AntPhillips

Hi John, They are good looking frigates, the only kit I know of in 1/350 is the Iron Shipwrights kit, will certainly be following along with this one.

Oooh, Canadian Halifax Class frigate by any chance?

I can echo that sentiment, even though my preferred ship modelling scale is 1/350 (with a sideline in the Airfix 1/600 range), we certainly are living in a "Golden Age" for scale modelling, but of course everything comes at a price, and my wallet is struggling to keep up.

Awe inspiring build indeed, I'm not sure why, but Victorious is my favourite post war RN carrier, I actually have a couple of Airfix kits in the stash one of which is currently part built in the "shed of doom", the intention is to build one in the as rebuilt configuration and the other as post-refit complete with the "Alaskan Highway" deck extension. I'll be sure to follow along and keep an eye on your build, and with your permission hopefully pinch a few ideas that I can incorporate into my small scale versions, the detail in your quarterdeck is astounding. Happy modelling Ant

I couldn't get on at all yesterday fro about 9pm onwards, just kept timing out on my mobile, seems to be working fine this morning on the PC though.

It certainly is a bit confusing, the Flying Hours Passport tells you how many flying hours are required or each Series of kit: 16 Flying Hours to redeem for a series 1 or 2 kit 30 Flying Hours to redeem for a series 3 or 4 kit 40 Flying Hours to redeem for a series 5 or 6 kit 60 Flying Hours to redeem for a series 7 to 9 kit Unfortunately unlike the kits in the normal range where the first 2 digits of the kit number signify the Series, the kit no's for the 1/35 AFV's don't, instead they all seem to begin A13XX, I presume as they are mostly reboxings of Academy kits they are not included in the scheme, if so its a shame, as I have lots of Flying Hours just waiting to be used.

It's not that new a kit, it's a revised version of the original 1998 Shanghai Dragon HMS Invincible kit, it's been revised to cater for differences between the sisters and reboxed several times over the years.

To answer both questions, I would suggest a bending tool is invaluable, particularly if making box structures or crane jibs etc. as Colin already mentioned I would get the biggest that you can afford, I also use a pair of flat nose pliers that have no internal serrations, these are again invaluable and can be bought fairly cheaply. With regards to annealing, in my experience, for pieces that just just require a simple straight bend there is no need to do this, but if you have a piece that needs a subtle compound curve or even just rolling in to a circular section, annealing the part just makes the brass so much more pliable.

The NATO standard water cans are generally black, but soon get covered in dust and grime so look quite weathered.

IIRC the Buffalo didn't carry a 20mm Oerlikon, it was a 20mm Polsten cannon (based on the Oerlikon but not quite the same), see the link below for a visual comparison: https://captainstevens.com/military/weapons/20mm-aa-guns/

Lovely build of what is a true classic kit. The only thing that I think would improve it is to drill out the end of the Bren gun barrels.

Title says it all, link to Scalemates page here: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/border-model-bt-012-crusader-mkiii--1302920

In addition to John's aforementioned track guard correction they also redid the weld seams on the turret, and of course they did a sprue of figures and accessories to go with it too.

Scalemates have them linky here >>> https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/0/3/4/143034-29-instructions.pdf

One of the best references I've found on British Armour is the aptly titled "British Tanks in Normandy" by Ludovic Fortin, it comes up on EvilBay occasionally, but prices can vary immensely, its a detailed account of the Normandy campaign fought by British Armoured Divisions and Independent Armoured Brigades, from the D-Day landings through to Operation Goodwood. I've got a copy at home, I'll check it to see what info there is on the RSG in Normandy.

British, Normandy, in Braille Scale it has to be Dan Taylor Modelworks, linky thingy here>>> https://www.dantaylormodelworks.com/transfers-13-c.asp

The Miniart Brit & Commonwealth Tank Riders really do hit silly prices on the Bay, I've recently seen a couple of sets of the NWE figures go for £45-£50 each and I've yet to find the Desert set at all. Hopefully Miniart will see fit to re-release them in the near future.

I've read (but for the life of me can't remenber where) that in Italy at least, the .30 cal was preferered over the .50 cal as it was deemed both more accurate and also as the bow gun was the same only 1 ammo type was required to be carried.

I'm just building one of these at the moment, the only fit problems I've had are around the drivers hatch area when joining the uppper and lower hull, I ended up using some lengths of sprue to act as "pit-props" inside the hull. I think the problem is the plastic of the upper hull is so thin its easily warped (probably on removal from the mould). On the plus side my kit came without the sprue containing the sandshields, but I'm pleased to say that Bronco's spare parts service is second to none, I fired off an e-mail (together with a request to purchase some etch parts for another kit) and had the parts within a week or so, had to pay a small postage fee but exemplerary service. I love the finish on your build, I was toying with the idea of the Caunter Scheme for mine, but already have plans for an A10 and a Crusader in that scheme so may opt for something else.

The definitive reference bible for the Firefly is Mark Haywards splendid book, now long out of production (and hence the section on available kits is somewhat out of date) but still can be found on Amazon, but at much inflated prices: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sherman-Firefly-Mark-Hayward/dp/0953877728

Looks very effective, and war weary, I'd call that a good save.

Hi Bandit, I was exactly the same, luckily I read it before painting my kit, luckily there is no need to replace the barrel, just cut off the muzzle brake, shorten the barrel at the muzzle end and reattach the muzzle brake, its a 2 minute job. Hope this helps. Ant

Great build and fantastic finish. Never tire of seeing models of the tank that took out Wittman and no criticism of your build whatsoever, but the 17pdr barrel gun in the Dragon kit is approx 4.5mm too long, and once you know it, you can't not see it.

Hi Tony, There's not a huge amount in the set, but it does have a lovely No.19 set, together with some typical British &Commonwealth personal packs and weapons, Sten, Bren and Thompson, and a pair of what I think are Vickers K guns, all crisply moulded, ideal for personalising B & C vehicles .

I'm not sure about AFV Club, but Bronco definitely do a set: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/bronco-ab3509-british-afv-equipment-wwii--224488