One other annoyance about the Asuka/Tasca kits, Alan:

The U-shaped tow lugs are very brittle and will break. You should shave off the mounting nubs on their inner surfaces before attaching them. Otherwise, the slight outward bowing that would be required to attach them -- will break them.

I attempted to capture this as best as possible from my Formations hull, there seems to be a slight sloping angle vs. the straight version that Tasca made. Hope it helps.

Hi Roy,

Yes, I discovered that, one gone already lol.

Thanks Willem.

Al

Hi folks,

This is about as much as I intend to do on the interior. Good learning experience. I'm not really happy with the ammo bin so may just extract the shells and close up that hatch, but it has been a useful exercise for future more detailed projects. It's amazing how much stuff you forget when you move away from a particular model.

Al

Alan

I'm curious - given that the shells in the lap gunner's area are stowed vertically, and the length of the shells, how on earth did the crew get them out? Shouldn't they perhaps be stowed horizontally?

Regards

Rob

Hi Rob,

It's probably the reason why the top of the bin is shown as a diamond lattice so they could tilt them enough to get them in and out. I hadn't seen that configuration before but vertically is how they are shown in the stowage diagram. The other thought is that they were replacements for the ready rounds carried in the turret and were transferred to the turret when stopped by being man handled out of the open hatch and back into the turret?

Can't say for sure though but I'm sure someone will know.

Al

Hi folks,

Most of the main build is done. This was an exceptionally good kit to work with. For tracks I'll use the DML indi ones with duckbills which seem to fit the drive wheel fine.

This version had the plate armour on the front so thickening the hatches wasn't necessary. I'm awaiting the arrival of some new Mr Surfacer to treat some parts of the armour. The Resicast 17 pdr breech was a good addition and fitted easily as did their basic M4 interior. I closed up the co-drivers hatch as I didn't like the bin top I'd made although I left the bin in place as a filler.

The kit has raised weld detail; what are your thoughts on this - does it need enhanced a bit or is it fine as is?

Some images of progress.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

Here's the assembled bits: Tools, track, some PE and painting to come.

Al

Hi folks,

A bit more work on the kit.

Al

Hi folks,

Tracks under construction.

Al









A slow process but worth the effort.

Hi folks,

Finaly got the tracks added, need to finish off some small PE, add the lights, painting and weathering and sort out some stowage and a crew.

Cheers

Al

great work.... love the interior and the stowage