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British Army Group Build 2020

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, June 22, 2020 4:41 PM

Bish

Thanks G, ye, you might be right about that.

The Comet is looking very nice, and a good selection of figures. But a pity you didn't fancy doing the guy in the kilt Big Smile

 

Well, since you mentioned it I'll give the guy with the kilt and Tam O'Shanter a go as well. Wink

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Monday, June 22, 2020 6:26 PM

I think the incorrect torsion arm direction was just sloppy research.  Sometimes kit makers just mirror left/right details.

I was also surprised to learn that several AFVs had torsion arms that swing forward.  Was this to keep the road wheels more or less parallel, or maybe it was just for better packaging/spacing of the torsion bars?

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 10:33 AM
AA, the second LRDG truck came out really well great work!
 
Gamera, I’m pretty jealous you have a Comet. I’ve been trying to find one for a couple years now. Hopefully I’ll be getting one soon. I’m really liking how it’s turning out. Those Miniart figures are great the same TC you are using is also in my Firefly. Maybe they are twins?
 
Jgeratic, nice work on the little Humber.
 
 
PJ, glad my WIP can be of some help. I can already tell yours is going to turn out much better. If you haven’t already I’d consider tossing the decals and getting some other ones as the kit ones are junk or at least mine were. The Firefly I built is going to be replaced by the Asuka one pretty soon as I’m really not happy with it.  
 
Bish, I’m really liking the Warrior and will be following with great interest.  
 
I finally have an update! The past couple weeks have been pretty rough for me. Ended up getting tested for Covid and came back that I was positive for antibodies and then had to wait a few days to find out if I had the life virus. Finally got the results and came back negative. So I’ve already had the virus at some point.
 
 
The lower hull was painted desert pink with a mix of Tamiya paints.  Had to go back over and paint it a second time with a different mixture as my first mix was too light. Also got the rubber on the road wheels painted.
 
Started back work on the Miniart tracks and after getting into a rhythm they aren’t bad at all. This run took about two hours of work and is halfway done. A couple weeks ago I used Modelkasten tracks for a Tristar Panzer I and the Miniart tracks are a breeze compared to those.
 
Here’s what they look like fitted so far. They fit really well just a little snug around the sprocket which is not a problem.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 11:44 AM

Greysnake: Oh gee friggin' whiz! Thankfully no one I've known personally has picked up the Covid 19 bug but you're the third person here on this forum! It's great to hear you blew it out of your system- can't hurt to be immune to it from here on out. 

You're making great progress there! I've wondered about the new MiniArt kits- I've built the ancient Tamiya one. Looks good, I really like the tracks! 

And thanks. I've wanted a 1/35th Comet since I saw photos in a book on AFVs back in high school in the '80s. Really nice looking tank. Not the biggest fan of the Bronco kit but I think (and hope) the worst of it is behind me. And gotta love those MiniArt figures, I've picked up probably about a dozen boxes all put together of different nationalities so far. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 1:31 PM

Gamera

 

 
Bish

Thanks G, ye, you might be right about that.

The Comet is looking very nice, and a good selection of figures. But a pity you didn't fancy doing the guy in the kilt Big Smile

 

 

 

Well, since you mentioned it I'll give the guy with the kilt and Tam O'Shanter a go as well. Wink

 

I'm sure Hannants does tarten paint Wink

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 1:34 PM

Thanks Greysnake. Thats coming on really well, nice work.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 1:58 PM

Hey GS good to hear you are ok. Was wondering why you didn't post for a bit. I have talked to several persons who never knew they had Covid19 but only after the fact or suspect they had it back in January. I'm glad you blew past that sucker!!

I have been very busy tiling the kitchen and painting several rooms so by the end of the day I just wanna sit and do nothing. 

The Firefly is about ready for paint along with a Jagdtger I have been working on. Funny you mentioned AM decals as I just got in some with markings I like better. 
I got these

I'm almost ready for the paint stage. Just need to add some small parts.

 

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 2:17 PM

Looks nice there PJ, be good to see some paint on that.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 10:52 AM
Gamera, the Miniart tracks are pretty good. The plastic is on the soft side so you do have to take some care when sanding. I’ve also been dealing with some flash on the outside of some of the guide horns every so often. Otherwise I don’t have any problems with them. Building a jig is a must at least with these tracks, wouldn’t be able to get them together otherwise and keep them workable.
 
 
I got that Bronco Comet when it first came out around 2005 I think? I remember I wasn’t too terribly impressed with it compared to what Dragon was doing back then. Stopped on it for some reason and lost track of it from various moves.
 
 
Thank you Bish.   
 
