All,
Cool projects. All look great.

Graeme,
Congrats on the up-coming child! Get some sleep while you can.

Tony

Guys- you might remember this-



I put my workshop back together- and I am moving forward again.

Cast copies of my supplemental armor:



Working on the Wheel master (rev 1) split a wheel like the one on the left and inserted 3 layers of 40 thousandths sheet styrene- its a start.



Mock up- This larger diameter wheel loks better than my first attempt.



Happy to be back at it. Steve

Michael- again I am so impressed with your scratchbuilding!

Here is my guess- Australian, 90mm armed, HVSS Sherman suspension (obviously). Basically an Aussie 1946 Heavy Tank?

Steve

Nice work there Steve cant wait to see more.

Thanks Scott!
I appreciate the comment!
You have seen my inspiration pic. I am thinking of building an Un-manned- Engineering vehicle with that look.

Bulldozer blade- some kind of crane- like an IDF Fitter.

Steve

armagh5, M4A2Sherman, you guys actually aren't all that far from the mark.




Very good Steve, I didn't think anyone would be that close. For all intents and purposes that is it, although I would want it a little sooner than '46

When the designers of the Sentinel realised that a 2 pdr was, or would be shortly, ineffective against newer German tanks (they were still thinking about fighting in North Africa) a variety of alternative armaments were considered for the AC3 and AC4 tanks, such as the 6 pdr, 18 pdr, 25 pdr, 17 pdr, 3" 20cwt and lastly the 3.7" Anti Aircraft Gun. - Just to be crystal clear, that discussion actually happened the decision was 80 2pdr as an interim and the 25pdr as soon as possible. So I picked the biggest one on the list

There was also a push for greater commonality of parts between the AC series and US built tanks. - Also really happened. The HVSS suspension units and tracks were available from AFV Club so they went on the design.

Given the relative ease with which the design went from 2 to 17 pounder guns I thought it would be interesting to see where it might have lead had the programme continued. Or to quote the 1940 Australian General Staff Specification for Cruiser Tank "2. Only one basic type of tank is required, and that should be the best in performance, protection, and armament, that industry can provide."

So in my mind it is: Tank, Australian Cruiser, Mark V
Main Armament: one 3.7 inch (94mm) L50 tank gun
Secondary: one coaxial .303 Vickers MG Mk XXI
Turret ring: 74"
Engine: Perrier Cadillac layout No. 2 generating approx. 400 bhp (3x V8s on a common crankcase)
Suspension: M4 type HVSS
Tracks: US type 23" width
Armour: Hull 65mm front, 45mm sides and rear, turret 85mm all round.
Length overall: 20'9½" (w/o gun), 26'10½" (gun forward)
Width overall: 10'
Height over periscopes: 9'5½"

All other details to be determined by testing (i.e. I haven't made them up just yet).

To everyone else, I'm quite enjoying seeing what you all come up with, so much good stuff in this thread.

Finally started the Kiss Army Panther. Decided it will be flat gray with some details painted different colors. Interior of the wheels will be silver color. All will then get washed and dirtled a little.


While searching for Kiss Army images for the sides of the turret. I found this one. I am thinking about cleaning it up and putting it some where of the front of the turret. It seems appropriate that a Kiss Army tank would have pin up on it somewhere.

TOny

Edit: Removed pin-up searching for better picture.

Hello fellow builders, this is just the campaign I have been looking for. After a 13 year hiatus from building this is just what I needed. I found a Revell/Italarie Hetzer kit (yep from 1976) that has been begging me to do some scratch/kit bashing/insanity building. If at all possible I would love..LOVE! to join this build. I must say this campaign has captured my imagination quite a lot. I have to say a big thank you to all of you fine folks. A huge thank you must also go out the the owners/opperators of this very fine site.

Best regards,

Mike Allen.

Mike, I am not sure if you can still officially sign up or not-( Sudzonic- Scott- will know.)
BUT whether you can OFFICIALLY join or not, it would be great to see your progress here.

