Gary Brantley

I would like to also thank @Stef N., @Farmer matt, @FrancisGL, @Alex Gordon, @hsr, @modelling minion, @fatfingers, @Nenad Ilijic, @Jb65rams, @Zephyr, @Jochen Barett, @Ilan, and @Hairtrigger for their "likes" for my Bulldog tank! I really appreciate your interest and approval folks! I hope your weekend is a great one. 🍻

Thanks ian @Ilan! 🍺 Those tarps are the final result of three or four attempts to get them "right". Twenty-five years ago, I built two tank models and each one had scratch-built tarps of PVA-soaked tissue paper that looked okay with my first try. Fast forward to now and I just could not get them to look as they should. But, I endeavored to persevere, and finally made a few that worked. So now, with three tank builds under my belt, I'm ready to start another one soon! Cheers!

Wooo Weeee! That is fantastic Francis! @FrancisGL It's not everyday that we see armor with even the belly weathered, and yes, it's those little things that make the difference between great and awesome. And, this is an awesome scale model! And I agree with other comments, that last wartime pic is so cool. Francis, the realism here is "off the chain"! Here's your trophy sir, you've certainly earned it. 🏆

Thank you Francis @FrancisGL! I sure appreciate those comments. When I built models as kid, they weren't much to look at, I assure you. I'd imagine your model was pretty nice! I'm glad that you "enjoyed the ride" and thanks for following along Francis! Cheers, Gary 🍻

Thanks so much Stef @Stef N.. Much appreciated! 🍺 @Keeff Many thanks for those kind words Keith! 🍺 Thank you John @Bullbasket, very kind of you sir! 🍺 And, I'd like to thank @PanZair, @JackG, @Farmerboy, @Vince1159, @Bandsaw Steve and @keefr22 for their "likes". I really appreciate your support and encouragement everyone! Cheers!

Thanks Steve @Bandsaw Steve! 🍻

Thank you sincerely my friend! I'm so glad that you like that tank, it's been a real "adventure" in many ways! I really appreciate your encouragement and support, cheers Peter!

The M41 Walker Bulldog, officially known as 76-mm Gun Tank M41, was produced by the Cadillac Motor Car Company division of General Motors from 1951 to 1954. Originally built as a light tank replacement for the WWII-era M24 Chaffee, it was initially called the “Little Bulldog”, but the name was changed to honor Gen. Walton Walker who was killed in a road accident in Korea in 1950. There were 5,467 M41s built, and while the United States never used it in combat, it was bloodied in several engagements in both Western and Eastern hemispheres. In the Bay of Pigs “invasion” of Fidel Castro’s Cuba on April 17, 1961, the CIA provided a brigade of anti-Castro exiles with 5 M41 tanks and while they did have early success against Communist T-34/85 tanks, they eventually ran out of ammunition, and all were either destroyed or captured. The Republic of Vietnam was the largest user of the M41 Bulldog. Provided to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) in 1964, they were first used in combat in October 1965. Notably used by ARVN forces in the Tet Offensive of early 1968, they also saw combat in many other theatre actions. In February to March 1971, M41s led a cross-border incursion into neighboring Laos called Operation Lam Son 719. The ARVN Bulldogs destroyed NVA (North Vietnam Army) T54 and PT-76 tanks in tank vs tank duels, but the operation was not a success with ARVN forces entering Laos with 62 tanks and 160 M113 APCs and returning to Vietnam with only 25 M41s and 64 M113s. Other nations that used the Bulldog include Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Lebanon, New Zealand, South Africa and West Germany, where the M41 was the Bundeswehr's first post-war tank in 1955. Specifications: Weight 23.49 Tonnes (51,200 pounds or about 23,220 kg) Length 19’1” (5.81m) Width 10’6” (3.19m) Height 8’11” (2.72m) Top speed- 45 mph Range- 110 miles (180 km) Engine- Continental air-cooled, opposed six-cylinder, gasoline powered, with 500 HP Main gun-M32A1 76 mm canon Auxiliary armament-.30 cal coaxial MG and .50 M2 Commander’s MG Reference links of interest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M41_Walker_Bulldog https://mikesresearch.com/2019/03/24/m41-walker-bulldog/ The Kit It’s Tamiya’s venerable 1/35 M41. This kit appeared first, in this form in 1975, with an earlier version released in 1964! I started construction about one year ago and have worked on it sporadically since. It was painted with Humbrol and Model Master enamels, through the old Paasche H. Quite a few products were used for weathering effects including AK and Vallejo muds of various sorts and Vallejo Earth Oxide pigments. Vallejo acrylics were used for the rust effect on the three mufflers, while Flory washes and pastel chalks were also employed. I used diluted oil paint on the fuel fillers. In a few spots, Cyber Top watercolor pencils also came in handy. Uschi’s Trinity Splatter stencils helped weather the paintwork. Resin stowage came from Value Gear and Squadron Dioramix. The resin M2 is an Eduard product. The dried leaves scattered about are from AK as well, in three different types. The crew came from a vendor in China, via Ebay and they are painted with Vallejo acrylics too. Oh, and I also made a pair of "shades" for the tank commander. I also used some Evergreen sheet to make bottoms for the sponson boxes and to fill the holes in the hull’s bottom. I did a fair amount of scratch building on this project, including the three supports for the driver’s opened hatch cover, damage to the headlight guards and the cleaning rod staffs (brass tubing) seen attached to the turret’s rear. I removed the pioneer tools and bracket from the front right fender, (often done by the ARVN tankers) replacing them with “field improvised” parts from brass angle and a strip of thin, sheared sheet-metal. The gun mantlet cover is made of tissue soaked in diluted PVA glue with the cover hold-down made from plastic rod, strips cut from an aluminum can and detailed with Grandt Line nut/bolt heads. The characteristic reinforcing stampings seen on the sponson’s sides were replicated with stretched sprue. The three rolled tarps on the turret's side were also made from PVA-soaked tissue. Tamiya completely disregarded the auxiliary muffler, so I was obliged to make one from an ancient model car muffler, aluminum tubing and electrical wire. The ropes are various sizes of thread soaked in diluted PVA and the two radio aerials are just stretched sprue. Another omission by Tamiya were the two lifting rings seen just beneath the headlights and those were done with copper wire. Balsa provided the wood for the “road barrier” pressed into use between the headlights. I also had to use Evergreen to replace a lost hinge for the cupola’s hatch cover. The driver’s vision blocks were filled with Microscale Krystal Klear, tinted with dark acrylic paint. So, there you have it! Much too much info I’m sure, but maybe there’s some interest in the details. It was a fun project with the biggest headache being that resin M2. I believe it was taken too green from the mold and that thin barrel always wants to curve upwards. It was nicely detailed but not a great fit in the kit’s pintle mount. Britmodeller build thread: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235108596-m41-walker-bulldog-ending-at-last/ Thanks for hanging in this far, and thanks for stopping by to have a look! I appreciate your interest in the Bulldog, and please feel free to leave your comments, good or bad! Lightbox photos: This M41 represents an ARVN tank operating in Saigon's (Ho Chi Minh City today) Cholon sector, circa 1968. These location atmosphere photos hopefully evoke that time and place: Photos by Richard W. Krall:

