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Hi Folks, this is my first attempt at an armoured fighting vehicle, my normal subjects are Second World War aircraft or modern jets so please be kind. After a visit to RAF Cosford I had this idea to build a small diorama featuring a World War 1 tank and a British and German aircraft in a dog fight above. Well something I found out during this build is I am not very good at building biplanes and consequently the Sopwith Camel found itself flying straight into the bin of shame, and that's where the Fokker Eindecker will find itself if it doesn't start behaving! Anyway here She is, or should I say He is. Built straight out of the box, I did not paint it in the recommended colour scheme as I just wanted something representative of the type and it is painted entirely with Tamiya Acrylics. I have enjoyed the build and found the weathering process liberating, you have to be a little more restrained with aircraft. I have a feeling this will not be my last armoured fighting vehicle. Thanks for looking, all comments and criticisms are welcome.

From the RAF Refuelling Set (03302) with a few Dan Taylor Modelworks pieces. With the Matador

I don't think there's a thread for this kit in the GB, and that's a shame. I picked this one up a few days ago: Panzer1 by John Walker, on Flickr This was far and away my favourite Airfix tank kit from my young days. Easy to build, you didn't need to paint it because the colour of the plastic already matched the boxtop and most importantly it didn't have zillions of interleaved road wheels. This is an early Humbrol era example. The colour of the plastic is like nothing I've ever seen in an Airfix box: Panzer2 by John Walker, on Flickr It looks more like something Matchbox would have put out. I have seen a green one though, which I think may have come from one of the Battlefront boxes. Instructions and a diminutive decal sheet complete the contents: Panzer3 by John Walker, on Flickr I'll put it together alongside the Mobelwagen. It'll make a nice contrast. John

I started on this set at the end of November 2018, basically building the diorama base and Farmhouse, and then working my way through the figure sets: Highland Infantry (S35) French Cavalry (S36) French Artillery (S37) British Hussars (S43) French Infantry (S44) British Infantry (S45) British Artillery (S46) French Grenadiers (01749-1) Prussian Infantry (01756-9) Waterloo Farmhouse (1709) Farm Accessories (A06044W) Thanks for looking.

Not available as an individual set, but an element of the Waterloo Gift Set in its various guises.

1. Bataillon, 3. Schlesien Landwehr Regiment with white shoulder straps my colours 3. Bataillon, 3. Schlesien Landwehr Regiment with yellow shoulder straps painted following Airfix instructions

A simple conversion to an RAF Flatbed bomb carrier. Cab glazing added. Scratched wing mirrors and bomb cradles. Bombs from spares. Cab roof from 03302. Thanks for looking. Feedback always appreciated.

4e Régiment de Cuirassiers

A while back I did a little cross kitting to produce a more accurate looking 1/76 Bedford QL bowser - https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235010404-bedford-ql-aircraft-refueller/&tab=comments#comment-2510934 Since then, the remnants of the Airfix QLD/QLT and Refuelling sets have been looking at me asking to be built. I did consider doing more conversions but in the end decided on some nice, relaxing from-the-box builds. So here we have the QLT, 100% straight from the box and the AEC 0854 again pretty much from the box, with the addition of a set of Wee Friends wheels, acetate windows and a raised fire shield behind the cab. Both have been finished in 'Mickey Mouse' style camouflage, the Bedford using the box top scheme and the AEC using my own artistic license as the colours of these things are ambiguous to say the least! Hope you like them.

Really enjoyed this kit...

Howdy Sherman fans - WARNING... ....this post contains a very small and very basic kit from around 1961... I've been building this in the Vintage Airfix GB - but wanted to share it here too - where I might get some more comments from the 'proper' AFV 'experts'... It started out as a Sherman Crab - with a flail attachment - but I'm going to use that on something else. It was a very naïve kit with a few challenges that I as a newbie hadn't tackled before - like rubber tracks. I messed about with it a lot, adding clean air filters at the back / reversing the hatch covers / adding gun cleaning rods / replacing lifting hooks / adding track armour and side armour plates / creating a radio back box with jerry can and finally a load of aerials - as befits a command tank - oh and not forgetting a tank commander himself. The WIP thread is here - if you want to take a look... I hope you like it - Steve

Howdy folks - I haven't been around here for a few weeks as I have recently been having a massive amount of fun in the Airfix: The Golden Years GB… https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/forum/626-airfix-the-golden-years-gb/ …however I know a lot of folk don’t tend to look at the group builds – unless it is of special interest to their ‘field of expertise’. The GB is covering all aspects of ‘old Airfix’ which includes a lot of very basic vehicles and the like. So I thought I would pop my vehicle results here - where they might be better seen and in case they are of interest to anyone in the future. I did a couple of K2 ambulances - from the RAF emergency vehicles set. There is lots of controversy over whether the RAF ever actually ever used K2s - so I have pressed them into service with the 11th armoured division - who definitely did. They were built OOB with just lenses for the headlights and a bit of acetate for windscreens. The drivers came from PSC - as the Airfix drivers were more flash than flesh. As always in this area - constructive comment would be very welcome - so here we go... There is a WIP thread - which you can find here... They were a basic build and went together quite well for their age - I hope you like them. It's good to be back - Steve

Painted with Humbrol and Vallejo acrylics

The other vehicles in the RAF emergency sets were described as K6 Crash Tenders. There is even more dispute over their use / colour / date of service etc - so I thought lets go mad and do a bit of 'what if'. K6s came in many different variants so I turned them into flat back lorries. The covered one is made from 2 CMP 15cwt truck beds - stuck together - as is the canvas canopy. The open one was scratch built from bits of evergreen and filled with stowage robbed from various PSC kits. I enjoyed these so much that I have imminent plans for 4 of the PSC CMP kits - as the bits I used went together really nicely. I hope you like them - here we go again... If you want to check out how I cobbled them together they are in the WIP thread here... As always - constructive comments are most welcome and thanks for looking - Steve

Just for a change, I thought I wouldn't do a helicopter for a group build (although there's a Puma waiting in the stash that I might start next!) - so my pick will be the Scorpion which I've had for quite a while without quite finding the inspiration to build. As far as I can see it dates back to 1975 (hence the 1973 decal options) so should be quite eligible. So, obligatory box and sprue shots: I probably won't do too much extra to it for this build, and I'll probably represent a fairly early Scorpion, and I have the Osprey book for reference, and photos of a few real ones, including the one at Cosford. One thing that is clear to me that I'll need to scratch-build some additional storage bins, at least! But first, I'll follow the instructions and start with the running gear. More to follow...

I was drawn to this kit the first time I saw it but never actually got round to buying one. Time to put that right I think. I nearly got an original blister pack, but the seller lost it, so I have a later re-issue. Same plastic though, and very nice by all accounts. Kingkit say mine was despatched this morning so it will be a couple of days before there are photos, much less any action to report. In the meantime here is a little light reading for your edification and delight: From ATF: 01319-4/01319/61319-6/A01319 Type 97 Chi-Ha 1/76 scale. Available as 01319-4 from 1974 to 1979. Included in Guadalcanal Japanese Defence (09658-0) in 1974. Sold in Type 5 box as 61319-6 probably from 1976 to 1979, but not listed in catalogues or on price lists. Not listed in 11th Edition (1974) catalogue. Reissued as 01319 from 1998 (due April) to 2003. Listed as A01319 in 2011 catalogue but not issued. Reissued as A01319 from 2012 to 2014. Britmodeller's review: Britmodeller Review And a little background: Wiki Andy Big kid in a small sweetshop

Airfix Churchill, figure scratch made with a Dan Taylor head, a few extras added including the turret flared bottom edges. IMG_20180716_124908 IMG_20180716_124935 IMG_20180716_124958

My main modelling interest is 1940. As I've discussed elsewhere, what started as just an interest in operational aircraft on all sides during the Battle of Britain has spread to cover the whole of 1940 and all the aircraft that flew operationally in western and northern Europe during that time. Photographing individual model planes is all well and good, but I always have an eye on potential dioramas and photo "set dressing". Like the aircraft modelling, it's getting a bit out of hand, and the nerd in me is always trying to pin down accurate and correct vehicles for the period I model. Hence the growing RAF MT fleet. Incidentally, MT stands for Mechanical Transport, not just Motor Transport. The RAF MT section included all kinds of self-propelled vehicles, including railway locos and stock, not just things with internal combustion engines. Pedant mode off! Refuelling and Maintenance by Heather Kavanagh, on Flickr No airfield would be complete without refuelling vehicles. Fordson tractors were commonplace on RAF and FAA airfields throughout the 1930s and into the 1960s. I've got two Fordson N tractors, built from Flightpath kits, one of which I've added a cabin to. At the back, one tractor is hauling a Flightpath towed fuel bowser, followed up by a Matador Models Albion AM463 refueller. I wish Airfix would give us a 1/72nd kit, as they've already done it at 1/48th! A couple of Airfix Brockway towed bowsers, one for oil and one for fuel, with the top manifold hoses and connectors added. The Bedford MWC is pretty much OOB Airfix. It was left over in the box and looked lonely. General Service by Heather Kavanagh, on Flickr The RAF, like most branches of the military, used all kinds of general service vehicles. Moving a squadron from one location to another could involve anything up to fifty vehicles of various sorts, some of which would have been "borrowed" from a central pool, but most of which would have been already available. A pair of CMC resin and cast metal Austin K3 3-tonners show typical workshop and GS bodies. An Airfix Bedford MWD is accompanied by an Airfix Standard Tilly. I made a tilt frame from brass wire, just for a change, and decided to paint it in the pre-War RAF blue-grey. Airfield vehicles only really got overall dark green, then dark earth disruptive patterns, during 1940 as hostilities increased. Trucks and refuellers that were likely to be caught out in the open were usually the first to be camouflaged, but it wouldn't have been unusual to find an odd vehicle still in pre-war livery. The Austin Forlite is an Ace kit, which is sold as a British Army staff car. I painted it as a civvy car, probably owned by one of the squadron pilots. Crash Crew by Heather Kavanagh, on Flickr Finding accurate kits to represent the typical RAF crash and emergency vehicles has been a labour of love. From the left, a Crossley IGL FE1 6x4 3-ton crash tender, Crossley FWD 4x4 crash tender, Standard Light Ambulance and Austin K3 3-tonner 4x2 fire tender. The Crossley FWD is an MMS cast metal kit, and technically a little late for my period. Happily, it contained some spare castings that have found their way into the FE1. This is a proper "bitsa" kit-bash, using a resin bonnet, front wings and wheels from some obscure resin Crossley IGL kit, married to an Airfix Austin K6 Emergency Set chassis and running gear, and various bits and pieces cobbled together. It's a little tall, mainly due to the size of the tank on the rear, but it looks enough like a proper airfield Crossley to suit me until I find a kit to replace it. The ambulance is a scratch-built body, using the old Gerald Scarborough plans, on the Airfix Standard chassis and scuttle. At the end, the Austin, another CMC resin and metal kit, represents the typical wartime fire tender that would have been found on larger established airfields to deal with incidents on the technical site, accommodation areas and even outside the airfield boundaries if they were the closest fire service available for civilian incidents. I have several more odd kits to put together to give me some more typical early war vehicles, which I will add here if I get round to them soon. I really ought to start researching properly into the vehicles found on Luftwaffe airfields in occupied France. Thanks for looking!

