Crusader MkIII

[825]

Another tank rolls in. This time it's a late mark Crusader which brought the 6 pounder anti tank gun in a tank into the Western Desert. 

 

 

In the top opening box are two grey sprues and a vinyl set of tracks. 

 

 

Usual Revell instructions with the weird mixes for the paint call outs. 

 

 

Two 8th Army options but for some reason the transfers are missing. I'm sure they were there when I pulled it from the stash so I'll have to have a look in case I put it in another box. 

 

 

I thought this was a Matchbox rebox but it's actually the Hasegawa kit originally from 1975 although the Revell kit hails from 2001. The moulding is a little date but really good detail. 

 

 

The tracks are definitely old as the way to join them is with a heated screwdriver. 

 

 

Anyway the the first thing to do is to put some Hu 237 on as a primer and undercoat. 

 

[Ozzy]

Nice choice 825.

[825]

The hull glued up. 

 

 

and the turret. 

 

 

I forgot that with some tanks that painting the tyres can take a fair bit of time. An hour with a small brush and some Akan older rubber grey paint gives us this. 

 

[825]

Wheels on and sides affixed. 

 

 

Hull with all the parts attached. 

 

 

And the turret finished. 

 

 

This is pretty pretty well done apart from the tracks and sand guards. I'll paint it first. I'm still thinking on what to do with the tracks. They look really plasticky and Revell tell you paint them with a 50:50 mix of rust and silver. I think il tryna slightly different approach but still thinking of what. 

 

[825]

So had a go at the tracks after a few coats of Gunmetal and some dry brushing. Used Gator Grip, termed PVA on steroids by someone, and left to dry.

 

 

Got them on without snapping them, so that's the good side but on the other hand they look far too loose. 

 

 

So more Gator Grip along the top of the wheels and the tracks wedged down with cocktail sticks gives us something more realistic. 

 

 

And it's a good day all round as when looking for something else, I found this. I must have used the transfers for the 7th Armoured Division for something else. But I have a number and badge for a desert 1st Armoured Division. They'll do. 

 

[825]

Transfers on and finished. Ready for a gallery photo shoot. 

 

[JOCKNEY]

Great stuff @825

I can't believe how quick you can build these, you must have been laughing watching how long it took me to build my Valentine !

Great to see armour being so well represented in a GB.

Cheers Pat