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Hello everyone, Here's something quite different. It is an ARL 44, tank that should rather belong to SF section. It is soo strange looking, I was not sure if it really existed. It does. It was conceived during in Vichy France in 1942, by CDM (Camouflage du Matériel), a secret Vichy army organization trying to produce materiel forbidden by the armistice conditions. After few interruptions, it was finally ready for production in 1949. Even though, it was already obsolete at that point, it was decided to go for a serial production to bolster French National morale. Vehicles were delivered from 1949 to 1951 to the 503e Régiment de Chars de Combat stationed in Mourmelon-le-Grand, replacing 17 former German Panthers. They were serving along the Sherman tanks, and proved quite unreliable. Kit itself is very nice. Not too much details, but fit is perfect. Indy tracks are really easy to assemble (only takes an hour). This was a quick project, it is basically a weekend build (although it took me two weekends ). It is build OOB, the only addition being stowage at the back of the turret. Its painted with Tamiya Acrylics and weathered with pigments. I usually don't use Tamiya paints, but I had some leftovers from a few years ago, so I just mixed something that should look like Vert Armee color. I am not even sure that these tanks were painted in Vert Armee, but that was my guess. Tamiya paints have that very flat texture, so sprayed Mr.Premium Top Coat Semi-Gloss before weathering. Instructions offer two different marking options, and I am quite sure that both of them are fictional. However, there is the third option on decal sheet, that is not mentioned in the instructions, and I found some photos of this particular vehicle. And here's one detail shot of the exhaust system that I find interesting. Even though these tanks were never extensively used, I didn't want to go for a factory fresh finish. The idea was to show the quite new, but dirty vehicle. Used on an exercise for example. Cheers, Nenad

Due to the plethora of France-related airyplaney thingys, I decided I'd break from the mould and do a tank. Because despite my love for aircraft just because they're aircraft, I have a fascination with armoured vehicles, or more correctly, with the men who serve in them. I've sat in a few tanks, and I play World of Tanks (and BattleZone... anyone remember BattleZone??), and I've read a lot about mechanised warfare... the sheer guts that it takes to lock yourself into a steel coffin and go into battle is something that I find inspirational, if not a little disturbing - the thought that a human being would willingly do something like that is just amazing. We are an odd species, to be sure. Enough waffling, let's get to the good stuff... here's Tamiya-san's B1.bis box, and the plastique (seeing as we're being on Fronsay today) bits inside. Typical Tamiya, boringly good. As it should be for what it cost me. Every review I've ever read says it's the bomb, and looking at the bits, I can agree. Mercifully, the tracks are a click fit set up, with no extra bits to add, and no left and right track runs to mix up - just make up 2 runs of 61 links, put 'em on. Take that, Mr Dragon with your 3 parts per link Magic Track packets in 2 shades of grey! You will notice some bits missing - they are the crew figures, who have been seconded to serve in a Trumpeter Hotchkiss H35, which I'm sure they're not happy about! They are waiting for the factory to complete their new ride, and have been waiting for a number of years now. I'll get there, wee plastic chaps, shut up about it. I said shut up. Thank you. A couple of things before we begin - first, this will be a slow build, as I'm going to fit it in around all the others I'm doing at the moment, and it's going to be a 'take it out to work and join plastic bits' type of thing; I work away, and have a bit of free time in the evenings. Can't spray paint, could brush if I wanted to, but I probably won't - I'll use the time for cleaning up and fitting the myriad bits so beloved of tank modellers worldwide. Thus, there will be big lumpy updates, with not much in between. Second, I haven't yet decided which of the 4 colour schemes in the box I will use. All are quite lovely in that oddly cartoonish prewar French way, so I'm going to post the colour sheet and let the masses (ie you lot) help me make a decision. Most votes may or may not get the guernsey, depending on how I feel on the day. Let me know in the comments, A, B, C or D. And away we go... (at 28km/h flat strap, downhill with a tailwind. Told you it'd be slow.) EDIT: Vote counter! (post 19) A V B C llll D