Just follow the instruction sheet on this one. It's a very straightforward simple build.

Know that the Italeri kit has very stiff vinyl tracks.  See if someone can give you spares from another manufacturer.  Also, the kit's suspension rocks back and forth.  That's a gimmick.  Once all 12 roadwheels are affixed, put your model on a flat surface and glue all the rocker arms.  All roadwheels should be absolutely level.

And I wouldn't add that BOYS AT rifle.  The Italeri mount is bogus.

Roy, Stikpusher,

Thank you for the information about the tracks and assembly.  

Marcus

I built one of these years ago. It's a good one to load up with supplies and a crew. Lots of room in there for bedrolls, ammo boxes, etc.  Soak the tracks in very hot water before applying them around the wheels or they'll pop up against the fender wells by the first wheel bogey like as if they're floating, and that looks funny.

Karl,

Thanks for the tip about the tracks.  Looks like I need to see what gear the crew would carrying in this vehicle.

Marcus.

Pretty cool, didn't even know this had been kitted.

The Kangaroo was the first full tracked APC. It's main purpose was to carry an infantry squad up with the tanks. So essentially it's carrying all the gear for a squad- weapons, water, rations, extra gear that are typical of a British Army infantry squad in Europe from mid Summer 1944 when the were introduced, until Spring 1945 when the war ended.

Would the Kangaroo also carrying spare rounds for the tanks?  I seen a lot of supply kits with ammo online for various tanks but nothing for personnel carriers except for the Vietnam era.  

Will keep looking.

 I have to confess the box confuses me, as a Canadian vehicle shouldn't the troops be wearing British/Commonwealth uniforms and helmets? Did Italeri have some GI figures and just toss them in there?

HAH! Nice catch, Gamera.

Marcus, that would likely be a no on hauling tank rounds. A Rifle squad has more than enough gear of it's own, and Tank units have their own dedicated support vehicles to haul their ammo. Aside from small arms ammo, they would likely haul stuff like PIAT & squad Mortar bombs. Crew served weapons such as the Vickers machine gun, 81mm(?) mortars, 6pdr and 17pdr Anti Tank guns had their own dedicated Universal Carriers for hauling the weapon and ammo in armoured formations.

Gamera, that is exactly what Italeri did. To my knowledge, the only time that Canadian troops wore US uniforms & gear in WWII was with the First Special Service Force. And those fellows did not use the Kangaroo. Any troops with the 'roo should be wearing standard Commonwealth uniforms & equipment for Northwest Europe.

Stikpusher, Thanks again for the information on the tank rounds.  I was wondering about the crew uniforms myself.  Looks like I will have to get a new crew also.

Marcus

Good luck Marcus. I was thinking the same thing, but most of the WW2 Commonwealth tank crews I found are Eighth Army.

Tamiya does make an Infantry set. At least you get Enfields.

Check out Miniart and Masterbox for crew figures. And Infantry figures as well.

Thanks, I will do just that.

Regarding your other question, and I'm a 4 on a scale of 10 tank sticker togetherer-

I glue everything together except the wheels which I assemble but keep separate. Paint the whole thing at once. Paint the wheels dark gray for the rubber, then paint the centers tank color. It's a bit tricky on those Sherman/Lee type VVSS suspensions because of the way the wheels are grabbed, so you need to figure that one out. My usual is to cut the axle in there down to a little nub so I can snap the wheel in later, then glue it.

Paint and attach the weapons, do the tools separate or in place. But it's completely different that a ship where its all pre-paint.

A good place to use solvent glue rather than CA, IMHO. A lot of handling busts stuff off.

Interested in targets, eh? It's a nice break. I put my America aside from time to time. This morning I put together a Tamiya Jeep in a couple of hours. Like a dream.

Here are a few photos for you to get an idea for stowage and such...

Packed full o' Tommies, but not much equipment, Italy 1945

Here is a link to a site with the tale of the original Kangaroo Priests in Canadian service

https://servicepub.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/the-priest-kangaroo-armoured-personnel-carrier-in-canadian-service-7-august-to-30-september-1944/

Here is one converted to a CP vehicle, far more extensively stowed, with additional racks, but far fewer personnel

And this discussion on another site has some great info and photos... especially on page two!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1356675903/Priest+Kangaroo+interior

For crew figures you may want to look at these guys,,,

Mixing and matching all this stuff will give you a proper look for your Kangaroo...

Stikpusher, you are a wealth of information, thank you very much.  Compared to the American vehicles the Kangaroos were very neat on the outside.  Looks like I will need to focus on the inside and the crew.  

Marcus

GMorrison,  Thanks for the assembly advice.  I must have watched twenty videos on You-Tube and it seems just about everything is assembled (including the PE) on the vehicle before the first coat of paint is applied.  The wheels and tracks are painted and washed and put on last, followed by what ever weathering you prefer.  

Thanks again,

Marcus  

Marcus, based on what I have read on these things, I would guess that the vehicles were assigned to just the crew and not the squad, as part of  larger unit, and with no assigned Infantrymen. Much like US Amtrack units. They would transport whatever assigned squad was theirs for the operation and then get a new squad for the next one. This is not the case in US or British Armored Infantry units where the squad was assigned a Half Track full time and was likely to acquire and carry more gear.

Stikpusher,  I ended up ordering the Commonwealth AFV crew by Bronco and Commonwealth armor riders NW Europe by Miniart.   I still have to order the gear.  

Marcus

Cool, I think you'll be very happy with them. I'll second SP that MA and Bronco make really good stuff! BTW hang on to those Italeri figures- they're great to practice painting of figures.

You read my mind about the use of those Italeri figures.

Here is one of the Bronco crew figures with my Kangaroo. I also replaced teh kit tracks with some taken from a Tamiya Sherman of a type more commonly seen on the Kangaroo

Stikpusher, I don't have a Sherman to spare and I just about spent my limit on those figures and still have to purchase extra gear, so I think I will be sticking with the ones that came with the kit.  Believe me I was looking on line at tracks.  I couldn't believe that they sell metal tracks for these kits and at $60 plus a set.  To rich for by blood.  

Nice job on the figure, is it easier/better to use acrylic or enamel paint on these figures?

Marcus

I use a mix of acrylics and enamels for figures, although enamels are my preferred type. I would not use metal tracks on a Sherman vehicle. There is no need for sag on them. AFV Club, Bronco, and some other companies make plastic link tracks for Shermans that will fit your needs for in the $20 range give or take a few bucks.

Yep, there's lots of alternative tracks available in styrene. Looks like this one should be suitable (illustration purposes only) http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/bncab3538.htm

Yes, they are nice tracks compared to the tracks in the kit.  Looking at images of Kangaroos, Shermans and Priests it looks like I could use either style of track, flat (paddle?) or ribbed (V-notch).  I don't know the different styles of tracks used on American tanks in WW2, there must have been a standard based on the vehicle's purpose, weight, horsepower, speed, etc.?

Marcus

Good old kit to get your feet wet, just take your time, and everything will come together