From: Think Tank Subject: Think Tank Vol. 0073 08/05/2001 Think.tank@tesco.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS' INDEX 1: Modern camouflage 2: Full size rounds 3: Modern camouflage 4: Trucks and Tracks 2001 and British camouflage 5: I would like to know... 6: BK Models Simplex 7: Convoy Models 8: Military Machines magazine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Posting guidelines - another reminder 2: Forthcoming events -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Geoff Cooke [Geoff.Cooke@tesco.net] Subject: Modern camouflage As far as I am aware there is no pattern to the modern black/green pattern. I certainly was never told how to spray; most of us just followed what was already on the vehicle. We usually had black corners as standard though. A lot of crews would use a paint/sand mixture for top surfaces for grip. If you are after a particular vehicle I might be able to supply some photos, depending on the vehicle. Could anyone help me find some track for a ZSU 23/4? I purchased two and did not notice the lack of tracks. I spoke to the importers and even sent back another surplus part, but they seem not to be bothered. I am also after an M107, either a barrel (to convert an M110) or kit. Geoff Cooke All my reference books are still in boxes, but is the ZSU-23-4 track the same as that for the 2S1? If so, there is some available from Friul, albeit it is probably more than the kit cost you :-(. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Daniel Taylor [d-taylor@dircon.co.uk] Subject: Full size rounds Thanks again to those of you who continue to offer ideas for casting the full size rounds. In case it is of any interest, I'll be taking the two completed rounds to Trucks and Tracks - you'll find me circulating around the MAFVA and Milicast stands. Dan Taylor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: MALCOLM IRESON [ireson@carltons36.freeserve.co.uk] Subject: Modern camouflage In answer to Malcolm's question, being ex-REME, I got posted to a lot of different units/regiments etc., and in all of them, not one had a set way of painting their vehicles, be they tanks or Land Rovers, the only constant being that the whole battalion/regiment would do it the same way. I mean, if one was hand painted, then they all were; we used to set up spray booths, and the entire vehicle fleet would go through, all in a matter of weeks, but you would not get half sprayed, and the other half brush painted. As for the camouflage shapes, the only regiments that I know of that standardised their camo were the tankies; they all had the black bit going over this or that certain part of the tank, which was normally down to the commanding officer as to where, and how. Apart from that, the patterns were up to the crew of that particular vehicle. In other words it's a bit hit and miss!!!! Hope this helped. Malc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: JUDD spike [spike.patti-judd@worldonline.fr] Subject: Trucks and Tracks 2001 and British camouflage Hello All, Nasty rumour going around that Folkestone is off, this is not so, TRUCKS & TRACKS IS DEFINITELY ON, just had a line from Trevor C. Please pass this info on to any friends who are wondering whether to attend. Too late for Tankette tho'. Also I have got a new email address for when I'm not at home, TanketteEd@Hotmail.com, might be useful. Ref modern Brit veh colours, at 7 Armd W/S, I was told by the ASM that he’d been told to put 3 bands of black on the sides (& top) of each vehicle, regardless of size. Whether we actually did this, I've forgotten. I did paint my 434 with zebra stripes, only to be told to join-up some of them to make large black patches! It was pretty hopelessly un-organised. Spike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Dave Trotman [DTrotman@city.barrie.on.ca] Subject: I would like to know... if you are aware of any plastic kits that were ever made available, or that are currently available for the type(s) of radio trucks used by the Royal Signal Corps - British 8th Army, in North Africa between 1940 to 1943....? David Trotman (705) 739-4220 Ext. 4719 Fax: (705) 739-8345 E-mail: dtrotman@city.barrie.on.ca -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Mike Cooper [coopmik1@hotmail.com] Subject: BK Models Simplex Dear All Just been sent a review sample of the new BK ModelCraft 20hp Simplex - it's a little WW1 petrol rail tractor used very widely by the British, Canadians and others on the Western Front. This is a very nicely done simple little white metal kit, which comes with two B Class wagons (large tea-trays on wheels) with an ammo load. I'm going to do a full review for Tankette, but for £8.95 plus postage I think its good value and a useful addition to any WW1 collection, even if like me you're not into railways. BK Modelcraft will be at Trax and Trux this month, and you can ring them on 01424 855283 Their range is small as yet but contains some nice oddities. They also offer a research service. If you're interested in WW1 narrow gauge railways then get a list from Parkside Dundas sales@parksidedundas.co.uk or 01592 640896 and check out the stuff on the web at http://users.breathemail..net/defiant1/wdlr.html Thanks to Richard Marks for the link! Mike Cooper Sunny Reading UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Mike Cooper [coopmik1@hotmail.com] Subject: Convoy Models Dear All New phone number for the heroes at Convoy Models - 01424 44058. Not sure what's new, but they say they'll be at Folkestone. If you're going and you know me, I'll be there on Saturday. Oh - and Berkshire Scale Replicas will be making an exhibition of ourselves at the lovely Salisbury IPMS Show on 2nd June - interestingly enough held in Salisbury. Do like this show. Mike Cooper Since I now live within striking distance of it, I might be along to the Salisbury show this year - do you have any directions or a contact person? Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Mike Cooper [coopmik1@hotmail.com] Subject: Military Machines magazine Dear All Me again! Anyone got any impressions of Military Machines International - new magazine stepping into the gap left by Wheels & Tracks? I picked up number 1, and it looks the sort of think I'll look out for but maybe not buy each issue. This is more to do with the fact that I don't restore military vehicles than any inherent defects in the mag! Mike Cooper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Listmaster Subject: Posting guidelines – another reminder When posting messages or replies to the list, please observe the following: 1.Send a new message, rather than using the "Reply" function, as otherwise I have to trawl through the whole of the previous text to locate your pearls of wisdom and extract them. 2.Put a meaningful title in the "Subject" box, so that I don't have to make one up. 3.If possible, please confine each message to one subject. This is so that someone looking through back issues can more easily locate the post they are seeking from the messages list at the top, without having to look through the whole digest of postings. Thanks everyone. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Listmaster Subject: Forthcoming events Next Saturday (12th May) is the next London MAFVA meeting, at the National Army museum in London. We meet in the Council Chamber from 1400 to 1700 so if you are in the area, please feel free to drop in. Just tell the chap on the security desk that you are here for the model club meeting and he will direct you accordingly. The following weekend is Trucks and Tracks at Folkestone - MAFVA will have its usual display there so I will be manning that and trying to avoid (probably unsuccessfully, as usual) converting my pennies into resin, brass, plastic and paper. Again, come and say hello if you are around. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Lockie (Think Tank Listmaster) Visit the Miniature AFV Association website at http://homepages.go.com/~mafva/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume