Vickers Light Tank VIB (Vulcan 1:35) ***Finished***

[SimonL]

With my captured Panzer coming to a very satisfactory conclusion, time to consider the next project.

 

 

I picked this one up last year at the local model expo for good knock down price, without knowing what was inside.

 

Looking around I found this spectacular example:

 

 

Despite the clear warnings from @Nenad Ilijic I think I’m keen to have a go.

 

A review of the BEF version with good sprue shots can be found here:

 

http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/britain/vulcan56008reviewab_1.html

 

This kit has the addition of extra photoetch:

 

 

There is also some extra styrene:

 

 

 

Instructions are somewhat daunting:

 

 

I’m going to do Anglesey as I gather the other markings are incorrect.

Edited April 7 by SimonL

[SimonL]

Ok, made a start. Photoetch is provided for the desert tank side storage lockers. You also get a styrene version. Now photoetch isn’t my favourite, but with nothing to lose I thought I would have a go.

 

The fret.

 

 

Folding under way

 

 

Done -except for little bits like the latches and pad locks. It’s a bit glue stained, and maybe a little battered, but compared to the styrene - what do you think? Yes or no?

 

[Stef N.]

Yes. The plastic isn't bad to be fair but the etched is just that bit better detailed. 👍

[PeteH1969]

This looks good.

 

And with working suspension too.

 

Nice progress.

 

Pete

[Muchmirth]

Love this little tank and really want to build one but scared of this kit! Good luck, the pe already looks good.

Paul

[SimonL]

1 hour ago, Stef N. said:

Yes. The plastic isn't bad to be fair but the etched is just that bit better detailed. 👍

Thanks - looks like I’m committed!

 

20 minutes ago, PeteH1969 said:

This looks good.

 

And with working suspension too.

 

Nice progress.

 

Pete

Thanks, although I will be fixing everything in place. It has link and length tracks, so not sure why the potential working features. In a similar fashion to my Bronco Chaffee I’m just going to glue everything to keep it from moving.

 

10 minutes ago, Muchmirth said:

Love this little tank and really want to build one but scared of this kit! Good luck, the pe already looks good.

Paul

Thanks - I have a certain amount of trepidation!

[Hamden]

 

Room for one more?

Another interesting project, the PE is looking good

 

  Stay safe             Roger

[Crayons]

I'm going to admit, I only like this tank because of what Becker made it into. But, count me in for watching it. Odd thing though, typo on the label or did they make one box and dymo label the rest?

[edjbartos]

Looking forward to seeing this Simon, looks like a smashing little kit...

 

Ed

[f matthews]

I've got the three Vulcan kits in the stash but have been a bit too cowardly to wade into those waters yet.  I'll be watching this one!

[Milan Mynar]

It is an interesting vehicle, I am  looking forward to your building.

 

[Keeff]

C'mon, move up and let me in! 

 

Nice work on the PE .... looks much better than the styrene .... 👍

 

Keith 😁 

[SimonL]

12 hours ago, Hamden said:

 

Room for one more?

Another interesting project, the PE is looking good

 

  Stay safe             Roger

Pull up a seat Roger!

 

11 hours ago, Crayons said:

I'm going to admit, I only like this tank because of what Becker made it into. But, count me in for watching it. Odd thing though, typo on the label or did they make one box and dymo label the rest?

I had to go and look what you meant by that 😂. As for the label - I don’t know. It’s on the instructions as well. I peeled it  off and underneath it says “Desert Theme”. Perhaps decided to be more specific?

 

10 hours ago, edjbartos said:

Looking forward to seeing this Simon, looks like a smashing little kit...

 

Ed

Thanks Ed.

 

5 hours ago, f matthews said:

I've got the three Vulcan kits in the stash but have been a bit too cowardly to wade into those waters yet.  I'll be watching this one!

oh - that makes me nervous 😬 

 

3 hours ago, Milan Mynar said:

It is an interesting vehicle, I am  looking forward to your building.

 

Thanks Milan.

 

50 minutes ago, Keeff said:

C'mon, move up and let me in! 

 

Nice work on the PE .... looks much better than the styrene .... 👍

 

Keith 😁 

come and join the fun!

[APA]

Great start Simon I think the PE is a must by the looks of it. This is on my radar so will watch with interest 🧐. Is there a cuter tank? No 🤔🤪

 

Andrew 

[Bullbasket]

Nice work with the etch Simon. I think I've got one of these residing on the shelf somewhere, so I'll keep watching how you get along with this one.

 

John.

[Jasper dog]

Good luck!

