Badgers 1/72 Heller VAB

[badger]

Evening All

 

I've not been around the forum a great deal recently due to a load of stress at work which has effectively reduced my motivation for all things tiny tank to zero.

 

In an effort to cheer myself up a bit I had a slight diversion and built a hobbit hole diorama which was great fun.

 

Over the weekend I was tidying my workbench in the garage up and found a flyer for On Track 2020 model show in Folkstone. Idly mentioning this to Mrs Badger met with some enthusiasm and we've put it on the calendar to go.

 

I then got thinking that it would be nice to enter the competition as I used to enjoy these years ago when I belonged to a club.

 

Next up was to decide what to build. It needed to be:

 

1) 1/76 or 1/72

2) Unusual enough to attract attention as small vehicles tend to get a bit overlooked in competitions

3) A reasonably simple paint scheme

4) Have scope to add detail.

5) Be something I already owned

 

The initial thought was a Chieftain Bridgelayer as I have the Wee Friends kit but a quick perusal of the instructions later and I realised I'd never be able to build it in time as it's a stupendously detailed and complex kit.

 

Some late night stash mining brought this out:

 

I bought this on a whim last summer and quickly regretted it as it's a very basic kit - all 39 parts of it!

 

I did pick up a variety of extras for it to make it more presentable and as I don't recollect ever having seen one built I decided to go for it. It will be finished as a gulf war version.

 

I've already binned over 20 of the parts to be replaced with etch, resin and scratch building.

 

More soon

 

All the best

Ben

[Hewy]

Hello ben ,i look forward to seeing your micro modelling skills once again, the vehicle is suitably different  and rare ,thats for sure

[badger]

Thanks Hewy. The support is much appreciated as there's a fair bit to do on this one.

 

At the start of tonight's session I had already spent several hours carving bits off the hull that will be replaced with etch. I carried on doing this and filled a huge hole left by the removal of an incorrect "blob" which will be replaced by something much more accurate later.

 

The resin wheels are a huge improvement over the kit ones and I managed to figure out how to attach them so they sit the right distance away from the hull (they're not really meant for this kit I don't think, as model miniature produce a resin vab as well)

 

At the end of the session I was able to finish by adding some of the etched screens to the hull roof which instantly lifted it and was a nice break from removing things!

 

More soon

 

All the best

Ben

Edited October 21, 2019 by badger

[Bullbasket]

Looks like you're  making a good job of that Ben. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out.

 

John.

[BIG X]

Lovely to see you at the bench Ben - top work as always - I know it will turn out to be something special.

 

Steve

[badger]

1 hour ago, Bullbasket said:

Looks like you're  making a good job of that Ben. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out.

 

John.

 

1 hour ago, BIG X said:

Lovely to see you at the bench Ben - top work as always - I know it will turn out to be something special.

 

Steve

Cheers chaps. The support is always appreciated 

 

I've been quite enjoying it so far, although to be fair that has mostly been removing things.

 

A quick dry run seems to indicate the hull halves will fit ok but I need to add some basic interior detail as some will be seen.

 

I also need to convert a crew figure as all the ones I have are wearing tank helmets and VAB crew wore standard infantry helmets.

 

More soon

 

All the best 

Ben

Edited October 22, 2019 by badger