This is one of the true "shelf queens"... I started this kit almost 20 years ago. It is actually Scimitar CVRt in 1/35 scale from AFV Club, but converted to Scorpion with the parts supplied by a friend and some scratchbuilt details. I finished the build all those years ago, but only now I decided to finish it up.

I added some more details, but didn't want to go to the extreme. After all this is supposed to be a quick project just for fun.

Here it is in primer:













Continued in the next post...

Mario

I added Barracuda netting and large kinetic ropes to the front hull, and some more netting to the turret. Barracuda is an amazing product from Arkebuza Model Art. Prepainted in black:







And a base coat:







Hope you like it so far,
Mario

That looks very nice so far Mario.

The 1/35 AFV Club Scimitars and Scorpions are very underrated but they build into extremely nice (if small) kits and you're doing a good job of this one.

Wow, Mario

Look great so fat.


Jay

I am mucho impressed with the look of the cam net!

Did you purchase it directly from Arkebuza or a distributor?

Thanks guys. I hope I'll be able to post some updates soon.

Jason, I got the Barracuda net from Andrij at Arkebuza directly. I'm really impressed with the way it is made and with some patience it builds into beautifully detailed netting.

Mario

That looks fantastic but I don't know how you can call a 20-year build "a quick project just for fun"

Hay! I got shelf-queens older than that!

How did you do the kinetic tow rope? looks like you mugged a teenager for the laces from their trainers...

Yes, I know it is a bit strange, eh?

Actually I was looking for a quick project that could take me back to the modeling table after being frustrated with my M163 Machbet build ( link ). I kept losing interest in that one and wanted something new. But then I found something old that I figured could be finished pretty fast.

Jon, the kinetic ropes are from Accurate Armour. Something I must have ordered all those years ago...

Mario

One more thing... If anyone has a set of Echelon's UK Flags and Stickers 1 (FL354002) please let me know. The vehicle I'm modeling has a yellow lion rampant flag on one of the aerials... this is the set I'm looking for:



It is OOP, but I would really like to get that flag.

Cheers,
Mario

Yes, we did it. Real barracuda net was bought couple years ago specially to make a copy in 1/35)))

Some more work done. It doesn't seem much, but so far it was all masked and airbrushed. There is still some detail work to be done, like periscopes and smaller markings, but I hope to do this using custom masks.

Anyway, here's the progress:



Mario

Mario.
Nice work Sir. Can I ask you to make a very MINOR 'tweak' and turn the little barrel shaped item next to the left wing mirror so that it is more angled towards the drivers hatch.

This item contains warning/indicator lights so he can see them when driving 'opened up'....

Keep the updates coming please.

Keith.

Thanks for the comments Keith. I have Museum Ordnance book and tried updating the model based on the detailed photos there, but I did not notice the angle of the warning light housing. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

Cheers,
Mario

Coming along nicely. Is that lead foil for the rolled up intake screen cover? The netting seems to have taken the paint very well.

Paul

Thanks Paul, glad you like it. I converted the Scimitar into the Scorpion using the parts you provided all those years ago. Thanks for that!

Yup, lead foil for the intake cover. As for the netting; Arkebuza made an amazing product which is really easy to use and looks very realistic. It was masked and airbrushed, which took quite some time, but it was well worth it.

Mario

The progress is slow, but it seems I like it that way. The model was given a gloss coat and a pinwash. I painted the markings using masks... here is the super tiny marking which was perfectly cut by Miracle Masks. Only 1.5 x 5 mm. I was so impressed I had to write a review (link).

Two pics showing the painted markings:





Mario

that netting & stencil both look excellent. Tracking down that netting has proved a challenge though.

Graeme, this is the only store I found the netting on: AZ Models. I'm planning to get me some more netting for all the Land Rover kits I have, as I said it is the best Barracuda on the market.

Hope it helps,
Mario

Brilliant stuff!!

Is the netting etched brass?

Paul

No the netting is actually made of paper. Here is the review: link

With some water and white glue, it can be made into really impressive looking camo net.

Mario

An update... Gloss, wash, matt coat. Friuls were treated with Blacken-It and given some extra paint:



All together dry-fitted:





And just to give you a preview of the figure that will go with the Scorpion. Looks cool, but a bit bad resin cast:



Now, I'd like to weather the model very subtly but I don't have an idea how, yet. So, I'll stop for a while and try building something else and wait for the inspiration to come back...

Mario

Been sneaking peeks and the progress on this and just wanted to say thats a lovely build, even without any additional weathering. I've just finished a Land Rover Snatch in 1/48th and the weathering was a challenge for me not to overdo it also.

cheers
Brent

Looks great, Mario! Very nice and clean build. The figure also looks good...can't really see any faults and flaws with it.

Thanks guys. I hope I will find some inspiration to finish it soon.

Mario