Scale models have been along for a long time , but only since the 1970's they began to grow in popularity as a great hobby for children and grown-ups alike!
The basics of making an inexpensive, yet creative diorama.
Builder Basics: First, what is a scale model?
By Editor - After the armor and aircraft models, it is time to have a look at some of the military dioramas on display at the 2016 Moson Model Show. There's a lot of inspiration to pick from these masterpieces so - enjoy. Feel free to comment on and discuss your favorites....
Gorgeous engineer marvel of Luftwaffe late WWII, great kit by Zoukei-Mura as well kit: Ho-229 Horten scale: 1/32 brand: Zoukei-Mura造型村 ...
Tankers !!! Now, let's see a specialized vehicle, who worked hard to keep the tanks in action. We are talking about the M31 TRV (Tank Recovery Vehicle) derived from M3 Medium Lee. History: The T2 (M31) was a conversion of the American M3 Lee Medium tank for use in the recovery of disabled armored vehicles during the Second World War. The designation T2 was later changed to M31. M31 'Little Caesar' from 1/13th Armored, 1st Armored Division. British recovery vehicles were called Armored Recovery Vehicles (ARV), the US Army term for the M31 and M32 (based in M4 Sherman tank) was Tank Recovery Vehicle (TRV). While the M3 Lee tank was taken out of front line service in Europe by 1943, the M31 remained in service till the war's end, never being fully replaced by the M32 TRV, The M31 made his debut in operational use with 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides - US Army) in Tunisia, during 1943. M31B1 (welded) recovering a M10 Wolverine, Anzio - 1944. The turret of the Tank Recovery Vehicle T2 (M31) mounts a Gar Wood power boom crane with 4,5 to 14 tons capacity, depending on how supports are deployed. These boom was attached in the 37mm gun's place. There is also a 30 ton winch mounted inside the hull which can operate with its cable over the boom crane or hooked directly to a load. The guns of M3 Lee were replaced by dummies to obscure the identity of the vehicle. The 75mm main gun was replaced by a hatch with a dummy gun barrel and the 37mm gun in the turret was replaced by a similar barrel welded at the rear portion of the turret. M31 BIG WELDON in Italy, 1945. Notice the 75mm dummy gun barrel The turret machine gun mount was the British style seen on the cruiser tank Grant I instead of the normal Lee cupola. The crane could lift 4500kg without the supporting boom jacks extended, 5400kg with the jacks attached to the front hull, or 14,000kg with the support legs on the ground. A 27,000kg capacity winch was added in the fighting compartment, and the cable was spooled out of the turret and over the crane boom or out the rear of the TRV. Internal winch (27 ton capacity) in the fighting compartment of M31 Tool boxes were also added to the rear sponsons and above the dummy 75mm gun. M31 pulls a damaged M4 across a Bailey Bridge, Germany - 1944 Notice the spare vertical volute spring below the M31 comander and the tool box above the 75mm dummy gun Types: M31 (based on M-3 Lee Medium Tank with Continental R-975-C1 9 cyl. radial gasoline engine, riveted hull) M31B1 (based on M3A3 with twin General Motors 6046; 12 cylinder (6/engine), 2 cycle, twin in-line diesel engines, welded hull) M31B2 (based on M3A5 with twin General Motors 6046; 12 cylinder (6/engine), 2 cycle, twin in-line diesel engines, riveted hull) The M31B1, introduced in October 1942, was based on the M3A3 Lee, and the conversion was similar to the M31 except that the power takeoff on the diesel TRVs was at the front and powered by the engine, rather than being at the left rear and driven by the transmission on the radial gasoline-engined vehicles. This difference necessitated some modifications to the winch operator's position and controls. Almost 296 M31B1s were manufactured by Baldwin Locomotive works. M31B2, also built by Baldwin, was based on the M3A5 Lee. M31B1 welded hull Just over 800 of the Tank Recovery Vehicle T-2 (M31) were produced in all variants, in service through 1945. The T2 (M31) was slowly replaced by the M32 Tank Recovery Vehicle, based on the M4 Sherman tank, starting in 1944. The British converted M3 Lee tanks (called Grant in the UK, with minor modifications) to armored recovery vehicles, known as the Grant ARV I. This is similar to the T-2 (M31) but of simpler design. When M31 vehicles were obtained by Britain under Lend-Lease, they were referred to as Grant ARV II. About 125 T-2 (M31) vehicles were sent to the Soviet Union during WW II. Other Allies also received units or converted their own M3 tanks. The M33 Prime Mover (for towing artillery) was based on the Vehicle, Tank Recovery, T2 (or M31) minus the crane, turret and recovery equipment, but with the 75mm dummy gun: M33 prime mover (artillery tractor) As the M31 TRV was being replaced by the M32 Tank Recovery Vehicle, over 100 of the M31 TRVs were converted to the M33 Prime Mover in 1943-1944 to be used as an alternative to scarce high speed tractors. M33 snorting when towing a 240mm howitzer near Mt.Porchia, Italy, 1944. Specs: M31 (T2) Tank Recovery Vehicle Type Recovery tank Place of origin United States Service history Wars World War II Production history Produced 1942 - 1944 (Baldwin Locomotive Works) Number built + 800 Variants 03: see text Specifications Weight 34 t Length 5.64 m (hull) Width 2.72 m Height 3.12 m with crane lowered Crew 6 Armor up to 51 mm Steel Main armament none Sec. armament 1 or 2 × .30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine guns 9,200 rounds Engine M-31:Wright (Continental) R975 EC2 400 hp - gasoline M31B1/B2: General Motors GM6046 twin 6-cylinder 375 hp - diesel Transmission Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse Suspension vertical volute spring Ground clearance 0.46 m Fuel capacity 662 liters gasoline 560 liters diesel Operational range 190 km gasoline 240 km diesel Speed 40 km/h (road) 22 km/h (off-road) Steering system controlled differential The kits: For this project, I'll use parts of the M3 Lee medium from Tamiya (#35039), the M3 Lee Medium tank from Academy (#13206) and the M31 conversion resin kit from Legend (#LF1135): And this picture really poked my imagination: Italy, 1944. M31 M31 lifting a Panzernest, german prefabricated pillbox... M31 with Panzernest in Mt. Lungo, italy. January, 1944. For this composition, the RPM kit MG-Panzernest (#35018). The building starts by the Lee chassi. I had, in my souls basin (scrap box), parts of Lee tanks from Academy and Tamiya (remains of old projects). The Tamiya's hull is oversized, but I used the tamiya's chassi. The challenge was to join the upper hull from Academy with the chassis from Tamiya. But until the thing flowed cool ...!!! The Frankenslee tank growing... I honestly think that someone in the Legend hates me. I have a damned unlucky with the resin of this manufacturer parts.The crane booms came warped as screws. The turret seemed a crumpled pie... After warm up the pieces in boiling water and try to align the spears of the crane, the thing looked like this: Horrible !!! The option was to redo these parts with Plastruct... In short, I had to redo many parts that do not have time to take pictures... This was one of the few that I took in the process. notice that I used the Academy turret with some modifications ... Notice the different colors of the parts: many origins The Girl almost done: Saturday and Sunday of hard work... Notice the steel cables... Other parts and colors... The crane boom...left side The crane boom...right side Notice the manual lighthouse: it's a poetic license ... But the Grunts should have lighting for work in low visibility conditions ... My intention is not reproduce the photo faithfully (life is too short...) , but build something based on the real image: The real composition... My interpretation... Panzernest History: In Italy the Germans have been using a mobile steel pillbox, nicknamed the "Armored Crab," which made its first appearance on the Russian front in 1943. These prefabricated bunkers, without rotation, had an armored casting carapace armed with a machine gun. Preserved Panzernest in expositio These pills boxes were manufactured by various companies in subassemblies contracts being transported to local use by train, trucks or tractors. They were very simple but extremely effective equipment. Panzernests and Bergepanther in railcars, waiting transportation Panzernest being towed by a Opel Blitz 2.5 ton This pillbox was mounted in an inverted position on wagon-like wheels, and usually is hauled by tractor or lorry to a designated site, where it is overturned into a prepared cavity.: Brand new panzernest under GI's inspection. Notice the wagon like wheels, in wood and metal. After this, the exposed upper half of the pillbox (which is non-rotating) is camouflaged with rocks, earth, or local vegetation. The panzernest's snout well camouflaged Description: In the front of the pillbox, there is a small embrasure for