From: Think Tank Subject: Think Tank Vol. 0008 17/10/1999 Think.tank@tesco.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS' INDEX 1: Pierce Arrows 2: Regunned StuG III 3: JB Models 1 Tonne GS Landrover/New CMSC kits 4: British WW2 interior colours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: IPMS UK Nationals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Cooper, Mike [Mike.Cooper@reading.gov.uk] Subject: Pierce Arrows Dear All. BT White states that the Admiralty required that the Pierce Arrows should be "Daimler Khaki Green." He doesn't cite a source - this is in his British Tank Markings and Names - but it sounds credible. In a forthcoming piece for Tankette I've suggested that this is close to Mike Starmer's conclusions on the 1930s Khaki Green G3 - in other words try Revell 65 with some Humbrol 80. Should be gloss by the way, so semi-gloss varnish might be in order. Mike Cooper (Are we talking the Matador kit here???) Mike Cooper, EU Specialist Reading Reference Library Abbey Square Reading RG1 3BQ Tel: 0118 901 5955/56 Fax: 0118 9015954/5959 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Tony Edwards [tones@mail.suncity.com.au] Subject: Regunned StuG III If you just want to "escape" from the greys, as you've gotten the C/D kit, you could build it as one of the 3 StuG III D's that served with SonderVerband 288. They "tropicalised" and finished in the Afrika Korps colours of the time (Afrika Grun-Braun(?) RAL 8000 and a darkish stone striped cammo). There are GOOD reference photos (and a colour plate) in New Vanguard No. 19 "STUG III Assault Gun - 1940-1942. There are 2 very clear photos of one of the vehicles (Fgst. No. 90683) showing each side of the vehicle, there's also a "Showcase" article on one that was done (by Glenn Bartolotti) in the September issue of FSM. Cya Tones. Thanks for that - it was in my mind to do one of those vehicles but then I learned of the long gun version and I had a change of plan…. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Bill Scriven [bill.scriven@which.net] Subject: JB Models 1 Tonne GS Landrover/New CMSC kits JB Models 1 Tonne GS Landrover I bought this 24 piece 1:76 scale kit earlier today (Saturday) and decided to build it straight away. As I had a nearly complete CMSC 1 Tonne to hand I was able to compare the two. This is probably JB's best kit to date. Most of the kit parts are moulded in grey plastic, but the cab front and doors (which are separate) are made of clear plastic, which saves the hassle of glazing. The parts go together easily and completed model scales out well against Tim Neat's plan in Model Transport magazine. Although mine is not quite finished and has yet to be painted, it looks the part. The casting is crisp and the detail generally good. The biggest problem is the petrol tank, which is too long and not deep enough. However, this is easily rectified by cutting a from the middle, gluing the two halves back together and adding a piece of plasticard to the top to give it extra depth. It might also be necessary to trim a bit of the front of the tilt which appears to overhang the windscreen. The sides are rather thick, but if you want to model it without the tilt they could be thinned down without too much trouble. They could also be improved by scribing the join between the two halves of he drop sides, which is easily done. The load space lacks the stowage boxes (?) that butt-up against the rear of the front seats, but I’m not sure whether these are fitted to the GS version. In any event, you won’t notice the lack of them can't see them when the tilt is on. Although the kit is of a winch-equipped vehicle, it doesn't have the cable guide pulleys on the front bumper. Nor does the kit include the front and rear towing hooks. However, you do get five alternative sets of number plates. The CMSC kit is a mixture of resin and white metal, with some very nice etched brass parts. Virtually identical in size, it is slightly more detailed than the JB kit has thinner sides. It now comes with both a winch and the jerry can holders that replace it on non-winch equipped vehicles (not supplied by JB), but strangely enough also lacks tow hooks (at least, mine does). Of the two, the CMSC is the better kit. But at £8.50 it is over twice the price of the JB kit, which retails at £3.99. It is also less easy to build, and would be more difficult to convert. Given that the difference in quality is not that apparent, I would opt for the JB. BW models also do a 1 tonne GS in white metal which sells at £8.00. I’ve yet to build mine so can’t compare it to those from CMSC or JB. New CMSC kits On the subject of CMSC, I noticed in Military Modelcraft that they have now brought out a flatbed/HIAB crane conversion kit for the JB Bedford 4 tonne GS, a Bosnia Saxon (the one equipped with the Peak Engineering turret) and a gun crew for the 105. Bill Scriven -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Listmaster Subject: British WW2 interior colours It would seem that the interior colour, up to the end of the 1930s, was white. During WW2, it was silver. Thanks to Mike Cooper for passing this on from the fruits of his discussions with Mike Starmer, who has been studying British colour schemes for years, and has probably forgotten more about them than I will ever know. I understand that the AFV News site has a lengthy debate going on over this point, so it is good to set the matter to rest. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Listmaster Subject: IPMS UK Nationals I will be at the IPMS Nationals at Telford next weekend (propping up the MAFVA stand again), so next week's issue will go out on Sunday evening. If you are attending the show, please feel free to wander along to make yourselves known and buy me drinks/hurl abuse etc. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Lockie (Think Tank Listmaster) Visit the Miniature AFV Association website at http://homepages.go.com/~mafva/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume