Hi all,

I have decided to call time on this build, I could keep fiddling and tweaking but I think the gains made for the time involved would be minimal now, .

As previously mentioned, this build was more of an experiment and, as such, I have learnt quite a bit, it’s not perfect by a long shot, but it has shown me that I have to work a lot on my technique, .

I made some schoolboy errors, and worse, both whilst constructing the kit and whilst painting it, there are some elements that I think are okay, and others, like figure painting, that I am not happy with at all, . Whilst Dennis and Brian have offered some excellent advice on face painting which will be invaluable in the future...thanks, ...I have messed these figures up to a point where I’d have to try and strip all the paint off and start again...anyway, enough of my ramblings, .

Below are some images of the finished Conqueror, both off and on its base.

































I’m no ‘nut & bolt’ counter, , so cannot comment on the accuracy of the kit but, imho, the Amusing Hobby version of the Conqueror MK2 builds in to a nice-looking beast, . Yes, it did take some initial work to clean-up and/or fill-in parts, especially on the lower hull and running gear. Some of the work possibly wasn’t necessary as a lot of it would be hidden, especially on a dirtied-down build.

Apart from some silly mistakes on my part and the taking care of some small and fiddly pieces there are, for what it’s worth, , only two areas of the build that really need care and forethought, the first being the fitting of the upper bazooka plate. The instructions suggest you fit these in ‘Step 15’ of the build process, before the upper and lower hull are mated together in ‘Step 30’. However, I found that I had some difficulty fixing the bottom edge of the upper bazooka plate to the supporting arms previously fitted to the lower hull. Now this might be my fault, , a better, more experienced builder might not have the same problem but, with hindsight, I think I would have fitted the upper bazooka plate after the mating of the upper and lower hull. The second was one of my mistakes, , I decided to build the gun crutch prior to mating the upper and lower hull whereas the instructions leave this to the very last stage, ‘Step 31’. Work with the instructions on this one as going ‘off piste’ as I did could result in the rear mud flap, part of the upper hull, fouling the gun crutch when the upper and lower hulls are joined together...I was lucky this time.

Well, there you have it, the build is over, , and I haven't gone totally insane, . My thanks go to those people that have followed this build log and my special thanks go to those people that have taken the time to give encouragement and kind words, hints and tips, as well as feedback on methodology...you know who you are, cheers to you all, , .

G

While your figures are not show stoppers, I think they are more than passable. We are our own worst critic. Anyway for a build, including figures, after a 40 year hiatus everything turned out quite nicely.

Hi Armorsmith,

Thank you for the positive feedback, it's much appreciated. As for us being our own worst critic, possibly, but as my old school teacher used to write in my school report...must try harder, could do better, .

To that end I've set myself a figure challenge, , I purchased these at the weekend (see image below), I need to find a relatively small vehicle as I intend to display them on an A4 size base.



I'm thinking that these 10 figures, plus maybe a couple of crew depending on the vehicle I choose will give me 12-to-13 figures to practice on, .

Thanks again, .

G

I think your Conqueror looks great. Specially for someone who has not built any model for 40 years! I'm not even sure how I can replicate those hessian strips, but you did a good job on it. Plus a diorama base too! Man, just think of where you would be now if you have been building all these years. You would probably have scores of How-To books to your name now. Congrats on your build. Looking forward to your next project.

Gareth,

Well done Mate - not for just a build blog, but a "How to" guide as well (as mentioned above).

Being a pedantic bastard, I feel I must advise you to add an antennae to the forward antennae station on the turret top - you appear to have missed it (!)

Brian

Oops! Not quite so pedantic after all - "antennae" should have read "antenna" - singular.

Brian

Hi Joseph,

Thank you so much for the kind words, not so sure about the ‘How-To’ books, don't think I'd have ever been anywhere near the standard of the work you see in today's publications, or indeed here on this site, but it was a nice comment to make, thanks, .

As to the hessian strips, that was just bandage and strips cut from an old envelope, all soaked in white glue. However, BootsDMS, who has been of great support throughout this build has a better method which I’m sure he won’t mind me sharing, ...he uses strips of 2mm wide Tamiya masking tape…other manufacturer’s tapes are available. I have just purchased some, the good thing about this method is uniformity of width, whereas mine are a tad higgledy-piggledy, .

Thanks again, cheers, .

G

Hi Brian,

Thanks, but it was probably more of an “How Not To” guide, considering all the mistakes I made along the line, .

As to the antenna/antennae, no! you’re not being a pedantic B, , it’s actually an interesting point. I do recall asking in general about this as the ‘Tankograd’ publication appears to show various combinations ranging from 0, through 1, 2, to 3, but, as no answer was forthcoming, I decided to go for the ‘artistic license’ approach, , though I did drill-out all three mounts.

Below are some images showing variations of less than 3. I appreciate that some images might have been censored, and that some might show different radio set-ups, e.g. ‘Clansman’, as some of the images appear to show shorter, whip-type aerials. It is also interesting to note that the diagram from the ‘User Handbook’ appears to show only two aerials used, though this might have been an omission for clarity purposes…I’m no expert, so could be totally wrong on the above comments and my choice of aerials mounted, .