the machine gun, with an observation peephole above. When necessary, these openings are covered outside by a heavy metal shield, which can be moved either to the right or left of the embrasure by means of a lever inside the pillbox. On top of the pillbox are two collapsible periscopes, also regulated from the interior. The entrance to the pillbox is a small door in the rear; this is locked from the inside by means of two brackets. rear view These pillboxes are usually situated in the second defense zone. It takes 15 men to change one from traveling to fire position. When it's emplaced, the usual procedure is to dig a hole and sink the entire lower section and part of upper section. The panzernest does not rotate, so that only the machine gun aperture in front and the opening in the rear top with the two periscopes and pipe must be exposed. Panzernest - schematic drawing The machine gun is mounted on a single bracket mounting which allows a free horizontal traverse on a semicircular grooved slide. The field of fire is 60 degrees. Elevation and depression, which are limited, are accomplished by a small handle to the left of the machine gun. Internal view of MG mount (without MG) Forward of the machine-gun trigger, there is a leather cover to channel off the gases from the gun and also to receive spent cartridges. Attached to the cover is a metal tube. In turn, this tube is connected to a metal box fastened to the floor. The gases are expelled by a small fan situated beside the metal box. The fan is operated by two small foot pedals, one on each side of the pillbox. Each pedal may be worked independently. Air is expelled through a slit above, and to the right of, the door. Fresh air enters through a vent in the ceiling. Two folding seats are provided for the crew. There are two iron rungs which serve as steps to facilitate entering and leaving. Two leather straps are hung from the ceiling, near the periscope openings. At the rear of the pillbox, and near the top, there are two holes into which steel bars may be inserted to lift the pillbox on and off its trailer. When these holes are not in use, they are closed by metal plugs. Ammunition is stored on shelves below the machine gun, in the forward part of the pillbox. There are also two boxes for tools and spare parts for the gun. Space is provided for a field telephone. The pillbox accommodates two men, and was armed an M.G. 34 or 42. Panzernest pillbox cutaway Operation: Under combat conditions the observer looks through one of the periscopes to observe and direct the gunner's fire. The gunner observes through the forward slit. Protection from the front against rifle, grenade and artillery fire is by means of the iron slit cover which is manipulated to cover or open slit from the inside. Inside the pillbox there is sufiicient room for both members of the crew to sit comfortably and move around to a limited extent. There is a small heating stove and a ventilating apparatus, operated by a foot pedal, which provides suificient changes of air when all vents are closed. There is enough ammunition for 5 to 10 hours of fire. Methods of Combatting: As only about one meter of this pill box shows above the ground, it is very difficult to detect. Thorough reconnaissance is imperative. It can best be detected by the outline of its embrasure, by its periscopes, flue pipe, and flash and powder when firing. Specs: Panzernest light bunker Type prefabricated light bunker Place of origin Nazi Germany Service history In service 1942-45 Used by Germany and its allies Wars World War II Specifications Weight 3 tons Length 1.66 m (without towbar) Width 1.70 m Height 1.82 m Crew 2 Armor 138 mm- level with embrasure 89 mm- below embrasure 4 mm- sides, rear and top 1 mm- lower section and floor Main armament MG-42 or MG-34 machine gun with 60° horizontal field of fire Max. towing speed 10 Km/h The kit from RPM is nasty, awful, horrible !!! Burrs and defects simply unbelievable! Eeeeewww !!!! Trying to improve the thing ... Notice the shelves made with balsa wood The reaçl thing !!! I'll build the bunker with the hatch open and wanted to do some interior details ... The kit's engineering is horrible: the seams are wrong in comparison of the real bunker: in the kit the seams are vertical and in the real Panzernest they are horizontal. Horrible !!! Kit seams are vertical and in the real Panzernest they are horizontal. After tons of sanding and putty. Notice the other Panzernest (towing condition - next project) Rear view I found