World at War 1939-1940 Group Build

Thanks, I tried to install an antenna wire but the CA wasn't sticking to anything but my fingers.

I hate when that happens.  I use white glue.

Still--you've built an extremely attractive plane.

Ok, I think I’m gonna do a 1/35 Heller Somua S35 tank for my selection. It’s slightly started already if that’s ok... 

Sounds good, stik.  Yes, partially built is fine.  I've updated the build roster.  Looking forward to watching your work!

Thanks for participating in the GB.

Great! I started this at least 9 years ago then sidelined it. All that was done was the running gear for both sides. I'll pull it back out to resume and finish!!!

That'll be a back to the future build for you, stik.

checkmateking02

That'll be a back to the future build for you, stik.

 

a bit of catching up for me...

stikpusher

 

 

checkmateking02

That'll be a back to the future build for you, stik.

 

 

 

 

a bit of catching up for me...

 

Last nite during our So Cal AMPS Zoom online build meeting I got to work on my old sidelined S35. Aside from having the running gear done from each side, everything  else had not been touched. Four hours later I had the basic kit done and now I just need to add the detail parts. I’ll get some photos up later today. 

Sounds good, stik.  Glad to see that COVID is not winning against the plastic!

LOL! Thanks CM. Out here on the edge of civilization, we don’t get too much exposure to that stuff!

So first up last nite was a bit of filing, sanding, and trouble shooting to assemble the lower hull. Then quite a bit of coaxing and pressing to properly position the upper hull shell. Once I had that done, assembly started to move smoothly and quickly. The plastic itself reminds me of the styrene used by Airfix, being on the softer side. While drilling out the co axial machine gun barrel bore, i dinged that up and ended up replacing it with some Albion brass tubing- great stuff! I also drilled out the main gun tube bore and worked on the fishtail exhaust openings a bit. But I am planning to keep this as Out Of Box as possible to help it move quickly. After about four hours work last nite the main construction was done...

I still have lots of little bits to add, seam filling and clean up, and then I’m going to add some texturing to the armor, as the hull and turret was cast armor not rolled armor plates. I can’t wait to get to painting on this, as the French had some really good looking camo schemes on the early war armor.

That a very sharp-looking tank, stik.  The tank designers did a good job; very pleasing lines.  Should look spectacular when painted up.

checkmateking02

That a very sharp-looking tank, stik.  The tank designers did a good job; very pleasing lines.  Should look spectacular when painted up.

 

Isnt it? From what I was reading on it, apparently the US Army studied it while designing the M4 Sherman. The cast hull and turret were carried over on the A1 version. The main shortcomings of the S35 was the turret design because the commander had to double as gunner, and he had no top hatch for situational awareness. But the armor, engine, and main gun were all very good. The 47mm main gun could knock out any contemporary German tanks at ranges up to 1000 meters.

So today I went back to work on this build. I scribed the turret side hatch outlines from what had been raised lines. Unfortunately on the right side, the template slipped a bit... I also added the lift horns onto the turret and cupola, and depend the vision slit on the cupola.

On the hull I added most of the small parts, lift horns, tie down rails, and other small greeblies. 

Next up I’m gonna add some texturing to the cast armor section and do the last bits of seam clean up. After that I can add the last bits of add ones before painting can start.

This morning I did a bit of Putty work on the lower hull to address the last seam issues, then I began using Mr Surfacer 1000 to add cast texturing onto the upper rear hull and commander’s vision cupola

More to come soon...

Nice, stik!  That's a very effective texture.  It's coming along great!

Thanks Check. In the past for texturing, I’ve just coated with liquid cement, then used a stiff brush to create the texture in the softened styrene. This is a new approach for me.

Texture applied to the turret, front upper hull, and front & real lower hull end plates

Now there just a few last bits to add then she’s all ready for painting...

It just gets better, stik!  

Thanks Check. I think that you’re the only person on FSM who sees this project...

This afternoon I did most of the last of the final bits, and one bit of scratch work. On the hull at the side of the drivers position there should be a vision flap. There is an outline on the plastic for one but no part included in the kit. So I scratched one up from styrene. It’s not exact, but looks the part. There is also a flap and it’s hinge missing from the side of the TC cupola, so I scratched that up as well.

Lastly I built up the suspension armor/mud chutes assemblies, added the side stowage bins, rear cargo shelf, and front & rear lights... the side armor is just tacked into place for now. I need to get some paint in there before I permanently glue those in position.

All that is left to add are the tow shackles and a couple of side steps.

This is coming out to be very elaborate!  Nice going!

checkmateking02

This is coming out to be very elaborate!  Nice going!

 

Thanks! But I don’t feel it’s that elaborate... it’s 95%-97% OOB. Zero AM. Three small bits of scratch work, and some Mr Surfacer...

Don't forget skill, and effectively applied technique!

checkmateking02

Don't forget skill, and effectively applied technique!

 

Thank you for the very kind words.

Well I’ve been doing small bits of work during the past week to finish up assembly. I painted up the areas of running gear that would be covered by the side armor and tracks and would not be able to get at after those items were installed. Once those were installed, I added the last few small bits, so assembly is now complete. I did have a few small set backs, but they were easily repaired.

And then looking at photos, I saw that tow chains were commonly installed on the rear tow shackles, so using stuff from my spares bin, I created a set and used Tamiya’s S35 instructions as a guideline.

and lastly a photo with a Tamiya 1/35 French soldier that came with their UE Armored Carrier kit for a bit of scale reference

Let the painting begin!

Hi Stikpusher - for an OOB build that's looking exceptional!

      Hutch.

Thank you Hutch, I’m trying to keep this one simple. No AM for the kit, just a few bits from the spares bin to make up from from shortcomings.

Superlative construction, stik.  All around "well-done!"  Looking forward to see it all painted up.

Did you paint the figure too?  He looks great.

Thank you Check. Yes, I started the figure awhile ago, before I changed homes. Never finished, but the basic colors were covered.

From this viewing distance, you'd never know you hadn't finished it.  Very admirable!

Thank you. I still need to paint his equipment and weapon. Plus I’d only started the washes on the flesh. No highlights yet. And no washes or highlights on the uniform yet either.