Zero:


One:




Two:




Below is an interesting image which I wish I'd seen earlier, it appears to show an ad hoc step fitted to the front of the hull to assist the crew mounting the tank...I might retro fit one at some later point.



Regards,

G

Hi all,

Just when I thought it was safe to go... .

Wish I hadn't seen that photograph of an ad hoc step fitted to the bow of a Conqueror, ...must be the modeller's curse, laying in bed and having ideas...nooooo!, not those sorts, ...will it ever end, .

Anyway, got up this morning and thought...I'm going to retrofit such a step using some spare photo-etch material from the kit (see images below).





Will need to make it look as if the step is welded to the hull.

I then decided that this was an opportunity to reinstate the 4th crew member, so had a go at roughing-out a figure climbing on to the front of the hull (see images below). He is a combination of Bronco arms and Miniart legs and torso. I think he is likely to be fitted with a Bronco head as they are better detailed facially.













The right shoulder will need rebuilding and the left arm needs to be blended into the torso...and then the dreaded painting, .

Cheers, .

G

Great Build Log!!
Hello Gareth, I have been following along and just wanted to say that you have done a awesome job on this build. Thank you for posting this build in detail and it will serve as inspiration for others. I'm looking forward to more seeing of this one as you put the finishing touches on it.

Hi Eric,

Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for the kind words, they're much appreciated. I'm hoping to finish off the last tweaks this week.

Hope you don't mind but I took a quick peep at your sandbagged Sherman, that is outstanding work of a quality that i can only dream of achieving.

Cheers, .

G

Wow...a Blast from the past! and Thanks.
Don't sell yourself short Gareth you definitely are achieving a high level of craftsmanship. This Conqueror is...well OUTSTANDING

So, Gareth... After FORTY YEARS, YOU HAVEN'T "LOST IT"!!!

CHEERS!!!

Hi Eric and Dennis,

Firstly, my apologies for not responding sooner to your kind words, my excuse was, unusually for the UK, nice weather, a full week and a bit of it, .

So I decided to turn my hand to some 1/1st scale building and knocked together a kayak store on the beach...been meaning to do that for a number of years, .



Anyway, the weather has now turned cold and wet...more the norm, ...so i'm back indoors and catching up. So thank you both for your kind words.

Cheers, ,

G

Hi all,

After taking a break I have taken the opportunity to return to finishing off the final element of this build...the 4th crewman clambering up on to the hull front.

I've tried to rebuild his butchered right arm, I'm not sure if it is anatomically correct, but it looks okay to my inexperienced eye, .

He has also had his overalls painted (see images below).







All that is left is to find, paint and affix a suitable head, glue him in place and put the Conqueror back on the base. Once I've completed those few bits I'll post a few final pictures and then I will call time on this build...I promise, this time, .

Cheers, .

G

Well it's finally over. ...'My first build in 40 years...so here goes'...the final images, ...honest, .

Without the base:





















With the base:





















Thanks again to all those folk that took the time to read this log, and thank you to those of you that took the time to contribute...be it with encouragement and support, with advice and suggestions, or a combination of all things.

I hope you all enjoyed the build, .

Thank you, and cheers, .

G

Well I doubt many could re-enter this sport after a 40 year lay-off with a production like this - phenomenal really, give up your day job and I look forward to the next project, you'd be equally welcome over on the Diorama forum.

Hi Tim,

Firstly, my apologies, I noticed that I called you 'Martin' in one of our earlier exchanges...sorry, .

Secondly, thank you for your kind words...they're much appreciated, but I've just seen your 'Operation Anthropoid', that is what I would call outstanding work, something to aspire to.

Lastly, thanks for the invite to the 'Diorama' forum, I will hopefully visit at some point in the near future. As an aside, personally, I think it is the 'Diorama/vignette' that lifts well built figures and/or vehicles to another level...so would always try to display anything I built on some sort of scenic base.

Thanks again, and cheers, .

G

Well done!! Looks really nice
/ Robin

Hi Robin,

Thank you for the positive feedback, it's much appreciated. Also, I'd like to thank you for all the hints and tips you provided me with throughout the build, they will prove to be invaluable in the future...thanks.

Cheers, .

G

Nicely executed Gareth you should be proud of the results. This was a great build log to follow...Thanks for posting.

Hi Eric,

Glad you enjoyed the build log, and thank you for your kind words and previous supportive comments.

Cheers, .

G

First kit in 40 years and it is one with individual track links?!?!?! You are braver than I am, LOL.

Hi Bo,

Not sure if brave is the right word, maybe foolhardy, but I had read positive feedback about Amusing Hobby tracks in other builds and I have to be honest and say that the individual track links went together like a dream...one of the easiest parts, .

They were easy, but they were also time consuming, but I did cheat and only used about 2/3rds of them as the whole top run of track is invisible due to the bazooka plates, .

Cheers, .

G