this reference, about a warning placard in the interior of Panzernest: Achtung !!! Well... let's do the decals: The warning placard and the limit of towing speed; Maximum speed:10 km/h. Maybe because the spoked wheels in wood... The marking in close... The Panzerserra decals... Decal in place - internal right side The RPM kit comes with artillery table (decal) - left side sorry about picture... The Panzernest in gray (standard from plant) and with decal in place rear view The 2 panzernests: firing and towing position The M31 in the final details: notice the 2 barrels of .30 (RBModels) for the Fifty !!! Painting and decal time: I always try to make a template of the markings for my project. I redesigned the (fantastic) drawing of George Bradford (George, you are the man !!!). My girl was in Italy, 1944, after the Battle of San Pietro Infine, near Mount Lungo, with 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion. My hypothetic Girl will be "CARINE", TRV number 4. And; CARINE was born !!! Gents, finally my M31 was ready... M31 CARINE from 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion, Mt Lungo (Battle of San Pietro Infine), Italy - January,1944. M31 TRV "CARINE" - 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion, Italy, 1944. But here, a correction: After publishing the pictures, I realized that I made a huge mistake: to take advantage in to use the complete suspension of Tamiya's Lee, this noob forgot to change the wheels. The kits Tamiya Lee and Grant comes with spoked wheels with a huge mistake: six spokes and six holes instead of five. Surgery time: Removing the wheels of the suspensions ... The Devil is doing without breaking any detail ... The wrong and the right stuff... But after a little blood, sweat and tears ... (when the head does not work, the body suffers ...) M31 TRV "CARINE" - 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion, Italy, 1944. M31 TRV "CARINE" - 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion - left side M31 TRV "CARINE" - 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion - right side Panzernest M31 TRV "CARINE" - 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalionwith Kojak and Rover, the dog. Notice the MG-34 in the Panzernest M31 TRV "CARINE" with my M32 ARV "OLD BALDY" (case report, soon...) Two working Girls... Thanks for follow, Gents !!!
Tankers!! We'll let the tracks a little aside and see some armored vehicles on wheels. How about seeing some American girls who were very dear by Canadians: STAGHOUNDS !!! History: The T17 and the T17E1 were two American armored car designs produced during the Second World War. Neither saw service with frontline US forces but the latter was supplied, via the United Kingdom, to British and Commonwealth forces during the war and received the service name Staghound. A number of countries used the Staghound after the war, with some of the vehicles continuing to serve into the 1980s. British Staghounds Mk I in recce patrol. Normandy, July, 1944. In July 1941, the US Army Ordnance issued specifications for a medium armored car alongside a specification for heavy armored car (which resulted in the T18 Boarhound). T18 Boarhound 8x8 AC The Ford Motor Company built a six wheels, all driven (6 x 6) prototype which was designated T17 and Chevrolet a four wheels, all driven (4 x 4) model designated T17E1. At the same time, the British Purchasing Commission was also looking for medium and heavy armored cars for use in the war in North Africa. Had the U.S. adopted this, it would have been called the M6. Both the T17 and T17E used the same turret which was designed by Rock island Arsenal with British requirements driving some of the design features such as putting at least two crew in the turret and placing the radio in the turret so that it was close to the commander. T17 The T17 was armed with a M6 37 mm gun in a rotating turret, a coaxial and bow M1919 Browning .30 machine gun. Power was from two Hercules JXD engines. In the interests of standardization, these replaced Ford's initial 90 hp engines. T17 Deerhound 6x6 AC The British gave the name Deerhound to the T17. Production started in October 1942. The US military eventually decided to adopt the lighter M8 Greyhound vehicle instead; as an interim measure T17 production continued until M8 production could be started. M8 Greyhound 6x6 AC These were to be supplied as "International Aid" but US Army tests in early 1943 showed the T17 was lacking compared to the T17E and so Britain turned