Looking good so far, Rob, and good on you for tackling PE - I haven't done that yet, but it's pretty inevitable, sooner or later, I uppose

And good luck with the track-bashing!  Unfashionable though it might be, I prefer the vinyl tracks, they make life so much easier.  I am also building British tanks, my aim is to cover their history, but only with the most significant types, and not in any particular order.

How are you finding the build process with MiniArt, compared to Tamiya (other than the PE, of course)?

Nice work on that so far, and the PE work looks nice. look forward to seeing more. I have not built a miniart armour kit yet, but they are coming out with some nice subjects and they make great figure set.

Hutch6390

Unfashionable though it might be, I prefer the vinyl tracks, they make life so much easier.

I understand what you mean. I made the Tamiya Matilda a couple of models ago. It comes with both links and vinyl tracks. I started with the links and made a complete balls up of it. I ended up using the vinyl tracks.

With the Matilda, I don't think it makes a lot of difference as the top run of the tracks is hidden. But I also made a Centaur and that could have done with a solution that sagged realistically. I tried cementing the tracks to the top of the wheels but that didn't work too well.

I watched the VMS youtube piece on making tracks and if that works it looks like a really good way of doing it. So I'm giving it a try ... when the slow cement arrives.

If it doesn't work, I think the next thing to try is metal tracks for tanks where the upper run is visible - which they will be for this Valentine.

Hutch6390

I am also building British tanks, my aim is to cover their history, but only with the most significant types, and not in any particular order.

Yes - that's pretty much what I'm doing too.  With one exception - My wife bought me a Centurion for my birthday. I think the Centurion is the ultimate British tank of World War II. It's the end point for the development of British tanks through the war. I was tempted to get a Mark 1 which would have made most sense, but there is a group of figures that I really like the look of, to go with an Israeli version, so I asked my wie to get me that one. That's going to be my next kit. It's my sequence of tanks - so I think I can bend the rules if I want to.

I've built: Churchill, Centaur, Matilda, Crusader IIII so far. So once the Valentine and Centurian are built things get interesting. A Comet would be good. After that I'll probably go for one of the early Cruiser - probabaly an A9 or A10. Alternatively I may go for tank used by the British - with a Sherman being top of the list.

Hutch6390

How are you finding the build process with MiniArt, compared to Tamiya (other than the PE, of course)?

The MiniArt is more difficult I think than the Tamiyas I've built so far - but not necesarily in a bad way. It's mainly the extra detail - the very small parts that are less common in a Tamiya kit. There have been a couple of instances were it wasn't clear where the small details go exactly - a couple of rivets on the front glacis for example. But generally everything is really well molded and fits together nicely.

It's difficult, as I'm in two minds as to why I'm finding this kit harder. The more I think about it, the more I think it's the photo-etch. I'm just not used to it - so out of my comfort zone. But the more I do it, the more comfortable I feel with it. I hope after this one my next photo-etch tank will compare more easily with non-photo-etch models.

I'd also state that there's some variance between Tamiya kits. The Crusader III definitely didn't go together as well as the other Tamiya kits I've made recently - though I'm pleased with the end results.

So I'd definitely recommend giving Miniart kits a go - but be prepared for them taking a little longer to build - and do a bit of research on tools, glues and techniques needed for photo-etch.

The PE bender is a great investment.  I think I would've seen all those links on the sprues then slowly close the lid and slid the box back in the stash. 

I'm guessing that the cenrurion is an AFV club kit (glad they are finally expanding the range of British versions) in which case if your mainly used to tamiya kit, you might want to brace your self. AFV club kits are almost at the same level as Dragon when it comes to detail, though they are better engineered. The only thing i don't like about them is the rubber band tracks.

Thanks for the gen, whilst I don't have any MiniArt in the stash, I do have the AFV club Centurion Mk 3 (I'll be taking my time with that one!) and a Bronco Comet, which seems fairly straightforward except for the indy-link tracks...

So far I've built the Chieftain Mk 5 (or, possibly, 2?), Challenger 1, Churchill Mk VII, and Valentine - all Tamiya. I've got the aforementioned tanks in the stash, along with another Tamiya job - Challenger 2.  maybe after the Cent I'll get a bit more adventurous!

Keep us posted on your Valentine, and how you get on with the VMS glue.

Yes. It's an AFV Club Centurian. The IDF Shot version.

And this is the set of figures I've bought to go with it:

Hutch6390

Bronco Comet, which seems fairly straightforward except for the indy-link tracks...

Yes - the Bronco Comet is high on my wishlist.

Hutch6390

Keep us posted on your Valentine, and how you get on with the VMS glue.

Will do!

Bish

I'm guessing that the cenrurion is an AFV club kit (glad they are finally expanding the range of British versions) in which case if your mainly used to tamiya kit, you might want to brace your self.

I can see me wanting to get back to Tamiya after the Centurian - for a bit of relaxation 

Oh cool, nice work!!! 

And the PE bending tool makes thing MUCH easier. 

If you want another 1/35th British tank I'd recommend the Tamiya Cromwell. Fits like a dream. Only real downside is the rubber band tracks. I built the Bronco Comet recently and the Tamiya Cromwell fits MUCH better together. 

Gamera

Oh cool, nice work!!!

Thank you.

Gamera

If you want another 1/35th British tank I'd recommend the Tamiya Cromwell. Fits like a dream.

I have the built the Tamiya Centaur, which I think is the Cromwell kit with some alternative parts - the different gun being an obvious one.

Thoroughly agree that it was a nice kit to build.

Very nice Centaur - I really like the colour variation.  

