Courageous Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 Finished reading some books and thought it was about time to start another lunctime build. This time, I've chosen to do a Bishop, a self-propelled vehicle that mounted a 25 pdr in a 'box' on a Valentine II tank hull and was used in the desert in '42 until the early part of the Italian Campaign '43. As in the title, I'll be using the Italerie kit: Boxart, not to sure on what TOA to do as yet but most likely Africa. Main sprue containing the Valentine hull. Track sprue and gun/housing sprue. The idea I have is to have the 'box' opened-up, exposing its internals and with that in mind I'm wondering if the gun is going to 'cut-the-mustard', we'll see. And because I had a little time left I put the lower hull to gether. Stuart 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APA Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 Cool subject. Well you've got the tricky part of the build out the way A 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 22 hours ago, APA said: Well you've got the tricky part of the build out the way I could always build it OOB but where would be the fun in that, With the 'tricky' bit out of the way, thought I'd get the boring bits out of the way next, wheels. These blighters have a tendency of escaping during the cleaning process but all is well. Fitted the bogies to the hull sides together with the drive sprockets. Also prepared the upper hull 'cos I have a feeling... Some of you may know that when it comes to AFV's, I don't tend to build OOB, there is normally something else happening. The one thing that amazes me with kit manufacturers is that they produce a kit with seperate access hatches and engine hatches, and they or the AM guys don't produce the goodies to take advantage of them. So, with the front hatches open, I'll scratch the drivers area. Like in many 1/35 builds of the Bishop, I'm also going to have the rear doors of the 'fighting' compartment open but on looking at the floor section above, it's all solid. Looking at the few period photos and 1/35 builds, that floor should be more open I think? Also, I believe that the deck plate on the upper hull that would have housed the turret ring should be modified and not be a round hole? If anyone can confirm/show this, that would be great, in the meantime, I'll keep looking. Stuart 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 A bit of scratching... A few reference pics were found, enough to scratch the drivers position with his seat, some raised plarforms to the sides. Next will some stuff that I presume must be steering levers, gear selector and...it'll look more busy than what was. Stuart 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 A bit more scratching... So what's been added here. a battery box on the left side, storage box on the right and some driver controls to the front. Just got to add some levers and something for the feet before moving to the mid-section. Stuart 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Hi Stuart I'll pm you some details of the interior which might help. Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted February 16, 2021 Author Share Posted February 16, 2021 Morning people, A little further along, A few little bits added for the drivers position. Next, the engine bulkhead was added using a little artistic license to make it not flat. Also added were a pair of side platforms and the ammunition waste chute(?). Primer and paint next before lid goes on. Stuart 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edjbartos Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Really nice work on the interior, beautiful scratch building... Ed 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted February 16, 2021 Author Share Posted February 16, 2021 1 hour ago, edjbartos said: beautiful scratch building... Thanks Ed, appreciated. Quite good fun. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 Work seems to be eating into my lunchtimes this week, that'll need to stop... Anyway, The first thing to do was to remove the 'turret ring plate' producing a nice square hole. I offered up the gun housing floor that showed that the side lockers wouldn't be able to be opened, so two lockers were added on the right side (as per period pics). Next, I moved to rear access doors and here I'm in the process of adding metal handles, must remember to do the engine hatch handles too. I have mentioned this before but I'd love some AM engines available for AFV's, would be something different. Stuart 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted February 23, 2021 Author Share Posted February 23, 2021 Moving slowly along... Handles fitted at the back, just noticed that I need to do the engine hatch handles too. Wasn't happy with the stowage bins that I scratched on the RHS, so off they came and larger scratch ones were fitted. Also took the time to prime the interior lower hull prior to painting the internals white. Stuart 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 Ticking along... Internals painted white, seat cushions brown and batteries black. When dry, everything was coated with satin varnish before applying a dirty black/ brown oil wash. More handles replaced with metal options. Tools added to rear right stoage bin. Will try making some 'clips' for b ins later. I've seen some sort of box fitted on the right rear track guard, so that needs investigating. Moving on... More handles. Spare track, exhaust and tools added to left side. Again, I've seen a can stowage(?) on the rear left track guard, something else to find out about. An external fuel tank is often found on the Bishop and is located on the left side (above the spade) but nothing is supplied in kit so a sratch option is made, the tricky bit will be the making of its cradle most probably out of brass sheet. Stuart 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Great subject choice there Stuart and some really neat scratch building. Always loved the top heavy look of the Bishop! Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted February 26, 2021 Author Share Posted February 26, 2021 1 hour ago, Terry1954 said: some really neat scratch building. Cheers Terry, the scratch building will come in handy for future projects. Besides, with open hatches and doors it's just asking for it! Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted March 12, 2021 Author Share Posted March 12, 2021 After a week away from working doing things like the garden, it's back to the bench. Have been having many attempts at making the fuel tank cradle from brass sheet and have eventually got something presentable albeit not 100%. Still got to finish off the tank straps and a bit of a tidy up. Fuel pipe will be fitted when it's safe to do so. And here the fuel tank is temporarily placed at its station. Stuart 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 You're getting some great detail into this, in particular the fuel tank, considering the scale. Nice work. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 On 3/14/2021 at 9:55 AM, Bullbasket said: You're getting some great detail into this, in particular the fuel tank, considering the scale. Nice work. have to agree with john you will be doing 350 scale next with that detail. Stay Safe beefy 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted March 26, 2021 Author Share Posted March 26, 2021 Before I could close up the hull halves, I had forgotten the drivers side consoles. And here is a shot of the drivers position after I fitted the hull together, sorry. A bit of filler needed at the front. Lights fitted. Also, I had to scratch the block(?) stowage as there were deep sink marks in the kit part. Period photos show show the fitting of a large box on the right rear fender and stowage for 2 gallon POW containers on the left rear fender. Time to move to the gun housing. Stuart 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 Brilliant work Stuart, but wait.............. are you sure this is not 1/35? Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted March 27, 2021 Author Share Posted March 27, 2021 17 hours ago, Terry1954 said: Brilliant work Stuart, but wait Cheers Terry. My eyes will testify that it is indeed 1/72, the gun housing will test it more so. Why do we do these things... Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carius Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Excellent work Stuart, this little kit will be a small great masterpiece 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted December 6, 2021 Author Share Posted December 6, 2021 Hello chaps, tome to return to the Bishop now some other stuff is finished. This is where I left you with the hull all but done, time to turn to the gun housing. I have seen a couple of 1/35 builds of the Bishop and have noticed how much detail is in the gun housing, I wonder if this can be done in 1/72, after all, the rear doors will be open? Managed to get the main blocks in on the starboard side; tool box, cartridges in their storages, radio, case. Needs a little tidy up, then I'll move over to the port side. Stuart 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted December 6, 2021 Share Posted December 6, 2021 41 minutes ago, Courageous said: I wonder if this can be done in 1/72, after all, the rear doors will be open? Looks like you are having a pretty good go at it, great stuff! Glad to see the Bishop is back in action, will it form a vignette with an Actress I wonder ......... ? Terry 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted December 6, 2021 Author Share Posted December 6, 2021 12 minutes ago, Terry1954 said: Actress I wonder Have you got some pics of a suitable actress that would fit the bill? it will be in a vignette, with or without the actress. Stuart 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APA Posted December 6, 2021 Share Posted December 6, 2021 Quality stuff Stuart, quality stuff. Andrew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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