamiya Acrylic XF1 Flat Black and Humbrol Enamal 33 Matt Black paints. Both have in recent use dried with a distinct sheen, more like satin. I have used Tamiya XF1 before with very good results, being very flat and matt. Is it due to prep, undercoat, out of date paint? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Mick.

It’s been a long time since I’ve attempted a 1/35th scale kit, being into radio control for several decades. I had forgotten how small and fiddly some of the parts are. I decided to do a Tamiya Char B1bis, one of my favourite tanks. I have a set of Friulmodel tracks also. Nice tracks but with my eyesight not the same as the last time I attempted anything this small. I finally finished one set, ready for painting. The full length are below alongside 4 Tiger tracks in 1/6th, what I’ve been used to for the last 15 years! I’m planning to display the Char B1 on a FoG base. More pictures to follow. Cheers Mick.

Actually, it originally had a 12 gauge shotgun blank firer, but so many shows ban pyrotechnics, that it became pointless, so it was removed. Also the blanks produced loads of corrosive cordite in the turret, which wasn’t too good considering it is all metal. I have always liked the Char B1 bis, so that’s my first new model. I’ll post in the AFV section soon. Cheers Mick

Hi All I have recently got back into static modeling after about 30 years on r/c. My current r/c model is a 1/6th scale Mid Tiger number 217 of 2nd Company sPzAbt. 502, Otto Carius’s tank. I have done as much as I intend on this model, so with LOTS of spare time on my hands, I’m currently working on a 1/35th Tamiya Char 1b bis, with a Fields of Glory diorama base. Next is the Tamiya’s 1/35 Tiger 217 in winter camo with precision ice and snow effects. Originally got this as a reference model 15 years ago! Picture of the 1/6th Tiger Cheers Mick