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AntPhillips

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Posts posted by AntPhillips

    Frog Battle Class Destroyer 1/325 scale

    in Work in Progress - Maritime

    Posted

    Hi CGP,

     

    Looks good so far 👍

     

    I've got a similar build going on in between other projects, I've purchased both the Atlantic Models etch set and Simon at MicroMaster has printed me the ships boats and floats together with the main armament, quintuple TT's and anchors all in 1/325 scale, I also plan on getting the Model Monkey directors too. 

     

    I'm not aware of anyone doing the STAAG's as yet but Black Cat have recently released some Hazemeyers, so I'm hoping they might have a go at  the STAAG's too. I was planning on dropping a line to Ben at Black Cat to see if he'd consider resizing from 1/350 to 1/325, although I'd also consider 1/350 as close enough if not.

     

    Here's a pic of my progress:

    2021-04-27_10-46-14

    As you can see I've replaced the Frog decks with Plasticard and rebuilding the bridge block is my next step  and probably the reason the build has paused lol 😉

    Happy modelling

    Ant

    • Like 3

    1/350 DDG-82 (Trumpeter)

    in Ready for Inspection - Maritime

    Posted

    On 4/22/2021 at 3:52 PM, Bitzer said:

    Well done.

    Just one thing. The US Navy never let their ships get that rusty.

     

    Back in the day maybe, but take a look at this pic taken as USS San Antonio entered Devonport a few days ago and this after just 18 days after leaving Norfolk , pic by saturn_ecplise on Reddit:

    2021-04-23_08-04-46

     

    • Like 3

    HMS Rodney Micromaster

    in Maritime WWII

    Posted

    I'll second Rob's comments, Simon at MicroMaster is great to deal with, I recently bought some parts to enhance my part built Frog 1/325 HMS Trafalgar, I contacted him through his Facebook page and asked if he could print some parts from his 1/350 range in 1/325 scale, and yes he can and at no extra cost either.

     

    And delivery only took 3 to 4 weeks from New Zealand to Wales.

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

    1/350 HMS PUMA

    in Work in Progress - Maritime

    Posted

    13 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

    .....Or go completely left field and tackle the Hasegawa 1/48 F4-K in 892 Sqn livery from ARK ROYAL's final deployment in 1978, or potentially a Whiff F14A representing its replacement in 892 Sqn in the mid 80s if they hadn't scrapped ARK.

     

    Whilst I've seen a few of these WHIF's of Royal Navy Tomcats, I've always thought that the Tomcat would have been too large for the Arks limited deck size, and the RN would have been more likely to follow what the USN did with the Midway Class and replace the Phantom with Hornets. Of course if the 2 CVA-01 class had proceeded then the procurement of Tomcats would have made good sense 😉 👍

    • Like 1

    Airfix 1/600 HMS Daring

    in Ready for Inspection - Maritime

    Posted

    20 hours ago, 73north said:

    Just a heads up that Frog of UK did a 1/315 scale of the Daring class - 2 great models here , well done .

     

    I'm pretty certain that Frog didn't do a Daring, you maybe thinking of their 1/325 Battle Class, initially released as HMS Trafalgar but also boxed as HMS Cadiz IIRC.

     

    Coincidentally, Peter at Atlantic Models has both a 1/350 Battle and Daring Class on his future projects list.   

    • Like 1
    • Confused 1

    Airfix new 1/35 Cromwell Tanks

    in AFV WWII

    Posted

    3 hours ago, Cerberus said:

    Isn't that exactly how they have done it? I thought the engine deck was a separate part in this Airfix kit? Front section, Back section, and it all seems to sit over a strange layer part underneath?

     

    And I still don't understand why there are 2 kits?, If both boxes contain the same parts? What is this witchcraft and trickery?

     

    Matt

     

     

     

    Yes you're right Matt, the engine deck is an overlay part that sits on top of the track guard piece on  Sprue A:

    20210305_194455

     

    The engine deck and forward upper hull are on sprue B:

    20210305_194427

     

    Hence my supposition that the mystery Sprue C is in fact a late engine deck and an alternative forward upper hull with a second side opening hatch.

     

    Of course I could be wrong but fingers crossed 🤞 I'm not.

     

    And apologies for repeating the photos but they're the easiest way to illustrate where I'm coming from.

