LIGHT ARMOR Group Build

Stick a fork in this one....I think it's done  . I really like this little tank.  The Bronco kit was excellent...I only had problems with the kit indie tracks (which I think was soley due to me) and used the Hobby Boss indies instead.  I took the photos in a rush this morning, and so they aren't the best.  Thanks for looking - Larry

Thanks a lot Jeff.  I'm actually now a little stumped on how to finish this build.  I typically do very light weathering - two reasons (1) I'm still learning basic model construction and finishing, and (2) I like the looks of a tank that looks like it's fairly new from the factory.

But I think that this Hotchkiss needs a little bit of additional weathering, but I really don't know what top do at this point.  Do you have any suggestions?

 Thanks,

 Larry

Larry,

 The Hotchkiss looks great!  Mine is so close to being finished, I've got decals on and need to weather and put tools on and it will be done.  I started a home remodeling project last fall that's kept me occupied til recently, and haven't been able to get much modelling in.  I'll post some photos when I wrap it up.

 Jeff

Closer still.  But not quite finished.

Getting closer.

I nearly have the construction phase completed on the Hotchkiss.  Of course, I wouldn't be me if I didn't make several blunders along the way.  Rather than repair every error, I decided it would be nice to let a few of them slide by and actually finish a build, since I see it's March already and have very little to show for my efforts in 2007 so far.  On this build I've accomplished 3 "firsts" for me: (1) assembled and installed indie tracks, (2) made the muffler heat shield from scrap brass sheeting, and (3) finally figured out how to get those microscopic sized hull "things" attached without flinging them into orbit or making a gluey mess out of it.

Here's a few more photos of the work in progress.  You'll notice a lot of low hanging fruit for the critics out there.  Oh well, at least I'm enjoying the build.

cj95 wrote:

Wow....good looking little tank.   Amazing the size difference in the pre-war and end-of-war designs. One has to wonder if such rapid progress in designs is even possible in the modern warfare anymore.

Thanks CJ95. The size is difference alone is amazing. Along the same lines, I recently snagged the AFV Club Weisel Mk2 kit.  I thought it was a cool looking vehicle.....and was really surprised to see how small it is for a contemporary AFV.  I didn't think anyone made such a small armored vehicle.  I think the difference would be quite striking if compared with any contemporary MBT.

btw - it is a great looking kit, with just a few sprues.  I'm thinking (hoping) it will be a relatively easy build.  For some reason the white plastic that it is molded in has a certain appeal.....that says "build me"

Larry

Larry

Wow....good looking little tank.

Amazing the size difference in the pre-war and end-of-war designs.

One has to wonder if such rapid progress in designs is even possible in the modern warfare anymore.

Plastic_Cross wrote:

Hope all is well "wherever you are"

Hey .... I'm still here ...... I've never left the place. 

Yann Solo wrote:

That Hotchkiss looks pretty cool Larry.  I like what you did inside, it is nicely weathered.  You made a great investment with these indies.

Thanks a lot for noticing Yann.  I put a little effort into the interior to spruce it up a little bit. I had problems assembling the indies that came with the kit.  The Hobby Boss have been pretty nice to work with.  This is my first time actually attaching some indies to a model.  I was working on the links that came with the Dragon Hornisse until I decided to scrap that particular build.  The Dragon links were my first indies.  After all the apprehension I had about working with individual links, I found them quite enjoyable to work on.  I can't quite figure out why.  Same thing with the Hobby Boss.  I stayed up till 1 AM last night assembling them, and would have stayed up a lot longer to finish them, but I didn't want to drag too much at work this morning.

Thanks again for the encouraging words Yann.  Hope all is well "wherever you are"

OK - I finally received my replacement tracks for the Bronco Hotchkiss 39.  Progress on this little guy has been halted for about 3 weeks waiting the Hobby Boss indies.

I assembled a little more than half last night.  On this kit it is pretty necessary to install the tracks before the fenders go on.  I thought I would post a few pics of the progress thus far.  The photo on the bottom gives an interesting study in contrast between the Hotchkiss and the Sturer Emil. The Bronco Hotchkiss 39 is a cool little kit.

Heh......

Thats perfect Camo for that carpet.....the greys blend right in.

Thanks very much. I've got the main paint job done. Just a couple of touch ups, some decals and lots of weathering to go now. The flash has faded the green quite a lot, and the black also.

Cheers

Tony

Sweet little armored car!

Now paint that sucker!!

