From: Think Tank Subject: Think Tank Vol. 0070 07/04/2001 Think.tank@tesco.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS' INDEX 1: Even more queries 2: OT: Aurora US Marine 3: Casting large shells 4: Hong Kong & Shanghai AFVs 5: Casting large replica rounds 6: Mr. Surfacer UK source Part II 7: Matilda Mk.II auxiliary fuel tanks 8: Crusader with 0.30" Browning -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Next few issues 2: Bovington events 3: Tankette indices to Vol.36 No.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Grant Parkin [granty_p@hotmail.com] Subject: Even more queries Could anybody tell this '30something' what happened to the Raretanks range of vac-formed kits, namely the Somua S35 and the German A7V, plus the Armtec vac-formed cast hulled M3 Lee and M4 Sherman, and their Canadian Ram Mk I&II conversion set, as well as their 1/76th range of accessories? Does somebody still have the original moulds, or have they been lost/sold off/destroyed? I've tried (unsuccessfully) to get the Heller 1/72nd S35, and I'm still waiting for the Emhar A7V, (where is it Emhar!), to be able to build something different! I don't fancy moulding cast hull tanks, but if I have to, can anybody recommend the best, and easiest putty/filler to use? Once again many thanks in advance, especially to Paul Middleton who has been great helping with my last batch of queries, and sorry for being such a pest. Yours sincerely, Grant I was at the Mildenhall show last week (Hi Alan!) and Pol Models had some of the Heller S35 kits, which I think have been re-released. Email address is polmodels@aol.com so it might be worth seeing if he still has any (which I am sure he has). Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: John Maze [jmaze@neo.rr.com] Subject: OT: Aurora US Marine TTies, Apologies for the OT post, but I just purchased an Aurora US Marine figure kit that is missing some parts, and thought someone here might be able to help me. I need both hands and a cap visor - though it's easy enough to scratchbuild a visor, so that's not important. Does anyone have some spare hands or would be willing to copy the hands for me? I have a lot of spare parts in this box (one of the reasons I bought it even though the hands were missing), so I could swap you some parts or pay for the hands (or copies) as suits you. Thanx! JohnM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Adam Armstrong [adamaia@gte.net] Subject: Casting large shells The method of choice in my opinion would be "slip casting". This is the same technique used to make earthenware vases. The material would be clay, cast in a plaster of paris two part mould. A slip mixture would be poured in what would be the percussion cap hole in the original model. After a period of time the clay would have reached a suitable thickness. Pour out the excess slip and allow to dry. Remove from mould and allow to dry thoroughly. The shell would then have to be kiln fired. Using a metallic glaze would give the appearance of brass, plus any other colour or banding required. By the way "slip" is a diluted mixture of clay and water. This is a very sketchy description, if you feel that you would like to give it a try, I would be glad to offer you all the specifics. I guess a pair of 88 shells could make a nice set of side lamps for your study. Sincerely, Adam Armstrong -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Tomasz Basarabowicz [Tomasz.Basarabowicz@firma.interia.pl] Subject: Hong Kong & Shanghai AFVs Dear All, I'm currently on lookout for more info on Hong Kong and Shanghai (after ACC left for the UK) armoured vehicles (1929-1941). Just to make things clear to date I've colected data from: - Armored Car Magazine No.10 (now defunct) - AFV News 12/2 - Mechanized Force by David Fletcher - http://www.hamstat.demon.co.uk/HongKong/Battle.html I'd appreciate if any reader of this esteemed newsletter is able to provide more info. Thank you all in advance. Tomek -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Daniel Taylor [d-taylor@dircon.co.uk] Subject: Casting large replica rounds Hi I'd just like to say thanks to Nick and Paul for responding to my plea for help on the casting of large items. I'll let the column know how they turn out. The modelmaker in me now wants to make a Tiger to go with them... Thanks Dan Interestingly, I was watching a documentary this week on SOE and one of the boffins was describing how he used the method described by Nick to cast a hollow log to house a radio transmitter. The recipient was to be a Norwegian who worked as a woodcutter so the intention was to store the thing in a logpile where it would not look any different to any of the others. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: John Harris [ukmilmod@ukmilmod.force9.co.uk] Subject: Mr. Surfacer UK source Part II Dear all, Further to my last posting, I obtained some Mr.Surfacer from MDC, but they are no longer going to stock this product and others in the range. The good new is that Hannants are going to stock Gunze products in the near future. Cheers John H. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: IAN HANRATTY [ian@hanra.freeserve.co.uk] Subject: Matilda Mk.II auxiliary fuel tanks Hi All Here's a quick question for you all. Has anyone seen or obtained copies of photo's showing Matilda Mk. II in the desert fitted with the rear mounted circular fuel tanks? Every photo I have seen does not show them fitted, while most artwork shows them?? The stowage diagram on the Matilda Mk. II shows the tanks fitted with the fuel tanks. Can anyone shed any light on this. Cheers Ian H. You have probably seen them, but there are some replies on this one on Missing Links. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Listmaster Subject: Crusader with 0.30" Browning I was looking at a couple of IWM photos of a Crusader in the desert on Tuesday, and the vehicle had a pintle-mounted 0.30" Browning on the turret to the left of the commander’s hatch. I had never seen such a mount on a Crusader before (although I confess to not having looked for one) and wonder how common they were. Anyone have any ideas? I failed to record what mark it was but I suspect that it was a I or II as there was no hatch that I recall overhanging the turret side (unless it had been removed?). Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Listmaster Subject: Next few issues The next issue should be out next weekend, but Easter coincides with my planned date for moving house (thanks in no small part to Paul Middleton, who supplied me with vast quantities of sturdy boxes over the past few weeks) to sunny Swindon. Shortly afterwards, I will be in the States for AMPS 2001 and a tour of various museums for two weekends and am then off to Normandy with the CLY reunion the following weekend (May Day bank holiday). I will try to keep the production schedule to approximately one a week but the exact dates are unclear at this time. At least the PC will need to be one of the first things to be set up (I need it to do the day job), so I should be up and running shortly after the move. I get a whole room for my tut and toy tank stuff so maybe a few construction projects will start showing progress. There is even room in the double garage for a Humber S/C ;-). Anyway, keep sending in the posts and I will send out a digest when I have the chance. All should be back to normal from the weekend of 12th May, unless I find myself in the workparty engaged in garden reconstruction. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Listmaster Subject: Bovington events Apparently, Bovington has cancelled the planned Tankfest in June of this year, along with several other events. The following was taken from the Museum's website on 31st March. It is with great disappointment that I have to announce the cancellation of Tankfest 2001 on the 10th June. This is due to the restrictions placed upon us during the current 'foot and mouth' crisis. On behalf of the museum I would like to thank everyone for the effort and hard work gone into organising this event so far. A decision has been made to reschedule the event during June 2002, using the same theme 'Berlin to Baghdad'. Details of the exact date will be released in due course, following discussions with the relevant parties, avoiding the Weymouth Military Festival weekend and MVT events. The Museum remains open from 10 am to 5 pm daily for normal business; especially for the indoor events that are held during the school holiday periods. However because of the current restrictions all our outdoor events have been cancelled until 2nd July, when the situation will be reviewed. Indications are that this crisis is going to have a dramatic effect on leisure and tourism in the area and will consequently have implications on visitors to the museum, which is the main source of income. Therefore I would like to appeal to any Friends and volunteers to encourage paying visitors during this difficult period. Cancelled events: Tanks in Action - 28th and 31st May Vehicle Movement - 29th, 30th May and 1st June Tankfest 2001 - 10th June Southern Nats Rod & Custom Car Show - 24th June RS Owners Club car event - 1st July David Butt Business Manager The Tank Museum Thanks to John Baumann and Chris Lloyd-Staples who also passed on this information. I also looked at the website for Beltring in July, which is still expected to go ahead as planned. Does anyone have solid information about the Denmead military vehicle show which usually takes place on the last weekend of May? I cannot recall seeing much in the way of information on the extent of any outbreaks in Hampshire. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Listmaster Subject: Tankette indices to Vol.36 No.2 The latest update will go out shortly, as I have now received my issue. Due to the inability of the ISP Freeserve (which several recipients use) to receive executable files (those with an .exe extension), they will have to go out in unzipped form in future. The two formats I use are MS Excel 5 and Lotus 123 and they incorporate a series of filters to make it easier to run to ground a particular article or drawing. If you would like to be added to the list, please email to rlockie@platosoftware.com and request to be included. Please specify which version you want - the default is the Excel version. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Lockie (Think Tank Listmaster) Visit the Miniature AFV Association website at http://homepages.go.com/~mafva/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume