Jump to content

Churchill Mk IV w/Mk5 L/50 6pdr Gun - AFV Club 35154 *FINISHED*


Recommended Posts

That boxart looks the business.....I've been taking an interest in Churchills recently and I've come to the conclusion that the mysteries of the Sherman tank have nothing on those of the Churchill, nobody seems to know who had what, when or where. :analintruder:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That boxart looks the business.....I've been taking an interest in Churchills recently and I've come to the conclusion that the mysteries of the Sherman tank have nothing on those of the Churchill, nobody seems to know who had what, when or where. :analintruder:

And there were versions within versions too - intriguing isn't it!

The Shermans still take the biscuit though if only for the amount of versions, and don't get me started on the Cavalier/Centaur/Cromwell issues of was it? is it? did they?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm gathering materiels for at least three Churchill platoons (one for NWE and two for Italy), would you by any chance have a decent picture or even better plans of the applique armour applied to the Mk.III* hull and turret, and also the changes made to the gun mantlet cutout for the 75mm QF.....I had these details saved on another computer but it croaked! One of the disadvantages of electronic media! :doh:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

:huh: have references and a quick check should not have been done as more detailed check is needed - not as many pick of the standard vehicles in the books. Mostly MkIV's and specialised stuff - will keep looking though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

This should get interesting as I plan to start my second D-Day GB build, The MkIV Churchill now that the M4 Sherman is almost complete (tools are on and Varnish is tomorrow Ooops later today!).

For those of you who don't know, this will be my very first AFV Club Churchill (although I have all types released).

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK, here we go then:



The factory doors are open and the parts have arrived. I've arranged them just to see what we have here:



Plan of build is for:


Churchill Mk IV


Tank, Infantry, Mk IV (A22)


79th Armoured Division


(at least, that's the plan!)



2014_08210040.jpg



I may replace the banded track with the AFV Club Indy link a bit later


  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

D-Day GB: Build 2, Day 1

Well! All the Minions have reported for duty and the factory is gearing up for production..... (BTW, That's a HobbyBoss T-24 in the top left - needs wheels and track)

The time: 14:00, The place: my dining room table, The others?: Club members, as it's Club Build Saturday - Hello Andy's hands!!! (He's working on an FW-190 A-something)

2014_08230001.jpg

The beginning: Assembly of the dirt guard and wheel scrapers (I used Tamiya Extra Thin Cement for this part)

2014_08230002.jpg

6" metal rulers have many uses - there is a gaping hole behind it and I needed to clamp the 2 halves of the sponson together.

The guards & scraper assembly fought its installation to the main springs and sponson - too much tension!

2014_08230003.jpg

Just to keep everything neat and tidy, I sacrificed a strip of plastic rod to form pivot pins for the suspension (I'll keep these to use on the next Churchills) - Oh Yes, it worked brilliantly.

2014_08230004.jpg

End of day 1, both sponsons and the main suspension are completed - I'm happy.

2014_08230005.jpg

End of Shift for today - Saturday

**** More tomorrow ****

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Now this is what you call proper tank kit building!! That looks like a very smart kit - and a little bit more detailed than I could manage. Looking excellent so far.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, but i don't know why i resisted it for so long as it's a surprisingly straightforward build. There are a few small things that need to be sorted out but on the whole it's going together really really quickly. I'm having a small break at the moment but i will be posting some new build pictures shortly (that's a snack BTW)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

D-Day GB: Build 2, Day 2


A little bit of pre-work prepared the parts for assembly - plenty of 'dry fitting' just to be sure.


I started off by assembling the hull sections and bracing them


2014_08240001.jpg



I am adding the PE as I move along as the vehicle looks more finished than it actually is.


2014_08240002.jpg



The forward sprocket area came together very well


2014_08240004.jpg



The rear smoke boxes, spatter guards and tow hook were all fairly straightforward to do, just a little creative metal bending.


2014_08240007.jpg



With Sections 5-13 now completed this is starting to come together very well.


Nearly half way through the instructions


2014_08240006.jpg



Day 3 - Menu



Indy Track


Armour panels and track guards (as sub-assemblies)


Exhaust arrays (as sub-assemblies)


Air Intakes and associated bits


I may even tackle the Turret


I'll see how far I can get


Edited by Shermaniac
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Blimey, your flying along with this build!

Got this in the stash, so watching this with great interest. I see AFV Club are to release the 'Bobbin' and the 'Snake Carrier' versions. I wish they'd hurry up and release a MkI and MkII. Then my life really would be complete! ;)

​I did try to build the MKIII a good few years back.... and failed miserably :huh:

Regards,

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Steve yeah, it's going really well and AFV club are also going to be doing the gun carrier with snake fitted that's another 50 charges and also a mark 3 with a 75 millimetre gun as well. That makes a rownd a dozen different churchills by my reckoning.

I agree with you though, a mark 1 and mark 2 would be most welcome. Although I do think they will be doing some of the engineer types at least I have my fingers crossed.

