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[Andy H]

 As far as I got tonight. A fair bit of work to do, but hopefully, I'll get him finished in natural light tomorrow.















Thanks for looking in - back soon with a highlighted highlander 



Gecko Models do a set of figures based on this very scene - I might have to invest 

[Andy H]

The light here's been terrible, didn't get into gear until this evening. Time for a last look for touch-ups and touch-ins before a good squirt of matt varnish...


















Thanks for dropping by - back soon with more kilted kapers 


Fitness training, Canadian Highland Light Infantry style.

[Andy H]

And then there were three...














Time to tidy up the work table and plot my next build.

Thanks yet again for looking in - back soon with anything but another MiniArt British officer 

[Andy H]

More British (well, Czech under Canuck command) incoming!



On the 'stuff only a modeller could understand' front, the thing that really made my day with this little beauty is that it comes with all the sprues from Airfix's Cromwell Mk.IV kit - which include nice turret bins I can use to 'Britify' my Tamiya Sherman. Have been looking in vain for one for ages, and was resigned to scratch-building some rough approximation.

Well, chums, I'm burning up my week off - guess I'd better build something. Stay tuned...

[Andy H]

Right then. Let's get this one out of my system.




Airfix copped a lot (and I mean a lot) of flak when they released their Cromwells because the roadwheels only had six bolts on them - not the actual eight as found on the real thing (end of the world, I know).




Well...looks like either (A) Airfix has put this right or (B) I've got a very rare kit indeed.  I'm happy to report that mine has the authentic eight bolts.




Let's get to it. The flatpack lower hull goes together like Lego, all parts fitting perfectly.





Early days, I know, but so far so very good.

Attracted by the green and black cammo scheme on the box and painting guide, I did some research. This is the very tank I'll be doing. Latest thinking is that the original olive drab was overpainted with a shade of brown...or even dunkelgelb.




Thanks for looking in - back soon with more plastic pandemonium 

[Andy H]

In no rush, this is as far as I got tonight.

Quite a relaxing build (so far). Minimum clean-up and perfect fit. Just about to superglue the tracks to the wheels - should give an impression of weight. There is a link and length tracks option, but Airfix supply just enough single links. Didn't fancy losing a few to the carpet monster; besides, I can always use spare track lengths as stowage. The vinyl tracks are nicely detailed and utilise a 'no glue rquired' system that reminds me of the the old Matchbox tanks, albeit a little fiddly.

Once the tracks have set, it's time for some needless photo-etch...







Thanks for dropping by - back soon with more close-support capers 



 

[Andy H]

 Well, cyber-chums...where to start?

 The next step was fixing the right-angled bullet splash guards in place. "Hmmmmm...tricky the way they've done that" thinks I. "Still, nothing tweezers and the old superglue on a pin trick can't handle..."

 My arse!



 Why, oh why, oh farking why Airfix inflicted four strips of brass photo-etch upon me when the bloody things could have been moulded on in plastic is beyond me. I'm not the only one, I've since checked out other modellers' experiences. Totally sucked the joy out of my early start. It's going to do more harm than good ripping the things off. Just as well I've got those track links and some stowage to cover the offending items. Ironically, the nice exhaust grille - that fits beautifully in place - is surplus to requirements; my chosen option has a cowl fitted (Cromwell crews were prone to carbon monoxide poisoning while the engine was idling until the cowl diverted the exhaust fumes - it wasn't until after the Normandy landings that this problem came to light).


 Calmed down and back on track now. Given my time again, I'd have followed my instincts and cut the splash guards out of any old thin plastic I had lying around. Ho-hum!

 Fitting the rear mudguards was a little tricky, but it's coming together. Not long now until the turret assembly.











Thanks as always for dropping by - back soon with more foto-etch-free frolics 




 

[Andy H]

 After yesterday's temper-tantrum, I'm having a much better day. That's the hull as good as finished, will cover that awful brass etch with spare tracks, tarps, towing cables and other bits I might find. Bit of a gap between stowage bin and front armour plate, nothing a bit more external stowage or even filler (yes, I do use it occassionally) can't fix.

 Currently letting everything set and rummaging through my collection of cheap accessories found in a teen girlie fashion shop for tow cables. Oddly, Airfix supply the eyes but not even a piece of string.

 Well, groovers - it's turret time. I'll probaby get the thing built, maybe even undercoated tonight...carpet monster permitting, some small parts ahead.




















 Thanks for looking in - back soon with another engineering extravaganza 

[Andy H]

 Well there she is ready for some paint. I'll add bits and pieces like tow cables once the basic colour scheme's on. The plan is to spray the whole thing British olive drab, put the decals on and paint the lighter cammo around the markings - which is what the Czechs appear to have done by the time they'd finished besieging Dunkirk (which held out longer than Berlin).   

 Had a little drama with the gun's retaining brackets inside the turret front plate, had to cut them to fit. The poly caps that should enable the gun to elevate and depress are far too tight - not that it matters too much. The whole turret just presses into the hull with no traditional slots and lugs, it's a very tight fit.

 Anyway, starting to look like a close-support Cromwell to me. Funny old kit - some really nice little details, yet some details missing. The colour callout is somewhat erroneous, and then there's that avoid-at-all-cost photo-etch.

 The commander figure comes with the MiniArt British winter tank crew set, which I was happy to find had none of the quality control issues that my British officers set was afflicted with.





























 Thanks for dropping by - back soon with another rattle-can rumpus 

[genXgamer]

Hey Andy

You enquired about a skin with an acoustic guitar on it (109?) some time ago, Alex has one if you are still interested.


https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,71476.0.html

[Andy H]

 Wa-hey! Thanks so much old chum! 

[Andy H]

Let's get back to it. 

I used the frame from that crap photo-etch to fashion supporting prongs for the tow cables...which were made from a cheap necklace, the stand alone eyes from the kit and thread wound around the joins. Looks dog rough at the moment, but paint and rust will cover a multitude of sins. 

Track links (as per reference pics) will go some way to obscuring those awful splash guards - as will a length of cheap chain link necklace once I've put paint and decals on.

So, next up is fixing everything in place before a good squirt of olive drab...


















Thanks for dropping by - back soon with more modelling madness 


I wonder what the chap on the left did to earn an Iron Cross?