Oh man, does that look great?!?! Wow, you really nailed this model @Maddoxx77! It looks so real; great detail work and weathering that really looks "right". That's a winner Manoah! 🏆

Well, this is progressing along splendidly Manoah! I really like your scratch-building and creativity, you're adding so much character and "personality" to this build. 👍 I've always thought the Hetzer was a cool looking vehicle and was fortunate to see one in person at an airshow several years ago. Your model inspires me to buy one too. I am always impressed by how quickly you make progress; in my own experience, I find it helps keep the mojo workin' if I jump right into another kit quickly after completing a project. You're doing top work here @Maddoxx77! Please keep the updates coming! 🍻

Man, you've really turned out another beauty Maddox! Your work on the figures is superb too, altogether it's a grand presentation @Maddoxx77!

Man, that looks fantastic! Beautiful work all around; if your support base wasn't visible in those outdoor shots, that would look like the real deal!

Great looking Panzer! I really like the interior work too!

That's a great looking tank! And I see nothing excessive about your use of pigments, it's a fine job! 🍻

This is true for me as well. My OCD compels me to have all the aircraft in the same scale because, when displayed together, I want their respective size differences to be constant and consistent. It would bug me to no end to have a 1/72 plane sitting next to a 1/48 aircraft, or have a 1/32 model thrown in together with those. No, for me, it has to be all one scale, and one scale to rule them all!

Thanks Maddox @Maddoxx77! I sure appreciate your generous compliments! 🥃 I agree that it looks better with those guys aboard, just don't look too closely. . I am so happy to read your comments, my friend! Thanks so much! 🍻 I've got a lil' bit of "touch up" stuff to do with them but overall, they're not too bad. I'll really feel good when she's ready for RFI!

Thanks Stef @Stef N.! I'm looking forward to that point as well! Much appreciated John @Bullbasket! Thanks for the wonderful comments! 🍻 Hey Francis, thanks very much! It's been a long slog but finally close to done.

Well friends, at long last, the finish line approaches for my tank. I've been futzing about with the two figures for a while and have decided they aren't getting any better. 😄 Yesterday, I put some final touches and details on them (well almost final... 😉 ) and put them on the tank for the first time since they were painted and modified. I believe the tank itself is finished and once I get the base for it done, it's off to the photo session location. I also plan to post some light-box photos too, for the first time. I'm waiting for some assistance from my dear friend and amazing photographer Richard Krall and of course, getting a suitable base done. Until then, I wanted to post this, just to prove that yes, I actually did get one finished after about a year! Next up will be an article in RFI when all the picture-taking is done. Thank you all for following along, and for all your support, suggestions and advice! It is much appreciated here! 🍻 Yesterday, I turned around and there sat a Bulldog on my kitchen table! Hey Bulldog! This is going to be the location for the outdoor photos. I'm thinking (hoping? 🙂) it may pass for something found around Saigon's Cholon section circa '68-'69.

That is a great Tiger tank model! 🍻 The camo paint work looks fantastic and those figures do add so much to the presentation. Those guys look really good too! (man, how do you guys make them look that good? ) You've built a good 'un Steve @ProfSparks.

Excellent result @Paolo Tarantino! That chipping does look realistic, very well done indeed sir!

That is a great looking Crusader @Maddoxx77! Your camo work is very realistic and I think your figure looks great too, that certainly does inspire me in my own meager efforts. I'm also impressed by the rapid pace of this build; you got this done in no time, it seems Manoah! 🥃 Overall, a very fine piece of scale modeling!

I agree on both counts. 👍 Perhaps a very light "dusting" of red oxide pigment would better blend the white stars with the existing reddish weathering? 🙂

Well, Kristjan, that is a great example of the level of realism we all strive for. 🏆 That is incredible scale modeling and one of the most "natural" looking armor models I've seen! Wow, masterclass work here and a masterpiece of a result, please take a bow @vaoinas for this very inspiring model!

Ah, I see! 👍 I didn't realize that you had used putty for those tarps, very neat idea and result! Thanks for the clarification my friend. 🥃

Very fine Tiger @IanC! Man, I really like the paint work, and you've done a brilliant job on that figure!