Also known as Rob

Gamera If you want another 1/35th British tank I'd recommend the Tamiya Cromwell. Fits like a dream.

I was sorely tempted by this one, but held off awaiting the new-tool Airfix release (presently on pre-order) of the Cromwell Mk IV.  They're also bringing out the Mk VI (95mm howitzer) CS variant.

Thank you Hutch. 

The Centaur was brush painted with Humbrol enamels. That's where I started as it was what I was used to doing in my youth. I've now moved on to acrylics and have an airbrush.

Where I to do it again, I'd take a very different approach with the decals. Not helped by me getting them on the wrong edge of the turret on first attempt. 

Decals is something I've yet to get right.

In prep for the Valentine I've got some gloss varnish and decal application fluid. So hopefully I can do a better job this time round.

It's a learning curve.

For decals you might want to take a look at the microsol and microset system. I've been using it for many years and it makes such a huge difference you won't believe it. Using the Microsol and microset I don't even have to clear gloss coat flat paint before I put the decals down. I usually do anyway just out of habit, but it's not absolutely necessary. With this system, followed by a decent flat clear coat, the decals end up looking like they were painted on, and that's the point, right?

Great work so far, Rob, and your PE work is just great. I can't wait to see the rest.

garylee

For decals you might want to take a look at the microsol and microset system. I've been using it for many years and it makes such a huge difference you won't believe it. Using the Microsol and microset I don't even have to clear gloss coat flat paint before I put the decals down. I usually do anyway just out of habit, but it's not absolutely necessary. With this system, followed by a decent flat clear coat, the decals end up looking like they were painted on, and that's the point, right?

Thanks for the recommendation garylee. I've got myself some decal solutions but will try the Microsol and Microset if I don't get on with them.

garylee

Great work so far, Rob, and your PE work is just great. I can't wait to see the rest.

Thank you again

I've just found a great resource showing details of the Valentine.

  https://hmvf.co.uk/topic/32534-restoration-of-a-valentine-mk5-tank-started/

It's a restoration so perhaps so will contain colour choice made by the restorer, but the details of the photos is superb,

Rob: The Centaur looks really sharp! Sorry to hear about the decal issue there. 

Gary is right, Micro Set and Sol are fantastic setting solutions for decals. 

Hutch, thanks for the head's up- the 95mm Centaur sounds really cool.

And thanks for the website, lots of great photos there. 

Gamera

the 95mm Centaur sounds really cool

Hi Gamera - you're welcome.  As a point of interest, the Centaur has those gradations marked around the turret because, for some reason, the original plan was to have them provide fire support by firing from on board a landing craft - they weren't really intended to be used as tanks!  The idea seems pointless - why not just fit some 4" gun turrets to a landing craft?  Still, they're a very interesting subject - I must get one!

Hutch6390

As a point of interest, the Centaur has those gradations marked around the turret because, for some reason, the original plan was to have them provide fire support by firing from on board a landing craft - they weren't really intended to be used as tanks!  The idea seems pointless - why not just fit some 4" gun turrets to a landing craft?  Still, they're a very interesting subject - I must get one!

I thought the same - The Centaur seemed the most interesting version of the Comet line because of this use. I believe the tanks were spare and originally were not going to have engines on D-Day. Just be in the landing ships providing fire support. I've even read that it was Churchill who insisted that they had engines fitted, so that they could be used beyond the initial landings.

I didn't know that about the engines, but it makes a lot of sense - squabbles over which engine to use were a major part of the Cromwell/Cavalier tanks' problems.

Until the Meteor engine was developed from the Merlin, I think engines were a constant headache for british tanks in WWII.

That's interesting, I hadn't heard about the Centaurs lacking engines though it makes sense in the context. 

I kinda liked the US idea of just putting a pile of rockets on the landing craft and then unloading after pounding the living  out of the enemy with a massive barrage of them. 

Gamera

That's interesting, I hadn't heard about the Centaurs lacking engines though it makes sense in the context. 

I kinda liked the US idea of just putting a pile of rockets on the landing craft and then unloading after pounding the living  out of the enemy with a massive barrage of them. 

 

Acctually the LCT(R) was a British idea, the idea being to create lots of holes on the beach for the troops to use as cover.

Thanks Bish, I didn't know that either. Always awesome to get an education here.

After a little delay, while I did some basic interior painting (I've built the tank with the turret hatches open) and faffed about on other things, I've completed the initial build.

The slow setting cement I ordered to ease the track construction still hasn't arrived. So I've ordered an alternative which should arrive in a couple of days. So I'm still to gird my loins for the track assembly.

The top and bottom halves of the main body are still separate so that I can get some of the painting done with the tracks off.

The only real issue I've had with the kit so far is the turret fit above the gun mantel. It looks like the cross member didn't come out of the mold correctly and is a little thin. It didn't line up with the other half until I persuaded it, and I've had to do some inexpert filling and filing to try to correct the problem. The fit around the back of the turret wasn't brilliant either, but that was corrected very easily with filler. Also I'm not really happy with the fit of the turret top plate. I think I may have another go at tidying that up. It's a shame as everything else has gone together fine.

I managed to lose a handle on one of the rear covers. It pinged off into room somewhere as I was trying to trim it, and I'm buggered if I can find it. So I've made up a replacement with brass wire, and I'm pleased with the result - at least for a first attempt at that sort of thing.

GreySnake

Coming along very nicely, really like how the PE turned out. 

Thank you.

I think I've actually enjoyed the PR work most. The intake on the roof of the turret was probably the most awkward as it had to bend two ways, but it went into place nicely.

Again, I'm so pleased I got myself a bending jig and good quality glue.

Great job so far! The Valentine is an attractive tank!

Bill