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Chevy Gun tractor/25pdr & limber - Softskin C
Plasticbattle
#003
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Donegal, Ireland
Joined: May 14, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 01:38 AM UTC
When I started this kit, I was going to have it as part of the incoming campaign, but then decided to use it for the softskin campaigna and build something else for the incoming.

Originally it was going to be pulling my 105mm gun, but on advise from some learned friends, I went with the tamiya 25 pdr and limber instead.

Original post

I just love this little italeri kit. Loads of detail and fun to build... not really a bake and shake kit.
So far the interior is complete, base painted in Canadian camo from italy 1944, decals added and basic weathering completed. the overall colours will get lighter after this. The tamiya gun and limber were quickly built and look OK OOB, IMO. Doors will be open, so they are not attached and i forgot to add the spare wheel for photos. The other wheels are not attached properly yet either.
Its quite long and narrow, so i will build some sort of base ... time to hire captain Corelli´s (?) mandolin for some inspiration. I have a few sets of older figures that I might kit bash a few suitable canadian figures from.
Thats another story.
All comments and critic are welcome. Don´t hold back!





jimbrae
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Provincia de Lugo, Spain / España
Joined: April 23, 2003
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 01:48 AM UTC
Only comment I would make is about the canvas cover over the roof hatches. Just a minor gripe but I'd replace it.. Apart from that -nothing really

Well-timed piece really, i've got two of them sitting in the stash at the moment although I can't get hold of a 25 pounder at all I'm actually thinking of doing one as a 17 pounder tractor. Any construction problems/hints you'd like to share with us? All help gratefully received. Lovely piece ....Jim
Plasticbattle
#003
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Donegal, Ireland
Joined: May 14, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 03:15 AM UTC
Thanks Jim. I considered adding some toilet paper at the start for texture and changed my mind. If I dont get a pint job on it I like, I might still do that!!

Building bewares. The instructions are not very clear sometimes ... so dry fitting is a must!
The biggest problem areas are underneath ... a lot of detail and steps here ... maybe half the instructions but worth the effort if you would like to display the bottom ... a rolled truck maybe? Some ejector marks but these cab be cleaned easily enough if you want to display the bottom

Placing of the bonnet ... place this last in sections and not as a solid piece as the instructions indicate. Fit isn´t great and a lot of contact areas and the ones that will need filling will be the hardest to reach. leave the the little barrel off to the last until your sure. Only filling I had to do.
The drawing hitch ... instructions are not clear here and i had to pull this apart again. Dry fit and get it right.
The rest was easy enough. Good luck with your build of it. Such a cool vehicle and really has that WW2/1940s look and contours!!
DaveCox
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: January 11, 2003
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 03:16 AM UTC
No probs with the build, it looks excellent. If I make a criticism it would have to be that the tyres look too clean in the treads, a bit of dust between the tread blocks or something like that?

BTW - what unit is it marked as? Just that the yellow maple leaf on green ground was 4th Canadian Armoured Div., and my wife's cousin was a 25pdr gunner with them. In 1944 they landed in Normandy on D+3 so wouldn't have been in Italy.
Plasticbattle
#003
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Donegal, Ireland
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 03:27 AM UTC
Hi Dave. Glad you looked in. I followed the instructions here. But that doesnt prove it was right either??

The paint scheme .. according to the instructions says it belongs to the 1st Canadian field artillery refiment, Italy 1944. The serial number on the doors( not in picture) is H 4217516.
Thats all the info I have. Is it possible that a regiment was split between two different missions? You´d think Italeri could Italy operations right??

The wheels are not finished yet or attached properly. I weather those with pastels. Neither is final weathering finished which will lighten the overall appearance.
Cheers
Plasticbattle
#003
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Donegal, Ireland
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 03:29 AM UTC
Thanks Bob. I think the canvass is in for a bit of work then. Maybe a thin layer of milliput with some texture added would do the trick? The windows will be dusted up ... but that will be at the end.
DaveCox
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England - South East, United Kingdom
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 03:39 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Dave. Glad you looked in. I followed the instructions here. But that doesnt prove it was right either??
The paint scheme .. according to the instructions says it belongs to the 1st Canadian field artillery refiment, Italy 1944. .
Cheers

