Hi Brad, Sheldon and I did an order recently with Resicast. You get a quote via email (they deduct the VAT if you ask) and pay with Paypal. They were easy to deal with. The email address is on their website.

I just picked up a Churchill III and will definitely order a set of tracks from Resicast.

Ted

Brad

Yeah just email them, they're good to deal with.

Don't fret about the tracks stuff - besides that and the deep wading gear you're like 98% there. The Churchills had minor modifications prior to the landings and then general modifcations to the MK IIIs as part of natural progression and development (field mods). The AFV Club kit reflects one from late 1942-1945.

Get a good etch set, resicast tracks, and either scratch build the deep wading gear or get the Resicast set and you'll make a great kit. I have confidence in you.

Just an FYI - They sealed the whole tank with sealant, something like rubber, you can see it pealing off if you refer to the reference photos. They did that for the landings so the tank wouldn't fill with sea water. They also hooked up the Dingo scout cars with a steel cable to the back of the tanks so the tanks could pull them ashore. The Dingos were sealed also with the rubber or sealant but by doing so they floated like boats and didn't have any propulsion to get ashore, hence the tow cables. There's a good photo of HELEN that is still attached to BOLSTER (I think).

Hi Carmen,

No 100% promises, pending final artwork and space available, but I am working towards providing generic VRN numbers (captured directly from the vehicles) - it's part and parcel of the work I do anyway. And will Miniart please hurry up on the Dingos!?! It is available yet?

Brad, I agree with Carmen on the AFV C. kit - it's so great I want more! On the decal options, only the Canadian vehicle had early pattern tracks fitted - so the kit is geared towards late pattern tracks. Plus releasing the workables, they cover Tamiya kit's market with low cost tracks - killing two birds with one stone - brilliant strategy!! They could have omitted Canadian markings altogether just to avoid a debacle, but they chose to include it instead. I can't wait for them to release the Mark I / Mark II series as well - I simply love the turret shape! And if when they do that - expect the early pattern tracks to be released as well - hurray! Meanwhile, give Resicast a go, I would go that route myself.

Lawrence

As others said give resicast a try direct by email. You will get a reply from Graham, who makes the kits, he will give any advice you need on products and parts needed. Top customer service froma small company.

[email protected]

paul

Thanks Guys

Brad

My mistake : (

Sorry for that,

zaltar

I've been looking around and the only early 'heavy plate' pattern tracks that I can find are a resin set from Accurate Armour. I have scratch-built wading gear for a Normandy AVRE in the past. The trunking is easy enough as they're basically boxes but getting two sets of heat-formed sprue exhaust extensions caused loads of language !!!

I think that I'll still build the Calgary Regiment option from the kit and accept the inaccuracies as the budget won't run to either the tracks or resicast wading gear; and I really prefer the look of the tank with the missing track guards.

Well, I ordered a set of the AA tracks, and plan on scratch building the exhaust extensions. There is a nice article on this in Tamiya's MMI magazine issue 121 Nov 05. It looks good to me, and I too like the looks of the tank without the wading gear and without all the tank guards too.

Cheers
Brad

Hey Brad

Don't be afraid to post some of your build pictures once you get going... I'd love to see your progress and perhaps correspond regarding your scratch building (materials, techniques, etc).

Good luck mate!!

Carmen

Hey Carmen, will you be attending the show in Calgary in May? I am a member of the Victoria Scale Modellers club, and we are bringing two car loads and heading to Calgary for the show. Maybe we can say hello.

Cheers
Brad

ps: I'll try and post pics when I start this one. I still have a few Wingy Thingy's to get finished.

Carmen,

Is that the same Crocodile that used to be at Crown Surplus in Calgary? Man, that used to be (maybe still is???) a great surplus store & museum.

Paul

Brad - yes I'll be at the Rocky Mountain Model Show in May... It's in Nanton, AB this coming spring at the aviation museum.. they're going to fire up the old Lancaster bomber... Check out their website for more details...

Paul - Honestly I have no idea... I moved to Calgary in 2005 from Nova Scotia and it's been there ever since I've been here.

It came from the UK and was shipped to Canada by the King's Own Calgary Regimental Association....with the help of the British Army at BATUS

Crown Surplus is still in Calgary....but not as good as it used to be.

Hi Carmen,

Yup, I know all about the show being at Nanton this year. My sister lives in Okotoks, and I have been to the Nanton museum a few times. It should be a great time having the show there this year. I am looking forward to it. I am sure there will be at least a half dozen of the Churchill kits there, but I don't care, I am going to try and get mine done for it.

Cheers
Brad