Jump to content

+++FINISHED+++ AEC 'Matador' Early, Model (0)853 Kit: AFV Club (AF35236)


Recommended Posts

AEC 'Matador' Early, Model (0)853

Kit: AFV Club (AF35236)

Started: Tuesday 12th January 2016

The Associated Equipment Company (AEC) also produced:

AEC Armoured Cars Mk's I, II & III

Armoured Command Vehicles

All are covered by either AFV Club or MiniArt

Way back in April 2014, Terry Ashley on the PMMS website highlighted all the major issues with this kit which are mostly Parts Numbering Errors!

For all those of a sensitive disposition:

No Tracks or Track-links will be harmed during the making of this model

However, we may get a little Tyred!

2040739_orig.jpg

Section 1 refered to as 'A' and the start of another new kit.

No Engine in the kit but at least the sump can be seen underneath.

5049467_orig.jpg

Half-way through Section 3 and the chassis need to be jigged up so, I've dug out my Picador Milling Blocks.

8667130_orig.jpg

It should be noted here that this kit has a degree of Sprue 'flash' and is of a brittle type of plastic.

Almost certainly there will be a bit more clean-up involved - which is something I hadn't expected!

There are also sink holes and injection pin marks as well as some lumps of excess plastic,

all of which will need attention so have your filler too hand during construction.

Next Time: the remaining Chassis & Suspension Units

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

And for my next presentation



More chassis construction



It may not look like it but after some 20 or more parts....... Progress



3247560_orig.jpg



Detail of the rear rollers and chassis members and another 40+ parts to come



1625062_orig.jpg



Yes, the chassis is stable and almost complete with the Axle springs installed



1370855_orig.jpg



Once again, the Picador blocks are used to assure that all parts are level. 2 weights will be added and left overnight.



3460299_orig.jpg



There doesn't seem to be that much progress but believe me when I tell you that over 60 parts have been added



Next Time: Finish the chassis, start the Cab


  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's a stunning amount of detail on show already in that chassis assembly. Sounds as if AFV have tooled up quite a kit, although I suspect your skilful talents for these subjects makes for clean and tidy work which shows it at an advantage, given how many Matadors were used during and after the Second World War this is a great choice of subject.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great stuff. I like the idea of the milling blocks. Do you think they would be a useful addition to ones modelling toolbox, how often would you use them?

Like with many 'specialist' tools you may not use them every day but they are invaluable when you do.

Ian Sadler was the first to identify these item to me and straight away I realised that they would become an essential tool.

I have found them to be a superb piece of kit when building truck chassis and were first used properly with mu KrAZ Transporter build last year.

Cheap (that's all relative) - no more or less than anything else these days.

Tread carefully with those tyres......

Issue? please elude some more

There's a stunning amount of detail on show already in that chassis assembly. Sounds as if AFV have tooled up quite a kit, although I suspect your skilful talents for these subjects makes for clean and tidy work which shows it at an advantage, given how many Matadors were used during and after the Second World War this is a great choice of subject.

I am very surprised that there haven't been more of this kit built and on display at shows but????

Lots of parts but only a fraction compared to the real vehicle and as to my 'skilful talent' well, that's for you guys to comment, it's taken me years to get this far and there is always something new to learn.

I just build them the same old way although, these days, I am completely awake whilst doing it rather than doing a couple of hours after a full day at work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

AND, for todays delight we have......


A COMPLETED CHASSIS




And, another pile of parts are added including the Front Axle and Drive-Shaft



9105835_orig.jpg



About an hour later and the Rear Axle and Drive-Shaft is installed



5043235_orig.jpg



Sitting pretty and the chassis is now complete Phew! that's a lot of bits too



1633533_orig.jpg



WHEELS ON! Ya just gotta go careful cutting those cross-ties out too



8189427_orig.jpg



It sits well and the wheel tread is left & right handed.


I also built in a slight left-turn to the steering too



927646_orig.jpg



WELL! Finishing that Chassis has taken me all afternoon and 8 Episodes of Father Brown (I like Crime stories - so sue me!)



Thought I'd be further ahead but ALL THOSE FIDDLY PARTS held my concentration.


The clean-up was reasonable too, and Yes, I know that there are plastic particles/dust all over the model.


These will be blasted with compressed air later on, before I apply any paint.



Next Time: Apparently, according to the instructions, it's the Cargo Bed so........


  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Today, we have another 102-parts for the Cargo Deck (so far!)



The underside of the cargo truck bed - total here 23-parts.


This is not hard but there is quite the amount of clean-up.



8258674_orig.jpg



Another 52-parts make up the 2 sides including all the tie-downs and hooks.


This is a very busy model.



2265082_orig.jpg



Sides on, Muddies on and looking good so far.


I still have to wing-it with some PE for the Oil can bracket.



4802074_orig.jpg



One of the 2 bench seat arrangements for the cargo deck at 6-parts each and sufficient to seat 8 men.



9205220_orig.jpg



The total for this Afternoon & Evening is 102-parts.



1399120_orig.jpg



And yet? there still seems to be just as many parts left


There is a whole lot more work to this kit than anticipated.



Next Time: More Cargo Deck and maybe even the Cab???

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yup it's a real parts fest! Just looked at my miniart aec armoured car with full interior and it scares me ! So many parts in such a small place.

Glad to see you are not having any major problems with yours, looking forward to seeing it finished.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yup it's a real parts fest! Just looked at my miniart aec armoured car with full interior and it scares me ! So many parts in such a small place.

Glad to see you are not having any major problems with yours, looking forward to seeing it finished.

Some of the parts - shall we say? - have 'interesting' attachment points. Had a couple of parts snap on me but, I haven't lost or seriously damaged any as yet.

I have the MiniArt GAZ-AAA Trucks that start at 400+ parts and all I can say is take your time - you'll be surprised how well things will go.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

THIS is looking beautiful, all that detail.

I hope you can bring that detail too life with a good paint job ??

I always wanted one of these but my preference is for vehicles RAF and there wasn't many guises for one in wartime RAF UK service.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This time out we have the Cargo Roof & Cab Unit

In constructing the Cargo Roof and Cab I have used another 62 parts.

There seems to be no end to this build although it is coming along nicely.

The Cargo Deck Roof, to be finished with rolled up sides.

6965541_orig.jpg

Cab Unit, complete with all detail.

A small injection fault in the rear window needs fixing

4131740_orig.jpg

Cab Unit almost completed, just the roof and doors to do next.

8661388_orig.jpg

A test fit of the Cab to Chassis and its almost spot-on.

It's Going Well I think!

444944_orig.jpg

Thought I'd try the Cargo Deck next.

Needs to be seated collectly as it's too high at the moment.

2979202_orig.jpg

What is a bit annoying is the amount of careful part removal that is needed along with the subsequent clean-up, this is what is taking all the time.

Add to that the brittle nature of the plastic.

Next Time: pretty much to finish the construction but keeping parts loose to enable painting

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You've managed a top class build so far :thumbsup: , but I agree with your assessment. Based on your excellent photos, it looks to be more work, due to clean-up and filling ejector pin marks, than it really needs to be.

Keep it up!

Cheers

Craig

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You've managed a top class build so far :thumbsup: , but I agree with your assessment. Based on your excellent photos, it looks to be more work, due to clean-up and filling ejector pin marks, than it really needs to be.

Keep it up!

Cheers

Craig

Thanks Craig, much appreciated.

I think you mean 'should be' unfortunately there is the need to clean the parts up.

Considering how NEW a release this kit is, I would have thought better of AFV Club regarding their poor quality Injection Moldings

Edited by Shermaniac
Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...