them down. The 250 units produced were disarmed and given to the United States Army Military Police Corps for use in the States. T17E1 The British allocated the name Staghound to the T17E series. British liaison officers had had contact with Macpherson, the Chevrolet engineer in charge of the project and felt they had influenced him sufficiently to produce something that met all their requirements. T17E1 Staghound 4x4 AC Accordingly in December the British Purchasing Commission "formally requested" production of 300 vehicles; the US Army authorized production of 2000 in January 1942. The British order was confirmed in March 1942 when the pilot T17E was delivered to the Aberdeen Proving Ground. Testing showed flaws but these were expected to be correctable and a further 1,500 were contracted for. Production started in October 1942. The US Army convened a board to examine the state of the multitude of armored car projects and recommended in December 1942 the cancellation of the larger designs and standardization on a smaller vehicle. This lighter vehicle would appear as the M8 Greyhound vehicle. However the British applied for T17E1 production to be continued for the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease. Approximately 4,000 Staghounds were produced in total. The Staghound was an innovative design that incorporated some advanced features. It had two rear-facing 6-cylinder engines with automatic transmissions (with 4 forward and 1 reverse gears) feeding through a transfer case to drive both axles. Either two- or four-wheel drive could be selected. Either engine could be shut down while in motion and taken out of the drive train. Additionally, a power steering pump was incorporated that could be switched on or off manually from the driver's instrument panel depending on steering conditions. Steering and suspension components were directly attached to the hull as the structure was rigid enough to dispense with the need for a separate chassis. Operational service The Staghound entered service too late for use in the North African Campaign where its combination of armor, range and main armament would have been an advantage in a light forces reconnaissance role. As a result, it first saw operational service in Italy, where many units found its large physical size too restrictive in the narrow roads, and streets of Europe. It saw most service at squadron and regimental headquarter level; an armoured car regiment having three Staghounds with the Regimental HQ and three with each HQ of the four squadrons in the regiment. Conditions for the Staghound improved when the Italian campaign became more mobile in the middle of 1944, and the Staghound was also used in north-west Europe campaign. After the war, the Staghounds were distributed among smaller NATO countries in Europe and to the Middle East. Variants: T17E1: 4x4 version built by Chevrolet for Britain. 2,687 - 2,844 units were produced. Staghound Mk I: The T17E1 was armed with a 37 mm M6 gun, a coaxial .30 cal Browning 1919A4 machine gun and a 2-inch smoke mortar in a rotating turret. In the hull was mounted a .30 cal Browning 1919A4 machine gun. Some T17E1 had an additional .30 Browning 1919A4 cal machine gun for anti-aircraft defense. The turret had power traverse and featured a turret basket (which limited the amount of internal crew storage). Staghounds Mk I from 4th Canadian Armoured Division crossing the Seine River Summer, 1944. The 37 mm gun was gyroscopically stabilized. This variant had a crew of 5: commander, loader, gunner, driver, and hull machine gunner. Staghound Mk I showing his 37mm gun The variant saw combat with the British, Free Polish, Canadian, New Zealand, Indian, and Belgian armies in Italy, Greece and Northwest Europe. After WWII, it saw further action in Cuba, Nicaragua, Lebanon and Rhodesia. Staghound Mk II CS (Close Support): This was a field conversion that had a 3 inch howitzer Mk 1 for close support mounted in place of the 37 mm gun in the turret. Staghound Mk II CS (Canadian) - Notice the 3inch. howitzer and the absence of machine gun in the front bow. The bow machine gun was removed. It is not known how many were converted. These were issued to the Armoured Car HQ section. Staghound Mk III: Had a turret taken from an Crusader tank armed with Ordnance QF 6 pounder gun and 7.92 mm Besa coaxial machine gun. As the goal of the Staghond Mk.III was to allow greater firepower from high-explosive projectiles for infantry support or reconnaissance missions, the