I can find 17th Field Artillery, 5th Canadian Armoured Div, moved to Italy 1943, inherited guns etc. from British 7th Arm'd which would account for the colour scheme and possibly the serial. Canadian vehicles would have had a serial beginning with 'C'. The only change needed would be to paint around the Maple Leaf with a maroon colour over the green, then It's fine.
The main unit with 4th Armoured would have had the unit number '74' as 19th Field Regiment. Both units actually ended up together at the end of the war in Holland as the 5th Arm'd moved there by train in 1945 after the fall of Italy!
Plasticbattle
#003
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Donegal, Ireland
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 03:49 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I can find 17th Field Artillery, 5th Canadian Armoured Div, moved to Italy 1943, inherited guns etc. from British 7th Arm'd which would account for the colour scheme and possibly the serial. Canadian vehicles would have had a serial beginning with 'C'. The only change needed would be to paint around the Maple Leaf with a maroon colour over the green, then It's fine.
The main unit with 4th Armoured would have had the unit number '74' as 19th Field Regiment. Both units actually ended up together at the end of the war in Holland as the 5th Arm'd moved there by train in 1945 after the fall of Italy!


So if I read this right ... paint the green part of the maple leaf to maroon, and the vehicle automatically becomes 17th Field Artillery, 5th Canadian Armoured Div, Italy 1943?
That I can do easily enough. As ever, thanks a million for your help Dave! Cheers
jimbrae
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Provincia de Lugo, Spain / España
Joined: April 23, 2003
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 06:05 AM UTC
For those of you who aren't aware of this site, check it out. It is probably the best source of color schemes for Canadian vehicles.

MapleLeafUp

The other, which is a superb source of color schemes is this:...Jim



Armoured Acorn
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Georgia, United States
Joined: April 11, 2003
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 06:28 AM UTC
Wow, very cool. I've got a quad sitting in the stash, and wondered how it was to build. It certainly can be built into something impressive, as you've demonstrated.

One comment: it looks almost wet, or at least damp/dark. If it's supposed to be set in N. Africa or southern italy, some more flat would be good, and maybe some dusty pastels. Otherwise, fantastic.
WeWillHold
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Wisconsin, United States
Joined: April 17, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 06:31 AM UTC
Frank:

Another beauty off your modeling bench!! We don't hear from you for a while and then --boom -- three items in RR

The paint job and weathering is vintage "Plastic Battle". The first pic (side view) showing the subtle weathering changes from the bottom of the frame up the vehicle is really well done. Are you running thinned washes from the cab sides down to achieve this effect or is it primarily airbrush technique?

UOM stuff in my humble opinion

Steve
ShermiesRule
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Michigan, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 06:38 AM UTC
Love the 25pdr arty piece. I agree the tarp on top looks plastic.
Plasticbattle
#003
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Donegal, Ireland
Joined: May 14, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 07:46 AM UTC
thanks guys for taking the time to comment and help.
Great sites Jim, i have saved these to look in more detail later. They will be handy for this project before its finished and another in the future!


Quoted Text

subtle weathering changes from the bottom of the frame up the vehicle is really well done. Are you running thinned washes from the cab sides down to achieve this effect or is it primarily airbrush technique?

Hi Steve. Its both. When I sprayed the base coat, I lightened it and went for the preshading effect. then I sprayed a thin filter on the upper part and earth colour on the lower hull and underneath. Then I washed it with black, and dragged a wide brush downwards, drying the brush after every time but not cleaning it. Thats what gives this streaky look.
Thats all that has happened so far. this is not finished. Next is dry brushing, filters and weathering with pastels. The overall appearnace will get lighter.


Quoted Text

it looks almost wet, or at least damp/dark. If it's supposed to be set in N. Africa or southern italy, some more flat would be good, and maybe some dusty pastels

It was glossed for decals and to protect the base colours. And then a wash. When this flat coated and decals it will be dusty ... very dusty. Thats why I have tried to get it dark now, so effects will still show.

You guys win .... the tarps will definately ... 100% ... without a doubt .. be worked on. Im just sorry i didnt do it at the start. #:-)
MrRoo
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Queensland, Australia
Joined: October 07, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 08:08 AM UTC
hmmm looks like I am a bit late finding this one. but find it I have!

what an excellent job! I cannot comment on the markings as I do not know much about the Canadian formation marks.

The canvas top. Usually these weathered quickly and I would add a little texture by sanding, with course paper, in both directions a little. Not much though!. I would then lighten the color just under the light color of the truck as a base. then drybrush in both directions successively lighter colors until the final drybrush on the raised 'X' area was almost white.

