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Campaigns
Where Armorama group builds can be discussed, organized, and updates posted.
Hosted by Darren Baker, Richard S.
Light Tank campaign
Maeusemelker
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England - North West, United Kingdom
Joined: January 10, 2011
KitMaker: 122 posts
Armorama: 113 posts
Posted: Monday, March 05, 2012 - 01:02 AM UTC
everybody!
Some nice builds! Although I've taken the dated 'open box' picture, I haven't uploaded it yet and I'm not even sure if I'm happy enough with the build to enter the campaign proper - however, considering the plethora of Stuarts, I'm hoping one of you can help me: I'm not happy with the Academy storage bins on the rear mudguards (fenders) as they have no side-plate on the tank-facing side and are seriously thick. I'm hoping to show one, or maybe both open. So, here's where I could do with some assistance: Was there some sort of prop to keep the lid open, or did the lid just get opened until it came to rest on the air-filter?
Your assistance will be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Dierk
spearhead21pz
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California, United States
Joined: May 11, 2009
KitMaker: 128 posts
Armorama: 127 posts
Posted: Monday, March 05, 2012 - 03:27 PM UTC
Hi, back again with further up dates on the M3 Stuart to be finished as a 7th Armour "Desert Rat" tank, either a November 1941 or May 1942 vehicle.
Here are some photos. Base coat and some detail painting, Camo is next. I noticed some touch up work is needed, you notice things in photos. I am never satisfied anyway.

Nice work Greg, stowage and the base really set it apart.




GregCloseCombat
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California, United States
Joined: June 30, 2008
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,394 posts
Posted: Monday, March 05, 2012 - 03:45 PM UTC
Hi Ralph, I'm jealous you got paint going already and it's looking great. I'm going back and doing some corrections on mine and adding grab holds and such. Keep us inspiredwith your progress!
Spiderfrommars
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Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Monday, March 05, 2012 - 07:42 PM UTC

Quoted Text

everybody!
Some nice builds! Although I've taken the dated 'open box' picture, I haven't uploaded it yet and I'm not even sure if I'm happy enough with the build to enter the campaign proper - however, considering the plethora of Stuarts, I'm hoping one of you can help me: I'm not happy with the Academy storage bins on the rear mudguards (fenders) as they have no side-plate on the tank-facing side and are seriously thick. I'm hoping to show one, or maybe both open. So, here's where I could do with some assistance: Was there some sort of prop to keep the lid open, or did the lid just get opened until it came to rest on the air-filter?
Your assistance will be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Dierk


Hey Dierk.
I've looked for some pics but I haven't found any of them which depict the lids open
Anyway, is just my guess, but I think there were no props.
Storage bins were probably too high to have it.

Joel_W
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
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New York, United States
Joined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Armorama: 1,143 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 - 02:09 AM UTC
Been following all of the Stuart builds as I still haven't started my AFV M5A1 OOB build yet. I'm just up to the painting stage with my M51 for the Sands of Israel campaign.

Being fairly new to these campaigns (this is only my 3rd one), there have been way more early entries then I've ever seen previously. Usually it's been very slow at the start, then slowly the entries start coming in. Here, it's the opposite. Since this is a year long campaign, are you early guys planning on multiple entries, or just moving on to other builds or campaigns? Personally, I'm planning just one more campaign after this one for the entire year.
Tojo72
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 - 02:39 AM UTC
Paul,looks good,never saw PE tracks,are they a pain,like one bend too much and they break ?

Greg,the usual fine work on your 1/48 stuff.
Spiderfrommars
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Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 - 08:04 AM UTC
I've found

http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/m3inactionph_1.htm





There were no props. Open lids were stopped by the air filters

Sorry for the OT, but considering that lots of you is interested in a Stuart reproduction, that's could be useful

Cheers
spacewolfdad
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England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: May 23, 2010
KitMaker: 642 posts
Armorama: 593 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 - 12:14 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Paul,looks good,never saw PE tracks,are they a pain,like one bend too much and they break ?

Greg,the usual fine work on your 1/48 stuff.


Hi Anthony,

No, these were a dream to do, once I had figured out that doing them in the sets of three it was straightforward. They didn't need annealing and possibly if I had they may have melted as they are so fine. They bent around the sprocket (after removing the teeth!)and the idler without any problem at all. They look better than the vinyl tracks and make the model I think.

All the best,

Paul
Removed by original poster on 03/08/12 - 00:39:04 (GMT).
Lakota
#123
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New Mexico, United States
Joined: November 17, 2008
KitMaker: 1,202 posts
Armorama: 635 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 - 12:41 PM UTC
Howdy Y'all
Here is the kit I'll be building. I've kept it sealed until I get a chance to start so I don't lose parts, decals, etc. If anyone wants a picture when I open it just let me know.
Y'all take care,
Don "Lakota"
minas-ithil
#110
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Florida, United States
Joined: September 20, 2005
KitMaker: 248 posts
Armorama: 224 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 - 02:02 PM UTC
To One and All,
Well, I have finally started enjoying glue fumes again! Here is the progress I have made on the Stuart. The suspension and most of the upper hull main parts are done.



This kit is one that I had built back when I was about 9 or 10, so it is fun to do it again. Back then it was the old sit at the table, twist off the parts, slather on some tube glue, slap on some paint and decals, and Voila! Tank completed before suppertime! Those were the days - now a model takes evenings, weekends,weeks, months and sometimes many costly AM parts delaying the mortgage payment! C'est la vie.

Stephen
Joel_W
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
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New York, United States
Joined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Armorama: 1,143 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 08, 2012 - 03:28 AM UTC

Quoted Text

To One and All,
Well, I have finally started enjoying glue fumes again! Here is the progress I have made on the Stuart. The suspension and most of the upper hull main parts are done.



This kit is one that I had built back when I was about 9 or 10, so it is fun to do it again. Back then it was the old sit at the table, twist off the parts, slather on some tube glue, slap on some paint and decals, and Voila! Tank completed before suppertime! Those were the days - now a model takes evenings, weekends,weeks, months and sometimes many costly AM parts delaying the mortgage payment! C'est la vie.

Stephen


Ah, the good old days. Still remember that nearly every kit cost under $10, and those little Testors paint bottles cost $1.79.
spacewolfdad
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England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: May 23, 2010
KitMaker: 642 posts
Armorama: 593 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 08, 2012 - 09:06 AM UTC
Hi Folks,

@ spearhead21pz: I love the Honey, it is a nice little tank, yours really looks the part and I look forward to the next stage of the build.

@ minas-ithil: The little M3/5 is a popular choice on this forum, look forward to seeing yours progressing. I have to say that I have fond memories of rushing to the local Woolworths to get an Airfix kit with my pocket money. As you say, built, painted and already a combat veteran before suppertime...

I have made progress with my little Vickers, I did complete the challenge set me and put all the rivets on the turret. It wasn't too much of a chore and finding a good plan was the most frustrating part of the process. The tank is now completely built and will be painted in the next week or so. I am looking out for the Mirage M3 Honey for my next build, I also have a Italeri PzI to make as well.

Here are the progress photos....



General views of the completed model...


Rear view, I have thinned down the sides of the cowl to make them more scale, the original casting was too thick...




More shots of the completed model...




Views of the turret and the added rivets...

Well I am painting it in the Polish three tone camouflage scheme. I think I have found some interesting markings, these may have to be done by hand, which is difficult but not impossible. I will post some more progress as it is made.

All the best,

Paul
Nito74
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Lisboa, Portugal
Joined: March 04, 2008
KitMaker: 5,386 posts
Armorama: 4,727 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 08, 2012 - 01:25 PM UTC
Don that's a great kit.
Good detailing, Tamyia's fitting.
Pick your version at the begining since there are some different parts along the way to version a,b or c.
GregCloseCombat
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California, United States
Joined: June 30, 2008
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,394 posts
Posted: Friday, March 09, 2012 - 04:35 PM UTC
Paul great looking build. I hope the camo painting works well.
Tojo72
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 07:40 AM UTC
I got the tank and the base done.I still have some work to do on the commander and the infantry.Will take better pics when whole project is done.




GregCloseCombat
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California, United States
Joined: June 30, 2008
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Posted: Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 08:16 AM UTC
That's looking great Anthony! Can't wait to see the figures introduced on the scene
spearhead21pz
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California, United States
Joined: May 11, 2009
KitMaker: 128 posts
Armorama: 127 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 10:03 AM UTC
Here are some more progress pictures on the M3 Stuart, "Desert Rats". Camo done, decals, gloss coat ready for pin wash. The side skirts are rather delicate as they are PE, the base coat is on, will attach finish the camo after the tracks are complete and on the tank. Same goes for the anti-aircraft machine gun and antenna.


V

V
spacewolfdad
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England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: May 23, 2010
KitMaker: 642 posts
Armorama: 593 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 10:05 AM UTC
@GregCloseCombat: Thanks for the encouragement Greg, much appreciated.

Hi Folks,

I have now put the primer coat on the little tank and will set it aside for a few days before I begin the painting...the camouflage for Polish vehicles is quite interesting and should make the little tank 'sing'. Here are the photos of the primed vehicle..













I attended a local Wargames Show today and got some nice little kits from a trader there. I have to ask are tankettes allowed in this build as I got this little fella from the show....



If they are I would like to do this as one of my builds.

Thanks, and all the best,

Paul
Big-John
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Ohio, United States
Joined: August 12, 2010
KitMaker: 731 posts
Armorama: 711 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 01:08 PM UTC
Nice work every one.

Paul, yes, tankettes are allowed
erhntly
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Izmir, Turkey / Türkçe
Joined: June 11, 2004
KitMaker: 1,426 posts
Armorama: 464 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 - 11:11 AM UTC
Hi, some update for mMy little Stuart... painting stage....



jeremiaha41
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Armed Forces Europe, United States
Joined: February 27, 2011
KitMaker: 47 posts
Armorama: 18 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 - 10:40 AM UTC
What a great build, put me down for a M41.
Brent Arritt
GregCloseCombat
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California, United States
Joined: June 30, 2008
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,394 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 - 02:35 PM UTC
Ralph - love the color tones of that camo!


Erhan - nice progress
Peelou75
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Budapest, Hungary
Joined: April 09, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 138 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 07:30 AM UTC
Paul,

You did a very nice job on the little Vickers! I'm really curious about the paint scheme, as I'm working on a Polish subject too.

I have finally made some progress on my 7TP. The previous (it was done 20 years ago...) paint was removed by sewer cleaner, the plastic parts was rebuilt again, and half of the photoetch work is done. It seems I have to work more on the paint removal, as it was not 100% complete, and some remnants are still in the lines. Please find some wip photos.









Istvan
spacewolfdad
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England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: May 23, 2010
KitMaker: 642 posts
Armorama: 593 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 08:28 AM UTC
@ Peelou75:
Hi Istvan,

Thank you for your kind comment, you seem to be resurrecting that 7TP really well. I think it is looking really good and considering that you have used drain cleaner on it you don't seem to have lost too much detail. The photo-etch is looking good too, whose is the make? I shall follow your build closely and hopefully we can co-operate on the Polish markings. I have been lent a book with lots of photos and plans of the Polish army in 1939, unfortunately all the text is in Polish which I don't read. I have some references of colour schemes for your vehicle I will get them sorted for you.

All the best,

Paul
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