Hi all,
having caught a flue over the last couple of days, I decided to build a kind of "instant" kit just out of the box, and I decided to go for an old M24 "Chaffee" from Italeri. I've built it, I've started to paint it, and after the first wash and drybrush I looked at it because I wasn't that much convinced about it... Then the "scratchbult detailing" bug bite me again and as usual I had to step back from my "OOB resolution". I had an old set of PE of which I used the fenders support an one or two bits on the turret, and another three on the hull (I've lost the fourth and I've replicated it with plasticard), all the rest has been scratchbuilt like the:
- antennas mounts
- mortar
- aa mg support
- external interphone housing
- grab handles, etc.

A few pics follow. I'm not an expert on M24 and it's not that easy to find documentation about the ones in Italian service. As usual any comment, criticism, hint or tip is most welcome!!!
Ciao
C[ ]

Fabio, she's looking like a real beauty! Very nice work so far.
I know exactly what you mean about the "detail" bug! Once you get started with it on a few kits, you just can't seem to get away from it... ever!

and don't I know it to guys.

that looks like a good job mate

Yea Scoccia - it looks like you have a full blown case of AMS going on there... hehe I hate to break the news to you -but there is no known cure..... I know this disease all too well :-)

Anyway - the M-24 looks very good! I would say that your added effort certainly paid off with a better looking kit. I like the looks of the model so far.... be sure to keep us posted on your progress.

Later-
Jeff

PS - Hope you get over the flu and feel better soon :-)

Looking fantastic Fabio. I hope that you are feeling better. The M-24 will never look the same after you get your talented hands on it.(This is a great thing) The added AM and scratch is really bringing thei model to life. Bravo

Great Job, Fabio.
Whole face of Chaffe will change with these additional PEs.
I cannot wait to see the result after painted.
Well done,again...take it easy :-)

Fabio,
Hows bout I just send you my next three kits and a couple bucks.

The chaffee looks great.

kglack

As usual top shelf work there! Detail bug ,PE etc hasnt hit me yet......but I do have this rash that started the other day and.....AHHH forget about it...nahhhh. Cant be....Can it????? #:-)

Fabio,
I like the way it looks.How much extra stowage will you be adding? (++) (++) 49 (++) (++)

Nice work so far. Will look great once painted up. Is this the new "reissue" Italeri M24 Chaffee kit ? I still have the older one, but I might pick up a new one at some point.

Keep us posted on new pics !

Cheers !

Robert

Fabio

These in progress pics are stunners. Your pe and detailing work is as usual ---impressive-and so precisely placed-----this one looks very very solid.

Your drybrushing is well done. The edges and highlights are apparent but not overdone. This is good stuff (as usual)!!

Steve
ps: please get better soon

Great job Fabio!

I'm kind of surprised that even though you've done all the other aftermarket, you haven't trimmed off and replaced the tie-downs and straps on the rear deck. No matter, I think it will finish up nice!

Looks great already Fabio. Good job on the detailing and drybrushing.

First of all I want to thank everybody for the nice words and tell you (it seem you care for my health more than I do...) that my flue is almost gone.


kglack: no problems at all with me if you can cope with my times. If you send them now I can guarantee you to have them done in two or three years time...


TankCarl: quite likely no extra gear at all because i'll do one in service with the Genova Cavalleria (4°) Regiment of the Italian Cavalry in the early 60s


Alpenflage: No it is the old one. I didn't picked up the new one but I think Iìll do it soon...


Hollowpoint: I think you're right about the rear straps. Quite likely I'll do it, even if the ones provided on the kit's deck do not look bad at all. Thanks very much for pointing it out.
As soon as I've got a bit of time i'll scratcbuild the .50 too...
Ciao everybody and thanks again

O.K.....let me get this straight. You built this, with all the PE and scratching while under the heavy influence of the Flu!?! Geeeez, Fabio, U da man!
I guess the old saying applies here...." You can't keep a good man down!"
Excellent work so far on the 'Chafee'. Question though, are you going to wait until your next bout with Malaria or Typhoid to post the next 'in progress' pics? #:-) #:-)

Tread out.

I'm cheering for your project Fabio - I loved building my first Chaffee. Likely when I get some free time I'll build up the new Italeri release. Italeri Chaffee's are nice, relaxing, model kits...

Hope not! I'll do my best to post something new by tomorrow night (CET)

Once more thanks everybody for the kind words
Ciao

Beautiful job!

Slowly progressing. After the flue something even worse happened: going back to work!!! So these are the pics of the almost completed Browning 0.50. This is partly scratchbuilt (all of the barrel) and partly made from Tamiya, Aber and Eduard parts. As someone can notice the align of the MG on its support it's not perfect because it will be glued in place after painting...









Ciao

You have the BEST Ideas. I love what you did with the barrel handle on the 50 cal. that is ingenious.

This is a great build.

FABIO,
LOOKS GREAT so far!!!! Ialways liked the M24. And now the retooled kit is out, to make a non-postwar version. Excellent detail and clean work.

Lord Fabio,

You are not sick, this is ART! I am glad you did this. very very nice!

Fabio

Nice detail work. Also I know what you mean by wanting to build something real simple like an OOB model, but it never ends up as OOB.

True modelling art neihgbour !!! neat and clean work very nice . My congrats for you waiting to see it all finished up