Background
With this one we are going back in time to the Korean War for the M40 155mm Self Propelled Gun by AFV. Also I will use some of the Eduard PE set and AFV T84 tracks.
For interest, here is the M40 during the Korean winter. This will be the effect I will try to work with. Notice the live ammunition which is tarped to the rear and the dunnage pile on the right of the gun
For more details and a walk around, I will use my own pictures from Aberdeen Proving Grounds along with :
http://www.primeportal.net/artillery/david_lueck/m40_155mm_spg/
Also I will be using my usual assortment of books and technical manuals.
The Build
For this build I will start at step 10 of the instructions. The first 6 or so are the gun itself and the next few the road wheel assemblies. The main hull has a lot of detail work so I thought I would concentrate my efforts there first.
Step 10 get the basic hull assembled after which I began the process of texturing for the cast parts. The basic assembly of the kit supplied parts goes without a hitch and the parts are of the usual high quality and high detail that AFV kits show.
Below is an in process photo showing the front textured with two coats of Mr. Surfacer 500 which was dabbed on.
Here is a rear shot of the step 10 assembly, but not much going to happen back here for a bit.
A bit further on in the process with all the front end cast items textured and some weld seams in place. For the weld seams I had some metal powder lying around (Zinc dust) so the larger welds are Mr. Surfacer 1000 dabbed on and then some zinc dust dabbed into the wet Mr. Surfacer. Also at this point I began some of the front PE work.
At this point with the small parts and fine work, I am moving from the gun compartment divider forward.
Here is a close view of the main side weld seam
Some of the PE is really small. The tie downs which replace the kit molded in tie downs are and absolute joy to work with.
I am off on another building adventure. Next is to finish all the kit supplied and PE details for the front.
As always all comments are welcome and thanks for looking
Rounds Complete!!