Subject: Think Tank Vol.0113 05/03/2002 Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 09:53:32 -0000 Think.tank@tesco.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS' INDEX 1: Soviet AFV photos 2: Goliath photograph 3: Cromwell Models 4: Valentine DDs 5: NZ Staghounds in Italy 6: T&T news 7: Berliet CAT 8: FS matches for British WW2 colours 9: Heller 1/72 VAB 10: Rail-mounted T34 11: T14 and Boarhound -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Listmaster Subject: Soviet AFV photos While hunting for some BT-7 shots the other day, I found another load of shots of Parola’s KV-1s, including the crucial details of the Finnish air intake grilles on the engine deck, at www.ipmsfinland.org/galleria/kv-1/pics Although the one I am building is the z.Ekranami, the best shots are actually of the cast turret version, as there is less overhang by the bustle, which makes the grilles more visible. If a Finnish KV is on your ‘to do’ list, it is worth a look. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Listmaster Subject: Goliath photograph Having recently acquired a set of Dragon Goliath demolition vehicles (far better than the old Esci ones, in case you were wondering), my thoughts drifted to a photograph that I recall seeing once of a British officer using one as a desk. I had thought that he was army, but Paul Middleton recalled him as being RAF and there was a queue of ‘erks’ lining up to be paid. The question is, ‘where might I have seen it?’ Can anyone give me a steer to a book or magazine in which it appears, or even in which theatre it was? Thanks Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Listmaster Subject: Cromwell Models Cromwell Models is still very much in business and I had a chat to Gordon at the Trucks and Tracks show last weekend. He did not recognise the name John Clarke but did point out that he had been on the way to or in Kent (the opposite corner of the country) since Thursday, so had not hade the opportunity to read his emails since. He also does not always have the opportunity to do so every day, particularly, I suspect, when preparing for a major show. Anyway, the addresses quoted in TT0112 are correct (his website is run by a chap in Amsterdam, which is why one has a Dutch domain suffix) so if you try again, you should get through. I know from personal experience that email is not 100% reliable and also that messages can take anywhere from seconds to days to arrive. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Listmaster Subject: Valentine DDs I have received a letter asking me about the above, a subject on which I know next to nothing, so thought I would post the contents here in the hope that someone else proves more knowledgeable. Please post replies to the list as I will have to compile them and send them back to him by post as he has no internet access. Robert ‘My query concerns the correct markings for the only operational use of the Valentine DD, which was in Northern Italy in April 1945. 7th Hussars was at that point equipped with Sherman DDs but due to breakdowns, Valentines DDs were issued as replacements. These vehicles had previously equipped C Squadron in November 1944 before enough Shermans were delivered and it is reasonable, in view of a lack of evidence to the contrary, to believe that they would not have been repainted before issue under battle conditions, no matter which squadron actually used them. In November 1944, 7th Hussars was the junior regiment in 9th Armoured Brigade (along with 3rd and 4th Hussars) but by 1945 they had become 2nd regiment because 3rd Hussars had gone to Palestine. I understand that a Warwickshire Yeomanry Sherman up to August 1944 would have used identical markings (except for those specifically related to Valentine DDs). I wonder if that is true or were there some differences? Would these be the correct markings for the Valentine DD in autumn of 1944? 1.White ‘53’ on red square and white horse in a green square both front and back indicating the junior regiment of the 9th Armoured Brigade. These will be on either side of the driver's lookout at the front and either side of the propeller at the back. 2.On either side of the turret will be a hollow red circle with the number ‘12’ in it, indicating a 4th Troop, C Squadron vehicle. 3.Name (starting with ‘C’) on the nose plate directly above the driver's lookout. 4.Yellow circle with ‘17’ in it as a bridge plate low down on the RHS of front screen support framework at the nose of the tank. 5.‘T82525DD’ (for example) on each driver's door and on top of RHS of front screen support 6.‘This vehicle is filled with 1/3 ethylene glycol and 2/3 water and must not be drained’ stencilled on top front of each side of the turret. 7.‘Turret key here’ on the four ‘corners’ of the turret (i.e. the top corner of each cast section). 8.On the canvas screen, in line with the middle frame ‘NOT TO BE STOWED ON DECK’ but not a LCT number, as these vehicles did not operate from landing craft but from the riverbanks. 9.Several minor markings, for example ‘unlock here’ etc. as appropriate.’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Mike Cooper [coopmik1@yahoo.co.uk] Subject: NZ Staghounds in Italy Dear All I'm building an NZ Staghound in 1/76th at the moment - sorry – it’s built and I'm painting it. Sorry to say that they're just plain No.9 OD. I wish they'd got into Light Mud and Black, but no joy! One thing to watch is that Jeff Plowman's lovely book on Kiwis in Italy says that they painted the white star and ring on a black background. If you're working in 1/76th don't forget that the latest Starmer's Armour decals are for stars and rings. Mike Cooper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Mike Cooper [coopmik1@yahoo.co.uk] Subject: T&T news Dear All Just some random notes on new stuff from Trax and Trux (in my subject areas, so to speak): Milicast Churchill - looks VERY tasty indeed Matador Models - have got two rather yummy Sherman DD kits - for Sherman II and V. They use a whole new top half to show a vehicle with a collapsed screen. They've also introduced WW1 tank track with grousers/spuds on for Mks. II-IV. Whoopee!! New Sentinel IV with the 2x25pdr or 17pdr out too. Bull Models - handle Trux and other stuff, now including Mike Starmer's Decals and booklets. Trux has done a new 60pdr Mk II and a 3inch AA gun – both are very nice indeed. BK Modelcraft - Has issued a humungous great WW1 German Bussing gun