Put the spare wheel on as it adds to the looks of the truck.

The Tamiya 25pound gun and limber are nice just built OOB and your finish on them is good.

Once again nice job well done
tazz
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New York, United States
Joined: July 21, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 09:37 AM UTC
very nice job, this truck is a cool subject to build.
is it the italiyia kit.
and i love the way the paint and the weathing came out
Hollowpoint
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Kansas, United States
Joined: January 24, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 01:47 PM UTC
Nice finish! I love that fade on the lower chassis.

Just to clarify for my little brain -- this is the Italeri Chevy Gun Tractor with the Tamiya 25 pound gun and limber, right?

EDIT: Never mind, I re-read the thread and you said it right up front -- distracted by them pictures again!
IanSadler
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United Kingdom
Joined: December 22, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 02:12 AM UTC
hi the problem with the canvas cover can be cured on your next model take the piece and cover it in liquid poly all over a very liberal amount , leave it for 10 sec then press a piece of an old t shirt on and leave for 30 sec , pull the t shirt off and it leaves the impression of the weave behind , great for canvas seats as well , as always try it out on scrap plastic card first cheers ian
TreadHead
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 12, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 02:49 AM UTC
Howdy Plastic,

As jimbrae said, a "well-timed piece". I also have several of them in my '
batter's box' area, all in different stages of surgery/bashscratching/butchery.
And the funny thing is, none of them are slated for OOB.
But, after seeing the great job you've done to yours, I must admit to some 'wavering'.....

Really nice work there PB. I was going to make a few comments, but you have already said you are going to redo the vehicle's 'toupee' (glad to hear that), and you also said you're not done with the weathering, so my other comments are moot at this point.
And as WeWillHold commented, your subtle gradient paintwork on the side panels of the vehicle is outstanding.
Please keep us informed, and post the final results when you are done.

Treadmeister.

I also agree with my mate 'Roo, add the spare.
jimbrae
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Provincia de Lugo, Spain / España
Joined: April 23, 2003
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Posted: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 05:42 AM UTC
For those of you who are sufficiently inspired (and you should be ) here are some pics of the actual beastie, and for the first time, I managed to find a pic of a limber with its doors open, The last pic shows the rather (spartan) seating arrangement for the Gun Tractor. If only I could find one of these damned Tamiya 25 pounders.......Jim











TreadHead
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Colorado, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 11:05 AM UTC
Howdy jimbrae,

Whoaahhh!! My thanks for the superb photos! Especially the colour pics of the open-doored Limber, and the Quad interior!.......nice.
I also appreciate the shot of the 25-pounder from the rear with the close-up of the trailing arms. One of my entries for the "Incoming!!" Campaign is a 25-pounder, so that rear pic is mighty useful.
And speaking of 25-pounders..........if you are really needing a Tamiya 25-pounder kit, just PM me your snail-mail addy, and I'll send ya one. I'm pretty sure I could rustle one up if Provincia de Lugo is all out of them!

Tread.
Plasticbattle
#003
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Donegal, Ireland
Joined: May 14, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 11:39 AM UTC
Stunning pictures jim. Where were you a month ago when i was building them??? #:-)

The old Italeri and tamiya kits are not that bad when you see pics of the real things. The tamiya limber can be modelled with doors open and one tray is missing so you can build that up and show it in an open poistion. The rubber(?) balls on the door insides are there also along with a few ejection marks.
One more thing I didnt mention was the doors dont fit very snuggly. You´d probably want to leave them open anyway to show off the interior, but closing them will take a bit of extra work ... or maybe its just my cab assembly?
I will definately build more of these chevys!
MrRoo
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Posted: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 12:10 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I will definately build more of these chevys!


hehehehhe another convert to Roo's trucks :-)
TreadHead
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Colorado, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 02:59 PM UTC



...where do you think mine are slated to go!

Tread.

darn 'Roo.
DaveCox
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England - South East, United Kingdom
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Posted: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 06:15 PM UTC
Here's an opportunity for a big PLEASE to Italeri. Tamiya have rereleased the 25pdr & Quad ( at leat it's back in Hannants list) but can we have the Chevy gun-tractor and the 15cwt trucks back on release?
I've so far used 7 CGT kits to make trucks out of, and they are now fetching 'cp;;ectors' prices when they can be found.
These old 'Peerless' kits are well up to the current market, so let's have'em on the shelves again.
 _GOTOTOP