Hi Guys,

I have the Mirage Hobby Vickers E Mk A and B. Can anyone tell me how accurate or inaccurate these 2 little kits are.

Anyone have any pictures of these vehicles? I'd like to do them up as Polish vehicles. How accurate or not are the painting instructions?

Unfortunately I've lost the decals for the Mk B but they are a fun shape and should be good painting practice.

Any info, pics, drawing or general background links much appreciated.


Cheers

Al

Edit: I'm off to Google!!

Hello Alan

What's scale?1:35 or 1:72?

Personally I executed them in 1:35. And I had no problems.
Here, I place photo of Polish Vickers Mk. E Model B and Model A(from right on second photo twin turret Vickers with rearranged inflows of air) from Polish Campaign 1939:




If you have some concrete questions - just ask me.
Adam

Hi Guys,
Seem to have found most of what I want here:


http://derela.republika.pl/armcarpl.htm

Any additional info welcome, particularly regarding replacement track.

Thanks

Al

Hi Adam,

I've spent an enjoyable afternoon reading about the Vickers E Type A and Type B in Polish Service.

Both kits are 1/35. Do you know if RPM do replacement tracks, this seems to be the main issue. I got a kit number 35901 but can't seem to track them down. (no pun intended)

Intrestingly no decals are required, as after 1939 the vehicles were unmarked.

Do any Polish early war tank crews exist?

Were the lower road wheels steel and the return rollers rubber?

Many thanks for your reply.

Al

Edit: am I correct in assuming that part 12C the air intake cover is option for a Type B from 1939 onwards, but that it should be used instead on the Type A which always had it?

Thanks

Al

Hey Al,
Mirage Hobbies makes several Polish figure and crew sets in resin:

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=52904

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=52892

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=52909

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=52894

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=52902

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=52896

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=52900

I seem to recall that either RPM or Mirage did a set of indy tracks for the Vickers - 7tp - T-26 type vehicles.
Cheers

jjumbo

Hi John,

Thanks for the links, some good possibilities there.

Yes it's the replacement tracks I'm trying to track down. Do you have a link to the RPM web site?

Cheers

Al

Hey Al,
I've looked online for their website but can't kind one.
I thought AIRCONNECTION here in Canada used to carry the RPM line but I can't find it on their product list.
Squadron U.S.A. carries some RPM kits but not the Vickers style indy tracks.
I assume that you've checked with Hannants or one of the other U.K./European suppliers?
Someone on that "side of the pond" must carry them. LOL
Cheers

jjumbo

Hello again,

About single link tracks - yes, RPM has issued set of plastic separate tracks for 7TP and Vickers Mk. E(and T-26 too), but presently it doesn't available(maybe it would be possible to find this on internet auctions). Here is this set:

Only Friulmodel produces metal tracks for T-26 and Vickers Mk. E or 7TP too but they are expensive:
http://www.jadarhobby.pl/friulmodel-atl45-p-7534.html
RPM doesn't have official web site.
Here are S Model resin figures of Polish tankers(I recommended this kit):
http://www.jadarhobby.pl/model-e013-polish-wwii-tankers-p-2759.html
In my opinion there is fairest store in Poland:
http://www.jadarhobby.pl/
You will find many interesting things here(look at RPM, Mirage Hobby, S Model and M Model kits).
About Polish markings in 1939 - according to new regulations from 1938, Polish armoured vehicles had no markings(certainly were exceptions).

All wheels owned rubber facing.
All Vickers Mk. E Model B(single turret) had this air intake cover but some of Model A(twin turret) was in old version without air intake covers(these tanks were used as training vehicles).

Adam

Hi Adam and John,

Thanks for the links and the help. Tracks look hard to find lol, lol

Adam, this is an extract from the above site:

Quote

Polish producer. Injection kits, basing partially on old forms of 7TP kit. Medium quality, mediocre accuracy, no interior, awful vinyl tracks.
- Mirage (35304) - "Vickers E Mk.B" (incorrect name)
Polish Vickers Mk.E twin-turret. BUT: this kit show only the tank in configuration from 1933-34 years (wz.25 MG's and lack of air inakes). Wanting to make a tank from 1939, a modeller must scratchbuild air intakes and MG's (or take parts from the Polish Vickers single-turret and 7TP twin-turret kits...).
- Mirage (35304) - "Vickers E Mk.B" (incorrect name)
Polish Vickers Mk.E single-turret. It can be completed with or without air intakes

Unquote

This says the Type A single turret can be with or without the air intakes whilst Type B the twin turret must have them form 1939 onwards??????

- More confusing stuff lol, lol.

Thanks guys.

Al

I have 1-- (ONE) set of those tracks.
Lets play--- "lets make a deal" Alan.

Alan,
everything it agrees only, that should be vice versa - Vickers Mk. E Model A there was TWIN TURRET version but Vickers Mk. E Model B there was SINGLE TURRET version

In Polish Camaign 1939:
- Vickers Mk. E Model A (TWIN TURRET version) - can be with or without air intakes(but majority was with)
- Vickers Mk. E Model B (SINGLE TURRET version) - MUST be with air intakes

Believe me, this version is correct!
These air intakes was Polish solution only, it has corrected considerably engine's cooling.

Adam

Hi Dave,

PM on route.

Cheers

Al

Adam,

Thanks Perhaps I should model them in 38 - that way it wouldn't matter.

Cheers

Al

Hi Guys,

well I donl't know whether to laugh or cry on this one. Never tried anything like this before and have no idea if it even remotely resembles a Polish Scheme.

Adam, it will be pre 39 for the simple reason the air intake cover doesn't want to fit BTW were the tools held on by straps or clips??

I should probably hang out a 'Help Wanted' sign

Yesterdays progress!!!









I'll need to make a new hatch for the drivers compartment, seem to have lost the old one and there are some fitting still to go on the exhaust.

AL

'Wot' no comment on my scheme

Al

Looks good Al !
Kind of a change of pace from Khaki Green and/or OD for you !!
Are you going to get those RPM indie tracks from Dave?
Cheers

jjumbo

Hi John,

Thanks, good fun trying to do the scheme. Yip, tracks are on route (thanks Dave) although I'll need to source another set for the Type A.

Anyone have an email address for RPM???????

Cheers

Al

Hey Al,
Yeah, I have a number of these kits sitting in my stash and I never was able to find any sets of replacement tracks.
I haven't been able to find anything in the way of a website or email address for RPM Models.
Lots of sites have lists of their kits but there doesn't seem to be any on the web.
Some of these kit molds have been bouncing around and shared between any number of Eastern European manufacturers lke Alan, Alanger, Eastern Express, ICM, Maquette, Mirage, Techmod and Zvezda.
Perhaps one of the Polish or other European guys on the Armorama site might know.
Have you tried posting a request anywhere else on the Kitmaker network for another set of tracks?
Anyway, good luck with the hunt !!
Cheers

jjumbo

p.s. Al, I have found an address on one of my old kits:

RPM
01-445 Warszawa
ul. E. Ciokla 35 paw. 84 tel. 368292

Like I said, the kits about 10 years old so who knows if the address is still correct

Hi John,

Thanks for the address, I'll give it a go.

Al

Hello Alan,

as I said, RPM doesn't have official web site or e-mail address
Set of separate tracks doesn't available - it isn't produced already
Maybe on some auctions (or from Dave ) you can find it...
Always I search it too but without result

About tools(spade, etc.) - they were fastened for mudguards.

I like your job and wait for final effect
And I be glad , that you have concerned this theme

Adam

Hi Al

Your front bogies look like they're on backwards.... One other thing that needs tackling is the backs of the 7TP tool boxes which are moulded on the hull sides at the rear of the fighting compartment.

I believe the RPM/Mirage etc. kits are based on the Sponjia 7TP from the 80s which was okay as a first effort but very simplified in some places.

David

David! You're absolutely right!
Alan - front bogies should be reinstall(look at photo).
And one thing else - small part on front plate of armour(near turret) should be replaced too - overhanging edge on top(on a level with upper armour). It was caused this, that turret left a bit behind upper armour in front.

Adam

Remove the splash strip next to the driver's hatch altogether (saves trying to remove it neatly it for re-attaching) - Adam's first photo shows a Vickers tank without one, solving your problem

David

Hi Al

Some of Mirage's resin figures are on the Models for Sale website, and I've bought a couple from Modelzone in Holborn.

David

Hi David and Adam,

Thanks for the info folks. Front bogies were easy to switch around, thanks never really looked at them as I built this about 3 years ago, and its been sitting neglected ever since.

By attention to the rear bins I assume you mean they should open with the flap down as in the first picture and not the top lifting up as per the kit part?.

Removed the spash guard thingi.

Would a couple of fire extinguishers from one of the bren carriers be appropriate on the LHS on top of the small tool box? Also the small rectangles that sit at the rear of the square upper hull, do these need removed or could I attach a lof spare wheels to these given that I'm not going to fit the large air intake on this one. Did they carry any kind of tow cable and stuff stored on top/front?

Was there a seem running across the top of the bogies or should they be smooth?

Thanks again folks.

Al

PS: Was the Front top drivers hatch held up with a support?

Hi Adam,

See above for more questions lol, lol

Before I file off the detail on the tops of the rear bins, was this style ever used on the Type B ie with the top opening hinges???

Cheers

Al