Nenad Ilijic Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Hello everyone, Here's something quite different. It is an ARL 44, tank that should rather belong to SF section. It is soo strange looking, I was not sure if it really existed. It does. It was conceived during in Vichy France in 1942, by CDM (Camouflage du Matériel), a secret Vichy army organization trying to produce materiel forbidden by the armistice conditions. After few interruptions, it was finally ready for production in 1949. Even though, it was already obsolete at that point, it was decided to go for a serial production to bolster French National morale. Vehicles were delivered from 1949 to 1951 to the 503e Régiment de Chars de Combat stationed in Mourmelon-le-Grand, replacing 17 former German Panthers. They were serving along the Sherman tanks, and proved quite unreliable. Kit itself is very nice. Not too much details, but fit is perfect. Indy tracks are really easy to assemble (only takes an hour). This was a quick project, it is basically a weekend build (although it took me two weekends ). It is build OOB, the only addition being stowage at the back of the turret. Its painted with Tamiya Acrylics and weathered with pigments. I usually don't use Tamiya paints, but I had some leftovers from a few years ago, so I just mixed something that should look like Vert Armee color. I am not even sure that these tanks were painted in Vert Armee, but that was my guess. Tamiya paints have that very flat texture, so sprayed Mr.Premium Top Coat Semi-Gloss before weathering. Instructions offer two different marking options, and I am quite sure that both of them are fictional. However, there is the third option on decal sheet, that is not mentioned in the instructions, and I found some photos of this particular vehicle. And here's one detail shot of the exhaust system that I find interesting. Even though these tanks were never extensively used, I didn't want to go for a factory fresh finish. The idea was to show the quite new, but dirty vehicle. Used on an exercise for example. Cheers, Nenad 32 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carius Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Excellent build and finish Nenad. Cesar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazy Modeller Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Indeed beautiful build. Cheers LM 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef N. Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 A new tank to me so thanks for the bit of history and you have done an excellent build and paint Nenad.👏👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 An interesting subject which is new to me. Really like how you have painted and weathered it. Also the photos are great. George 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartH Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 I've not seen one of those before. Beautifully painted and weathering is perfect. Shows that a simple OOB build can turn into a brilliant model 👏 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 Are ALL French tanks strange? This looks very Warhammer! You have made a beautiful model and painted it in exemplary fashion. Well done. Thanks for showing me something new too. I now want one for myself! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 Hi Nenad, An eccentric and strange monster, I knew of its existence, but had never "seen one", and I have to say that you have done a very good job, it looks very convincing and real, with some "weathering" that gives it that touch of personality. Good Job. Cheers and TC Francis.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 Very nicely painted & weathered. It looks like the illicit love child of a Char B1 bis & a TOG II. Pete 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 37 minutes ago, Buzby061 said: Very nicely painted & weathered. It looks like the illicit love child of a Char B1 bis & a TOG II. Pete Hi Pete, You've nailed!😅 Cheers and TC Francis. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vytautas Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 Gotta agree with what others have said, this is superb work, as usual! Congratulations, Nenad! Vytautas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondrome Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 unusual subject and superb painting and weathering 🥇 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenad Ilijic Posted November 22, 2021 Author Share Posted November 22, 2021 @Carius, @Lazy Modeller, @Stef N., @Geo1966, @StuartH, @Bertie Psmith, @FrancisGL, @Buzby061, @vytautas, @moondrome thank you guys. You are very kind. Yeah, this thing is very Warhammer. And it is HUGE! King Tiger huge. Barrel is so long, it's hard to take a photo of the whole tank and keep it in focus It's like a ship main battery on tracks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vytautas Posted November 22, 2021 Share Posted November 22, 2021 7 hours ago, Nenad Ilijic said: Barrel is so long, it's hard to take a photo of the whole tank and keep it in focus If we were to believe psychologists, it is possible that the tank designers had certain complexes... Vytautas 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenad Ilijic Posted November 23, 2021 Author Share Posted November 23, 2021 16 hours ago, vytautas said: If we were to believe psychologists, it is possible that the tank designers had certain complexes... Vytautas Hahaha I was just thinking the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOxley Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 Beautiful work Nenad….! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diablo rsv Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 That's an interesting and unusual subject Nenad, very nicely built, the painting and weathering is also top notch. Wayne 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenad Ilijic Posted November 30, 2021 Author Share Posted November 30, 2021 On 11/29/2021 at 2:46 AM, TheOxley said: Beautiful work Nenad….! Thank you. On 11/29/2021 at 9:14 AM, diablo rsv said: That's an interesting and unusual subject Nenad, very nicely built, the painting and weathering is also top notch. Wayne Thank you Wayne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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