Anyway I'm off work this week so I hope I might have this thing finished by the end of the week, and painted but who knows, we shall see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yet more excellent progress! Like Steve said: you are really motoring with this. Still impressed with the details - just wish I had the patience and skill!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

D-Day GB: Build 2, Day 3


It Rained - A LOT!



Well, it was track day at the Shermaniac Factory and I have installed


AF35183 Heavy Cast Steel Box Section Spudded Tracks/B.T.S 3 Heavy Built-Up Tracks


a couple of hours has these done and the effect is outstanding. They look pretty good from here!


FYI


The original Churchill had 72 links with a 7.96inch pitch per side


(HMSO Pub. ISBN 0-11-290404-1 Churchill Tank, Vehicle History and Specification)


The kit requires 73 links per side to achieve the same effect


2014_08250001.jpg



The track covers all fit nicely (separately) but will need a little tweaking so they can all fit together - they are not fixed to the model.


Whilst the track was fully drying out I started on the turret which is a very easy build.


There is, up to now, only 1 error in the instructions.


In section 25, the gunners periscope indicated as part P13, it should read E34


2014_08250002.jpg



In order to properly fit the metal 6pdr gun (you don't get a plastic option) I had to sand down part of the attachment lug by approx 1mm for a snug fit.


Today's build comprised sections 16-17, 19-21, 24-29


2014_08250005.jpg



Summary


Indy Track - Completed


Armour panels and track guards (as sub-assemblies)- Almost Completed


Exhaust arrays (as sub-assemblies) - Next Time


Air Intakes and associated bits- Completed


I may even tackle the Turret- Completed


I'll see how far I can get



Day 4 - Menu


Exhaust arrays (as sub-assemblies)


Build the BESA Mg's and PE to fit kit (as sub-assemblies until painted)


Tools, Fuel Flimsies and Tow-Ropes - prep for painting prior to installation


Track guards (as sub-assemblies) - finish off and prep for painting


Possible Undercoat but have the Plumber coming to service the boiler so, we'll see


Edited by Shermaniac
  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Excellent progress Shermaniac and your tank making is first rate! Great presentation as well - the menu idea is very helpful. I look forward to more tomorrow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

D-Day GB: Build 2, Day 4


Well, the boiler service went well :thumbsup: - as did the subsequent cash reduction in my wallet! :weep:



Here are the kit BESA MG's with associated PE guards - I decided to keep the kit parts rather than replace them with the RB ones (the barrel length was the issue)


The other PE parts are the restraining straps for the P.O.W. Flimsies to be attached later.


2014_08260003.jpg



Here are the P.O.W. Flimsies with the other half of the restraining mechanism.


However, as there are some moulding issues with the front and rear curved mudguards (certainly in this kit)


some teasing of the parts is needed to encourage a slight change of shape more in keeping with the original intent of the builders.


I shall not be attaching the front mudguards as this enhances the overall effect of the desired finish!


2014_08260002.jpg



The vehicle is pretty much complete now (other than that previously mentioned),


Aerials have been fitted (Accurate Armour AO094 Carbon Fibre Aerials) dimensions as per kit instructions.


I have taped down the track guards to ensure their true fit to the vehicle and have also glued together the front and centre sections and the rearmost with the rear mudguard


2014_08260008.jpg



You can see the vehicle layout from this overhead plan view with particular notice to the rear left mudguard which is still out of alignment, somewhat!


None of the crew hatches are glued in as I may still yet add a crew (not sure if now or later?)


2014_08260010.jpg



Summary


Exhaust arrays (as sub-assemblies) - Next Time


Build the BESA Mg's and PE to fit kit (as sub-assemblies until painted) - Completed


Tools, Fuel Flimsies and Tow-Ropes - prep for painting prior to installation - Almost Completed


Track guards (as sub-assemblies) - finish off and prep for painting - Completed


Possible Undercoat - :shrug:




Day 5 - Menu


Exhaust arrays (as sub-assemblies) - gotta do them this time!


Tools and Tow-Ropes - prep for painting prior to installation


Sort out that flippin' mudguard!


PAINT! the track black and metal


PAINT! the BESA MG's blue/metallic


Disassemble and PAINT! the undercoat on the tank


:waiting: Mix the SCC15 top coat from Vallejo ingredients 70.888 & 70.924 (equal parts) :waiting:



:thanks:


Edited by Shermaniac
  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking really good there, those links are enough to make me order the indys for the Mk5 i have going slowly along.

may have been just me and my gammy hands but did you have to cut anythign away for the commanders hatch to close neatly? I ended up having it in the open position. Be interested on your opinion on the dirty great hole above the BESA it just looks odd

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking really good there, those links are enough to make me order the indys for the Mk5 i have going slowly along.

may have been just me and my gammy hands but did you have to cut anythign away for the commanders hatch to close neatly? I ended up having it in the open position. Be interested on your opinion on the dirty great hole above the BESA it just looks odd

No, the commanders hatch fitting was perfect, just have to get rid of the nodules from on the sprue.

Whilst I have a fair bit of research material I was unable to find out what the big hole was above the BESA awas however, I can summise that it held the gun sight for the gunner as in the churchill he was on the front left side of the turret unlike in american tanks and later british versions.

Edited by Shermaniac
Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...