PJ, those markings look a lot better then what’s in the box. Can’t wait to see it painted. Are you using the kit track links?
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 11:21 AM

PJ: Ohhhhhhh that looks good!!! 

Greysnake: Thanks! Good to hear they're working out for you. I like link tracks but they tend toward giving me a headache too often. 

Bish: Lol, I'll look for the tartan paint!! Wink

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 12:51 PM

Real G

I think the incorrect torsion arm direction was just sloppy research.  Sometimes kit makers just mirror left/right details.

I was also surprised to learn that several AFVs had torsion arms that swing forward.  Was this to keep the road wheels more or less parallel, or maybe it was just for better packaging/spacing of the torsion bars?

 

I would have thought that arms that swing forward to take a bigger impact on anything that might hit when compared to arms that swing away from anything. But, i guess these guys have a reason.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 2:37 PM

GreySnake
 
 
PJ, those markings look a lot better then what’s in the box. Can’t wait to see it painted. Are you using the kit track links?
 

Yes will be using the kit tracks.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 2:40 PM

Thanks Gamera. 

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 7:09 PM
Finished one side of track this afternoon took about ninety minutes. Looking at another three hours or so to finish to finish the other side.
 
The entire run is workable and fits on the Sherman like a glove.
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, June 25, 2020 11:28 AM

Greysnake: That looks good, glad to hear the tracks are going so well. 

Funny, I looked up what you're building, the early M4 suspension with the central roller had me thinking you were building a M3 Lee/Grant. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, June 29, 2020 3:34 PM

The Warrior is now at the painting stage, given the amount of AM and scratch work, i am surprised at how quick it come together.

After the last update, the next thing i got to was prepping the road wheels. In this pic, the kit wheels are on the left, resin the right. On the inner wheels at top, you can see bolt detail on the resin wheels. And on the outer set, the resin wheels have much nice detail around the hub as well as the oil filler plug for the hub oil reservoir.

The resin wheels were cleaned up by running a rough sanding stick around then and then i took a needle file to some to take out a few small chunks of rubber. Then they all got primed. Can't beat wheels on sticks.

I also primed the inside of the hull after fitting the rear. I had to open the 2 small windows as these were solid.

While that was drying i got most of the turret together. The barrel trough was fitted as this is the same green as the rest of the vehicle. The barrel will be painted seperatly and added later. The antenna base mounts came with clansman antenna bases. These were removed and replaced with bowman one. The set included 3 styles. The small device on the front right antenna is a GPS transciever and had to be taken from one of the other style of bases.The armoured covers for the Raven sites have been left off to paint seperatly. By 2006 this vehicle had the new BGTI sites, but the houseing is the same and externally there is no differance.

There are still a few more bits to add.

These two parts are the rear light houseing which comes with the bottom and rear of the rear bins attached. The two areas indicated are the buttons for the door of the 510. But on the real vehicle, these buttons are only on the left, the right is just a blanking plate. However, the 511 has a manually operated door so there are no butons at all. Accurate Armour does not mention that the buttons have to be removed. A quick swipe with a scalpel blade will do the job.

And the cam pole holders are pretty poor. I wil replace these with brass tube. There are 8 sets in total.

And with all these parts sorted and the hull fully assemebled, its now ready for some paint. I had to modify and move the fire extingusher holder just behind the left lights. Tools are secured with canvas webbing straps secured with a metal plate. I use lead foil and styrene rod for these. The long bit of lead foil and the metal brackets for the shovels and axe. I will trim to fit later.

The cover for the side bin was cut out of lead foil.

Close up of the front tool holders. Also you can see the access step. this had to be thined and reshaped. The part coming out from the side is the step thats designed to be fited with the chobham. The kit step was to short. You can also see one of the new cam pole holders on the front light guards. The lightguards had to be raised at the front as i realised the angle was wrong when fitting the cam pole holders.

Closer short of the right side cam pole holder.

Rear all fitted out.

The the whole thing was hit with primer and the underside painted with Alclad aluminium.

I also sprayed Alclad where i will do some light chipping. namely the ice breaker and access step.

I have since given it a coat of green. Tomorrow it should be ready for masking and the black.

 

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 12:22 PM
Amazing work so far on the Warrior Bish! Can already tell that’s going to be a very nice model once completed.
 
After over six hundred parts the tracks have been built and the base color sprayed on. The instructions called for Tamiya XF-1 black which seemed a little too harsh so instead XF-69 NATO black was used. Next up is painting a little over three hundred guide horns.
As long as the photo etch doesn’t give me too much trouble the remaining build should be a breeze.    
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 12:44 PM

Bish: Oh wow, now that's a LOT of work. But it's going to be cool to have a replica of the vehicle you served on. 