I say GO FOR IT!

Steve

some excellent builds, i espcially can't wait to see the "kiss Army" Tank.
With the GreSt...
It has been to Long since my last posting and the resaon for this is the militaria exibition in Bendigo, which ate all my time in preperation and left little for my "projects", firstly Ive found a new barrel from my hasegawa HS 129B2 which i believe gives it a feircer look.

To my utter astounded amsument i have discoverd that Trumpeter has a different opinion on track link size to dragon (AS ALLWAYS WITH THESE TWO!!!!!)
so i decided to use Dragons parts and am waiting for panzer IV kit to arrive so i can strip her of her tracks.

and thirdly... I ran out of paint

Cheers
Mat

Hi mike you are more than welcome to join in with the fun the campaign is running until 1st of June next year so good luck with your project and i can't wait to see your progress.

Scott s

Thank you very much Scott, I am very appreciative of this building campaign.
So far this is what looks to be my goal:
Lengthen the 38t (Hetzer) to a 38d

Main gun will be either the Trumpeter German sFH 18 15cm Field Howitzer, or the new Dragon Behelfslafette PaK 43/3

Rework the Revell/ Italarie Hetzer rear deck and add the main box for the turret to the rear. (Although I may make it a "mit")

So far that is what I have going, granted there will be some "secret sauce" added as I go on.
Again Scott this was a GREAT idea.
This is the kind of campaign that allows folks to step back from what I call B.C.S. (aka Bolt Counting Syndrome) and just get back to the origins of the hobby.
Matthew Quiroz, I am really liking how your build is going, and to the rest of you fine folks keep on rocking out.

I will get pics of the "in build" once I have gathered enough parts and start up.

Until then...have fun!

Best regards,

Mike Allen

My build has stalled temporarily. I'm making a concerted effort to get some other projects finished first. My flakpanther-thing is close to being ready for paint so it shouldn't be too much longer. I've returned to college full time, and coupled with trying to complete these other projects and homework, the other what if build has taken a back seat as it were. Also working on a 1:1 scale '65 Falcon wagon at the moment which I reallly want to get some time in on so I can get her back on the road. Just got the seats back a few days ago. Need to do some minor things in the engine compartment, then install the exhaust and she should be ready to roll. Keeping my fingers crossed. I'll get some pics up once I return to the Flakpanther-thing.
Thanks, "Q"

Below is an update. I toying with the idea of adding the Abrams gun to the Panther and also the MG. I have started assembling the US tank crew for the machine. I still need to wash the wheels. They are pretty shiny right now.



I am having a pretty fun time making this kit. I am listening to music, KISS, Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent and Black Sabbath while building it.

Tony

Hello there fellow what if fans!

I've seen some great stuff here, this campaign really set the creative juices flowing. Steve Reid has been poking me to post the progress on my 'real' E-100 here, but I want to wait until I have something that resembles a tank . In the meantime I keep slaving away on my build log in the What if section under 'armor'. Things were finally looking bright with all the difficult (for me at least) modifications done and some more straightforward work ahead. Until I bumped into this problem

Having so many great what if and prototype connoisseurs here I thought I'd drop it here too to ask for your advice. Much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

John

Hi John!
So, have you solved that "little" problem on your E-100? My input for this campaign has been stalled for 1-2 months now because of two other campaigns. Just have to look, if I can get it going on some day...

Got a little more done on mine. Finished making up the tracks but they still need the end connectors trimmed. Fitted the basic trackguards and tidied up a couple of old Tamiya Matilda external fuel tanks. Made up the antenna bases for the No. 19 wireless. Wiped the barrel down with some acid as I have always had problems getting paint to stick to bare aluminium.

