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Richard M · Last edited by Richard M on Wed 01 Jul 2009 09:05 am; edited 1 time in total

Ratch's Churchill Crocodile build will be reported here.
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Rich
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"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die."

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Ratch · Posted: Wed 01 Jul 2009 08:49 am Post subject:

I shall build the Airfix Churchill Crocodile 02321

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and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

Ratch · Posted: Thu 16 Jul 2009 14:10 pm Post subject:

Obligatory sprue shot

_________________
and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 16 Jul 2009 18:38 pm Post subject:

Good luck with your build.

All the best
Sgt.S
PS - Are you OK for decals, IIRC those in the box are not suitable for a Crocodile.....PM me if I can help out.

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Ratch · Posted: Thu 16 Jul 2009 18:50 pm Post subject:

I've checked out my decal bank and have options of

79th Armoured Division
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and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

James Russell · Posted: Thu 16 Jul 2009 18:51 pm Post subject:

Best of luck, Ratch! Remember, before the fuel trailer come all those charming bogies.

Ratch · Posted: Sun 19 Jul 2009 16:52 pm Post subject:

Following Sarge's post, I thought I'd better do a bit more research

The plain white ‘157’ tactical markings provided on the kit decal sheet, should be on a green field (although the green of the hull may represent this). There is conflicting evidence as to whether this would represent the 147th or the 153rd Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, 34th Tank Brigade and not the 107th Regiment specified. However, the 153rd operated ordinary Churchill tank variations, as did the 107th. Digging deeper revealed that the 141st R.A.C. were operating Crocodiles as part of the 31st (Army) Tank Brigade and that I had these markings in my decal file.
Preferring not to mix my paints, I gave the sprues an airbrushing with Matt Khaki Drab straight from the tinlet

_________________
and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sun 19 Jul 2009 20:02 pm Post subject:

Let me know what scheme you want to do (piccys would help if you have them) and I'll see if I've got the markings needed.....It's fairly probable, as I went a bit bonkers and bought all the different 1/76 British AFV decal sheets that Stephen had in stock!

All the best
Sgt.S
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Ratch · Posted: Sun 19 Jul 2009 22:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the offer Sarge, but

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sun 19 Jul 2009 22:08 pm Post subject:

Sorry mate.....Misread your post.

Good luck with the bogeys!

All the best
Sgt.S
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Ratch · Posted: Sun 19 Jul 2009 22:09 pm Post subject:

Cheers

_________________
and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

loftfullofmodels · Posted: Mon 20 Jul 2009 10:51 am Post subject:

Churchill Drive Sprocket holes are out of alignment for the axle locations...square across from one side and remove opposit side location pin and glue "flat" on inside of track guard.

Hope the attached are of help
should post them in Ref section

Mike

Click to see full size image

Click to see full size image
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Ratch · Posted: Mon 20 Jul 2009 19:52 pm Post subject:

There's been some flash to clean up on the Churchill

The tracks are stiff and a very tight fit

but its actually going together quite nicely

so far

_________________
and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

Beaufighter · Posted: Mon 20 Jul 2009 20:04 pm Post subject:

That's a pretty nice green. What shade do the kit instructions recommend?
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Ratch · Posted: Mon 20 Jul 2009 20:09 pm Post subject:

The instructions say 86

but I think it'd be too light and chose 159

_________________
and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

Badwolf · Posted: Mon 20 Jul 2009 21:27 pm Post subject:

That's coming along well, nice work on all those wheels. The tracks look pretty good after fitting too.

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Flash Flash · Silver Star Joined: 16 May 2006 Posts: 2938

Looks very good!
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James Russell · Posted: Tue 21 Jul 2009 13:17 pm Post subject:

Nice looking build! Did you need to fiddle much with the drive sprockets? I notice you've widened the hole for the turret's big central locating pin. Other than that and the treads have you had any particular challenges with the 1960s part of this kit?

Good luck with your build - fine work.

Dangerbod · Posted: Tue 21 Jul 2009 13:25 pm Post subject:

That's the tedious awkward bit out of the way, plain sailing from here Ratch!

It's coming on a treat, I just wish I'd invested in some of those clamps when I saw them in Lidl, would have made things a lot easier when I built mine.

Chris

Ratch · Posted: Tue 21 Jul 2009 14:06 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all your comments folks Cheers!