Well it makes sense to just use them until fuel/ammo runs out. I have just noticed on the box lid that it comes with Aussie markings. Looking forward to seeing more of this.

Bish

Ye, I think it needs it. Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Nice to see another piece of Italian armour. There's been some nice ones in the N African armour GB. Did the Aussies actually use this in action.

According to my spotty research, they used captured Italian and even some Vichy French R35s in North Africa. They destroyed the M13/40s when the fuel stocks ran out. According to Wikipedia (so take it with a grain if salt), the use of captured Italian tanks marked the first time Australian troops employed tanks in combat.

Cheers, Aaron

Ye, I think it needs it. Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Nice to see another piece of Italian armour. There's been some nice ones in the N African armour GB. Did the Aussies actually use this in action.

Bish,

All that photoetched metal will go a long way to improving that 39-year-old kit. Can't wait to see it done!

Cheers, Aaron

Welcome to August and the first day of the FSM Orphaned Armor GB.

Here's my entry ready to be unboxed.

I couldn't resist jumping in. Here's the major hull parts together:

And a bogie:

I'm aiming for a pretty quick build here, but I may scratchbuild a little detail in the turret. That way I can leave the hatches open. And maybe a figure. And a base...

Cheers, Aaron 

This is my entry, its certainly an old one. I have no idea where I got this kit, but I know I have had it a very long time.

And I am adding a few extras to spruce it up a bit. And this is the vehicle I will be doing, 213 of the 23rd Pz Div.

I am working on the assumption that the darker colour is the original Russian green and then DY has been applied over that. 

I will be making a start later today.

All right, to kick things off, here's my Tamiya Matilda, all the parts still bagged and just waiting for the work to begin.

Good luck, everyone! I can't wait to see the great models that are going to come out of this GB. Now, if only this darn vacation would end. Er ... what am I saying?

Wayne, flat tires would be a cool effect. I wonder, do you think you could apply a little heat and slowly melt them to get the desired look? It's not something I've tried, so I'm just throwing it out there.

A little more than two hours before we are officially underway!

i made copies of the BM-21 instructions so i can go through and highlight the AM PE. thought i had bought the rocket launcher PE but didn't,  decided it didn't add that much for the price and i did by the truck PE and the 20 122mm rocket set. i still may buy it, who knows.

also found some more pics. be interesting to figure out how to flatten the tires. maybe have a friend resin cast some so i can sand them down and add putty to look flat. anyway something else to deliberate on.

Aaron Skinner

Just two days until we kick this pig. Tim's away from his workbench at the moment and has left the Matilda unguarded. Silly Tim...

You just think it's unguarded ...

I'm currently spending a week with Dark Powers and Mrs. Kidwell. But I will be here for kickoff! Where's Chuck Davis? I know his schedule is opening up so no excuses on this bad boy. Chuck!

Well, just finished my M4A3 and just a tad more on the Type-59... should be ready to clear a little space for the T-26!

Just two days until we kick this pig. Tim's away from his workbench at the moment and has left the Matilda unguarded. Silly Tim...

Ok, I'm ready to go now, what time is it?

I have a week off and I'm already antsy.

What time is it really…

My watch must be broke because I think we still have another 5 days.

Looking forward to this one, can anybody tell.

I've ordered and received an Eduard PE set for my Light Tank Mk VI.

Back in April I ordered some special paints for the Caunter scheme from the UK vendor Trackpads.  Still waiting, and after trying six different avenues  to contact the proprietor,  Andy Preston, no results.

All I can say now is buyer beware on this one.  I've discovered that about year ago a few other people had the same problem.  Apparently the software he is using for his webstore would indicate items were shipped, when they actually had not.  Can only conclude he has not fixed that problem, though that doesn't explain why he has not replied to any of my inquiries.

regards,

Jack

Tim Kidwell

Bish

I still have my old AFV Crew helmet, you want to borrow it Tim

Tempting ... tempting ...

I'd get some body armour as well. Sounds like you might need it

Uh, oh they're doing it again... Get into cover lads, this is gonna be rough!

I'm still waiting on the Tasca suspension for my Sherman...

Bish

I still have my old AFV Crew helmet, you want to borrow it Tim

Tempting ... tempting ...

jibber

I think it'll take a week to clean my bench, let's roll. Terry

I know the feeling!

I think it'll take a week to clean my bench, let's roll. Terry

Tim Kidwell

All right, we have one week before the ground begins to rumble and shake!

Remember, we kick off on Friday, Aug. 1. I've already hidden the tracks and turret to Aaron's tank. Although I don't know what I'm worried about--he's always back of the pack.

I think I need to visit a surplus store and see if I can't find a helmet to wear during the vlogs.

Seven days! Count 'em down!

Tim, Tim, Tim. If you throw down the gauntlet like that, expect to be met well in battle ... and lose! Just as the Aussies and their allies pushed the Axis out of Africa, my captured M13/40 will beat your Matilda to the finish. 

There's an old joke about a British officer visiting the Australian diggers at Tobruk. He asks one of them: "Son did you come here to die?"

"No, sir. I got 'ere yesterdie."

Cheers, Aaron

I am already to kick off on day one. I'll post some pics of the kit and my intended victim when I start.

I still have my old AFV Crew helmet, you want to borrow it Tim

All right, we have one week before the ground begins to rumble and shake!

Remember, we kick off on Friday, Aug. 1. I've already hidden the tracks and turret to Aaron's tank. Although I don't know what I'm worried about--he's always back of the pack.

I think I need to visit a surplus store and see if I can't find a helmet to wear during the vlogs.

Seven days! Count 'em down!

I'm always anxious waiting for a GB to start. Decided to a winter dio for my little stug. Just have to start collecting some stuff for the trees and all set to go.

Gee whiz... closer than I thought! I was hoping to have a little more done with some other stuff before I started the T-26- oh well...

SS, ye, after I posted that last message I did a search and realised I had completely forgotten about that kit. I've got the CH Hummel Ammo carrier which comes from that kit, and I noticed you had that Hummel in your stash. Though I would like both and early and late Hummel, so still plenty of reason to keep a close eye on garzonh's build.

garzonh, you are right there, they do have a lot of sets for Dragon kits. have you used a Voyager set before.

And yep, I am really looking forward to this one. My kit is out and ready.

SchattenSpartan

Of course I am excited!

AWESOME!

Of course I am excited!

Garzonh: Now that's what I call an AM "replacement set"! This one will be very interesting to watch. Now add a Tristar suspension and Friul tracks and the won't be anything left of the original kit! 

Bish: Dragon does make another, new Hummel kit! It has an aluminum gun barrel with some pretty nice rifling included as well as Dragon's Magic Tracks. Everything inside is either a completely new mold or from their Pz.IV Smart Kits.

The OAGB kicks off in 18 days! Are you excited? I know Garzohn is. I have to get a review model off my desk this week and maybe finish Polar Lights' Wolverine (not a review model--just for fun).

Aaron and I are planning many vlogs this time around, so don't skimp on your posts. Those give us something to talk about!

OK! Off to edit, paint, and film a new NPRD!

Hi friend,

Code is: PE35174.

I guess since Voyager is in China as well as Dragon, they seem to have a lot of upgrade sets for Dragon models.

I have one of there all in sets for a jagdpanther, but even that does not have as much as this. I am surprised Dragon have not released a new Hummel. I am guessing the kit shields are rather thick on this kit. You certainly get a lot in that one, what's the code of the PE set.

They do make some good sets, but they are not to easy to use. But they make a lot of sets for kits that no one else covers.