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Spudgun · Posted: Thu 22 Jan 2009 17:37 pm Post subject: Stuzzar's Saladin.

Details of Stuzzar's build will be found here.
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stuzzar · Posted: Fri 23 Jan 2009 13:14 pm Post subject:

Thanks Spudgun

I will probably be building at least one Vickers Light Tank. I already have some of these but in JB boxing so will have to go shopping for the Airfix version.

Cheers

Stu

stuzzar · Posted: Wed 04 Feb 2009 16:06 pm Post subject:

Slight change of plan on my build, it will now feature the Airfix boxing of the ex JB Saladin.

Cheers

Stu

stuzzar · Posted: Thu 12 Mar 2009 16:15 pm Post subject:

Finaly made a start on this one the other day, have been a little busy with work to get anything posted up as yet but like many others I almost completed the kit in one sitting.

As some of you may be aware, I rarely build post WW2 vehicles the last being the Airfix Centurion which I set on a small diorama base. I hope to do similar with this build and have been looking at using the base that comes with the Revell LRDG set as a possibilty and finishing the Saladin in a desert camouflage.

I will post a few pictures etc later, just that being the buffoon that I am I squashed the USB connector on the end of my camera lead the other day

and have been unable to successfully squeeze it back into shape, so am unable to upload pictures until the replacement lead arrives.

Cheers

Stu

stuzzar · Posted: Mon 16 Mar 2009 16:35 pm Post subject:

The replacement USB lead plonked through the letter box this morning

so have been able to upload the pictures, even if they are a bit blurred.

First up and just t prove it is an Airfix boxing...

First up the wheel and suspension assemblies, after a little bit of a clean up these went together without any problems

Perhaps the most difficult part of the build so far, putting together the fiddly smoke dischargers

As mentioned in an earlier post, this really went together quite swiftly, fit of parts is generally very good, just a tiny bit of filler was used around a few very slight gaps between the upper and lower hull sections. Here are the hull and turret assemblies you may note that the only additional work done was the boring out of the end of the gun barrel.

The same thing with the stowage boxes added along each side.

I have started the paint work and will be putting the wheels/suspenion on once the main body work has been given a couple of coats. I am still undecided as to whether a crew member will be added in the turret, the hatches are so large that the emptiness of the turret may not look too good if both hatches are posed open.

Cheers

Stu

TimJ · Posted: Mon 16 Mar 2009 16:58 pm Post subject:

Looking good so far.
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DavidM · Posted: Mon 16 Mar 2009 17:06 pm Post subject:

Definitely needs a hatch-filler figure for the commander's hatch at least. And if you've got any of the Brownings that ESCI used to do with their hard plastic US figures, then you'll see what an improvement it is over the kit part.

David
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Brews · Posted: Tue 17 Mar 2009 02:53 am Post subject:

Stu, there are a couple of things to note (if it bothers you).

1. The stowage boxes should extend all the way to the hull.
2. The 'muzzle should be the same diameter as the barrel behind it (the kit was modelled off something in a museum (Duxford? / IWM?) which has some sort of can placed over the muzzle).

Keep going!

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Spudgun · Posted: Tue 17 Mar 2009 22:17 pm Post subject:

The different muzzle diameters on the kit is an interesting point. As you say, it should be the same. It's even potrayed that way on the box art. I'll be honest, I wouldn't have spotted it.
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Tue 17 Mar 2009 22:25 pm Post subject:

Nope nor me.....Mine is still more or less OOTB, but I'm thinking of 'refreshing' it. It's a JB kit unfortunately, so I can't use it here.

Looking forward to seeing yours progress.

All the best
Sgt.S
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VX275 · Posted: Thu 19 Mar 2009 22:20 pm Post subject:

Stuzzar I thought you (and anyone else) might find this photo of interest.

No good for modelling detail (unless you wanted to model it on a Heavey Stressed Platform that is)

Brews · Posted: Thu 19 Mar 2009 22:25 pm Post subject:

That is such a sweet photo! Did they drop these like the US dropped their Sheridans, then?
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Brews · Posted: Thu 19 Mar 2009 22:40 pm Post subject:

Should you choose to do this with the hatches all open:

http://www.panzerbaer.de/types/pix/uk_fv601_saladin-007.jpg

And here is the muzzle-culprit - at Bovington of all places:

http://tinyurl.com/d4nb7w

VX275 · Posted: Thu 19 Mar 2009 22:54 pm Post subject:

What you are looking at is possibly the heaviest thing ever dropped from a British aircraft. The stack of parachutes behind the Saladin (at least 8 but it could be 10) are rigged in the extractor retarder method so the total weight of the load will be somewhere between 32 and 40 000 lb and the drop height will be 1500 ft or so.
The Bev could and did drop 40 000lb but the Hercules can only manage 32 000 lb.
The Sheridan drops I think you are referring to is LAPES, which the UK called ULLA and required the Bev (or Herc) to fly at 5 -15 ft, and the answer is no, the UK didn't drop vehicles this way.
I have though been onboard a Herc when a Scimitar was dropped on an HSP using the reefed mains extraction method at a height of just 600 ft

It survived.

stuzzar · Posted: Mon 23 Mar 2009 15:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the pictures chaps both interesting and useful.

I can see what you mean about the barrel Brews, I will attempt to sand down the 'can' thingy at the end, should be easy enough as it doesn't protrude too much.

Won't bother with extending the stowage boxes out to the edge of the hull though as it may be too much work at this stage, it will mean re-doing the four ridges that are presssed into the top of each box.

Thanks for the tip regarding the .30 cal machine gun David, I was thinking of using one from the Airfix Jeep kit although I will certainly check the Esci one, I have a few of them knocking about somewhere.

That is a great photo VX275, I had no idea that these were ever air-dropped, thanks for posting it.

I will get back onto this, hopefully tonight, March has been a very busy month for me so far not only working 7 days a week but have had 1 funeral, 3 birthday parties, Mother's Day and a retirement do to attend, I am topping the month off by going to Salute at the Excel Centre this Saturday by which time I will probably need a holiday

.

Cheers

Stu

AFCBGeorge · Posted: Mon 23 Mar 2009 23:51 pm Post subject:

A question for all you track heads. Is it not extremely pointless to armour the vehicle, & then give it massive tyres? Or is there something special about the tyres that makes them "bullet resistant." I know where I'd point my gun if that thing was clunking towards me...
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Tue 24 Mar 2009 01:58 am Post subject:

AFV tyres tend to be run-flat/self-sealing/self-inflating etc., not your standard tractor tyres.....On a vehicle like this, they'll be pretty resistant to small arms fire at the least.

For what it's worth, all the best
Sgt.S
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stuzzar · Posted: Mon 06 Apr 2009 18:52 pm Post subject:

Finally got around to uploading some more pictures of progress, as mentioned previously, this is going to be a sort of what if desert camouflage version, the pattern is very loosely based on an old Long Range Desert Group Scheme, I like to think that if the LRDG carried on post war the Saladin may have added a bit of armour support to their patrols.

So here it is with the initial paint work done, more shading and weathering to come yet.

And here it is posed on the base that I hope to use (if I get time

)

Cheers

Stu

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Mon 06 Apr 2009 20:05 pm Post subject:

That looks rather fine Stu!

All the best
Sgt.S
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Spudgun · Posted: Mon 06 Apr 2009 20:18 pm Post subject:

Looking good. Is the base a Matchbox item?
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Collectable kits built here. Baggies, blisters or boxed. You collect 'em, but I'll build 'em.