Greysnake: Great job there getting all those links in order! 

 

Speaking of tracks I put the 'rubber band' treads on the Comet and they're about an inch and a half / four cm too short. My fault, I should have checked beforehand instead of assuming they'd fit. I think I'm going to try tying them together with some thread and rotating the tied areas up under the fenders where you can't see it unless you turn the model upside down. Then I'm going to bolt the #@#@ thing to the base so you can't turn it upside down... 

Really Greysnake and anyone else who buys this kit- please pick up aftermarket tracks. Those for a Cromwell would probably fit, though a Comet is a little longer so you'd probably need two sets.  

On the other hand I'm very happy with how the figures are coming along. Will get some photos up soonish. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 1:31 PM

Thanks guys.

Tracks are coming on well GS, i usually paint mine NATO black.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    July 2020
Posted by EricB on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 1:25 AM

Hi Bish

I've created another account - maybe this one will work. Screen name is EricB - used to be Ebergerud. If I'm back online, I'll build you a Tasca Sherman firefly.

Fingers crossed

Eric

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 9:04 AM

EricB

Hi Bish

I've created another account - maybe this one will work. Screen name is EricB - used to be Ebergerud. If I'm back online, I'll build you a Tasca Sherman firefly.

Fingers crossed

Eric

 

Welcome back Eric, i take it you were having issues with your other account. I'll get you on the roster.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    July 2020
Posted by EricB on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 3:40 PM

They're still no bouncing emails back to me. Let's try again.

Eric

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Mopar Madness on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 7:05 PM

There's a lot of metal and AM on that warrior Bish. Now you have to be extra careful that nothing pops off during weathering! I know it's going to look great.

Chad

God, Family, Models...

At the plate: 1/48 Airfix Bf109 & 1/35 Tamiya Famo

On deck: Who knows!

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Thursday, July 2, 2020 4:13 AM

Thanks Chad. ye, i am going to have be careful with all those little straps. I had one come off when taking off the mask, but nothing major.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, July 2, 2020 8:12 AM

Eric: It's good to hear from you again. That's weird, there's been a couple of people who have had to create new accounts to get back on. Hmm

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, July 2, 2020 8:26 AM

Anyway, photos finally. 

As I said the 'rubber band' tracks aren't long enough. My stupid fault, I should have tested them first. It's almost like they were made for a Cromwell since it's a bit shorter than the Comet. They're about an inch and a half/ four cm too short:

So I grabbed some dental floss sitting nearby and treaded it though the holes and pulled it slightly tight. About halfway- 3/4 of an inch / 2 cm. Just enough for it to be tight without taking a chance of ripping the tracks. Then I painted the floss black to better hide it: 

Then I rotated the whole horrible looking mess up under the rear fenders. Thankfully it's pretty hard to see unless you're looking for it. Hopefully they won't break one day, I didn't pull it very tight so there shouldn't be that much stress on it. I also didn't worry about track sag, most of the photos I've seen of the Comet didn't show much at all so I'm not going to worry about it. 

Frankly the best thing would have been aftermarket tracks. But as I said I really didn't want to rip the mud guards off the fenders and then clean up and repaint them again:

I think the whole thing looks pretty decent if not great if I do say so myself.

A few more items like tools to add. Then detail painting and a good matte coat of varnish. Then hopefully I'm done. Just need to finish up the figures and build a small dio to set the thing in:

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Thursday, July 2, 2020 11:02 AM
Gamera, the Comet is really looking good. That’s really too bad about the kit included tracks. Good thing you can more or less hide the mess behind the fenders.
 
 
Finally did end up getting a Comet a few days ago. Mine is the 2015 reissue and comes with workable tracks.
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, July 2, 2020 11:35 AM

Thanks Greysnake. And I'm very happy to know that your kit came with a better set of tracks. I swear they're the worst part of the kit, and I really should have replaced them. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Thursday, July 2, 2020 5:45 PM
That’s really disappointing about the tracks. It’s a pretty big oversight to get the track link too short and for a modern kit should have never happened. I’ve only had tracks come up too short one time on a Tauro Italian tank that I can’t remember the name of.   
 
Pretty odd that your tracks came out too short and mine on the Sherman came out too long!  
  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Thursday, July 2, 2020 6:08 PM

Hi Cliff, like how the Comet is coming along.  Short tracks must be a Bronco thing, their first boxing of the A13 Cruiser tank had the same issue, and subsequent releases had individual track links.

 

regards,

Jack

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