Dave Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 I've been fiddling about with this one whilst taking a temporary break from the Cheetah build. It was originally released by Fire Force Products a number of years ago. I originally bought it a few years back, after opening the box and then inspecting the parts with increasing amounts of horror I chucked it into the back of the cupboard 'for another day'. It was rougher than a badger's bottom! Some test fitting shows with a little help, it could build into a pretty good version of the Ratel 90 One of the 'small' problems concerns the general shape, the hull roof should not slope. So after grinding off the turret locating ring it was out with the filler That's looking a bit better! The turret is a little sparse and needs some extra detailing. The Commander's hatch opening is also undersized, unless he's going to be a skinny git! This is it so far Comments good and bad most welcome chaps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanrgb Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 She's looking good so far Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
model_madness Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 Hey Dave, you're more of a SA supporter than me with all your builds! : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 18, 2007 Author Share Posted November 18, 2007 (edited) I do have Brit, Aussie and Kiwi stuff as well I swear!! .....just not so much. Ooops, nearly forgot the Canucks. Cheers as well Sean! Edited November 18, 2007 by Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlamgat9 Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 Like it! I have the BaxMod Ratel 20, Casspir and Buffel in 1/35 in my stash as well as an Azmiut Eland 90 and a conversion kit for a Centurion to the Olifant 1B..... Was thinking of doing some sort of Cuito Cuanavale diorama. But then I have those Cheetahs etc to do too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoine Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 Like it! I have the BaxMod Ratel 20, Casspir and Buffel in 1/35 in my stash as well as an Azmiut Eland 90 and a conversion kit for a Centurion to the Olifant 1B..... Was thinking of doing some sort of Cuito Cuanavale diorama. But then I have those Cheetahs etc to do too... What can you tell us about the Olifant conversion? Baxmod web page don't tell much about it. I'd love to build one, but I've heard about a new kit from Cromwell due soon, so I'll have to choose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 18, 2007 Author Share Posted November 18, 2007 Like it! I have the BaxMod Ratel 20, Casspir and Buffel in 1/35 in my stash as well as an Azmiut Eland 90 and a conversion kit for a Centurion to the Olifant 1B..... Was thinking of doing some sort of Cuito Cuanavale diorama. But then I have those Cheetahs etc to do too... Many thanks Vlam. I've got Chris' 1/35 kits too - have you seen that he's added a range of 1/35 Samils to his site? I've also have a few ideas for some small dios, abandoned BTR-152 & ZIL -157K, knocked out T-55. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 18, 2007 Author Share Posted November 18, 2007 What can you tell us about the Olifant conversion?Baxmod web page don't tell much about it. I'd love to build one, but I've heard about a new kit from Cromwell due soon, so I'll have to choose. Hi Antonie, I have this conversion. The BaxMod set is intended for either of the Tamiya, Academy or Modelcraft Mk3 Centurions. With a little more effort it will work wiith the AFV Club Cents. With the set you get a replacement turret roof, engine deck, air cleaners, turret bin, gun barrel plus a couple of other stowage bins and bits and pieces. You will still need to scratchbuild a few parts, such as the headlights and their guards and the same for the smoke grenades. Also included in the set is a decal sheet and a CD of very useful reference pictures. Up until the release of Cromwell's conversion it was the best option for building an Olifant. Here's a few pictures supplied by Gordon Brown from Cromwell Models of his new Olifant conversion Needless to say I have one on order Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoine Posted November 19, 2007 Share Posted November 19, 2007 Thanks for the update, Dave. About Cromwell, I thought at first that it was a complete kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest snipersmudge Posted November 19, 2007 Share Posted November 19, 2007 an interesting choice of afv, looking forwards to the progress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nev Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Wow, glutton for punishment with those corrections! I would have just left it as it was, or not bothered building it at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 24, 2007 Author Share Posted November 24, 2007 (edited) I'm a glutton Nev Edited November 28, 2007 by Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 28, 2007 Author Share Posted November 28, 2007 (edited) I've just complete a couple of days of swearing, cursing and pulling my hair out whilst trimming some clear plastic sheet to shape and size for the driver's compartment. I'm hoping that Humbrol clear fix will hold it all in place when I get to the masking and painting stage. They've also received a coat of Humbrol clear green to replicate the armoured glass. I should now be able to join the upper and lower parts of the hull together. Mind you I'm not sure what I' ll do if one of those bloody clear parts comes loose after it's all glued together. Edited December 1, 2007 by Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 1, 2007 Author Share Posted December 1, 2007 I've been working on a driver for the compartment, it's a conversion of the old Tamiya Chieftain driver. The beret I have altered to something a bit more suitable with Milliput, I won't be doing much more to him as very little will be seen once the hull halves are joined together. A little more fine tuning and then a slap of paint on him. After that the hull will be joined together and then major construction can finally be started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoine Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Keep up the good work, Dave. Bon courage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 2, 2007 Author Share Posted December 2, 2007 (edited) Thanks Antoine! BTW, here's some pictures of the Cromwell Olifant conversion: Edited December 3, 2007 by Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 3, 2007 Author Share Posted December 3, 2007 I've almost finished work on the driver, just needs some wash on his face to give the features some definition. He could have been painted green I suppose as he's going under green glass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoine Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Thanks a lot for the olifant conversion pics. Where did you get it? And...At what price??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 3, 2007 Author Share Posted December 3, 2007 You're welcome! I got it direct from Cromwell Models, the price is £39.99 (not including shipping). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoine Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 That's some piece of good news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 Ok, the driver is in place. So now the build can begin in earnest. Aaaannd...we're off!! . . ...er.. Just a few minor gaps to fill there then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlamgat9 Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 You're welcome!I got it direct from Cromwell Models, the price is £39.99 (not including shipping). Do you have the email address? I emailed them but got no response so not sure I had the correct address... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 Do you have the email address? I emailed them but got no response so not sure I had the correct address... Here you go Vlam: [email protected] Good people to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 A small update for this build, it's been on hold whilst I sort out a 'small' problem. The wheels have always looked a little undersized, a nice level of detail - but small. So I compared one to a wheel from a much newer Ratel kit : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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