    Ant

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 2

    Airfix new 1/35 Cromwell Tanks

    in AFV WWII

    Posted

    I'm hopeful that Airfix will at some point release another version of the kit with the later engine deck and side opening bow gunners hatch that were originally included in the CAD renders,  there are parts on the sprues that are marked as "not for use" on both versions released so far, and the mystery sprue C surely will appear at some point.

     

    I doubt this will be this year, possibly it might be in next years release list, and maybe, just maybe the wheels will be corrected, as Academy are involved in its development, there is a precedent as their initial release of the M3 tanks included suspension bogies that were too high, they produced a sprue of new parts that were included in later releases. 

     

    I really do hope that the kit sells well for Airfix, the box artwork will certainly appeal to impulse buyers, and those buyers may not be as bothered about accuracy issues as some of us that are longer in the tooth or dare I say more nerdy😉 .

     

    I certainly didn't start this thread with the intention of putting Airfix down, but if they want to become a player in the 1/35 marketplace they need to accept input from those with more knowledge of the subject matter. I don't profess to be an expert on all things Cromwell related but I listen to the discussions with those that are and even at my ripe old age I enjoy the learning process. 

     

    With my engineering background I like to think that if I was part of the Airfix design team on this kit, I'd be kicking myself about these minor errors and would be vowing to get it right next time.

     

    As I've already said I bought both the kits, I actually preordered them as soon as they were announced to show my support for Airfix, I'm not unduly disappointed but feel that its more a case of the proverbial "spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar". 

     

    Happy modelling

    Ant

    • Like 2

    Airfix new 1/35 Cromwell Tanks

    in AFV WWII

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Bullbasket said:

    'Morning @AntPhillips Here's a question for you. Before I make anymore mistakes (yeah! I know that I do, with frequent regularity), can you confirm for me whether the Mk.Vl kit has the side opening hatch and one less stowage box on the RHS please? And do they include the same engine deck as they do in the MklV ?

    Thanks Ant.

     

    John.

     

    Hi John,

     

    Both kits share the same plastic, and have the same early engine deck and top opening so called "suicide" hatch, see pic below:

    20210305_194427

     

    Hope this clarifies.

     

    That said, from the sprue lettering (there is no sprue C in either kit) it does look as if there may be plans to offer other versions, incidentally the sprue shown in the recent Airfix Model World mag has a slightly different layout, see screen shot pic below, notice that the glacis plate has 2 horns as it would if both side entry hatches were fitted, yet the hull part has the top hatch, confusing or what:

    Cromwell

     

     

    Ant 

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 2

    Airfix new 1/35 Cromwell Tanks

    in AFV WWII

    Posted

    11 hours ago, Das Abteilung said:

    The optional turret fronts might be useful but the split barrel is a bit old-fashioned now.  Slide moulds are not exactly new.

     

     

    Hi Das,

     

    You might be misinterpreting the photo, it doesn't have a split barrel, well not split along its length anyway, it has 2 slide moulded barrels with different muzzle brake shapes and a separate muzzle brake end:

    51015892841_ee600bd6e9_o

     

    • Like 2

    Airfix new 1/35 Cromwell Tanks

    in AFV WWII

    Posted

    Some detail shots, pistol ports without bolt heads:

    20210305_194720

     

    Two types of cupola:

    20210305_194747

     

    Those wheels:

    20210305_194917

     

    Sprocket details:

    20210305_194937

     

    Link and length tracks:

    20210305_195148

     

    and details front:

    20210305_195212

     

    and back:

    20210305_195218

     

    Rubber band tracks:

    20210305_195320

     

    Hope these and the earlier pics help to get a feel for what's in the box.

    Ant

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 5

    Airfix new 1/35 Cromwell Tanks

    in AFV WWII

    Posted

    3 hours ago, Bullbasket said:

    Before I part with any money for one of these, I'll wait to read an in depth review, with photos of any errors. So far, what I've read is that there is an issue with the wheels, and it doesn't have the side opening hatch on the RHS. For me, the wheels is the biggest problem, as it will require outlay for a new set of resin AM wheels (more money). The side hatch is disappointing, but that problem exists with the Tamiya offering, and can be overcome with a little bit of scratch building. @AntPhillips Have they made the same mistake that Tamiya made with the engine deck, ie; is it an A/B/C deck, or is it the D deck?

