Wow, that is coming along nicely.  The weathering you have done so far looks great.

Can't wait to see what you come up with for a dio.

D

modelcrazy

Yeah, I don't know why the Italians used a Roo for rhat particular chemical. 

 

The Italians did not. The Kangaroo markings were applied by Australian troops to Italian tanks that they captured at Tobruk and pressed into service by the Aussies. If you are planning on putting GIs with the M13, that would be in Tunisia or Sicily and the markings would be standard Italian.

Well dang it! That's what a ship guy gets for venturing into the realm of armor LOL. Not a problem, I can replace the markings easily enough. You pulled my butt out of the fire again Stick, thanks.

Lol! Anytime! Welcome to the Dark Side!

modelcrazy

Thanks D,

I'm going to use the ground figures from my Walker Bulldog kit. They are inaccurate for the Korean War but hopefully will fit for 1942. The tank will be abandoned and they are using it for cover. I'm waiting for some materials to make a mold of the figures before I assemble them although I started on the base.

 

Something like this?

Exactly, but my GI's will be in a shooting position.

I removed the Roos from the turret, repainted it and put on proper markings. The instructions are in Italian so I didn't read they were Aussie markings LOL. 

That's a great picture, lots of ideas.

I don't know why they would want that piece of junk though. The thing had no power and the gun couldn't penetrate anything.

modelcrazy

Exactly, but my GI's will be in a shooting position.

I removed the Roos from the turret, repainted it and put on proper markings. The instructions are in Italian so I didn't read they were Aussie markings LOL. 

That's a great picture, lots of ideas.

I don't know why they would want that piece of junk though. The thing had no power and the gun couldn't penetrate anything.

 

Well, when the Aussies captured them in 1940, they had no tanks of their own for the most part. So they could continue with no armor, or use captured mediocre tanks. Automotively, the engine was decent, probably more reliable than many British tanks, and the armor was no better or worse than most British tanks of the time, except the Matilda. The gun was actually more useful than the 2 pounder standard on British tanks because it had both AP and HE rounds. Unlike the 2 pounder, which had no HE rounds, only solid AP shot. The first really decent tanks that the British had in North Africa were American made, the Grant and the Stuart. 

stikpusher

The first really decent tanks that the British had in North Africa were American made, the Grant and the Stuart. 

I've been watching some documentaries on YouTube about the Lee/Grant and Stuart. The seemed to be fair and a good stop gap, although tall. The 75mm on the Lee/Grant could penetrate the German armor but had to get out of their hull down to get it to fire.
I know you know all this I'm just stoked I do now.

Here is the M-13, with the new decals. I still have some fiddly bits and storage (more like tarps blowing around) to add to the tank, work on the base and assemble the guys. The base will not be level like this.

You are doing a great job on this tank!  Painting and weathering look just right.  Looking forward to the dio.  I am enjoying watching this unfold.

Lol Steve, I think I would have just left the 'roo' in place and put some Aussie 'diggers' with her.

Still nice recovery there, I just hate redoing stuff.

modelcrazy

looking

             good........                                                          

Save

Since it is an abandoned or knocked out tank maybe one of the hatches should be open. Just a thought. The tank looks superb btw.

Excellent recovery. Like a quick shirt change and a new tie.

I like the little history lesson in this thread as well

Thanks guys,

Griffin, I was thinking about that yesterday. I was installing the tracks when one of them broke while installing it, so OK, I'll show it tracked and abandoned by the crew. But why would the crew flee after they politely closing all the hatches. After all they weren't born in a barn. Hmmm.

I decided to crack the side hatches, where they closed slightly after a dust storm or something. I can't open them much since any interior I scratch will be rudimentary at best. Like most of my builds, I just can't do OOB anymore.

The lack of any other damage? I dono, maybe something broke, tracked it and there wasn't time to repair, but apparently time enough to close most of the hatches LOL 

Damage a road wheel near the broken track like it hit a mine...

Hi Steve

Your tank is looking great. Spot on with the paint and weathe ring.

I have to build some armor too for a change.

Thats coming along really well Steve, some nice weathering there.

I know what you mean, it does seem odd that the crew would close the hatches after evacuating the tank but if there's no interior you kinda have to. Or at least that's what I do... 

Stick, PJ, Bish and Gam thanks. Here's my solution. I damaged one of the road wheels like Stick suggested, opened the side hatch slightly enough where you really can’t see in and have one of the commanders hatched jammed open slightly with a rag. I would really like to open both of the commander’s hatches but without an interior that's not happening and I don't want to scratch one. The tarp on the back is blowing in the wind, the tools will be scattered and the stores were removed long ago. The rag jamming the commander's hatch ajar will be oil stained.

I started the rock hill and it looks terrible now but I will be adding real sand between the rocks and dio sand on top of that to fill the gaps.

I also threw in the half built GIs for show.

It's looking great Steve. I know your skills and this one will be another great piece.

Like where your going with that Steve, looking good.

Nice looking piece of Italian armor!

Thank you MM

Here's some stowage ideas.....

Save

disastermaster

 

Here's some stowage ideas.....

                                       

Save

 

 

 

Would they leave stowage on the tank if they had abandoned it? I guess if they were under fire or in a hurry that would make sense. 

Griffin25

Would they leave stowage on the tank if they had abandoned it? I guess if they were under fire or in a hurry that would make sense. 

Probably not, but that picture does give me a good idea for hanging ropes or nets and it gave me the thougt of an open create somewhere.

modelcrazy

Griffin25

Would they leave stowage on the tank if they had abandoned it? I guess if they were under fire or in a hurry that would make sense. 

 

 Probably not, but that picture does give me a good idea for hanging ropes or nets and it gave me the thought of an open crate somewhere.

 

               

That's what it's all about.
Glad to help.
  
                                                      

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Griffin25

 

 

disastermaster

 

Here's some stowage ideas.....

                                       

Save

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would they leave stowage on the tank if they had abandoned it? I guess if they were under fire or in a hurry that would make sense. 

 

Yes, they are just gonna take the most important items that they need immediately. They really have no need for tarps, fuel, etc. maybe 1 or 2 water cans...

Another theory for a lot of stowage. Maybe they surrendered? That could be the most probable senario. Late in the North African campaign. Been getting beat up for 3 years and trudging back and forth in the desert. Then the friendly faces of American G.I.s and a free trip to New Jersey.