Evening all,

While I wait to get some bits and pieces to finish my Chieftain build I thought to dig this kit out and have a go. I've got a bit of a thing for slightly obscure subjects so bought this for just under £10.
To tell the truth it is a lovely little kit. I've got this far over the space of 3 nights. It builds really easily with very few problems. Those I did encounter were usually sorted by using clamps while the glue dried. It is built OOB with nothing at all added at the moment although I will probably fit straps between the two roof hatches on the rear troop compartment to hold a cam net on.
I'm also going to use the kit tracks which are rubber band type. I would usually replace with single link but I'm not even sure if there are any available and anyway the kit tracks are not that bad.
Anyway a few pictures showing how far I have got.

Nice clean build Max, its looking great. What camo scheme are you going for?

Hi Karl,

I was going to try the digital scheme seen on parades but in the end I think I will do the 3 tone hard edged camo scheme usually seen on reference pictures.

Hi Max,

clean built so far. As you have mentioned single link tracks; there are existing single link metal tracks for this vehicle: They are from Spade Ace and are a big improvement over the kit ones. I have them at home and can recommend them!

Are you planning to show a crew with it?

Cheers

Thomas

I have one in progress (if you can count 2011 as 'in progress') it's waiting for digicam as well.
I added twisted wire chains to the smoke launcher caps, sprue wiring to the launchers, a rear door handle which looks HUGE (and is not vertical when closed) but matches with the pics I found, and putty weld scars on the outer turret face where the gun trunions are attached inside.



I had to take out the inner 'ring' of the sprocket to get it to fit in line with the rest of the tracks too


I think there is an old (ancient) Missing links Constructive comments post on this build as well, but the picture links are probably dear.

Keep pushing on with yours. It's a cool little kit and the digicam or standard cam are both pretty great looking.

I was struck with how high it sits off the ground though.. looks odd, but matches the pictures of it in the parade scheme I am doing.

Mike

Wasn't aware of the Spade Ace tracks, I'll give them a look over. The only crew I have seen are for parades,a commander at attention saluting and a driver I think.
There are a few extras I'll be adding, but only small things such as the chains on the dischargers etc. I would like to do another version with it sitting on it's pallet ready/after being dropped with it's parachutes. The suspension allows you to do that so I think it would look quite cool.

Hi,
I built one of them with good satisfaction.
I managed to obtain a tank commander by modifying a South Korean tanker of Academy.
I made an error in my build: I positioned the rear wheel tensioner in a rearward position that should be utilized only if the vehicle is down on its suspensions to be parachuted down; with this error, the length of the plastic tracks fitted perfectly. I suppose that one has to shorten them of one or two links if he positions the tensioner in the right way.
The tracks of the real thing have an unusually light color, I think that they are made of aluminum alloy. So, no rust at all.

I have just read that it's thought the tracks are made of aluminium alloy with steel end connectors, I can only imagine that's because of the need to air-drop it and it is a weight saving measure!
I never noticed the trunnion welds either, not really noticeable until you really scrutinise pictures.

Nice looking build you've got yourself there Mike!

Max- doing on in a 'just air dropped' scene would be really cool! I didn't know the suspension allowed this- I must put this kit on the 'to buy' list!