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Posted (edited)

Designed and manufactured by Nuffield Mechanisations and Aero Ltd. the Crusader tank was one of the main British cruiser tanks during World War 2. In total over 5,000 were built and mainly saw action in North Africa where they made important contributions to British victories in the North African Campaign.

I'm going to be using this kit of the Mk.III Version and, because I've got quite a few GBs planned in the next few months, I'm going to make it OOB:
23374667113_794831b881_c.jpg

The tank I'm going to make it as is T126799 from the 6th Armoured Division in Tunisa:
23705770220_b868e0a3e5_c.jpg

As of me posting this, the start of my thread, it's currently the only tank in this GB - so it would be good if we could have a few more British AFVs to keep this company.

I'll get some photos of the sprues, metal lower hull and other bits and pieces when I get chance over the next few days - I'm currently trying to get my Australian Centurion finished in the Vietnam GB.

Kind regards,

Stix

Edited by PlaStix
  • Like 1
Posted

Hi Stix

you may wish to read this on British tank colours

http://www.mafva.net/other%20pages/starmer%20camo.htm

The Middle East section has quite a variety, but what scheme and colours you require I'm not sure.

this page has Mike Starmer's Tamiya mixes.

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234913729-british-ww2-tank-colors/

Mike Starmer is a member here so he might know, you could always PM him.

There is a build here, http://models.modelart7.com/crusader-mk-iii/

which has this photo, which maybe of use.

Crusader_tank_III.jpg

HTH

T

  • Like 3
Posted (edited)

Aye up Stix

That's a lovely kit, got one in the stash. I'll be pitching into the GB with something clanky and tanky. Not quite decided which one yet tho 😊

Regards

Steve

Edited by fatfingers
  • Like 1
Posted

Welcome to the GB Stix and good to see a British AFV getting some attention. At least this isn't going to be a collection of things with wings with such a great variety of subjects already :thumbsup:

  • Like 2
Posted

Armour wise, so far it looks like you and me Stix.

OMG I'll be taking part in 3 simultanious GB's Yikes!

  • Like 2
Posted (edited)

Hi Stix

you may wish to read this on British tank colours

http://www.mafva.net/other%20pages/starmer%20camo.htm

The Middle East section has quite a variety, but what scheme and colours you require I'm not sure.

this page has Mike Starmer's Tamiya mixes.

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234913729-british-ww2-tank-colors/

Mike Starmer is a member here so he might know, you could always PM him.

There is a build here, http://models.modelart7.com/crusader-mk-iii/

which has this photo, which maybe of use.

HTH

T

Hi Troy,

Thank you for stopping by and thank you for the great information - fascinating stuff. I'm hopefully off to a model shop tomorrow to pick up some suitable paints.

Aye up Stix

That's a lovely kit, got one in the stash. I'll be pitching into the GB with something clanky and tanky. Not quite decided which one yet tho

Regards

Steve

Hi Steve. Yes it does look good - I've got a few photos to post below of the bits and pieces in the box. I'm looking forward to seeing what you build for this GB.

Welcome to the GB Stix and good to see a British AFV getting some attention. At least this isn't going to be a collection of things with wings with such a great variety of subjects already :thumbsup:

Hi Col. And thank you. Yes it looks like this should be an interesting mix of different models - gonna be a great GB!

Armour wise, so far it looks like you and me Stix.

OMG I'll be taking part in 3 simultanious GB's Yikes!

Great stuff! Yeah I"m going to have at least three on the go at times this year! ...........should be fun!

I'll be following along with this one Stix. Your armour builds are great and I do love this series of tanks.

Hi Bladtvader and thank you. Looking forward to following your build too.

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

Hiya Nigel!

Right - some photos of the stuff in the box -

Sprues:

23983987551_987af379a4_c.jpg

Some detail photos:

23438349684_3e900755f8_c.jpg

23439781763_2e9bf8020a_c.jpg

23438341344_d11335c4b9_c.jpg

23698736779_c83d77fa8b_c.jpg

23698727939_83fa27dfcb_c.jpg

The metal lower hull:

23438321804_e67fed34bc_c.jpg

23438304454_c33e1abdfd_c.jpg

The decals:

23770884810_551f50a7d5_c.jpg

The instructions:

23770872300_8f76970962_c.jpg

24040441416_25c0e9eb6a_c.jpg

23983935341_b11c0a25e7_c.jpg

Looks like it should be fun!

Kind regards,

Stix

Edited by PlaStix
  • Like 3
Posted

A "metal lower hull"??

Haven't seen one of those before Stix. Where do you find your models? They always to seem to be different in some way which makes for something new every time :)

I'm guessing the weight will add a nice feel to the model. I hear that some people pack the hulls for that such effect.

Anyhow, thoroughly looking forward to this!

  • Like 1
Posted

A nice choice Stix. Looks like I might be running out of excuses not to build my Bolivian (Chaco War) Vickers E.......

Cheers

Cliff

  • Like 2
Posted

A "metal lower hull"??

Haven't seen one of those before Stix. Where do you find your models? They always to seem to be different in some way which makes for something new every time :)

I'm guessing the weight will add a nice feel to the model. I hear that some people pack the hulls for that such effect.

Anyhow, thoroughly looking forward to this!

