That's some awesome info, Stik!

I decided on a second subject for this GB (when my Jug is finished):

It's going to be a Sherman CRAB. Now I just have to find that mine-plough...

So did I... I figured it's a mortar and loaded thru the bore, like most other mortars... then I saw the film clip... just the loaders hand and forearms are exposed in the process. Kind of cool to see. I always thought the same as you guys. The more I saw Hobarts funnies explained in detail on this show, the more I realized that the man was a true innovative genious with AFVs.

Its a good idea though. Less exposure for the crew to enemy fire. Nice to see the army actually thinking about things.

Yeow!!! Thanks SP! I was thinking the thing loaded from the front like Bish! And I was modifying a figure to load her from the muzzle end, you just saved me a great deal of work from ending up with a couple of figures that I'd have to cut apart and modify again. 

I noticed the odd modification on the left forward (machine gunner's) hatch (right on photo) but never thought it was to load the gun though... 

I didn't realise that. I thought it was loaded from the muzzle end, a bit like old cannons.

A week or two ago I saw something on Military Channel about D-Day armor. The AVRE was featured, and I fnally learned how that mortar was loaded (I have been wondering for ages). It pivots to vertical on the mount, and is loaded from the bottom end (breech) thru a hatch in the top of the hull... interesting to watch the process on film. It was nice to finally learn something new off of that channel that was not "reviosionist" or some other new take on old information.

No work on the Churchill but I started work on the crew. Going to try to have them either loading the giant mortar or a guy on the ground handing the giant shell up to a guy on the hull.  

bitbite

It's good to see you miscreants are finally back on topic.  

Thanks Bish! The IP took me longer to complete than the entire rest of the cockpit. I had to cut the decal for it apart and added every bezel by itself... Then I messed up the gloss coat I applied over the bezels and had to re-spray the whole thing with a flat clear-coat and do it all again (first time I used that technique)

I managed to add the stabilizers and the fuselage spine and sand everything smooth tomorrow...

Thanks guys, it's going to be fun doing a pin wash over all the little projections and bolt heads, etc...

Gamera - the AVRE looks Awesome, Virile, Radical, and Excellent!

It's good to see you miscreants are finally back on topic.  

stikpusher

Bish

 

Don't worry wayne, I will be lucky to get to my Pz IV this side of the new year.

Yeah, I am in the same boat. It will be a couple months before I can start a project for here. I have two projects going now (one almost done), and two on deck for start when these two are done next month.

So many GB's, so little time.

Clemens, that's coming along nice. The IP looks great.

Gamera, The AVRE is looking good.

I will have to try and remember that whe I get around to building mine...

Thanks guys!

SP: The running gear was a lot of parts to clean up but went together like silk. Just turn the part with the suspension arms upside down and everything just drops right in!

Clemons: Sounds good! I like anything I can wipe away with a little thinner instead of sanding for detail work. This is the AFV Club kit, the Tamiya one is pretty good too. Now I'm got to pick up the Mk IV regular combat tank too.

Thanks guys!

I have no Mr Surfacer at hand, but I'll just use Vallejo's putty. That stuff can be wiped off with my airbrush cleaner (Revell Aqua Color Clean)...

Cliff: Very nice work on Your AVRE. You inspired me to order one of those Churchilll kits (Mk. IV with all those spare tracks) at my LHS...,

Your AVRE is looking real good there. I have read that the suspension is soething of a bear on this kit.

Clemons: Looks good! You should be able to scribe panel lines in tight places with the backside of a regular hobby knife. There are several ways to fill gaps, if you have any Mr. Surfacer I like to put a little in a tight place, let it dry, and then rub gently with a cotton swab/bud moist with lacquer thinner. It will only take off the excess if you rub gingerly.

Little work here on the Churchill. I'm hoping to paint soon so you can see the PE that came with the kit here:

I went to see 'Pacific Rim' last night, loved the movie. I refuse to pay seven bucks for a drink though.

white glue might work for the small gaps. blend it with a wet Q-tip. no help with scribing

Well played, sir.  Well played.

bitbite

I like it.  It will be awesome!

By the way, I just spent $16.50 for three medium drinks at the theater.  I could have bought a small kit for that. 

Yes you could have bought a 1/48 Monogram P-51 for that price.

Bish

 

Don't worry wayne, I will be lucky to get to my Pz IV this side of the new year.

I like it.  It will be awesome!

By the way, I just spent $16.50 for three medium drinks at the theater.  I could have bought a small kit for that. 

Ok guys,

We are doing nothing but behaving like idiots ATM (nothin' bad about that), so I thought I'll post at least something productive...

I promised you an update, so here it is:

First, a pic I forgot to post:: A photo of the IP with decals and gloss paint (Alclad) added:

Now the real update:

Fuselage and wings are glued together:

The stabilizers and tail fillet are not glued in place yet:

Another pic of the cockpit: I had some issues getting it all lined up and I hpe everything looks OK...

I had some problems with the turbocharger exhaust as well (some huge gaps on both sides), so I need to fix that. Any tipps on how to rescribe panel lines and fill gaps in such a small area?

I hope you like it...

Cheers, Clemens

Stik, Bish: Please forgive me. Bitbite seems to use some mind-tricks on me...

Í just had to post it... It was so tempting...

I like the tombstone you created for me!

Ok, one more before I go.  See you all later!  Please forgive the mispelled "borrowed!"

Not my best work but I'm pressed for time. 

Uh oh, Stik's online.  Wait'll he sees what we've been up to.  

bitbite

- are you going to fall on your xacto?

LOL

I would do that.  Or put my airbrush in my mouth and pull the trigger.  

Just make sure its loaded with Dumb Dumb paint. Otherwise it could get messy.

Don't worry wayne, I will be lucky to get to my Pz IV this side of the new year.

You know, I'm still here for another 40 minutes.  *glares at Schatten*