tractor with a 21cm Mörser. New Ospreys out include the first of two on WW1 Trench Warfare and two wonderfully weird ones on Far Eastern Siege weapons. MGM and BK were both listing a new range of 1/76th armour including the awful little Marmon Herrington light tanks and both versions of the Weasel (Thanks Paul and Spike for learning me of the difference). Fine Scale Factory has issued civilian figures for their American Civil War and Medieval artillery ranges There is a drop-dead gorgeous dual Czech/Polish and English book out on Jap tanks. The new 1/35th injection moulded Tank MK V from Russia looks OK, but Neil Barker and I are reserving judgement until we've had drawings to it. It’s heaps better than the Emhar Mk. IV. Scale Model Accessories has done an Ontos and a Mechanical Mule Hmm, lots to look at there! Mike Cooper I was advised at the weekend that the Mk.V is far cheaper if purchased from Jadar in Poland than the UK sources. I have not yet looked for a price but the last time I tried Jadar’s website it took for ever to get anywhere. I also heard that the kit was loads better than Emhar’s effort. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Mike Cooper [coopmik1@yahoo.co.uk] Subject: Berliet CAT Hiya Anyone got photos/drawings of the WW1 Berliet CAT lorry? I've got one from Convoy, but I've no drawings to run it against Mike Cooper (Wet dismal Reading) P.S. If you find a can of the old Humbrol Primer – No 1 in their range - check it out as its a pretty fair looking match for WW1 French Grey from all I've heard -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Mike Cooper [coopmik1@yahoo.co.uk] Subject: FS matches for British WW2 colours Dear All You may remember that Mike Starmer has been working on British WW2 colours, and that we'd prepared a basic file giving colours and mixes. It's been pointed out to me that outside the UK, not everyone can easily get a Humbol colours which formed the basis of the mixes, and so I've done a rough and ready set of FS595a matches for the basic colours. Mike Starmer has asked me to point out that FS595 DOES NOT give MATCHES for the BS colours used in WW2. In fact in most cases there isn't anything much close, so please, please don't treat this as anything other than a set of approximations only. They'll probably do for very rough modelling mixes, but they aren't the real thing by a long way. I've arranged the notes chronologically, to help you place colours vs schemes 1939-41/2 Khaki Green G3 - nothing in FS is dark and yellow enough to do the job. Something darker than FS595a 14097 is still not right but may do as a "modellers mix" Khaki Green G5 - again nothing close, but something yellower than 34151 Light stone 61 - Nothing close. 13594 isn't yellow enough, 20260 is too dark. 23697 might work on a model Portland Stone 64 - Again nothing close. Somewhere between 33685 and 33617 maybe Slate 34 - 34102 is too green 1942-44 SCC1a - 20062 or 20059 SCC2 - 20095 is too dull, 20140 is too red SCC5 - warm grey close to 16160 SCC7 - close to 34098 SCC11b - 12648 is too light, 20400 too strong SCC13 - 34096 is close 1944-45 SCC15 - logically, as when new this was a match for fresh US Olive Drab it should be FS595b 33070. Note that it doesn't fade brown like OD. Please let me know if you're after other colours, but do bear in mind that this is just a set of approximations. Matching conditions were daylight through a window, mid morning in Reading! Mike has done two booklets with colour chips and official plans, one for Caunter and the other for El Alamein. As ever, if you'd like the Word file with mixes and notes please let me know. Mike Cooper 'orrible wet gloomy Reading UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Mick Bell [mick@the-belfry.demon.co.uk] Subject: Heller 1/72 VAB Hello all, Re Grant Parkin's enquiry about a Heller polythene VAB. Heller made a series of children's toys in a range called 'Clic-Clac'. This included three 1/72 vehicles that I know about. There were a Renault TRM200 Refueller, a Renault TRM2000 Fire Tender and a VAB [4x4 version]. The box art suggested that a TRM2000 cargo truck was forthcoming, but I never saw one. These toys were very simple snap-together models. The VAB comprised 6 parts - upper hull, lower hull, 4 wheels. No glue was necessary to assemble them and a sheet of self adhesive stickers was included for markings. They were clearly aimed at the children’s toy market and were perhaps intended to tempt youngsters to progress to building 'proper' models. They were polystyrene rather than polythene and, despite the simplicity, could be used as the basis for a model. For instance the VAB hull could have all its detail filed off and be used as the starting point for a decent model. The Renault TRM200 trucks had cabs that were devoid of all detail, but the basic shape was sound and detail could be appliqued on. Think of them as taking the hard bit out of scratch building. I don't think the Clic-Clacs are in production any more, but they might be lurking in your local toy shop, or picked up at a car boot sale or toy fair/swap meet. Mick Bell -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Grant Parkin [granty_p@hotmail.com] Subject: Rail-mounted T34 Hello Robert and the 'thinkers' Can anybody throw some light onto a rail-mounted T34? It appears on page 36 in the book ' German Armoured Trains in WWII' by Wolfgang Sawodny, published by Schiffer Military, (Volume 17). It seems to be a normal T34 upper hull and turret, but the rear engine deck seems to be devoid of any raised intake grills. Was this a Russian prototype? Or a German modification? And was it self-propelled? The hull appears to placed at the back of the rail wagon, rather than centrally mounted, suggesting that the rear wheels could be driven from the T34's own engine! Any help would be gratefully received, Grant. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: jgvanoerle@cs.com Subject: T14 and Boarhound I am working on 1/76 scale models of the US T14 assault tank and the Boarhound armoured car. I have "only" the Bellona drawings and Hunnicut’s Sherman book. Has anyone more pictures or drawings to help me with these models? Thanks Hans van Oerle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Lockie (Think Tank Listmaster) Back issues of Think Tank (thanks to Shane Jenkins) can be found at: http://www.tac.com.au/~sljenkins/thinktank/thinktank.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume