danbuoy Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 So, in with a second build! I've been after this kit for a while, and when I saw this group build, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally get one, to build alongside my Academy M3A1. Would have preferred the Matchbox boxing, purely for the box art and nostalgia, but at least this version will have newer decals. The M16 was a very successful adaptation of the M3 half track, and was one of the few versions retained by the US Army after WW2, when half tracks generally were falling out of favour. Although mainly intended as an anti-aircraft vehicle, it was found to be extremely effective in the ground support role, earning the nickname "Meatchopper". It would see widespread use in this fashion during the Korean War, often fitted with extra "bat wing" armour either side of the turret, to protect the gunner from snipers. So, here it is; 20221128_203850 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Sprues, featuring the all important Matchbox diorama base! 20221128_203954 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Updated instructions, though I may download the original Matchbox ones for Humbrol paint colour reference; 20221128_204107 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20221128_204119 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Decals. Never realised there were 2 options for this kit, as I have only ever seen it built as "Calamity Jane". Never been a huge fan of names on vehicles, especially as it wasn't nearly so common as aircraft nose art, so I will be going with the 2nd Armoured Division option; 20221128_204027 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Half an hour or so's fettling got me here. Fair to say, I much prefer the track set up with the Academy one, but we'll see how the separate tracks look when its time to fit them; 20221128_223616 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr And, as the Matchbox/Revell one is 1/76, and the Academy is 1/72. a quick chassis comparison to show the slight difference in size (and detail!), Matchbox above, Academy below; 20221128_223646 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 Dan, that looks like an interesting model; it is a Matchbox kit that I wasn't aware of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 Have to say, for an old (and small) kit, its nicely detailed, and going together well so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 It's good to see this being built - one of my favourite Matchbox kits, although I preferred Airfix's way of doing the tracks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted December 1, 2022 Author Share Posted December 1, 2022 Yes, I agree about the tracks. One of the few (possibly the only) plus points about the Airfix kit over this one. Got some more done last night. Winch fitted to the front bumper; 20221130_223229 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr I'm going to do the kit in three sub-assemblies ready for painting, which will be the chassis, hull and gun. With that in mind, I got the hull mostly assembled. With the way the kit goes together, I was concerned the hull sides wouldn't match up at the front, and the bonnet and radiator would then be awkward to fit, but they just slotted right in. Have to say, for an old kit, the fit has been really good. 20221130_223255 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20221130_223345 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Had to have a test fit on the chassis! 20221130_223523 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Its interesting comparing this to the Academy M3A1 I'm currently building. I expected the Matchbox M16 to be a much simpler kit, and in many ways it is. You don't get open or closed radiator options, the windscreen can only be fitted with the armoured cover in place, and the folding parts of the hull sides are moulded in the down position, but I like the fact that the cab doors are separate pieces, giving you the option to have them open, which I may well do with one of them, to make it a bit more interesting. Just a pity there is no detail on the inside, but then the same can be said with the Academy one! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted December 22, 2022 Author Share Posted December 22, 2022 Got a bit more done on my M16 in between all the Christmas prep! Got all of the internal stowage fitted, plus the storage mounted on the back, the rear folded down armoured flap, the right side cab door, the headlights, plus assembled the main part of the turret. This isn't fixed in place yet, as I want to keep it separate for painting. Have left the other cab door off for 2 reasons, firstly, I'm thinking of having it open, plus leaving it off for now will make it easier to paint the seat cushions etc once the main painting has been done. 20221221_213729 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20221221_213803 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20221221_213828 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20221221_213744 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 Finally got some more done on the M16 last night, after really struggling with the airbrushing. Its taken 5 coats so far and I'm still not happy, but it will do. Painted the tyres on the rear suspension; 20230213_225050 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr And the seats; 20230213_225152 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr And the headlights; 20230213_225238 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Really need to make a start on the diorama base at some point. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Looking good so far. I've come really late to Matchbox, but I've been really impressed with the fit and ease of building, and the vehicles seem to be much finer and more detailed than the aircraft. Looking forward to the base. Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 1 hour ago, AdrianMF said: Looking good so far. I've come really late to Matchbox, but I've been really impressed with the fit and ease of building, and the vehicles seem to be much finer and more detailed than the aircraft. Looking forward to the base. Regards, Adrian Yes, especially considering the age of the model, the fit has been really good. The tracks may prove interesting though! I prefer Academy's approach there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted February 16, 2023 Author Share Posted February 16, 2023 Tracks and wheels fitted!! 20230215_230139 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr There was loads of flash on the tracks, and I thought they were going to be a real pain to fit, but I attached both ends of each track first, then slotted them over the wheels. They look nice and taut too, as they should. I've seen photos of this kit where the tracks look a bit loose, but pleased with how these turned out. Started assembly of the machine guns too. These just did not fit well at all, and were a right faff, so I ended up carrying out some surgery on the attachment points. Just need to fit the ammo boxes, finish painting the gunner and install him, plus the small bar that fits on the top of the turret. 20230215_230220 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted February 17, 2023 Author Share Posted February 17, 2023 Mostly assembled now. Just needs a couple of last little bits adding and a few paint touch ups, then its decal time; 20230216_225305 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 And with a final, frantic flourish, we're done! Will get round to the diorama base at a later date. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 Complete with gunner! Looks really good. A few posts back I mentioned that I thought the Matchbox vehicles were generally better kits than their aircraft. I've just remembered that they were of course a model car company, so I suppose they did have a bit of prior experience! Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) 4 minutes ago, AdrianMF said: Complete with gunner! Looks really good. A few posts back I mentioned that i thought the Matchbox vehicles were generally better kits than their aircraft. I've just remembered that they were a.... model car company! Doh... Regards, Adrian I have to confess, I'm a big Matchbox fan, whatever the subject, but I agree about their military vehicles. They are so much better than the Airfix ones from the same era, and the different diorama bases for each model are a lovely touch. Fit has been very good, especially considering the age of the kit. The gun turret was a bit of a fiddle but the basic vehicle was fine, and the tracks were nowhere near as bad as I thought they would be. Edited February 19, 2023 by danbuoy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor L Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 Phew, that was close! Well done for getting it finished, and it looks great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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