Ordnance QF 6 pounder gun was replaced by the Ordnance QF 75 mm gun on the production line, as the 75mm QF had a much more efficient HE projectile. The operational vehicles was no front bow machine gun. These had reached the front line by 1945, where it was supplied to heavy troops of armored car regiments. Staghound Mk III - (prototype): Notice the .30 in front bow The operational cars don't have this machine gun. Staghound Mk III from12th Manitoba Dragons 2nd Canadian Corps Armoured Car Regiment - Germany, 1945. The total number ordered was around 100-300. After WWII, this version saw usage with Denmark and combat in Lebanon. Staghound Command: The turret was removed and extra wireless equipment was installed. Field adaptation with many variations: Staghound Command - Canadian - 1944. Staghound Command - Notice the windshield made with perspex field adaptation T17E2 Staghound AA: The T17E2 was an T17E1 fitted with a Frazer-Nash-designed turret mounting two .50 M2 Browning heavy machine guns. The turrets were built in the US for British Motor Torpedo Boats. Redesign of the turret and mounting was carried out. 2,610 rounds were carried. The turret was open-topped and had an electric-hydraulic traverse system with a maximum slew rate of 55 degrees a second. Staghound AA turret - top view It had a reduced crew of 3: commander/gunner, loader and driver.789 units were produced between October 1943 and April 1944, when production stopped. T17E3 Staghound Howitzer: T17E1 fitted with the turret of 75 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8, carrying the 75mm M2/M3 howitzer. This was trialled in December 1943, but never reached production. T17E3 Staghound Howitzer - side view T17E3 Staghound Howitzer - front view Other versions of Staghounds: - Staghound Mk1. Tulip with 4x60lb Rockets - This field conversion was used on only a handful of Canadian Staghounds in the late war period. The Staghound wore a pair of similar racks but with four 60 lbs. rockets, similar to the Sherman IC (M4A4) Tulip, but with two rails on each side. Like the Sherman tank, the conversion was tagged as Tulip. The Staghound Tulip served with the XII Manitoba Dragoons in France, 1944. The rockets were not especially accurate at long range, and at short range the fuze often failed to detonate the warhead. First Canadian Army recommended further study, but cancelled a February 1945. Staghound Tulip Instead, Canadian Military Headquarters sponsored an effort in Britain by No 1 Canadian Base Workshop to adapt the 3-inch (76mm) and 5-inch (125mm) rockets – types already allocated to First Canadian Army for the Land Mattress artillery rockets. Staghound with Land Mattress artillery rockets This placed four rockets in box launchers on either side of the turret. The main problem with this arrangement was that the backblast from the rockets was so severe that it damaged the rear mudguards. Staghound with Land Mattress artillery rockets firing... Staghound with Land Mattress artillery rockets - notice the damage in the rear fender. - Staghound Bantu - mine detector: Anti-personnel mines were (and are) a major concern of Armies. The detection and subsequent removal of these devices require long and extreme risk to the engineers. This concern originated interest in fielding an engineer version of the Staghound to counter the threat of German anti-tank mines. A prototype was constructed in the spring of 1944 using the Lulu mine detector from Sherman. Sherman Lulu mine detector In the Staghound, this apparatus was called Bantu. Staghound Bantu This elaborate contraption contained detector coils within wooden drums that were pushed in front of the Staghound. A corresponding device, the AMRCR (anti-mine reconnaissance castor roller), was a mine-rolling system designed to detonate anti-tank mines sufficiently far in front of the Staghound to prevent damage from the blast. Sherman V with AMRCR (anti-mine reconnaissance castor roller) However, both systems proved too cumbersome for actual field conditions and in neither case did development proceed beyond trials. - Staghounds with AEC turrets: Post-WWII version, this vehicle was modified by adding the entire turret from AEC Mark III Armored Cars in Staghounfs Mk III chassis. Used by lebanon, in 1956. Staghouind Mk III with 75mm AEC turret Walkaround: Specs: T17E1 Armored Car Staghound Mk I/III Place of origin Type United States armored car Service history In service 1944- 1980s Used by British, Free Polish, Canadian, New Zealand, Indian, and