I've progressed my Daimler  to the point where construction is complete. I've added some of an Eduard photoetch set as well. Here's some photos.

Cheers

Tony

Go for it.

It mnore than qualifies as Lt Zogg is supposed to be working on the very same kit.

If joining a GB is incentive enough to finish it Im all for it......I'll add you to the list.

cj95 wrote:

You absolutely HAVE to finish that Semovente!! Its such a unusual subject that even if everybody else quits, I want to see that tank completed.

Alright, I'll work it in, all I really need to do to is just paint and weather it, shouldn't take too long. 

Maybe the Bronco Models Hotchkiss H39 I'm working on woud qualify?  I was building it just for the heck of it and am about 1/4 of the way through already.  Let me know if it's OK and I will start posting pics of my progress.  I need to get off of top-dead-center and start moving on this guy.

Larry

You absolutely HAVE to finish that Semovente!!

Its such a unusual subject that even if everybody else quits, I want to see that tank completed.

Im still here guys, so feel free to take as long as you like on this build.

With so many completed models in this build I definately dont think it 'fizzled' and want to give you guys all the credit for making my first time hosting a GB so much fun.

Rooster.....Great looking Bulldog there.....definately beats my poor Tamiya model.  Like the MG shield though it looks funny sitting atop that tiny turret.  Updated the front page to include your complete status.

Hi,

This GB made it to the third page, so I'm not too sure that its still a going concern. 

The Daimler Armored Car that I'm doing for this and the Wheeled Warriors GB has finally risen to the top of the modelling heap, following completion of my figure for the Figures GB. 

I'll be building it actively from here on in.

Cheers

Tony

Okay okay...so it took me way too long. I assure you that I haven't been working on models in my absense.  Too much work in too little time.

The kit went together well.  I did find the suspension to be very light/flimsy, and I had to make many repairs with super glue during the course of this build.

The gun shield in front of the MG didn't really fit to well either, but it looks too cool to leave off.

The mantlet cover is tissue paper from a Guillows balsa kit placed with 50% water and 50% white glue.  The color turned out looking like masking tape.  Maybe I should have used it. 

Sorry for my slow finish on this one.

Grant

315rooster wrote:

I see that you are building the Centurion 5/1.  How is it going?  I just purchased it, and it looks fun. Have a good weekend.

I'm not building it yet.  What you see in my signature is my complete stash.  I work on one model at a time only and I'm currently finishing up my Tamiya T-55A, next build will be the Bismarck and then I might start my Centurion.  I've openened up the box though and I must say it looks very impressive.  The parts are flash free and has very sharp and crisp details.  I've ordered the Voyager super detail set but I didn't receive it yet.  I can't wait to start that project.

cj95 wrote:

FYI .....end date is extended indefinately until all who want to join are complete......All are welcome

Thanks...I made the decision this morning that the Walker Bulldog wouldn't be ready for Wednesday. It is going too well, and I don't want to hurry it.

My mantlet cover is done, and it was a good first try...there are things that I would do differently.  The decals are unfortunately out of register.  I'm building the tank for my Viet Namese assistant, so I couldn't go with the american "white star" decals.  :(  It is a busy kit, and I will have photos later.

I couldn't find much regarding the length of the barrel vs. the Tamiya kit (Tamiya is much shorter), but the review in Finescale for the AFV club kit said that the dimensions of the kit were good.  I'll go with that.

Yann,

I see that you are building the Centurion 5/1.  How is it going?  I just purchased it, and it looks fun.

Have a good weekend.

Hey guys........

Sorry for the prolonged absense......I was kinda under the impression that the group build had fizzled out so I let my attention wander.

Wow! Some great additions since I left......Ian, I love that PzII diorama  Are those shell holes along the right side of the turret?

Larry.....You are also welcome to join Looking forward to seeing that M8

FYI .....end date is extended indefinately until all who want to join are complete......All are welcome

The front Page should be up to date now......let me know if I forgot anybody.

Glad you guys liked my Panzer II so far, and that this thread isnt dead.  Well, I added stowage, maps , more mud splatter, painted the crew and put it in my new diorama.  What do you think?

That is a very nice build Ian.  Sorry if there is not much answer, group builds have a tendency to get abandonned overtime.  Don't worry, they'll add you to the list.

I like what you did with this little bugger.  How did you weather it?  It looks like you used weathering sticks, isn't it?

The diorama is very well executed, I like it much.

Good work.