badger

Hi All Check out Scorpion Military Models as they do a whole range of detail and add ons for the Scorpion and Scimitar. https://www.scorpion-miniature-models.co.uk I used them for bits for my Gulf War Scorpion and can throughly recommend.

Evening All, Despite having a multitude of builds on the go and a horrible track record in the GBs, I couldn't resist starting this one. I had this kit as a teenager, probably about 30 years ago, but somehow it was missing the instructions. Being before the days of the internet I wasn't able to get a copy so tried building it without with less than stellar results. Fast forward to the Capel Military Vehicle Show earlier this year and I spotted the kit lurking in a stash of somewhat battered kits on a traders stand for the very reasonable price of £12. Despite the worn box the kit was still sealed in bags complete with the 1970s Tamiya leaflet. Once I started to plan the build it became obvious the kit would need some help as it's quite basic in places. I had various choices - Eduard, Black Dog and Legend all do upgrade sets. In the end I went for the full Legend set which, although not cheap, gave me almost everything I would need. The Eduard set is just the etch so I'd still need some stowage and I'm not a fan of Black Dog having had some pretty poor sets from them in the past. Legends casting is first rate, and the set comes with a small etch fret, chain and rope as well as the huge bag of resin bits. I added some extra resin GMPG ammo boxes from my spares box as strangely the Legend set doesn't come with any. I also don't plan on using the Carl Gustav ammo containers but will add an M79 grenade launcher instead as I have photos of an SAS trooper in Oman equipped with one of these. I have some resin figures on order and picked up a set of Def Models resin wheels all the way from BNA Modelworld to complete the aftermarket So far the build has gone smoothly with no issues. The Tamiya kit has some pretty pronounced mould lines which took a while to clean up, but has fitted together rather nicely. I have most of the chassis together, and have also built up the rear bed: Just need to add the rear leaf springs to complete the underside. More soon Ben

I have multiple versions of the Ace kit and its a challenging build. Might be worth waiting a little while as Vespid do seem to make different versions once they've released a kit.

Sadly it seems IBG have a history of poor research when it comes to their truck kits. The CMP and Bedford kits also have significant issues with dimensions which is a shame as they are nicely moulded and well detailed otherwise.

Looking rather excellent and the photo of the two trailers together nicely shows the differences between the early and late versions. Hope you manage to get them finished in time.

Not sure if its of use but there is a def models turret on ebay right now https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186096385240?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=dQXcZnOMRQG&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=gKCxPngSRVK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Ends in a day Kind regards Ben

Hi John That looks better - tracks have worked nicely, even if they were a pain to fit. Nice to see it (almost) finished and a cracking job as usual with the paintwork! All the best Ben

Hi John Glad it worked for you, even if the range is quite limited in 1/48. Shame really as the scale has potential being a nice compromise between the size of 1/72 and the detail of 1/35, but sadly seems to have remained quite niche. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Excellent photos - thanks for sharing!

Following this with interest - great work so far!!

Hi all Sign me up please but not sure if I'd be able to commit as about to start a course in Jan that will reduce my hobby time considerably sadly

Great work!! Will really make a difference to the kit as the cockpits a pretty big space in a Javelin.

Hi John Another cracking build and one I don't recollect seeing before. Would any of this range of figures be of use? https://davidjparkins.com/product-category/firing-line/148th-figure-sets/ Kind regards Ben

Hi John Thats great news (ok, maybe not for your wallet!) and glad to know they do other bits for future builds. Looking forward to seeing this one complete 🤞

Glad they helped. I have a couple of dozen OKB tracks sets for my 1/72 kits, plus a few sets of wheels and other detail sets and they are all very nicely cast. Because the tracks come in lengths you also tend to get more than you need so plenty for stowage and spares. Kind regards Ben

Some photos of a 1/72 set of T48 Sherman tracks as its the closest match I have: Not the greatest photos as taken with my phone, but hope that helps Kind regards Ben

Hi John I can take some photos of the 1/72 sets I have if that would help?

Hi John I can vouch for the quality of OKB as I use their 1/72 sets a lot (they come as lengths that can be trimmed to fit then heated in hot water to form them around the wheels), but appreciate its a fair bit of money to risk. Kind regards Ben

Hi John Sorry to hear this as it was looking excellent. A couple of thoughts if I may. OKB do a set with the extended end connectors - would it be possible to do a "cut and shut" using these to provide the pads, but take the end connectors from another set? A bit of work I imagine but it could be feasible. https://shop.okbgrigorov.com/product/404/1-48-tracks-for-m4-family-t54e1-with-two-extended-end-connectors-type-1.html Alternatively would it be possible to downscale a 1/35 3d printing file to 1/48 (and remove the extended connectors)? I have little knowledge of 3d printing but there are some very helpful people on the forum that know a fair bit about it. I found these on cults 3d https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/various/sherman-t54e1-tracks-3d-print Appreciate neither of these are a perfect solution but would love to see you finish this Kind regards Ben

I like that a lot - the camouflage is very different and the black is suitably "off black". Great build and an enjoyable read following along. Tiran next?

Thats stunning!! What a huge difference the new parts make. So much better now - almost a shame to fit the trailer. Really like the turn on the front wheels as to my eye it brings it to life more, rather than being very static.

Would definitely be interested in a couple of sets in 1/72 when they are available as have 2 Italeri kits in the stash. Astounding work on these - some top tier CAD skills in evidence!

I can highly recommend @TeeELL - I purchased the Javelin parts and they are beautifully created. I recommend messaging him directly as there are different options available.

That looks superb! The front tow hook is a big improvement and the headlights should also make a huge difference.

Hi Stix Sadly not - have been away on holiday for a couple of weeks and only got back yesterday. Will try and get some more done this week. Thanks for looking in.