f matthews Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 (edited) I am presently working on a series of several (4) of Combat Armor Models Vickers 6-Ton tanks. These kits are some of the best-engineered and well-produced kits I’ve ever built and are definitely the best models of the Vickers 6-Ton/T-26-type tanks out there. CAMs has released 8 or 9 different variants of this important, but often overlooked tank. The most recent two releases are 2-in-1 kits of Finnish 6-Tons. Because each of the four versions are ones I’ve wanted to build, I picked up extras (CAMs sent me one each to review/build). The first one is of tank VAE 546 in its original state from 1934. The other version in the kit has an upgunned turret with a Bofors 37mm gun. The new kits have full interiors which are excellent and finely-detailed. Since I am depicting VAE 546 as a “new” tank, it will not be heavily weathered or abused. I have a few detail items left to add, but it is getting there. The body hasn’t been filtered yet, but the turret and lower hull have, which is why there is a slight difference in finish. Edited October 19, 2021 by f matthews 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vytautas Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 (edited) Looks really good! The turret looks very impressive. And one question: the tracks from the kit? Vytautas Edited October 19, 2021 by vytautas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 8 hours ago, f matthews said: CAMs has released 8 or 9 different variants of this important, but often overlooked tank. Strange but true, the Vickers Type E "6-tonner" and its licensed derivatives were the most common and popular tanks in the world in the 1930's - although famously never used by the British Army. T-26s alone were about 12,000 plus maybe another 1,000 among other customers. The Italian M11/12/13/14 series were inspired by the Type E, although not direct copies. The success of the Type E is one reason why the UK did not see the need to evolve its tank production technology from (largely) bolted and riveted face-hardened armour to something more modern, like welded rolled homogenous armour. It takes us until the Comet of 1944 to catch up. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f matthews Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 7 hours ago, vytautas said: Looks really good! The turret looks very impressive. And one question: the tracks from the kit? Vytautas Those are Friuls, but the kit tracks (link and length) are excellent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 (edited) Nice! Like the heat effect on that shiny new silencer. I made a Polish version (7TP) for a recent GB and enjoyed the simplicity of it all, especially the suspension. That shot-trap corner between the front deck, glacis plate, and driver's hatch makes me cringe though, especially knowing that the fuel tank is right under it 💥💣 Edited October 20, 2021 by Ned 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f matthews Posted October 24, 2021 Author Share Posted October 24, 2021 Tank is pretty much finished. Need to put together a display base and get working on the modified version of VAE 546. These are terrific little kits and the ones with full interiors are very impressive. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vytautas Posted October 24, 2021 Share Posted October 24, 2021 Nice clean build, looks really great! Vytautas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Model Mate Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 wonderfully restrained finish; clearly new and clean, but without looking like a toy - great work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APA Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 Always had a soft spot for this. Actually a very important vehicle. FYI CAMs are a devision of Riich Models so you should have a cracking build 👍 I'll wait for the British version to come out but in the meantime I'll be keeping an eye on this one 👁️😁👌 Andrew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f matthews Posted October 26, 2021 Author Share Posted October 26, 2021 I’m looking forward to the British version as well. By the time it comes out, I’ll have a few more finished I hope. I built the Polish version a few years back and enjoyed it quite a bit. Fit is spectacular on these kits. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f matthews Posted October 29, 2021 Author Share Posted October 29, 2021 A little display base work. I’m building this tank from when it was undergoing trials in Finland in 1934, so I want it going over an obstacle. I carved foamcore then added texture for the ground surface and fixed styrene sheet sides. I added some fine soil then sprayed the sides flat black and hit the soil with some black for shading. The tank set into place to set the suspension: 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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