1990-1991 Gulf War 25th Anniversary Group Build

Bish

James, the bits attached to the rear of the turret, is that just stand off armour?

That is what it is. Something to give the rear of the turret a bit more standoff protection. Interestingy, the framework there was designed so that the supports for the extra armor there could hold one of the original stowage boxes, too.

Also, the forward most 'block' on the turret front left, the one with the big springs on it, was designed so that it could be raised up fairly easily to allow the driver to use his hatch, which would be blocked otherwise. 

It certainly radically changes the profile of the otherwise familiar T-55, no doubt. And this is without the side armor, too. I have it assembled, but it would get in the way of installing the tracks if mounted now.

Over all, things have gone pretty well so far. The base T-55A kit pretty much falls together, and the extra parts for the Enigma are very, very good. Just some minor seams on some of the armor block assemblies, etc. Bunch of leftovers for the spares box, too. Soviet tanks tend to be pretty austere in extra equipment adorning them, and the Enigma even more so. 

What an interesting tank! Nice model and super clean work.

Love those Tamiya T-55s.

Getting closer. Pretty much done with assembly now. Needs some spot filling and sanding. Time to break out the Mr. Surfacer and primer soon. Usually I don't prime stuff, but this will be tough to paint with the plastic so close to the final color. At least I got something done this weekend. 

Greg

Castel, I think that new paint job is looking great.

11B, that's a great looking tank!

 

Thank you.

Bish

11B, now that is very nice. Some great touches with the personal markings.A great finish over all. Is that a bit of war booty I see on the turret.

 

Thank you. And yes it is...

Castel, I think that new paint job is looking great.

11B, that's a great looking tank!

Charlie 33 "Lethal Tendencies" is done. It turned out fair, had a few issues with stowage and what not, seems that not all 1:35 accessories are the same size. Tried to paint the "Chocolate Chip" camo on the ruck covers and helmets, a 2 year could have done better, but looks ok after weathering. Had to scratchbuild the LBE harness using lead foil, and added a strap with the smae to the pro mask...didnt do slings as the interior will rarely be on display. Weathered with Tamiya weathering pastels, and Model Master Detail stain for the spills. The background in the pictures is a picture of Jalibah airfield while we was attacking it on 2-27-91...we had to pull off the airfield due to Iraqi arty fire and I took a moment to take a pic. I have a rough idea for a diorama  using the M2 and this picture so its like a mack up of whats to come. Well heres the pics...enjoy

I decided to repaint the Piranha as I didn't really like the NATO cammouflage. So it looks like this for now:

The kit din't come with decals but I read that sometimes they were hand painted. If correct that is what I'll do.

Yes, XV 230 was lost in Afghanistan in 2006 from an onboard fire caused by a leak in the refueling system.

GM (and Bish), thanks for the additional info on the Nimrod. If they were retired in 2010, I guess the Gulf War must have been thier swan song.

Has anyone noticed that when replying in a thread, the thread title is nowhere to be seen now? I sort of miss that.

It was withdrawn but there is no replacement. It was supposed to have been replaced by the MR4, but thanks to good old budget cuts, that was cancelled in 2010, just when the 2 was scrapped. So we currently have nothing to fill the role of Maritime recon.

Really good idea for an Island nation don't you think.

There is a rumour we are getting the P-8 Poseidon, but that has not been confirmed by the government.

Thank you, Greg. Yes it's a real interesting aircraft, the final version of the ill-fated De Havilland Comet airliner. The RAF retired them in 2010, and I think they've been replaced with the C-130. Bish correct me if that's not true.

This was a challenge kit. If it's "new" Airfix, it's one of the first of the new breed. It did not come in the now familiar red box. I think it was in the works when Airfix went under, and was ressussitated by Humbrol. Clunky details and fit issues.

The biggest problem was the decals, complete garbage. I have since read that Airfix replaced quite a few sets on the earliest releases. As it turned out I had an aftermarket set ordered anyhow, beauties from Cartograph. I just skipped all of the millions of stencils Airfix included.

Sure thing my friend....

Hey silk-boy, when you do get a chance to stick Nimrod up top, could you please add the gator ship too?

I'll be starting the Nighthawk later.

11B, that Bradley is looking very sharp.

GM, nice work on your Nimrod. I'm embarrassed to say I'd never seen that aircraft before and it is certainly an interesting one.

Wayne, your scud launcher is looking good, and I'm glad you enjoyed mixing Vallejo.:)

And me, I'm far away from my bench in CA with a less than optimal internet connection.

On to the next and this one really has my heart pounding.

LHA-1 Tarawa deployed to the Gulf with Harrier Squadron VMA- 513 "Flying Nightmares" on board, that is detachment two.

This is Dragon 1/700 model. Much more about the pros and cons of this kit later in a separate thread.

GM & B-1, nice work guys! Some very sweet finishes there! 11B & Wayne, it looks like you two are pretty close to the finish line yourselves. My desktop crapped out, so I am gonna be a bit delayed getting your finished builds onto the front page here.

GM that turned out nice. between this and the OTS GB KC-135 i may have to build a big aeroplane.

looks like i have to repaint the warhead on the SCUD which is good since i want to maje it lighter so will nix deset tan with dirty white. (did that looks nice). mixing paints is fun with Vallejo. i had to adjust the wires to get the erector in full launch mode. also working on an OTS Libyan ICM BM-21 which is getting me as much of a fit as the 1/35. 

wiring

Very nice GM !

Well, we used to. Not any more.

Thanks you guys! You Brits really know how to design them, Bish.

Very Nice! Excellent work.

It's a wrap.

"Battlestar 42", Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR.2 XV244.

42 Squadron, RAF Kinloss Scotland. Deployed to Seeb International Airport, Oman, in August 1990.

Nimrods provided uplink for US Navy real time location images of shipping, radar surveillance, overhead command of RN and RAF helicopter and USN A-6 operations, and shipping strikes.

Battlestar 42 has 4 ship victory markings.

Warload consists of four Sting Ray torpedoes and one SAR package.