Valentine Mk.II - 1/35 Tamiya - "RESPOND" Tunisia 1943

[Ray_W]

I now have a couple for months with not too much in the way of travel so this should mean some continuity at the work bench. Also, I am choosing smaller projects and resisting too many enhancements or major modifications. Get back to my dictum of one project at a time and finish. What better subject to execute this than a Tamiya 1/35 Valentine. 

 

 

I ordered the Echelon Fine Details Decal sheet "VALENTINE in NORTH AFRICA Part 1" wanting to complete my Valentine in a two tone Desert scheme. Plenty of nice options. I'll choose something after they arrive this week and I can take a closer look.

 

 

In the mean time, a box of plastic.

 

 

Apologies for my belated entry. Looking forward to the GB. Barbie decimated pink paint supplies. Will we do the same with Sand?

 

Ray

[modelling minion]

Welcome to the GB Ray.

An excellent choice as the Valentine is very much associated with the war id the desert.

Looks like a nice kit and a nice set of decals too, the two toned examples do look very nice.

Can't promise that we'll make the world run out of sand paint but we'll give it a damn good try!

 

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[IanC]

That's a cracking kit. The two figures are particularly good. 

[Dansk]

Welcome Ray I hope you enjoy the build.

You're not late joining, it's not even started yet! 😉

[81-er]

Nice choice, Ray. I'm sure you'll make a very fine model out of it too

 

James

[Robert Stuart]

The Valentine! A great choice Ray.

[Ray_W]

@modelling minion @IanC @Dansk @81-er @Robert Stuart

 

Thanks guys for your interest and indefatigable support. You can tell I've been reading and watching Royal Navy history. Just had to work out how I could use indefatigable in a sentence. That is, after I learned how to spell it. Don't ask me to say it.

 

I knew what a Valentine was, but very little about its history. I've been doing my reading. Now I am really glad I chose the subject. What an interesting vehicle. What a history. Every theatre. And Stalin wanted more and more. I think I might have to move  the Valentine into my top 3 British tanks of WW2. Now who is going to move to fourth? Churchill, Comet, Matilda MkII? I do not include the Cromwell 'cause I think the Comet looks nicer. And no US based gear otherwise the Firefly would be in there. I think of the Centurian as Vietnam war. And the Crusader, well I'm sure its mother loves it. No funnies or re-purposed drive trains and hull. Well I suppose if I was to include the latter the Valentine would be a prime candidate.

 

Roll on next weekend.

 

Ray

[modelling minion]

2 minutes ago, Ray_W said:

Now who is going to move to fourth?

A good question Ray, but who is first and second?

 

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[franky boy]

Nice choice Ray. Always good to see some desert armour.

 

James 

[Ray_W]

26 minutes ago, modelling minion said:

A good question Ray, but who is first and second?

 

 

🤔 let me check the alignment of the moon and the planets.

[Muchmirth]

Oh yes like the look of this!

Good Luck!

Paul

[Ray_W]

Echelon decals arrived and subject chosen:

 

 

Rarely do you get a picture of both sides, if any, of your chosen subject.

 

 

 

Yes a small diorama is calling to me. And the above images were used by Miniart for this kit:

 

 

So the figures were promptly ordered. Will arrive early next week. Change of headgear and I think we have something in the realms of possibility. Maybe a boarding scene is in order to at least show some of the tank buried under all those troops.

 

Ray 

[modelling minion]

I really like your choice of vehicle Ray, a very nice camo scheme and those nice big blue triangular markings.

Having the troops on board will look great, really help to set a scene.

 

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[81-er]

You really can't argue with photos of both sides, what a result! This should turn out very nicely in your capable hands, Ray  

 

James

[Stef N.]

I'm liking the look of this. It will make a great diorama.👍

[Ray_W]

And so it begins. Nothing much to report at this stage, really just Tamiya clip together and glue. 

 

 

Pushed the wheels on for the photo opportunity.

 

 

Hassle free, relaxing build.

 

Ray

[modelling minion]

Great to see your build underway Ray, and really good to hear that its a nice hassle free build.

All bodes very well for a great result.

 

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[Ray_W]

Pretty much building this one in the order of the Tamiya instructions. I did decide to do the painting of the  lower hull and running gear now. Then I can add the tracks (link & length) and do some bulk weathering effects before the side skirts seal it up. 

 

 

Would of been good to have the driver's hatches open to give him some air like in the period images. I am trying to keep this one a simple build, avoiding enhancements such as building a driver's position. Rather, putting the effort into paint, finish and figures and finishing within time. 

 

Wheels ready to be weathered. 

 

 

You may of noticed a colour change - Desert Pink ZI and Dark Olive Green S.C.C. 7  as applicable to a 1943 Tunisia Valentine . Thanks to @KRK4m and @JackG for their input and correction on the scheme. The Desert Pink is Mike Starmer's Tamiya mix.

 

Ray

[modelling minion]

Very nice work Ray, all up to your usual very high standard.

I think I need to add some modern Tamiya armour to my to-do list.

 

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[Dansk]

beautifully done ray. 

[Ray_W]

Thanks Craig and Paul, Not too much done at this stage. Wheels are completed and on and now starting to assemble the track. I will post some pictures when that is complete.  Couldn't resist ... looks better on wheels:

 

 

15 hours ago, modelling minion said:

I think I need to add some modern Tamiya armour to my to-do list.

 

I've been wanting to do one of these for a while. Their Valentine is excellent. Nice break from some of the more complex builds I have been doing in recent times. 

 

Ray

Edited September 1, 2023 by Ray_W
Added Image

[modelling minion]

That really does look good Ray, I like the dusty look on the wheels.

 

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[Ray_W]

1 minute ago, modelling minion said:

I like the dusty look on the wheels.

 

The wonders of thinned Tamiya XF-55 Deck Tan.

 

When I want to thin Tamiya XF paints for such purposes, I switch from Mr. Color Leveling Thinner (MCLT) and use their X-20A thinner, along with a little bit of water and Tamiya Retarder. It sprays nicely. I used to find spraying the Tamiya XF paints through a small needle airbrush (0.2 mm and under) challenging unless I was using MCLT. The retarder was a game-changer. 

 

More weathering to come. 

[81-er]

Very nice work, Ray

 

James

[Dansk]

On 9/1/2023 at 9:56 AM, Ray_W said:

 

The wonders of thinned Tamiya XF-55 Deck Tan.

 

When I want to thin Tamiya XF paints for such purposes, I switch from Mr. Color Leveling Thinner (MCLT) and use their X-20A thinner, along with a little bit of water and Tamiya Retarder. It sprays nicely. I used to find spraying the Tamiya XF paints through a small needle airbrush (0.2 mm and under) challenging unless I was using MCLT. The retarder was a game-changer. 

 

More weathering to come. 

 

It looks great!

 

interesting with the retarder. i have a bottle that i must try this out with.

is the bit of water necessary if you have x-20a and retarder?