From: Think Tank Subject: Think Tank Vol. 0071 14/04/2001 Think.tank@tesco.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS' INDEX 1: Cancelled shows 2: 1:1 Rounds 3: German 1.5 tonne trucks 4: Dragon Shermans 5: That Firefly... 6: Even more queries 7: Spray painting in 1/76 scale 8: Flakmaus 9: Heller S35 10: Japanese army colours 11: Re: Guy Mk.1 & Mk.1A Armoured car -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Russian book for sale 2: Next issue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: mark hazzard [mark@hazzardm.freeserve.co.uk] Subject: Cancelled shows Check out the following link www.mvt.org.uk and go to the events pages. They list the shows’ status - Denmead and Tankfest have gone, Berkley Castle and Beltring are still go MJH -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: JUDD spike [spike.patti-judd@worldonline.fr] Subject: 1:1 Rounds. Hello Folks, Y'know, I could've sworn somebody offered fibreglass life-size 88mm rounds for sale about 15 or 20 years ago. An American firm, I believe, PDM might remember, but I doubt he has any addresses to offer. Spike This should've gone 5 days ago! I also recall those rounds, advertised in the back of Mil Mod or Airfix Mag. No, I can’t remember the details either, but I suspect they are no longer in production. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: JUDD spike [spike.patti-judd@worldonline.fr] Subject: German 1.5 tonne trucks I reckon you'll have to find photo's of a unit, & assume that most of the bn. would also be issued the same type, tho' not for the specialised vehs, as not all makes were used. Or are you hoping that there was a list stating that such & such unit were issued type x vehs? I wonder when the Krupp light truck went out of service (destroyed), would you care to expand on your requirements? Though I doubt I'll be able to help, still you never know. Spike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Daniel Taylor [d-taylor@dircon.co.uk] Subject: Dragon Shermans Hi I can't really understand those of you who create in 1/35. I've had one of those odd months where I got a few projects out that I have not touched in five years but that were under-way. These included a Tamiya Tiger mid-production, a Tamiya Cromwell and the old Dragon Sherman Firefly. The first two I have managed to get finished by and large (well not totally, but more of that later). The Firefly has been a slightly larger dilemma. Now, as stated, the Firefly was probably started around 1996/7. I got the articles by Dyer et al explaining that the hull was too long and that various bits were missing and carried out all the major surgery at the time. This exhausted my interest and it has been consigned to the box except for the odd peek to remind myself why I don't do 1/35. In the end, curiosity got the better of me and, having built a couple of tank rounds one-to-one (see earlier postings) I decided to have another crack. At first, it wasn't all that bad. Then I began on the tracks. Don't get me wrong, they are lovely. I have been well advised and had built a nice little jig like channel to make it easier, but even so, it is tedious. It reminded me that the reason that the Tiger had been stalled was that I had spent ages building the tracks, and they were a model of simplicity by comparison (excuse pun). The statistics. I have spent six hours on them so far and have not completed one side! There are a total of 180 track shoes plus 360 end connectors - total 540 parts. Having carefully removed them from the sprues, cleaned them up and mounted them on the jig, popped on a little glue in such a way as to leave them flexible and made them up into sections I am steadily loosing the will to live. No longer will I tolerate remarks about 'elastic band' type tracks on older models. What's wrong with the beautiful rubber tracks on the Tamiya Cromwell. No wonder you lot gripe about poor Mr Greenland et al. I feel rather sore having completed three 1/35 scale models in five years, you must be driven to distraction if you do this sort of thing all the time. You clearly need something to beef about. And now I'm after something!!!!? I wonder if any of you kind 1/35 scale types can help. Having practically finished the Tamiya Tiger mentioned earlier I have run into a vexing problem. The transfer set that comes with the kit seems to have expired, disintegrating into numerous shards when dipped in water. I only wanted to use the I SS Pz Korps shield from it but they are quite unusable. Not being a regular to this scale (see above) I do not have a ready spares collection to tap and so was wondering if any of you have a pair you could spare? To be clear it is the crossed keys on a shield with oakleaves I'm after. There are six on the Tamiya mid-production Tiger's transfer sheet, should you have one. In exchange I would be happy to offer counselling to anyone who has had a particularly difficult build or perhaps some useful tips to convert you to 1/76 modellers. Your wives would appreciate the smaller demand on shelf space... Thank you for taking time to read my rant. Dan Taylor Sherman track is a perpetual problem due to the way the stuff is built - although Friul does a set of it, unlike the metal skeleton stuff (IS, most German WW2, T-55 etc.), each connector spans two links at the same angle, so the only way to make it look right is to use separate end connectors. Consequently, Friul's track is not much of an improvement. Dragon's and RHPS's efforts share the same constructional challenge, as do the old Top Brass sets if anyone else has some. Very nice, but time-consuming to build. Still, consider yourself fortunate that you are not tackling Model Kasten's set, which has two-part track pads, separate trackpins, separate end connectors and four bolts per link to hold the latter on the pins. I think the set has over 1,100 parts, just to build two tracks. You don't know when you're well off ;-).. Just remember (as I'm sure you do) that track sag is a no-no with live track, although I have seen several models (mainly post-war stuff) which had sag that would not disgrace a KV. It is unfortunate that Anvil is ceasing production of its very fine resin stuff, as I knocked up a whole set of Panther track in an evening and still had lots of spare links (in fact, I think four sets provides enough for five tanks!) left over. Regrettably, there would have been no easy solution to doing Sherman track in that medium either, unless lengths were acceptable. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Daniel Taylor [d-taylor@dircon.co.uk] Subject: That Firefly... Hi Oh, and another thing... Would I be correct in assuming that the rear idler on a Sherman was metal, without a covering, and that, therefore, it would appear somewhat burnished by the action of the tracks moving over them? Apologies for an overly long sentence. Dan Taylor Yes. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: IAN HANRATTY [ian@hanra.freeserve.co.uk] Subject: Even more queries Hi Paul I have not seen any of the old vac-formed kits available for a great no of years at shows etc.. However an advert in Tankette may produce something. I have (I still think) an Amrtec(?) early M4 Sherman kit conversion. Basically only the hull top. You are welcome to it if you want it; send me your snail mail address to ian@hanra.freeserve.co.uk and it's yours. Although I have never tried building a cast hull from scratch, I would probably try it this way: 1.Using thick plastic card or laminates of plastic card, make up the basic square shape of the hull, slightly larger than the finished size. 2.Using a new sharp blade, files and sandpaper, turn the square item into the cast piece, very similar to how ship modellers used to make wooden hulls (I think). 3.If you remove too much plastic, simply glue on new laminates, leave to dry and start again. Hopefully this will give you a better starting point than say plain model filler. Any gaps in the plastic could be filled in with super glue and baking soda (acts as an accelerant) and also fills in any deep gaps. Last year at the Duxford open day I was able to pick up a 1/72 Heller Somua kit from Polmodels for under £3.00. The model has been released but unfortunately still has the horrible tracks in it. They have been available in most model shops in Scotland recently. Rumour has it that Heller are going to release all of their 1/72 AFV kits. starting off with the AMX 30. I hope this helps. cheers Ian H. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: John Rulton [jaydom.rulton@virgin.net] Subject: Spray painting in 1/76 scale I am contemplating spray painting for German AFV camouflage. Can anyone with the benefit of their wisdom provide advice in a two page article on air brushing for small scale please. This may be easier coming from someone who has experience of the quality of various AFV air brushes and can express the various 'do's and don'ts'. Thanks, John Rulton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: John Baumann [john.baumann@talk21.com] Subject: Flakmaus I have been through several kit listings on file and cannot locate a Flakmaus anywhere, but it may be there under another heading. John Dowman is best advised to contact Cromwell direct to see if they market the 1/76th Flakmaus since some of their range was sold to MGM of Germany I believe. Regards, John Baumann -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: John Baumann [john.baumann@talk21.com] Subject: Heller S35 Pol Models has a plentiful supply of Heller S35 kits but note they are cheaper in France. Regards, John Baumann -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Listmaster Subject: Japanese army colours In the course of packing, I found the notes I made from Mike Starmer's verbal description at the Milton Keynes show in February (?). It was known as "khaki" and "all army equipment" was described as being painted in it. There is a chip in Model Art 321 (or possibly 327 or 329 - I can't read my writing - must have been too excited!). Mike's suggested mix is 3 parts Revell 86 and 1 part Humbrol 155. Sorry about the belated post but if I don't use it now, it will get lost again :-(. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: john rulton [jaydom.rulton@virgin.net] Subject: Re: Guy Mk.1 & Mk.1A Armoured car Ian, according to the notes on the Geoff Lacey 1:76 drawings of these vehicles these A/cars were used by No.3 AIR MISSION, later known as GHQ Liaison Regt (PHANTOM), working in support of GHQ and the Advanced Air Striking Force HQ. Two troops of 3 A/cars each (the 3rd troop having motorcycles) were sent to France in 1939 as defence troops for No.3 AIR MISSION. On the subject of numbers built, Geoff states 50 Mk.1s built in early '39 with 51 Mk.1As being produced in late '39. For colours I suggest for this period Green G3 & G4 scheme. Marking wise I have nothing to offer so hopefully somebody will fill this gap for you (and me). Finally, the Mk.1A was used by the Canadians, Belgian & Dutch forces as well as the British army. Hope this is of some use, good luck, John Rulton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Clive Harman [cliveharman1@yahoo.com] Subject: Russian book for sale Due to a mixup, as part of a trade I've just recd from a Russian contact a copy of a book I already have, Russian armored machines 1905-1995, Nevsky Bastion, 1996 H/B book lists all armoured vehicles wheeled & tracked, from 1905-1995 including prototypes with at least 1 line drawing for each plus vehicle stats. 480pages - Std reference book - in Russian. If anyone is interested it is £7.50 plus postage. Regards Clive -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Listmaster Subject: Next issue Well, the deed is finally done and I will be moving on Tuesday 17th April. I expect the next issue to be out on 30th April or so, when I am recovering from AMPS 2001. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Lockie (Think Tank Listmaster) Visit the Miniature AFV Association website at http://homepages.go.com/~mafva/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume