JC, ANDY, BILL212 - Thanks guys and I'm glad to hear that all of you like her.  The best yet, couple of y'all have said that.  As long as they keep improving with each build is good news.  Thanks for all of your comments and help along the way with this one.

MARC - Thanks!

Yes, I used a sharpie on the bottom (running gear skirts) of the Somua and on my FT-17.  The top section of the Somua was done with a different brand of marker; Schneider OHP S marker.  Both were very stark in the beginning.  With a few coats of Dullcote and filters they blended right in.  I do think the sharpie worked better and will be the only brand I use if I use a marker again.  The sharpie ink held together better and had a more black color to it.

On the turret of the Somua the marker had bled out everywhere after spraying Dullcote on it requiring brush work to fix it.  I played around after wards trying to figure out why only the turret did this.  Was able to make it bleed again (on scrap test piece) when the marker was not put on top of an already sprayed coat of Dullcote.  I believe on the Somua I had forgot to Dullcote the turret (unlike the other parts) first before using the marker.

So my theory is:

paint - dullcote - marker - dullcote - filters = No bleeding / good results

If there are no objections to this variant and country, Universal Carrier MK I A in Canadian service, would like to go ahead and claim this as my second entry and begin work.  Will be using the Tamiya British Universal Carrier Mk II to do this.  There are a few adjustments to make the Mk I A variant and believe I can do this.  I am still researching but from what I have found so far the vehicle will belong to the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Hastings / Prince Edward Regiment.  Vehicle insignias have been found.  Concrete evidence of painting / camo and specific vehicle number has not been found.  Will continue to look but if not found will use my artistic licenses to fill in.  Would like to paint the camo pattern using a faded khaki as a base with a brown camouflaging. 

ERIC - Will this be OK for the GB?

Here is the kit:

Typical Tamiya parts

Kit supplied rubber band tracks, not happy with these but have been unable to find a replacement so they will be used.

Will use this book, a few pictures, and a restoration project of a real one for reference.

And construction has begun.  Step one and 2 is building the interior.  Small things will need to be added but first there is use of the dremel.  Have to open up some areas on both of these parts for the air intake.

Will post again when there some significant work done on the interior / hull construction.

Go Rob Go !    

tread

Thanks for the feed back Rob.  I went straight over the Tamiya with the Sharpie.  No bleed issues.  The 2 issues I did have are the less than steady hands the I had when I was young so on close inspection, the lines are very slightly jagged in spots  The other was there is some much raised crap all over this thing, the fine tip could not get in the corners and had to go back with an ultra fine to fill in but they, for some reason, didn't draw well on the paint.

Anyway, here's where I am at the moment.  Some touch ups needed onthe fenders.  The metals fenders look way nicer than the kits.

Seeing different things on different models so... question about exhaust colors. The tips, A are rust(ish),even though B will be covered by the guards... also Rustish?  Really wondering about C.  I've seen it panted and rusty... on models that is.

Rob , that looks like a good subject for this G.B. to me .

Eric is probably working his butt off today ..............................

Sure Rob, would love to the Universal Carrier built up.

Carl, sadly I wasn't busy working today. Let's just say the new gig didn't go according to plan. However, all is not lost.......yet.

Rob - glad to hear you plan to carry on with Canadian markings for the carrier.  A couple responses from WW2talk forum advise that for this time period, the correct unit signs would be 13,14, and 15 for those three regiments.  Also suggested taking a look at a posting of a booklet about the 1st British Corps markings in 1940:  http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/1940/8586-bef-1940-vehicle-markings-2.html  - read from post #65 onwards.

regards,

Jack

Rob: Very nice looking kit, between you and Stik Pusher you guys are pushing me to pick one up.

Marc: Very sharp job there! I ended up having to use a small brush and some black paint to fill in where I couldn't hit with the marker. Wasn't sure about the muffler- I painted parts A and C with rust and left the guards B in camo.

Eric: Hang in there, gosh I hate starting a new job and having to learn everything all over again.

Marc- Camo job looks great!  Knowing it will look better after weathering stage.  Sorry if I missed this earlier, decals came with the Tamiya set or is it an aftermarket decals?  I don't remember seeing it with my Tamiya kit.  Forgive me if I have gone senile...

Thanks guys.

Andy, all the turret markings are masked/painted.  You can make out the masks inthe photo at the bottom of page 96.  The only exception is the 0 on the back of the turret..  I went through a  4" tall stack of decal sheets to find an appropriate 0.  And, as one would expect, I finally found one on like the 3rd to last sheet

Marc,,,     it never fails does it?!                      The camo looks GREAT

Marc : )

hey buddy the camo job looks great with the black applied....I was almost wondering how it was going to look after I had seen you sprayed it freehand...I tried to comment then, but our ComCast is still a little in and out at times...I see you didn't install the jacks....I don't think I will be either....most of the reference I have shows them missing anyway.. a little weathering and it will be badge time for you!

tread

If there are no other submissions for a badge, I select Carl's badge as the official badge. I think he nailed it very well. Modeler#1, I thank you for your submission and appreciate the effort.

The badge is available on page 1 under the guidelines.

wing_nut

Thanks for the feed back Rob.  I went straight over the Tamiya with the Sharpie.  No bleed issues.  The 2 issues I did have are the less than steady hands the I had when I was young so on close inspection, the lines are very slightly jagged in spots  The other was there is some much raised crap all over this thing, the fine tip could not get in the corners and had to go back with an ultra fine to fill in but they, for some reason, didn't draw well on the paint.

Anyway, here's where I am at the moment.  Some touch ups needed onthe fenders.  The metals fenders look way nicer than the kits.

 

 

Seeing different things on different models so... question about exhaust colors. The tips, A are rust(ish),even though B will be covered by the guards... also Rustish?  Really wondering about C.  I've seen it panted and rusty... on models that is.

Marc , i dont know how i missed this post , but ........................ . The out lining of the camo really makse a big diff , kooks really sharp . Details on the exhaust look cool .

That camo came out very well Marc. These Char B's are cool. 

tigerman

If there are no other submissions for a badge, I select Carl's badge as the official badge. I think he nailed it very well. Modeler#1, I thank you for your submission and appreciate the effort.

The badge is available on page 1 under the guidelines.

Hi Eric :  )  good choice ,man... I like that badge alot, very colorful, and gets the message across. I think Modeler #1 also did a fine job and good effort, but the best badge has been chosen and I agree with you whole- heartedly .

on the personal side, I hope things are looking up for you,buddy....the car business is a tough nut to crack...been in it all my life.

my best wishes for you, dude

trread

tread @ Shellfish

Hey dude...great job on your badge.. congrats....if I ever finish diddling around with this build, I will be proud to have it displayed with my others....hey bro', you should rebuild your Pz I... I mean a new one..trick headlight and all... ya got plenty of time.... or are you gonna maybe build something else?

tread

tigerman

If there are no other submissions for a badge, I select Carl's badge as the official badge. I think he nailed it very well. Modeler#1, I thank you for your submission and appreciate the effort.

The badge is available on page 1 under the guidelines.

COOL!!! ...................did i say that out loud ? Well i'm pleased and honored that you guys like it . Its surprising how much time i spent on it . I enjoyed working on it as much as building one of my models . Thanks !

Treadplate , i'm finishing up a Pz. III at  Andy's G.B. now . I might have another week on it . Then i'll think about building another Pz.I here ...............not sure yet though dude .

Hey, thansk for all the comments guys.  

Tread, the jacks will go on but I'm on the "put all the fiddly bits on afterward" side of the fence.  At least that's the plan.  We'll see.

I'm kinda back in the GB.

Today, I hand-painted the tracks on the vehicle. I didn't like it, but I had no choice since they were glued on to the hull. It's hard not to paint all over the wheels when doing the guide horns. I just painted a base, tomorrow I will try a wash and then some pastels. Still contemplating a camo.

Congrats on the badge.......     very nice

Eric,,    am sure the tracks will look fine once you have finished tweaking.       

tread@ Eric 

cool beans dude : ) ....can't wait to see some pics !  I am chuggin' slowly on mine also...I re-did alot of little details to make them look better and I am still adding small details ... hope to put up some kind of pics at the end of the week

tread

check your e mail buddy

ERIC - Hope things work out for you quickly.  I am glad your back on your H39!  I say go for the camo, why not?  Thanks for letting the Canadians in the GB.

TREAD - I'm going

MARC - Thats a great looking paint job!  About your exhaust question:  I would paint part "C" the base color with the rust / heat burning and showing through in spots.

JACK - Had really wanted to get our Canadian friends in and represented.  Thanks for the continued information.  Will be going there shortly to read all the way through.

CARL, GAMERA, ERIC - Thanks for the up with kit / country selection.  Wanted to insure from all of you being that the Canadians are not thought of much in the Blitz.  They were there though.

Kind of funny, went ahead and started this kit to kind of take a break from any complex work but...with the modifications required to try to back date it, I'm still on step 2 / 3.  If build straight from the box one could have it assembled in just a few hours, very few parts and easy construction.  So far though I have cut on almost every piece that I've touched.  Hope it works out?  So far have cut the hight down on the hull bulkheads, removed all molded on details off the engine cover, removed several big part location guides off of the rear plate both on the inside and outside of it,  removed 2 air intake vents and made replacements with some fine brass screen and styrene frame and made a few other small details.  Have also just ordered some nice water cooled MG's.  They should be Vickers but could not find any so instead will use some Maxim MG's.  Think they will be a close enough match.  This isn't the vehicle I'm building but it is the variant and has the MG's.  Mine will have the MG mounted on top and in the forward protected gun position.

Marc, nice work on the camo! Definitely looks the part and I'm sure will be a show-stopper once you give it your usual weathering treatment. As to the question on the exhausts, I would think that the C portion you have marked would be rusty...it isn't protected by any type of guard and is the same exhaust pipe as the other parts that are rusty...so would be subject to the same heat stresses IMHO.

Eric, glad to hear you're getting some benchtime again and making some progress. Painting tracks in place is always a pain and the guide horn design you're dealing with is a pain, no question. Maybe try slipping a thin sheet of styrene between the horn and the wheel where they contact to help contain things while you paint?

Rob, nice to see you're sticking with the GB with a secon build! The Carrier ought to be a fun subject.

I've been getting very limited time at the bench and haven't gotten to the painting just yet...but have been slowly working on the MK tracks when I can get a few minutes here and there, so my build hasn't stalled out...just creeping along a little at a time lately is all.

wbill76

Eric, glad to hear you're getting some benchtime again and making some progress. Painting tracks in place is always a pain and the guide horn design you're dealing with is a pain, no question. Maybe try slipping a thin sheet of styrene between the horn and the wheel where they contact to help contain things while you paint?

Great idea Bill. I wish I HAD thought of that before I painted, but I think it turned out okay, considering. 

I'm debating how I want to attack this thing. I think I'll go with pastels on the tracks, because I fear a wash over enamels might loosen the tracks and then disaster. I guess I could try an acrylic wash over them. Never tried that before. Hmmm.

Rob, you're right. I really have nothing to lose going for a camo. I just have to decide if I want to do the red only or go with that patch pattern. Decisions. 

Hi guys....     a quick update on the Pz I command interior...

As much as it can sometimes be a pain, I do like fiddlin with these types of add-ons. One of the problems I find is that they are truly a time-sponge. Just a few little items can take hours....   (for me anyway). BUT, still enjoyable.

After priming, most everything, I slathered on some interior white and funked things up a bit with a thin blue-ish black wash. I don't use straight black as I feel it is an overkill.

I thought the radio(s) would be fun to work on first

Add a little light tan to the faceplate and some white detail areas -

Some more detail painting, scratches, etc. -

Much of the same with the other radio. They do look a lot alike but have some subtle differences -

On the first unit I added a hook where a headset could be slung (primed and painted after attaching) -

I made a headset out of a cut strip of brass, then punched out some brass circles and some plastic, smaller, circles to replicate a headset (crappy pics here, sorry) -

Primed and subsequently painted and highlighted -

Drilled a few holes in the radio and added some thin copper wire, painted and added a "plug-in" for the headset, added a little bit of future to the radio "glass" areas -

I also fooled around with the instument panel and fire extinguisher...  pretty much the same methods used.

That's it for now. I still have some more to add and also ding and highlight some or the things which will be visible.

Hope you like and as always,,  comments welcome!

Bill

Oh yeah Bill those details are cool ............  Those scratch headphones look spot on . And the details on the gauges ............really fine .

PANZERWAFFE

 

Rob , i've always thought these were strange looking little things , fast but not much protection for the crew . Looking forward to seeing your modifications on the kit .

tread @ Bill

those time stealing fiddly bits are , to my eye, what makes a model. I think you have spent your time very wisely

those interior shots look freekin' awesome,Bill Kudos my friend :  )

tread

Bill, great job on the interior. Some fine detail work there.