Great subject but for me, call me a coward if you wish, I'll wait for the Tamiya release. (Surely it must be Mr Ts "to do list?" )

 

 

[SimonL]

On 3/11/2024 at 3:44 AM, APA said:

Great start Simon I think the PE is a must by the looks of it. This is on my radar so will watch with interest 🧐. Is there a cuter tank? No 🤔🤪

 

Andrew 

Thanks - and I really don’t think so. With that huge searchlight it looks so unlikely? Very steampunk.

 

On 3/11/2024 at 2:59 PM, Bullbasket said:

Nice work with the etch Simon. I think I've got one of these residing on the shelf somewhere, so I'll keep watching how you get along with this one.

 

John.

Thanks John - perhaps I am beginning to get the hang of it?

 

On 3/11/2024 at 4:11 PM, Jasper dog said:

Good luck!

Great subject but for me, call me a coward if you wish, I'll wait for the Tamiya release. (Surely it must be Mr Ts "to do list?" )

 

 

Thanks - I am get a tad nervous of the highly skilled builders who have it in the stash, but not had a go at it 😳. 

[echen]

Every time I see the title of this kit I think its got a 20mm M61 in the turret. 

Great build so far btw. Like the PE construction especially.

Edited March 13 by echen

[SimonL]

On 3/13/2024 at 10:02 PM, echen said:

Every time I see the title of this kit I think its got a 20mm M61 in the turret. 

Great build so far btw. Like the PE construction especially.

Thanks - and that would be something to see! 🤣

 

This weekend I cracked on with construction, with a nice new cutting mat as well. The plastic is a bit soft - a bit like Airfix kits perhaps? And while the detail on the parts is great - not so much the sprue numbers. Thank heavens for a sprue map.

 

 

The hull went together pretty easily. There were a few places where bolt heads needed to be removed, but the instructions are pretty specific. While very complex, they are pretty clear if you read them slowly.

 

 

 

 

 

Turret next. Here I ran into a bit of problem, I was a little enthusiastic in sanding the edges of the base insert, which lead to a step. Luckily the step was just the width of some plastic strip I have and it made quick work of my cock-up.

 

 

Should I include a figure? 

Time to deal with the running gear. The wheels very definitely have one side that is better than the other, so I made sure that was facing outwards. At this stage the wheels are glued, but each set of bogies is mobile  around the central pivot point. 
 

To sort all the springs and bits for the suspension, I used some double sided tape stuck to my cutting mat. The castle nuts on the sprue take a bit of getting used to - thankfully there are a few spare (which I used all of).

 

 

It took me all afternoon, and in places is a bit rough, but I managed it without losing any parts (or my temper).

 

 

Next step are the tracks. I’ve read they are actually potentially the wrong way round in the instructions- anyone able to through any light on that?

[Crayons]

Nice work on what looks like very fragile running gear.

[Hamden]

 

Coming together very nicely Simon. Getting near paint now!

 

  Stay safe          Roger

[Bullbasket]

4 hours ago, SimonL said:

Should I include a figure? 

If he suddenly whips out a tin mug of tea and dons a leather jerkin, I'm going to get very suspicious!!

Good work Simon, and very fast too.

 

John.

[Model Mate]

I’m liking this very much - it’s one I’m considering for my next scratchbuild, albeit 1/16 as it’s such a tiny tank. Very nice work so far - that suspension looks incredibly fiddly.

[SimonL]

9 hours ago, Model Mate said:

I’m liking this very much - it’s one I’m considering for my next scratchbuild, albeit 1/16 as it’s such a tiny tank. Very nice work so far - that suspension looks incredibly fiddly.

That’s sounds fabulous. And yes, it was!

 

10 hours ago, Bullbasket said:

If he suddenly whips out a tin mug of tea and dons a leather jerkin, I'm going to get very suspicious!!

Good work Simon, and very fast too.

 

John.

Now that gives me an idea. Been having some issues getting a reasonable pose. How about this? I can fake up a mug if teach from some sprue I think.

Edited March 18 by SimonL

[Peter2]

Neat work, by the way. I found the big searchlight curious on such a little tank. Reminded me that the Crusader tank also had a large searchlight on its turret. The DAK seemed to manage with measly Notek lights on their Panzers (maybe they ate more carrots); so what was the British tactical thinking, if any, behind their blazing desert searchlights? To illuminate disturbed sand as potential minefields, or to avoid dangerous sand dunes or ravines at night? Reveal venomous snakes? Or give Rommel the false impression that larger tanks were on the move in force at night time? Perhaps someone at the Ministry in Whitehall felt that when it comes to lighting up the battlefield, bigger is better. Anybody know the reason(s)?