Hi Nigel. The metal lower hull is something Tamiya seemed to include with all their earlier 1/48 armour kits - it's only fairly recently that they swapped to plastic lower hulls and now, usually, provide weights to add into the lower hull instead. I have made one with the weights to add and it does give a nice amount of weight to the model. This will be my first metal hull. Reading online reviews of Tamiya's kits with the metal hulls it's evident that these metal hulls have much less detail. I think, from reading the reviews, that Tamiya wanted to make these kits so they could be motorised - so hence the metal hull. Much of the missing detail is mostly hidden by wheels when the kit is finished so I'm not going to worry about it too much.

A nice choice Stix. Looks like I might be running out of excuses not to build my Bolivian (Chaco War) Vickers E.......

Cheers

Cliff

Hi Cliff and thank you...........and yes I agree - I think it's time for the Vickers E :thumbsup:

Kind regards,

Stix

  • Like 1
Posted

I got up early this morning as I was very keen to get started on this one.

First off I added the front and rear sections of the hull. As it's a metal hull I used CA glue:

24040478151_8142e19504_c.jpg

24123081775_a7a2b1e16d_c.jpg

Then I started on painting the wheels using a flat brush:

23494845664_b4f9110c47_c.jpg

24040467411_1a3124601b_c.jpg

Then I got some paint on the hull:

24014963742_86b321d246_c.jpg

23496265293_e3cbbfe842_c.jpg

I also started to get the tracks sorted ready for painting. I have to say I was a bit disappointed because every other track link has two ejection pin marks - they're either side of the guide horns. I couldn't be bothered to get rid of them all so concentrated on those which will be easily seen.

I'm hoping to get some more done later.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

Kind regards,

Stix

  • Like 4
Posted

Looks like a good start. I've built one of these myself, and it went together like a dream, typical Tamiya fit. I do like 1/48 armour, got several in the stash, to the wifes dismay (she much prefers things with wings).

  • Like 1
Posted

Happy modelling with this kit ! Guess it will be again another stunner. Tamiya gives his 1/48 tanks a "scale weight " Maybe it improves the stand.

Is this the same camo scheme, used on Sherman Mk.IIIs ?

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)

The paintwork looks great so far - respect!

Cliff

Thank you Cliff. I was a bit concerned about how well the metal lower hull would take paint but I needn't have worried - if anything it was easier to get a decent coat on than the plastic parts!

Looks like a good start. I've built one of these myself, and it went together like a dream, typical Tamiya fit. I do like 1/48 armour, got several in the stash, to the wifes dismay (she much prefers things with wings).

Hi bull-nut and thank you. Thank you too for the info about your experiences with Tamiya 1/48 kits. I must admit I fancy having a go at a few more of their kits!!! Just need the money and the time!

Happy modelling with this kit ! Guess it will be again another stunner. Tamiya gives his 1/48 tanks a "scale weight " Maybe it improves the stand.

Is this the same camo scheme, used on Sherman Mk.IIIs ?

Hi Bernd and thank you. I think the weight should mean it will sit more firmly on a base. I might have a go at making one. I'll probably need some figures to go with it but I'm struggling to find any suitable ones. Not sure about the camo scheme....sorry.

Nice start Stix! :)

Thank you Nigel.

Aye up Stix.

Looking good thus far :popcorn:

Regards,

Steve

Thank you Steve.

Right today I did more work on the hull, wheels and tracks.

On the wheels I started the weathering - just washes and dry-brushing at this stage and I also started to paint the tires:

24144811745_b9be71036d_c.jpg

The tracks were given a couple of coats of Anthracite followed by some dry-brushed Gunmetal:

23777004479_536c7c17ca_c.jpg

More next week.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

Kind regards,

Stix

Edited by PlaStix
  • Like 8
Posted

You are exhibiting great subtlety in that paintwork Stix. Inspiring stuff :coolio:

  • Like 1
Posted

Looking forward to this Stix I built the Airfix 1/32 scale one donkey's year's ago,I,m planning to build the Airfix Land Rovers after the Siskin so

that,s another couple of vehicles in the GB I,m sure there will be more.I would like to have a go at one of Tamiya's 1/48 tank,s in the future.

  • Like 1
Posted

You are exhibiting great subtlety in that paintwork Stix. Inspiring stuff :coolio:

Thank you Col. I'm finding the darker plastic slightly more challenging to get the paint to go over but I'm getting there.

Looking forward to this Stix I built the Airfix 1/32 scale one donkey's year's ago,I,m planning to build the Airfix Land Rovers after the Siskin so

that,s another couple of vehicles in the GB I,m sure there will be more.I would like to have a go at one of Tamiya's 1/48 tank,s in the future.

Hi Steve. Looking forward to your builds. I've only done one of Tamiya's 1/48 kits before but it was a joy to build and this one seems the same so far. I'm sure I'm going to make some more in future.

Pulling up a deckchair for this one (its the sand you know)

:rofl::rofl:

I'm really looking forward to the weekend when I can get some more done on this.

***While I think about it - does anyone know of any 1/48 WW2 British, North African tank crew or troops figures? I'm struggling to find anything suitable. I found some made by a company called Art of War (who I hadn't heard of) but they seem difficult to source and are, apparently, a little too big for 1/48. Ideally I would like to do a small desert scene for this Crusader.

Kind regards,

Stix

Posted

Dartmoor Military Models do two sets of British western desert tank crew in 1/48. Cast in white metal,they are a little bigger than Tamiya or Revell 1/48 figures, but look fine next to my Crusader Mk III. You can find mine Here when I can get back to it.

Hi bull-nut. Thank you for the link to Dartmoor Military Models - I will try and get some ordered. And thank you to the link to your build - I do like what you've done with the tank and the base. :thumbsup:

Kind regards,

Stix

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