    For now, the two Tamiya Cromwells that I have in the stash will suffice. One last thing. How much were they charging for them?

     

    John.

     

     

    2 hours ago, Stuart Wilson said:

    I'm surprised if it's Academy who tooled these if they got it so wrong on the wheels. I've just built their new Panzer III and its a real gem, as is their Panzer IV H (apart from the tracts. The link and length in the PIII kit is much better than the vinyl tracks in the PIV). 

     

    It may be that there are better references for German tank but the number of bolts on the wheels is hardly an  obscure detail or a carry-over from a different version. 

     

    Either way it's a disappointment. I was looking forward to this kit and I like to support Airfix but I can't see myself buying an inferior kit to the lovely Tamiya one for the same (or more) money. If they do introduce an F hull then maybe.

     

    Stuart

     

    Hi John / Stuart,

     

    The kits have some good and fine detail included, but the 6 bolt wheels are a big letdown, and the lack of bolt heads on the pistol port, although to be fair they were wrong on the original renders released over 12 months ago, but nobody noticed it then 🧐. 

     

    I'm no Cromwell expert but I've read the engine deck is apparently a C/D layout, I will post some specific pics later.

     

    The plastic is identical in both kits, and one thing that is apparent is that neither kit has a Sprue C, and as Sprue B is the upper hull parts with C/D engine deck and split drivers hatch area parts, I'm hoping that Sprue C has the F engine deck and side opening drivers hatch and will feature in a future release, as there are some other parts that are marked as not for use, including a second 75mm barrel with a slightly different muzzle brake design, and a late turret front with angled bottom on open area, a third mantlet type and also the curved tow rope brackets for the front hull, as used on later hull types.

    20210304_190926

    20210304_190850

     

    20210301_200229

     

    The quality of moulding is excellent with some finely moulded parts:

    20210301_200335 20210301_200305

     

    I preordered the kits with Airfix, and paid £29.99 each plus £4.15 each postage (even though they actually packed them together), I have seen them available online at prices well below this e.g. £26.99 incl postage from Tiger Hobbies.

     

    On the whole they are good kits, just a shame about those wheels, as once you've seen it you can't unsee it.

     

    Happy modelling

    Ant

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 3

    Airfix new 1/35 Cromwell Tanks

    in AFV WWII

    Posted

    I received today 2 of the brand new Airfix 1/35 Cromwell Tanks that I preorder way back when they were first announced, they've released 2 kits a Mk.IV and a Mk.VI,  when these were originally announced and the initial CAD images were shown there was a lot of interest as not only would it be Airfix's first true foray into 1/35 but they seemed to indicate that the Mk.VI kit would include a type F engine deck and the sideways opening drivers hatch. 

     

    Somewhat disappointingly to some when photographs appeared a month or so back showing built up examples it was noticed that neither kit seemed to include the options shown in the CAD renders and a couple of errors were noticed namely 6 wheel bolts instead of the originals 8 and a lack of bolt heads around the pistol port.

     

    Having given both kits the once over this evening I can confirm that the plastic is the same in both boxes, not as bad as it sounds, as Airfix have simply included parts for both options, it's just the instructions and decal sheet that differ between boxes.

     

    There's a lot of plastic, and each box is probably twice the size of the Tamiya Cromwell box.

     

    The moulding does look sharp, and there is the option of injection moulded link and length tracks or rubber band style tracks too, although in both my kits these were just bundled in and were twisted, I've now laid them out flat in the box (yes it's that big) and I'm sure they'll straighten out ok in time.

    Both kits have the same engine deck and drivers hatch arrangement and its the same arrangement as the Tamiya kit. Although as they are provided on separate sprues, Airfix could yet provide other options in future releases.

     

    And as mentioned above the wheels do only have 6 nuts, but nevertheless on the whole I'd say there is more positive than negative, but Airfix have missed an opportunity to offer something different, but as this is actually their first attempt at 1/35 I think it's a good effort, it's just so annoying that it could have been very good with just a little more forethought.

     

    Hopefully the F deck and alternative drivers hatch will appear in a future release.

    • Like 7
    • Thanks 6
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