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Before I start on a new project, I thought I would finish off a couple of projects that have been gathering dust. I have always liked the look of the Crusader tank and likewise the Caunter scheme so I thought this would be the perfect combination. The build was progressing nicely until I reached the painting stage and did a little research. It appears that only a few of the very first Crusaders to arrive in Africa did so in time to receive the Caunter scheme and the only images that I could find of these vehicles showed that a number of changes would have to be made to the Italeri kit. The first thing I did was to remove the rear stowage boxes from the track guards. It seems that these vehicles used a different type of air filter and they seem to be an oil bath type. I scratched something from plastic card and adapted some kit parts to replicate them. It also meant that the track guards in that area would have to be replaced as there was now some missing detail. The sand shields are from Eduard and didn't take too kindly to being removed and refitted. The auxiliary fuel tank was also removed and replaced with a rack that I pinched from a Bronco A13 kit. There is a rack on the front track guard that I presume was for spare track and this needed a few bits of rod adding. Talking of tracks, I had planned to replace the kit vinyl tracks with Bronco's A13 separate track links. They had been quite successful on my A13 build but on this build they just disintegrated, probably due to the enamel washes that I used. Lesson learnt but I couldn't face doing another set of those links and I really didn't want to splash out on some Friuls. So I have gone with the vinyl tracks, hopefully they won't look too bad once painted but if the model turns out well enough I may invest in some better ones. All of the lights in the kit are just solid plastic, so I bored them out with dental burrs. I added bulbs from stretched clear sprue and painted the reflectors chrome. For the glass I used some UV adhesive. Unfortunately I don't think I waited long enough for the chrome to dry as I have lost some of the reflectiveness. Another lesson learnt. All of the gun barrels have been replaced with metal ones from RB Model. The rear turret tool box wasn't carried on these tanks so I removed it from the kit and replaced the missing bolt heads. On the kit the bolt heads are depicted as round but I think in reality they would be hexagonal but I didn't fancy replacing all of those. It will be interesting to see how Border Models have done theirs. There is also some sort of air vent? on the back of the turret so this was made from scrap plastic. Looking at the photo I appear to have a bit of cleaning up to do. Mr Surfacer to the rescue I hope. On the left side of the turret there is some kind of mounting and I made this from cooper sheet that was shaped and soldered together. It has taken me around 3 years to get to this point but I think I can finally think about getting some primer and paint put on. Hopefully I can get painting tomorrow. Wayne

Hi Pals, here come my first vignette, result of Pz.IV GB, a Stug IV 1/35 Italeri, with my first figures too (Dragon), and some bits of equipment (Tamiya and Italeri). Thanks for watch and commet. Cheers mates 👍

Hi Pals, I finally end the model, because I have not had much time to dedicate myself to the hobby. This kit, I have not been very happy to work, maybe someone with more skill than I do not think the same, I think it is quite difficult for average modelers, not for anything in particular, just because IMHO is not very well designed, what which causes "unnecessary" assembly problems, but anyway if it has been a good subject to test techniques. I would have loved to have done Zimmerit, but with how difficult it has been for me, along with the PEs, I've been overcome, after all it's about enjoying ... lol, maybe later. I'm not totally satisfied with the color of the model, but I have not managed to find the color combination I was looking for. Mostly because with the weathering it has become darker than I would have liked, and it is an issue that I have to improve ... weathering is a process that "always" will overshadow the final aspect of the model ... I think that for the next model (also of the same series), I will be more prepared to face the problems that arise, and obtain an optimal result. As always, thanks for watching and commenting Link to WIP section.

Hi Pals, I would like to share this new project with all of you. It is a model in my opinion quite interesting. I have decided to try the kit that Italeri offers, since it includes PEs, metal barrel gun, several types of pieces to choose, and as it says in the box, it is a new mold, in addition to having achieved it at a very competitive price. Later, as I start to assemble it, I'll see how good the kit is. With this, I plan to try something new in regards to paint and weathering techniques, as well as a set of Eduards's PEs. Thanks for watch and comments and always. Link to RTI section...

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Hi Pals, I recently tested a new product for me, specifically artificial snow, and I liked the finish, so I made new pictures with a SLR camera for clarity, I hope you like them, cheers mates Some shots on detail.... O L D S H O T S.......... Hi folks, here my kit completed, i like share with everyone. Cheers Added link to assembly post http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234993366-m-24-chaffee-135-italeri/ Thx for watch and comment, cheers

As I lost my modelling desk until tomorrow night and couldn't be painting or messing with any of that smelly stuff in the kitchen I started on this....cutting & glueing are OK at the table. It's the Italeri kit that I'm building for an "End of Days" post-apocalyptic group build over on Armorama. The plan is to build it OOB initially and then I'll add the post-apocalyptic stuff. I just haven't decided how the world will end: zombie plague, global drought, meteor strike, rise of anarchy, new ice age, sea-level rise etc etc So what scenario do you fancy and what would you add to survive in that world? Let your imaginations run riot! No idea is too crazy....but involving lots of guns is good! That's one of my Landrovers in the cargo bed on the left, the engine in the middle and the chassis half done. This build is strictly fun!