Belgian Wars World War II Production history Designer Chevrolet Produced 1942-43 Number built 4,000 Specifications (Staghound Mark I) Weight 14 t Length 5.49 m Width 2.69 m Height 2.36 m Crew 5 Mk I - 4 Mk III Armor 9 to 44 mm Main armament 37 mm M6 Mk I - 75mm Ordnance QF - Mk III Secondary armament 2 or 3 x .30 (7.62 mm) machine guns Engine 2 x GMC 270 2 x 97 hp (72 kW) Power/weight 13.9 hp/tonne Suspension wheels, 4 x 4 Operational range 724 km Speed 89 km/h The kits: For this project, I'll use these kits: Bronco's Staghounds Starting: My cave... Sprues in my workbench... Building the hulls... Like a turtle... The two Girls... I will concentrate first on the Mk III: Closing the hull... Suspensions and wheels...The carpet monster eat two little parts of front suspension... Notice the exhausts guards in PE Whit shoes for alignment Tcharans !!!! Turret and details...The gun is RB Models. Almost ready for painting... Time to play with Mk I: The MG .30 is RB Models too... The two sisters... The Bronco's 37mm gun is hybrid: part metal, part plastic: awful. I replace by a metal one from RB Models: The awful and the awesome... The Mk I ready for painting, too And the base-color in place: Mk I Mk III Next step, markings !!! The colors: Manitoba Dragons Staghounds... T17E1 Staghoung Mk I - 12th Manitoba Dragons 2nd Canadian Corps Armoured Car Regiment - Belgium, 1944. T17E1 Staghoung Mk III - 12th Manitoba Dragons 2nd Canadian Corps Armoured Car Regiment - Germany, 1945. And the Girls in weathering and finalized: First of all, the T17E1 Staghoung Mk I with colors of 12th Manitoba Dragons - 2nd Canadian Corps Armoured Car Regiment - Belgium, 1944. T17E1 Staghoung Mk I - 12th Manitoba Dragons 2nd Canadian Corps Armoured Car Regiment - Belgium, 1944. T17E1 Staghoung Mk I - 12th Manitoba Dragons - left side T17E1 Staghoung Mk I - 12th Manitoba Dragons - right side T17E1 Staghoung Mk I - 12th Manitoba Dragons with Kojak T17E1 Staghoung Mk I - 12th Manitoba Dragons with Kojak and Rover, the dog. Now, the upgunned T17E1 Staghoung Mk III wearing colors of 12th Manitoba Dragons - 2nd Canadian Corps Armoured Car Regiment - Germany, 1945. T17E1 Staghoung Mk III - 12th Manitoba Dragons 2nd Canadian Corps Armoured Car Regiment - Germany, 1945. T17E1 Staghoung Mk III - 12th Manitoba Dragons - left side T17E1 Staghoung Mk III - 12th Manitoba Dragons - right side T17E1 Staghoung Mk III - 12th Manitoba Dragons with Kojak T17E1 Staghoung Mk III - 12th Manitoba Dragons with Kojak and Rover, the dog. The two Girls side by side: T17E1 Staghoungs Mk I and Mk III - 12th Manitoba Dragons T17E1 Staghoungs Mk I and Mk III - 12th Manitoba Dragons Well, this is the final building of the Bronco's kits. But I had on my shelf already built two relics of the heroic modeling times: one Staghound Mk I from ADV Azimut and a Mk III made with ADV's hull and Italeri Crusader's turret. I changed the Mk I gun by a Plastruct styrene tubing (3,2mm) to reproduce the 3 inch. howitzer, built a new mantlet and transforming the Mk I in Mk II CS and replaces the Mk III 75mm gun by AFV scrap 6 pounds of my Churchill projects. With that, I got a Mk III early. The Mk I Azimut looked like this: Old ADV resin kit - Mk I with 37mm gun Almost a solid block of resin... After the exchange of the gun and scratch new gun armour, a touch up paint and application of correct markings: T17E1 Staghound Mk II CS - Markings (Bison Decals - #35063) from 12th Manitoba Dragons - 2nd Canadian Corps Armoured Car Regiment - Victory Parade - Amsterdan, 1945. T17E1 Staghound Mk II CS - 12th Manitoba Dragons 2nd Canadian Corps Armoured Car Regiment Victory Parade - Amsterdan, 1945. Staghound Mk II CS - 12th Manitoba Dragons Notice the new armoured mantlet and howitzer. And the ADV Staghoung Mk III with Italeri's Crusader turret and spurious markings (sorry...old times...): ADV Staghound Mk III with wrong markings... The Mk III early, with Ordnance QF 6 pounder gun from my spare box parts. After the plastic surgery, the T17E1 Staghound Mk III early from 12th Manitoba Dragons - 2nd Canadian Corps Armoured Car Regiment in Germany, 1945. T17E1 Staghound Mk III early - 12th Manitoba Dragons 2nd Canadian Corps Armoured Car Regiment Germany, 1945. T17E1 Staghound Mk III early The new-old girls: Resin kits...Old times... The new and old: Mk I and Mk II: Bronco and ADV... ...and the Mk III's: Bronco and ADV Mk III's. The Staghounds: Well...plus four armoured cars in my collection!! Thanks, Gents!! See you soon...very soon !!!
