Hey Gary, the faulty decals have been removed, but since I used the darn Vallejo primer, paint peeled of to the bare plastic.

Anyway, I think I was able to sand everything smooth, so I hope with some primer and green shell look ok again. I hope.

New decal set has been ordered, so it will be waiting for them to arrive.

I'll be using the bronco single link tracks, I guess these will keep me busy till the decals arrive. and off course, there's Channel Blues and the new D-Day campaign for which you're also joining.

Eugene, Charmer is still on my to do list...

Dave

Did you email Archer about the transfers? Archer offers a 100% replacement if things don't go well. And that includes if the end-user messes it up!

Read "THE ARCHER GUARANTEE"

http://www.archertransfers.com/PAGE_FAQ.html

Jesse, yes and no...

I ordered the decals again, then after receiving the confirmation I replied stating that I already ordered these previously but that application didn't went as expected...

Haven't received an answer yet, maybe ill mail them again tomorrow or so.

Thanks for the tip!

Dave

OH Dave....Dave my man, That absolutely SUX! Ill tell ya, i got a big bottle of the grey Vallejo primer early last year and IMHO, its by far the worst primer ive ever used. It has terrible etching properties and peels off easily even after several days cured. It also is awful to sand and nearly impossible to feather the edges. It also mucked up my AB and i had a helluva time cleaning it out. I know alot of people love it....beats the hell outa me as to why, but as i said its just IMHO and experience. Anyhoo, I sure hope Archer makes good on the decals as Jesse said. That would be awesome! Good luck my friend.

Gary

Jesse, Thanks for the tip! Archer spontaneously refunded my order.

Gary, I like the primer, just not when you need to sand it.

On the front picture of Balaclava, does anyone know what the thing left of the tracks is? Same for Charmer, front pic. The thing on top, spanning the hole hull? Like some sort of a tripod?

I have several Legend and Black Box stowage kits, but none of them seem to remotely fit the rear stowage of Balaclava... Any tips?

Thanks!

Dave

The new decals from Archer arrived - for free - and they went on a whole lot better then the first bunch.

Next will be adding more stowage, satin coat and a pin wash. More to come!

Thanks for looking!

Dave


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr

Dave that is so sweet looking I cant wait to get back and get on to Comrade or Cavalier.. Thats motivating!!! Ill let you know when I gt back to the states. I still have to pick up some parts.


Euge

Hi Dave,

Things are looking grand, very good work and will be an excellent model for your collection.

Great stuff.

Al

Eugene, Alan,

Thanks a lot! Your words are much too kind! Really appreciated! Thanks!

Dave

EXCELLENT Dave! Decs look awesome buddy!

Gary

Thanks a lot Gary!

Dave

The bars resting across several of the 13/18 Hussar tanks are the towing bars for Porpoise ammunition sledges.

I did some research into the use of Porpoises a few years ago - recently republished that information on my Blog

http://smallcoginabigwheel.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/porpoise-ammunition-sledges.html

Regards,
John

Thanks John, that's great info!

So, now where do I find these in plastic or resin

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Dave

Dave,

Accurate Armour offer a Porpoise in their range but to be honest, you'd do fine with some telescoping plastic or brass tubing and some flat plastic profile for the end connectors.

This thread was posted on Missing Links a while ago...

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1335456569/Porpoise+ammo+sledge

Regards,
John

One more


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr

By new, Channel Blues has also been decalled, so now the wheatering can begin. Been reading up in TankArt, might use some we techniques on these.

Channel Blues needs to be finished by June 6th, but I have some more time to finish the bronco tracks for Balaclava.

Dave

Small update, all stowage added except for the middle thing on the back of the turret of which I don't know the word in English and can't find a small version of it somewhere in my stash. so, any clues where to find something like this would e really appreciated.

John, any idea which color the porpoise poles would have?

Thanks!

Dave


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr

Dave

Looking very good - wish my Shermans turned out as well. Two suggestions:
1. The roadwheel on the hull front needs something to hold it on. From memory, they were usually held on by being slipped over a piece of steel rod with a threaded end. The steel rod was welded onto the hull. There was a square washer (50mm or so) then a nut.
2. The packs on the turret stowage bin appear to be held on by glue, which of course they are, but would not have been in real life. Better to show a couple of loops welded to the stowage bin then thread some straps through these (I use lead foil) and hang the packs from the straps.

Keep having fun!

Regards

Rob

Thanks for your comments Rob.

You're right of course, but the wheel here is fixed over the tracks and is also being held by some steel bars - alas in resin.

For the turret stowage, when you look at the 1944 picture on page 1 of this thread you'll see that clearly no loops are welded, I'm guess the stowage is fixed by the lid of the stowage box here? If I'm missing something ill gladly adapt Balaclava.

Thanks,

Dave

Some more progress.

Thanks for looking!

Dave


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr

Dave,
Looking good, I'd say maybe some more layers of mud?
Look forward to finished pictures.

Cheers

Justin.

I think the weathering should be moved to the "finished" column. Maybe a touch more, for the markings on the turret.

Thanks Justin and Matt!

Except for the obvious tracks, which I still have to assemble, I'm inclined to call Balaclava finished!

So, unless I had an enormous oversight, or you guys have some great tips, or I made some errors, or forgot to improve stuff, it will be time to move to the next project.

Looking forward to you guys feedback!

Thanks for looking!

Dave


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr

I won't say much 'till the tracks are on, but wow!



~ Jeff

I love it man, brilliant build and the finished Sherman looks amazing.

Tristan

Jeff, Justin, thank you very much for the kind words!

I think this must be one of my best builds ever, so I really aprreciate your compliments!

Thanks!

Dave