This is Tamiya's excellent Centaur IV, OOB and not entirely (well 95%) finished. The cable you can see sprouting from the turret is the 2nd line of cable which was threaded through the lifting rings. I will apologize in advance for the photos, these were taken only days after getting my digital camera... The only thing which has to be added are some personal gear, netting and of course a figure. As is usual on these occasions, your criticism, suggestions and comments are invited, please however remember my nervous nature...Jim #:-)









The picture below is the original, any relation to this and mine, is purely accidental.....

Man! All these times talk about models, this is one fine piece of art. I extremely like the chalked on thingy around the turret. are they decal or hand painted?

Very good stuff. Jim Brae. You just be promoted to be fit to using a short samurai sword for the Tong.

Awesome!

And of course,

Manie Warm Wishes.

I think that it looks great. Alot of detail done nicely.

Looks superb, beautifully weathered.

Nice work Jim

One question though, would the crew have used an orange canvas like that? It seems too large for air reckognition and too visible too the enemy...

Again, great job,

Andrew

Obe, The size of the Air-recognition panels varied. The photo is not that clear, it is on top of a large tarpaulin, at some point I will re-shoot some of the pics to make it clearer. It was more 'artistic-license' on my part than anything....

Dave, The markings round the turret are those supplied by the kit. Anyone who has built this will classify them as the most irritating decals in the history of civilization If I do another, I'll do one without the decals or at least cut them into comfortable, bite-sized pieces #:-)

Thanks to all of you for the encouraging comments...Jim

Jimbrae -

I must say that you have done a superb job here... I especially like the panel shading effect you have going on there.. how did you do that? Care to share your technique? Was that airbrushed with different shades, or did you use a wash to get that effect? I have a hard time getting detail to stand out like that without it looking too fake.... you did it masterfully and it looks very realistic.

I like the orange tarp - adds a spash of color to the kit... artistic license.. very nice :-)

Jeff

I have seen this kit done at contests a number of times and really like it. Yours is a stellr example. Re: the numbering around the turret, do you, Jim, or anyone reading this, know what that was all about? I just can't figure a logical reason for the Brits to have added this gradient to the outside of a turret.
As far as the pictures go, they look good, too.

Re. the numbers round the turret. The intention was that the Centaurs would provide direct fire-support while landing on the beaches from their landing craft. At the rear of the Centaur, a telephone was installed (as in the box on the Chaffee) and instructions would be given as to the angle of traverse. With the painted markings it would, in theory, be easier for the spotter to order the turret moved, todirect fire onto individual targets (pill-boxes, beach obstructions etc.). Now I don't know if it was ever used in practice, personally I have my doubts as the idea of directing fire from a landing-craft wallowing in heavy seas while under fire from shore-batteries strikes me as overly-optimistic..
On a final historical note, the Centaur IV, only saw service in Normandy until the end of June. After this they were withdrawn although they soldiered on until the end of the war in various theatres of operations....Jim

Thanks for the info.

The paint and weathering is top knotch. Bravo.

nervous nature!!!! Right good one Jim! #:-)
Seriously nice work, can't wait to see the finished item and hopefully some bigger photos.

Boo! Your'e gonna tell me that scared you now!!! #:-)

nice one there Jim

Jim you have made a verry nice Centaure, I like paintjob and decals.

Nice work James! Good to see the work from someone who chats alot! Now if we can get Kencelot to post more photos.......

looking good JIm what colours did you use I've got one in the built ready for spraying stage and unsure if they are green or khaki as tamyia say on the instructions

Jimbrae, pretty nice stuff there! Would love to see some bigger pictures when you finish. I agree, the decals were a lot of fun . Great job ! (++)

Well done. Very nice weathering. What will you use for netting ?
If the pics could be a little bigger, better. Congrats.

XF-49 (Tamiya,Khaki) was the base coat for my Centaur. I then oversprayed with a lightened mixture of this and Buff. The washes (which i'm not too happy with) were done using oils. About the construction, it more or less falls together although Tamiya should put a 'Sherman' rack in with the kit as virtually all Cromwells/Centaurs are photographed with this. The one I have fitted is scratch, I'm going to replace it with a resin one. I would rate the kit very highly although as a subject it comes into the 'obscure' category. As is usual, I do wish that the manufacturers would start giving us some more British subjects, only Academy seem to be listening....Jim

jimbrae

Ah! This is fantastic - you have got to show us some larger pictures of this work! The colouring/weathering looks superb. I like the look of the wheels too and the way the track lies along the top of them - are these am tracks or the kit ones?

WRT the recognition flag, remember at this time the allies had air superority and many of the recognition flags used were flourescent colours like this - I think the flag looks perfect and is draped well too.

You must post some larger pics of ths please! :-)

Lee

From this size of pictures seems great imagine it if the pics are bigger !!!

All I am seeing are red "x". Oh, well I am sure this is one outstanding model.