Ontario, Canada
Joined: May 16, 2006
KitMaker: 24 posts
Armorama: 7 posts
Posted: Friday, February 15, 2019 - 08:27 AM UTC
I know those voices in my head are not real, but man,,,do they have some good ideas.
If I can't make it to your funeral, I will send a message saying...I approve.
RobinNilsson
TOS ModeratorStockholm, Sweden
Joined: November 29, 2006
KitMaker: 6,693 posts
Armorama: 5,562 posts
Posted: Friday, February 15, 2019 - 08:32 AM UTC
Well done!
I don't know what the original kit was like but I could imagine based on some others that I have seen ....
/ Robin
In memory of Al Superczynski:
"Build what YOU want, the way YOU want to....
and the critics will flame you every time"
#384
Nevada, United States
Joined: August 23, 2005
KitMaker: 1,426 posts
Armorama: 1,316 posts
Posted: Friday, February 15, 2019 - 12:18 PM UTC
Dang, that’s nice! Great job!
Connecticut, United States
Joined: November 02, 2003
KitMaker: 984 posts
Armorama: 846 posts
Posted: Friday, February 15, 2019 - 12:28 PM UTC
Looks great.
What year is that kit from?
Texas, United States
Joined: December 14, 2011
KitMaker: 208 posts
Armorama: 192 posts
Posted: Friday, February 15, 2019 - 12:41 PM UTC
you have done a fantastic job with a 50 + year old kit.... love it
wish we would get a new version from AFV Club... this and the M-65
Atomic Cannon need to be re done
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 14, 2013
KitMaker: 318 posts
Armorama: 313 posts
Posted: Friday, February 15, 2019 - 02:04 PM UTC
Do you remember the colors that you used and the mix ratios? I've been searching for a good tamiya Marine Corps green and your`s looks spot on!!!
United States
Joined: November 09, 2008
KitMaker: 49 posts
Armorama: 41 posts
Posted: Friday, February 15, 2019 - 03:10 PM UTC
I brought one back in 1966. Think it was about 2 - 3 bucks then.
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Friday, February 15, 2019 - 08:54 PM UTC
Hi, Jack!
You've WORKED MIRACLES with that old RENWAL DOG!!! KUDOS!!!
Wish we had an all-new-tooling one in 1/35...
Florida, United States
Joined: March 30, 2006
KitMaker: 3,736 posts
Armorama: 3,697 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 16, 2019 - 10:41 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Looks great.
What year is that kit from?
The 1/32nd scale Renwal kits were first issued around 1957. Revell-USA owns the molds now, and occasionally repops the kits as nostalgia items. And the model you see here is a vast improvement over what was in Renwal's box.
Germany
Joined: October 24, 2009
KitMaker: 104 posts
Armorama: 103 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 17, 2019 - 07:49 AM UTC
Isn't it amazing what a really bad old kit can be turned into once there's a modeler with sufficient dedication to the cause?
I can appreciate Jack's great achievements better than most because I've fought my own battle against this dog of a kit. Unfortunately, I'm not net-wise enough to show my model here, but have published it at
[http://www.panzer-modell.de/berichte/m55/m55e.php]
At any rate, doing an up to date M55 kit would be a challenge for any kit maker, but at the same time a big chance to win the "kit of the year" prize!
Peter
Washington, United States
Joined: March 15, 2009
KitMaker: 3,670 posts
Armorama: 2,052 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 17, 2019 - 08:04 AM UTC
Jack, great job on a really old casting. I built two of these, one when it was first issued in the 60s. The real thing was built at Pacific Car and Foundry, which was about three miles from my boyhood home. I used to ride my bike down to their Renton WA plant, and sit along the fence line of the plant and marvel at all the equipment that moved in and out. One day in the summer of 1967 or 68, an entire train of M55s came into the plant-- probably for rebuilding, but possibly for scrapping. They were pretty dirty. A few months later, there were at least twenty lined up in pristine condition, I'm assuming rebuilds-- on the way out to somewhere. I agree, this is one of my favorite SP guns. I never thought we'd ever see an M19, but Bronco has released one-- so maybe there's hope for the old M55 yet. There is one on display at the Fort Lewis Military Museum now, but it's in bad shape.
VR, Russ
Canada
Joined: January 07, 2019
KitMaker: 110 posts
Armorama: 95 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 17, 2019 - 11:39 AM UTC
Ontario, Canada
Joined: May 16, 2006
KitMaker: 24 posts
Armorama: 7 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 21, 2019 - 02:47 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Do you remember the colors that you used and the mix ratios? I've been searching for a good tamiya Marine Corps green and your`s looks spot on!!!
As i was coming close to finishing, my work table became very congested so I decided to clean it up, and in doing so, I threw out the formula that I had written down.....
However from memory,,,here is what I believe I used. Percentages are approx.
XF-58 - Olive Green -60%
XF-59 - Desert Yellow -15%
XF-57 - Buff -15% or may have been XF-55 - Deck tan
XF-17 - Sea blue - 10%
You will have to play around a bit, but it should be close.
