Some may have seen this on a couple of other sites already, not sure why I haven't posted it on here before although there is some progress shots in my workbench/gallery section. It's a combination of kit-bashing and some scratch-building. I've recently restarted the build so here's the latest images:

Very nice David very nice. Still new to armor so I have never seen this one before what is it and whose is it?

Hi David,

Nice work. Is this the BaxMod kit? Or the other one (can't remember the company name) for the Tamiya kit?




Jim,

The SADF was the pre-1994 South African Defence Force, as opposed to the post-'94 South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

The Olifant is a derivative (I think that's the correct term?) of the Centurion.

HTH

Rudi

Hi guys, thanks for the comments.

James, it's as Rudi explained it

Rudi, some of the parts are from the BaxMod set ( the rear turret bin, air filters, rear storage bins and a few smaller parts).
I started this build a few years back, the upper hull and turret are from Legend's 1973 IDF Cent conversion (the commmanders hatch is from the 1982 set), the lower hull (plus a few smaller parts) are from the Modelcraft Cent. During one of the many breaks from the build, AFV Club released their Cents, so for the running gear I adapted a suspension set from AFV Club, the smoke dischargers came from Cromwell Models. I'm also going to add a set of WWII Productions resin tracks. The headlights and other bits and pieces I've had to scratch.
Since beginning the build BaxMod released their own Olifant set, so that helped with some parts. Cromwell followed with their conversion, which builds into a later SANDF era Olifant ( I have one and will build that much later).

Cheers for now,
Dave.

Thanks for the explanation, Dave.

It is very good regardless. I can't wait to see it with some paint on it. Good luck.

That is one cool looking tank,can't wait to see it painted.

Rob

Thanks James and Rob.
It's slowly inching towards having some paint splashed over it. There should be another update in a few days time.

Cheers.

Some progress at last. It seems that it's mainly the smaller fiddly bits and pieces to add now. Most of the work has been concentrated around the rear of the hull, partially scratch built gun crutch etc.









Still more of the bitty stuff to add yet

its turning out really nice

Thanks Alex

Well done Dave....keep her going.

Coming along nicely David, good to see a unique subject out there being worked. Looking forward to seeing some paint on it. Thanks for sharing -

Cheers -
Tim

Hi Jason and Tim
Thanks for the words of encouragement guys, I certainly need them at the moment

During the war in Angola some operational Olifants had the front part of the fenders completely removed, extra track links were also added to the glacis plate.
It wasn't a job that I was particularly looking forward to, as the Legend upper hull and fenders are moulded as one part. Fortunately, it went quite well and only a small amount of styrene was needed to patch up the rough edges of the glacis.




The tracks and extra links have been temporarily placed in position to give a better impression of how it will all look.

Well it's been longer than planned but here's some more progress.
First job was to replace the wheels with Firestorm's resin versions, I had had enough of the original ones dropping off at every given chance


Whilst the amount of work was small, the next step took quite a while and involved much swearing and cursing
The mantle was missing a couple of mounting brackets which in turn needed to be scratch built (there was a third one but it wasn't always fitted, I chose the easier option).
I don't know their full purpose but I should imagine one was for the searchlight.


A few more extras added to the rear of the hull



Dave

Excellent build and a really good subject (think the S.A tanks were ex-Indian Army stock) your doing a grand job here.
An old friend who was in the 17/21 Lancers (years ago) said the Cent was the best tank ever! as you could fix it yourself and not rely on 2 trucks of fitters that had to follow you!!!

Keep the picture's coming.

It was quite a tank, no doubt about that. Thanks Klinker, your comments are much appreciated.
I hope to add another update in a week or so.

Looking really nice David....one day I'll have to get my Cromwell Olifant Mk.1A conversion off the shelf and get cracking.

Thanks Jason.

Hello David

I've picked up on your thread regarding the 'Olifant' and I must say that you have inspired me to build my own. I haven't been able to find where you've actually finished the build - have you finished it? I don't want to be 'scratching an old sore' but I'd really like to see the finished article or alternatively how you got where you got. I think, thanks to the AFV Club Centurion releases I can cobble together an Angolan Olifant and give the Cromwell release a miss - what do you think?
I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Steve S.