- The Airfix Tribute Forum -

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Wed 16 Jan 2008 22:31 pm Post subject:

Amazing stuff Peter!

Isn't the turret the same as the MB/Revell M3 Stuart/Honey kit? I think that I'd have taken the easy option if it is!

Inspiring stuff!

All the best

Heinkel51 · Posted: Wed 16 Jan 2008 23:23 pm Post subject:

The turret for the Stuart/Honey is not quite the right shape. Some references quote that the turret is very similar to the M5A1. However comparing photos there are slight differences which suggest that it was a different shaped turret. Certainly the drawings provided in the magazine article do not match either the M3 or M5A1. I am prepared to admit that I seriously considered using the turret from the M3 working on the principle that "it looks about right" but my conscious got the better of me.

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 17 Jan 2008 00:35 am Post subject:

I gotta tip my hat to fidelity and skill of that calibre.....Bravo!

All the best

Digs · Posted: Thu 17 Jan 2008 08:19 am Post subject:

Hawk · Posted: Thu 17 Jan 2008 10:20 am Post subject:

Fantastic work Peter, I too would have took the easy option and used the Matchbox M3 Turret. All in all I can't wait to see this finished and painted

, hope you keep up the progress!

Cheers,
Luke
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Brews · Posted: Thu 17 Jan 2008 12:28 pm Post subject:

Well-done so far!
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Heinkel51 · Posted: Sun 20 Jan 2008 05:10 am Post subject:

I have made some more progress on the turret adding the co-axial MG and making a start on the gun barrel for the 37mm. Aaso on the rear deck have started the Mk31 naval mounts for the .30" Mg's. The rings were cut from 7/16th" tube.

A close up of the gun mount, still needs some cleaning up.

One the discussion of using the M3 turret from the MB Stuart. Here is a shot of the turret next to the plan view of the turret for the Alligator

The difference is that the Alligator turret has straight sides from about 1/2 back from the front and a straight back, plus the hatches are squarish. The turret could be adopted by removing everthing rear of the hatches, the cutting point roughly drawn in black

Heinkel51 · Posted: Wed 23 Jan 2008 01:44 am Post subject:

Some more progress. Turret now largely complete with vision ports cut from 30 thou card and details from stretched sprue. I started work on the .30 cal mounts. Origionally intended to use 7/16th" plastic tube for the shields but the wall thickness was to thick. So I opted to make new ones from 10 thou card. The technique was to cut a strip to the required width (or height of the shield in this case) from a sheet of card, then wrap the strip of card around the outside of the brass tube shown in the fore ground. Once I had done this I took the roll of card now like a rolled paper streamer and made the roll tighter so the roll fitted inside the brass tube. Immersed the tube in a cup of very hot water (straight from the kettle) and left it while the water cooled. Removing the plastic roll I then cut the sections required to make the gun shieds.

For the .30 cal MGs I scrounged a pair from the spares box. I think they came from the Airfix Dauntless kit which offers a choice of a single or a twin mount for the rear gunner. The 20mm and two .50" MGs from the kit went into the spares box.

Gun shields are from 10 thou card. The coil of sprue is to be used for final details such as lifting eyes on the turret. Made by winding the stretched sprue around a fine drill bit and then holding very close to the light globe on my desk lamp to set.

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Wed 23 Jan 2008 03:01 am Post subject:

Very impressive and informative stuff Peter, it's an education watching you build this conversion.....Top notch stuff!

All the best

Ratch · Posted: Wed 23 Jan 2008 10:11 am Post subject:

Looking great

and super tips

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Heinkel51 · Posted: Wed 23 Jan 2008 12:27 pm Post subject:

Thank you for the kind words. One thing I enjoy about the forum is seeing what people are doing and how they do it. Lots of good ideas out there. For this model I gained some ideas from Digs Buffalo.

Up to the antenna guard and painting before what I think will be the most difficult stage,

, fitting the tracks. This is one thing I am not looking forward to. Never really been able to do it. In the days of my youth I used to use a stapler to join the tracks and then invariably broke the running gear trying to fit the track.

stuzzar · Posted: Wed 23 Jan 2008 20:29 pm Post subject:

Splendid stuff and some very useful tips and techniques

Cheers

Stu

m0rris · Posted: Thu 24 Jan 2008 13:32 pm Post subject:

wow that really shows how much potential that kit has!
m0rris
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Heinkel51 · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 01:27 am Post subject:

Mounted the .30" MGs and joined the tracks uising a glue called '350' .It seems to be holding.

Having reached the painting stage I first decided on Hu105 Marine green which seemed to be too green and then opted for Hu155 Olive Drab which seems a little too brown. However I'll think I'll stick with the latter. So still needing a second coat and a few additional items such as pioneer tools and deals here is where we are at.

Digs · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 08:00 am Post subject:

Wow!

Ratch · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 11:02 am Post subject:

Super

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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 11:38 am Post subject:

Bravo Peter!

Great looking model, well worth all the hard work.....The satisfaction in viewing a model that is so much the craft of ones' own hands must be immense.

I think the olive drab colour looks OK, but if you do want to change it slightly you could try using one or more oil or oil/enamel filters to modify the shade. The advantage of using oils is the long working time, enabling you to create streaking and tide-line effects at the same time.

Hope this isn't 'Teaching Granny to suck eggs'!

All the best

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

10/10

I cant even cut plastic card straight!
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stuzzar · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 12:54 pm Post subject:

Marvellous work Peter

I think the Oive Drab looks fine too.

If you are looking for figures to fill the MG tubs on the back Milicast do a couple of nice USMC sets

http://www.milicast.com/american/american_range/fig14.shtml

http://www.milicast.com/american/american_range/fig15.shtml

Cheers

Stu

Heinkel51 · Posted: Sun 03 Feb 2008 11:22 am Post subject:

Thanks for those links Stu, have now finished all the fittings. Have decided to remove the tracks for the application of some rust. Also need to remember where I put the decal sheet.