Churchill Clean Up 2

Good progress on the Churchill rebuilds, most were missing the barrels, but I have plenty of spare guns and turrets.

When replacing the Airfix turrets I did notice that the pins that mount the turret to the hull were quite different. I am presuming that the ones I am rebuilding are from the original mould, while the turrets are from a retooled or cleaned up version. Extra work re-drilling the holes.

Almost uniform, the one with the chap in the turret is the Squadron command tank.

Not exactly D-Day but a good wash is required prior to re-painting.

Spic and span, ready for the next stage. Hopefully base coat tomorrow, the weather will be the judge of that however.

Model on!

Idle Hands 2

The second of my attempts to use up Airfix's Halftracks trailers and other odds and ends that get included in various kits.

More drums and in this case, boxes from the Airfix Forward Command Post set.

A Matchbox Sdkfz 251/1 brick wall in the corner finishes off.

I should find a decal from the spares box for the sign . I am still working on a couple more of these scenery stands in my spare time.

Mickey Mouse Stencil

While painting up some late war British vehicles over the last few weeks, I have been looking at the Mickey Mouse disruptive schemes, and Paul from http://paulsbods.blogspot.com/ suggested a using a stencil made of insulation tape, which I thought was a good idea. But the thought of trying to cut the tape put me right off, it did however give me another idea.

Using a hole punch and a vinyl strip I created a series of patterns, which I think look quite like the scheme. The punch gives nice crisp edges and if wanted can be used on insulation tape or masking tape.

I tested the scheme on some cardboard and it worked quite well, although the card did smear it a tad, as card does.

There we go Paul your wait is over, model on!

Churchill Clean Up

One of my aims up the next few weeks is to create a Infantry Tank Regiment for my British forces. I have more than a few Airfix/ESCI and Matchbox Churchill's awaiting a recall to duty, most are hulls with damaged turrets. The person I picked these up from had been making funnies out of most of them, so I need to rebuild most of the hull up.

With 3 Tanks per Squadron and 3 Squadrons per Regiment plus a HQ element this will be a few weeks at least. These are all ex Airfix, thankfully with the hulls and running gear built. The Airfix assembly can be a real nightmare.

I also intend to create with the leftover Churchill's a "Funny Regiment" of engineering vehicles.

So lots to do, I will however make sure I spread the rebuild around with other projects, as working on just one type of vehicle makes me a little unmotivated.

Idle Hands

I have a touch of Delhi Belly at the moment, so production has slowed in some areas. and increased in others! In my off time last night I did whip up a little piece of scenery, that has been inspired by a couple of fellow bloggers, first up Tidders of http://ww2tanksalot.blogspot.com/ who has been doing some tidy work of the old Hasegawa Checkpoint kit, and Tim from http://megablitzandmore.blogspot.com/ who commented on the handy but rarely wargame useful trailer that comes with the Airfix M3 Halftrack.

So thinking I should construct some scenery which I had not done for awhile, and use up some of the trailers, and fuel drums I decided on a simple fuel dump. First up I started with a piece of vinyl floor tile for the base. I like this material as its easy to score and cut, paint, cheap and does not warp. Next I placed the items around and glued them with PVA.

After drying I then gave the whole stand a spray of paint to seal in the goodness. A quick slap of paint on the individual items, and ready for flocking.

Basecoat of PVA and the flock is sprinkled on. I then painted up a trailer out of the stash into a what I hope is generic scheme. Generic because like all scenery I would like it to cover a few periods and countries.

After drying I added a few clumps of long grass to break up the ground.

Completed stand.

I am quite pleased with this as I have used up some stuff that has been lying around for a while now.

I think I may make a ammunition or stores dump next while I am in the mood and off the throne.

Model on!

IDF M151 MUTT

Dave in a three night marathon managed to build and paint a MUTT TOW launcher in IDF colours. This vehicle is really a trial run so Dave could get the colours right for a Merkva MBT he is building.

Daves boy Izzy was allowed to give a hand with the airbrushing. Passing on the tradition.

I am 90% sure this is an Academy kit, which is pretty hassle free and a nice simple kit to get into 1/35 scale modelling.

Nice looking rope.

I believe the M151 is still used in reserve units in Israel. I like the mud detail on the tyres.

The nice thing about these vehicles says Dave is the use of spot welding equipment and add ons to the body and frame.

A lovely quick build. Well done Dave.

Saturday Night Decal Fever

I spent a couple of hours on Saturday night carrying out decal operations on all these British rebuilds I have been working on over the last two weeks. Its pretty mundane work, but just part of the process I guess. The long weekend has seen most of my time out working on a new deck for the lads swimming pool, so this was about the extent of two days free time.

Decals were from the spares box. Each vehicle managed to get at least a serial number, and for most a Division flash and Allied star. Weathering next.

Airfix M3 Halftrack

Next on the list is this Airfix M3 Halftrack. I do not really use US equipment, so I intent to change it into a M5 Halftrack (Which I think it really is) for my British forces. To the rear is a Matchbox M16 Halftrack which is I am also working on. The Airfix halftrack is in not too bad condition, and the previous owner did not cake it in superglue.

Removal of the the top MG ring.

Basecoat and rubber painted in.

Disruptive scheme applied along with painted jerricans and tools. Simple and quick refirb. Decals once again to be added.

Matchbox Jeep Mini Makeover

Sitting on the table for a few weeks now, the Jeep from the 17 Pounder set. I had planned on a conversion to a M151 MUTT, but could not be naffed. Base coat painted over donor paint job was a nice flat black, but it was a little thick.

Again I decided on the Black and OD2 disruptive scheme. The Base black is on the bonnet compared to the lighter shade on the tarp.

Missing are the tarp rails, but again the thought of scratch building these led me to leave them off. Touch up on the figure.

In true light to get a better idea of the colours. This took a little longer than I thought it would as I was constantly changing my mind on the black.

Again waiting for a night of decal fun. I have noticed the reason I like the Matchbox Jeep is probably that the front wheels seem to be set rather forward compared to other kits.

Airfix Halftrack next

ESCI Horse Drawn Convoy

Sent in by my mate Dave who has been working on this set for a few weeks now.

This set dates back to the late 70's, and is not 100% finished, but is about 90% there.

Lovely work all round I think.

Dave will incorporate it all into a diorama, I just hope he has somewhere to display it.

I quite like they detailing on the drums and boxes.

The Rupert pose is classic.

Cheers Dave, I hope to see the diorama soon.