I just remembered - I never got round to doing an RFI for 'Oliver's Army' - my 3 Airfix Cromwells. I finished these a couple of months back - but in my rush to get on with something new I completely forgot to take some proper final pictures - so here they are... 15/19 Kings Royal Hussars - sometime after 8th August 1944... ...again - there is a WIP if you're interested... https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235032983-oliver’s-army…-a-trio-of-cromwell-ivs-completed/ If you have any comments - please chip in - if not thanks for looking in and I hope you like them - they were really nice to build. Cheers - Steve

Ah, I think I have reached the end of my little buildathon. A Panzer Jaeger IVL/70 from Matchbox - man I enjoyed this kit. However feeling rather disappointed with what I end up with I decided to focus on some figures for the months ahead. I am really really looking forward to posting those - but they haven't even arrived yet ! Here is the little man as he progresses through the various stages. Not done yet, but coming along.

What can I say, well something really had an effect on me a few weeks ago and I've noticed that I really want to leave my scruffy models behind and move on. Got a decent compressor, a brush that I feel I can use and some different glue. So I hope that we will see a change from here. Up next will be a tidier Humber: simpler diorama, only one vehicule and one half figure. I am sure spring will come sometime and deliver us from this long lasting cold spell. I wanted to capture the early evening light in the desert. The decals are from the kit so NZ, not correct for PPA but I almost got them on straight, even the one that came in 3 parts, (which I put on in the wrong place, doh) thanks Matchbox! Quite a lot of work building up the Chevy and I stupidly stuck everything in the back before painting. My effort to make a canvas roll from a bit of chiseled sprue is not too good, but will do for now. Hopefully see you again when I get my Humber build up.

Hey, I might blow a gasket, I'm on a bit of a buildathon at the moment after a too long break. Feeling too enthusiastic and hurried. Maybe I will do a slow detail by detail build thread - I don't know if people want to see that. I usually wack up a few pictures, sort of beginning, middle and end. Anyhow - practice makes perfect, well I thought it should make it better at least. With my second hand but proper little compressor my airbrush has taken on a new life. A little preview of what is coming up. It's green, it has a white star and tracks - then it's a lot of fun to build! - Madame, pouvez-vous m'indiquer le chemin vers Paris - Mais Monsieur il y a un panneau!

Well now, here we are again. Not so sure how frequently I will update but this will get us started. I have a very very soft spot for the Matchbox / Revell kits in 1/76. I find so many good things about them. One is the build time and the variety. Some kits don't have a figure, but usually a figure one or more vehicules and a mini diorama. I still find the vehicules and the figures the biggest challenge. Here's a little sequence of the Humber dio. Just 4 parts. Needed some filler on the edges of the wall. I did a black white contrast base using vallejo (thinned with water) and Tamiya (IPA). After the colour coat some Tamiya panel liner and then dry brushes lighter and lighter shades. Finally some white highlights and I began to add a bit of tone with some oils. The wall isn't done yet.

Don't start me talking - I could talk all night My mind goes sleepwalking - While I'm putting the world to right Called careers information - Have you got yourself an occupation? Oliver's army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way And I would rather be anywhere else But here today There was a checkpoint Charlie - He didn't crack a smile But it's no laughing party - When you've been on the murder mile Only takes one itchy trigger… Go on – admit it – your singing along already… So where do we start and who do we blame for this latest escapade into the world of tiny tanks? Was it @badger for getting me interested in AFV’s in the first place? Was it ALDI for putting an offer on these bad boys for £4.99 each? Was it @Lawzer for building one and then teasing me with the pictures of his triumph? Was it the PLASTIC SOLDIER COMPANY for luring me into the belief that these things are ‘easy and fast’ to put together? Anyway – let’s not apportion blame - until things start to go wrong of course… So let’s get going shall we and what better way to start than with the ‘box’ shot… ...well 3 boxes to be accurate... ...as usual I'm sure to have lots of questions along the way and as this is my first 'real AFV' kit(s) I'm sure to need some expert help - so I hope a few folk will tag along and keep my spirits up when it all goes pear shaped. More updates after tea - Steve