Looking great Alan.

I may have missed something earlier, I'm wondering if you're planning a diorama?

Chas

Hi Chas,

Thanks. No nothing planned for this one yet, I have a few ideas from re-reading the IG history at Anzio and also from some of the pics I've seen, but at the mo it's just a build

Cheers

Al

Hi guys.

Well I had hoped to have this one completed by now but life and work go in the way. Finally got seated down this afternoon and got a little more done. No pics yet as the light has gone but I have added the internal bulk stowage, the two small handles in the drivers compartment. The kit comes with a very nice No 4 rifle with breech cover, but as I'm doing it in italy I've switched that for a SMLE and fashioned a locking bracket out of old PE to support it.

All being well I can crack on with it tomorrow and get some more done.

Al

i really like your vickers gun carrier the detail is very impressive

the wiring is very impressive does tthe resin fit well ro do you have to do allot of work?

are you going to have crew on yours?

Hi James,

Thanks, yes so far no fit problems. Some of the parts are very small and with resin you need to take a bit of extra time to test fit, but so far so good. The PE parts are also very small so again watchout for the carpet monster and study the instructions carefully as this can either be a basic MG carrier (the version I'm making) or the MG Pl command carrier with the radio etc.

re the crew, yes it will have a crew but whether they will be inside or out is still undecided.

Cheers

Al

Hi Guys,

as promised some update pics:

I added a SMLE as the setting will be Italy, made a small holding bracket for the rifle out of old bits of PE and added a sling. Also added the small grab handle to the interior LHS.



Fitted and secured the PIAT with a rolled lead wire strap and fitted the rear bulk stowage items.





Additional stowage boxes for the floor and rear LHS come with the kit and I've painted these mud depicting a vehicle kitted out on arrival which fits with my 2 tone scheme (I think )





Here is the 2nd Grab handle on the front interior armour.



i have added the rear resin plate but used the kit part for the top rear deck as it will be hidden by bulk stowage.

Tracks are almost ready to fit so I should get those done today.



Al

Hi Guys,

well we have some tracks.







These went on fairly easily, although I did cut the filler section 1 link short . They took a bit more cleaning up than other sets I've used and I did break a couple of ends off but these are hidden in the inside and the one visable one will be suitable covered in Italian mud

Started work on the rear panel. Two set of tools come with the conversion to replace the Tamiya Parts. There is quite a lot of smal PE work on the rea panel so just take your time.

The handles for the top of the shovles look easy to fix but these can be tricky and I lost one to the carpet monster as well as breaking a shaft.



Here you can see the difference in length of the pick shaft. The Tamiya one measures in at about 2' 6" in 1/35 scale and the replacement 3' in 1/35 scale so a big difference. The shovles are about the same length buy with different handles.





Al

This is coming along nicely Alan,

I like your method of bending the tracks, I will try it when I get around to building a Universal carrier.

Chas

Hi Chas,

Thanks for dropping in. The Aussies had their own versions so they is a lot of scope there.

Al

Hi Guys,

There are 9 small PE fttings that go to make up the arrangement on the back of the rear plate along with the small rear light fitting. These are now compete and I just need to paint and add the tools. A similar arrangement on the front plate is needed as the MG carrier had tools both front and rear.





I plan to use one of the bulk stowage items I had left from the Universal Carrier Stowage set on the rear.



Al

Coming along nicely Al, getting closer to the finish line with this one. Nice work on the track sag, it's good to see I'm not the only one that uses braced toothpicks for that!

the carpet muncher lol ive managed to outsmart him so far =D
ive found everything ive dropped

its looking great i wan2 build a resin conversion but im not very experianced using ive built resin figures but thats it

Hi Bill,

Thanks, just a lot of small stuff to do now and decide on a crew lol, lol.

James,

Best thing to try is some of the small resin kits first. The difference when working with resin is you need a good razor saw, using super glue which can be both good and bad and taking more time in you builds and dealing with the dust created when you saw the parts form the spur. Resin is more brittal than plastic so you need to take your time, build slowly.

If you want to do an MG carrier why not try something like the Vickers. MG set first. If you can build the gun you can probably build the carrier, but working with resin does take patience. Study the instructions carefuly and refer to reference pics where needed. Apart from the different materials it is just like building plastic. Once you feel confident enough then try a conversion.

Cheers guys.

Al

thanks alan your information is greatly apprecieated

Hi James,

I'm no expert in working with resin but that was how I started, a few figs, a few small kits, then a conversion or two and then a full kit.

Cost is the killer though

Al

tell me about it!

i want AA warrior interior but its like £50!

i dont have any money being a student and its like

Hi Guys,

well finally got under way again, be it all slowly











still a lot of small stuff to do, although not all of ti will be required.





Al

still looking good Alan,you do get a whole heap of stuff with these conversion sets which is good news in these creditcrunch times!i may be forced to actually start making the stash rather than adding to itkeep up the great work

Hi Stufer,

thanks for dropping in, it coming along.

Al

Excellent work, Al, on a very attractive bit of armor. "The Military History Channel" keeps doing a 3-minute spot on this as part of their "Mail Call" filler, and the host says it's a fun thing to drive.

Hi Bill,

Thanks for dropping in, appreciated. Got the front armour in place last night and started building the MG.

Some pics later when I get back from work if the light is good.

Al

Hi Guys,

been a slow week down at Carrier Farm , but go a little donw.

Filled in a small gap at the back of the stowage with a tarp, added the front armour; this needed a fittle filler and have staretd work on thethe fron tools and Vickers MG. I'm going going to use the gun travel lock, so have fitted that as well. ALos possibly going to use some racked stowage cans from the MkI build and had a go at making the folded Vickers tripod.

Painting is a bit messy at the moment, but you'll get the idea.

















Al

Thats a good job Al,

There a lot of parts in there.

Very nice build so far.


Cheers
Michael

Hi Michael,

Thanks for dropping in and glad you are enjoying the build.

Al

Looking great,

Can we have a close up photo of the Vickers MG? How does the quality compare to the separate Resicast Vickers MG kit?