That is looking tight Michael! Keep at it. Looking forward to seeing more. I'm stalled on my second project due to school and other projects that I need to finish. Hoping to get back at it soon though. Thanks for sharing your progress. "Q"

Graet work guys keep it coming. well it looks like i will be off from work for at least another 4 weeks due to ill health so pleanty of time to get stuff finished hopefully.

michael
that looks just brilliant
regards andrew

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Andrew I have been meaning to ask you: what are the tracks fitted to your 4" gun tank? the drive sprocket looks US, and the tracks look like a US dual pin design but I don't recognise the type.

OH dear i am having more ideas and i haven't finished my other projects yet

Yes, I have. I moved the ventilator to the side just like with the Jagdtiger. Moved the handles of the hatches too, and finally I glued a 0.3mm plastic sheet ring underneath the turret so it rises just a little. I'll take pics this weekend.
Due to the fact that you can't have any tools in front I had to rearrange those as well. That has been done too in the meantime.

J

michal
the tracks are t64 russian tank tracks
the drive sprocket s are sherman
they both fit realy well
regards andrew

Hi guys !

Here is my “What if ?” Centurion….

I call it “Centurion Mk III NT” or Centurion Mk III “Night fighting Tank killer”.

“It is 1947, and the Allies are back at the borders of the Fatherland after the disaster of the Ardennes which drove them back into Western France. A long drawn out battle of attrition has taken place since the Nazi developed super weapons started being used in early 1945. The defeat of the Soviet Union in the East allowed the Germans to launch a series of vigorous counter attacks Westwards in January 1945.

The Allied bomber offensive has been relaunched (previously postponed due to the German domination of the skies with their new generation Jet Fighters) with new high altitude B47 Jet Bombers, and this has taken its toll on the ‘Fatherland’ with Industry and supply lines now suffering more than ever.

British, Canadian and Polish armored units have been issued with the new Centurion Mk III NT tank killer to combat new German heavy armor. This example is one from the Polish 1st Armored Division, in Belgium, the name of the tank is “PAZUR” (or ‘Claw’) and it is with 2nd Armored Regiment.

The commander is having a smoke after dispatching another E-100 with the latest 120 mm APFSDS.

This “Cent” is equipped with the latest Night fighting IR equipment and a huge new main armament development (120 mm gun with Thermal sleeve). No German armor can withstand the firepower of this main gun, and the momentum of the Allied armored thrusts in NW Europe is taking its toll on the retreating German army.”

The lighting and pictures aren't the best - better next time hopefully !!
























This is the old Tamiya Mk III kit with the following improvements / changes.

AFV Club “Nato Centurion” Vinyl tracks – the Tamiya tracks were too bent and fragile.
Lion Marc Challenger II 120 mm Barrel (with thermal sleeve).
Formations Resin Centurion Mantlet cover.
Tasca 50 cal
Tamiya Chieftain IR Spotlight (LHS Turret) – lots of chopping, a bit of Evergreen Styrene, and Tamiya putty here.
Tamiya Chieftain Commanders Cupola and spotlight – this looks much better than the standard cupola.
Stowage from Verlinden, and Plus Model. I love the sack of potatoes on the rear deck……...I can see Polish Potato pancakes coming !
Commander from UltraCast.
Decals from “Polish Shermans I” by Hussar.
Sinsengumi Camo Decals for 2 rolls on the turret (WH Splinter pattern ver B, and SS Plane Tree Autumn).

It was painted with Tamiya and Vallejo Acrylics, and weathered with Mig production Abteilung 502 Oils, and Mig Pigments.

I tried Sinsengumi Camo Pattern decals on the two ‘rolls’ on the turret, and used a fair bit of Micro Set to soften the decal sheet so I could ‘push’ the decal into every crevice, but the rolls turned out nicely. I’m going to try these decals on some German SS smocks at some stage. This process requires a fair bit of patience, but the results are satisfying !!

This build has been a lot of fun, and a bit of a ‘change’ from the standard stuff !!

Now where is that Aussie “What if ?” Leopard 2A6M (AS2) ?