I believe you ask this on the other site, if so let me know you are the same person otherwise I will post it there as well.
I know those voices in my head are not real, but man,,,do they have some good ideas.
If I can't make it to your funeral, I will send a message saying...I approve.
Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 01, 2002
KitMaker: 1,607 posts
Armorama: 1,581 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 21, 2019 - 06:08 AM UTC
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 14, 2013
KitMaker: 318 posts
Armorama: 313 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 21, 2019 - 07:56 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
Do you remember the colors that you used and the mix ratios? I've been searching for a good tamiya Marine Corps green and your`s looks spot on!!!
As i was coming close to finishing, my work table became very congested so I decided to clean it up, and in doing so, I threw out the formula that I had written down.....
However from memory,,,here is what I believe I used. Percentages are approx.
XF-58 - Olive Green -60%
XF-59 - Desert Yellow -15%
XF-57 - Buff -15% or may have been XF-55 - Deck tan
XF-17 - Sea blue - 10%
You will have to play around a bit, but it should be close.
I believe you ask this on the other site, if so let me know you are the same person otherwise I will post it there as well.
I had asked it on the Tank Modeling Facebook page after seeing your post here. Thanks!
Mississippi, United States
Joined: April 15, 2019
KitMaker: 39 posts
Armorama: 39 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 14, 2019 - 02:33 PM UTC
Very nice. I just purchased this kit and waiting for it to arrive. Searching for some completed builds I found this thread. It looks fabulous and I hope mine looks even half as good, then I would be happy.
I have found these old Renwal tools have a lot of character to them. This would be my fourth Renwal. My first was the Atomic Cannon, then their M47 Patton, then the Teracruzer, this one will be my fourth. Seeing your build gives me good vibes about building it.
Thanks for sharing!
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 14, 2019 - 04:29 PM UTC
A strong man stands up for himself; A stronger man stands up for others.
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations.
He is not Khan who calls himself Khan. Afghan proverb
North Carolina, United States
Joined: September 16, 2004
KitMaker: 1,281 posts
Armorama: 1,222 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 14, 2019 - 04:31 PM UTC
Simply outstanding! Amazing transformation of an ancient kit into a showstopper. Well done Sir.
Removed by original poster on 04/16/19 - 00:30:48 (GMT).
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: February 17, 2002
KitMaker: 796 posts
Armorama: 574 posts
Posted: Monday, April 15, 2019 - 12:34 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Isn't it amazing what a really bad old kit can be turned into once there's a modeler with sufficient dedication to the cause?
I can appreciate Jack's great achievements better than most because I've fought my own battle against this dog of a kit. Unfortunately, I'm not net-wise enough to show my model here, but have published it at
[http://www.panzer-modell.de/berichte/m55/m55e.php]
At any rate, doing an up to date M55 kit would be a challenge for any kit maker, but at the same time a big chance to win the "kit of the year" prize!
Peter
Definitely worth a look and read, well done. One example;
"Don't get stuck thinking inside the box."
Florida, United States
Joined: November 24, 2012
KitMaker: 1,896 posts
Armorama: 1,858 posts
Posted: Monday, April 15, 2019 - 01:24 PM UTC
Hi;
"OOOOHHH YES"---THE FRESH SMELL OF CORDITE IN THE MORNING, AND THE ARTY DUELS WE HAD WITH THE NVA AT KHE SANH !! I USED TO GET VOLUNTERED TO PASS UP AMMO TO THE GUN AND GET BOUNCED ABOUT TWO FEET INTO THE AIR EVERY TIME WE FIRED !
GEEEZZZ THAT WAS FUN !!!!
CHEERS: MIKE. & SEMPER FI !!
Joined: October 03, 2007
KitMaker: 1,388 posts
Armorama: 1,357 posts
Posted: Monday, April 15, 2019 - 03:02 PM UTC
The m55 was never in RVN. There was one batallion of m53's that came in up near Phu Bai in 1965. All were junk by mid 68, but with one or two survivors. All Arty heavier than a 155 used by Marine units were actually Army m110/107 platforms. They didn't start training Marines on heavy stuff till early 68, and even then there was only two or three classes of about thirty men.
Gary
England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: April 29, 2004
KitMaker: 1,336 posts
Armorama: 1,137 posts
Posted: Monday, April 15, 2019 - 07:22 PM UTC
Nice work, but where did the driver sit?
Mitglied: East Mids Model Club Show: 24th March 2013
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: February 17, 2002
KitMaker: 796 posts
Armorama: 574 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 - 06:06 AM UTC
Driver sat in the turret.
"Don't get stuck thinking inside the box."
Germany
Joined: October 24, 2009
KitMaker: 104 posts
Armorama: 103 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 - 09:07 PM UTC
Jon,
The driver's seat in the front left corner of the turret can be seen in the pic of my model that Steve kindly posted (thank you, Steve!). See the references at the end of my article for prototype photos.
Peter