At last! It came in at 33 minutes long! My masterclass tutorial on how to superdetail a scale model aircraft cockpit is now available on YouTube. In this video I show you how to elevate your model cockpit, from a boring kit-standard version to a chock-full-o'-detail version, using mostly wire offcuts and spare bits of styrene strip and rod. It is a cheap, effective, and personally satisfying way to make the pilot's office a much more professional looking piece of your model. Cockpits are usually the most visible bit of detail on a plane. Certainly for a P-51D Mustang, with it's gorgeous but very open bubble-top canopy, you need to make sure you do justice to the cockpit. My kit is the ancient Hasegawa 1/32 P-51D Mustang. Just check out the difference a little judicous scratch building can make by comparing the kit-standard cockpit below. Scratch building detail makes a BIG difference... So get comfortable, relax, and enjoy the video. I hope it is full of inspiring ideas for your own builds. Cheers, Dave
Builder Basics: First, what is a scale model?
Mike McGee of Windsor, Ontario, has been part of the automotive preservation effort for years, and his meticulous 1/25-scale models make a big impression.
This is the latest piece from Aitor Azkue. If you don´t recall the name you´ll may want to check his "Never Ending History?" here , you mo...
Gorgeous engineer marvel of Luftwaffe late WWII, great kit by Zoukei-Mura as well kit: Ho-229 Horten scale: 1/32 brand: Zoukei-Mura造型村 ...
The basics of making an inexpensive, yet creative diorama.
Builder Basics: First, what is a scale model?
Tankers !!! Now, let's see a specialized vehicle, who worked hard to keep the tanks in action. We are talking about the M31 TRV (Tank Recovery Vehicle) derived from M3 Medium Lee. History: The T2 (M31) was a conversion of the American M3 Lee Medium tank for use in the recovery of disabled armored vehicles during the Second World War. The designation T2 was later changed to M31. M31 'Little Caesar' from 1/13th Armored, 1st Armored Division. British recovery vehicles were called Armored Recovery Vehicles (ARV), the US Army term for the M31 and M32 (based in M4 Sherman tank) was Tank Recovery Vehicle (TRV). While the M3 Lee tank was taken out of front line service in Europe by 1943, the M31 remained in service till the war's end, never being fully replaced by the M32 TRV, The M31 made his debut in operational use with 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides - US Army) in Tunisia, during 1943. M31B1 (welded) recovering a M10 Wolverine, Anzio - 1944. The turret of the Tank Recovery Vehicle T2 (M31) mounts a Gar Wood power boom crane with 4,5 to 14 tons capacity, depending on how supports are deployed. These boom was attached in the 37mm gun's place. There is also a 30 ton winch mounted inside the hull which can operate with its cable over the boom crane or hooked directly to a load. The guns of M3 Lee were replaced by dummies to obscure the identity of the vehicle. The 75mm main gun was replaced by a hatch with a dummy gun barrel and the 37mm gun in the turret was replaced by a similar barrel welded at the rear portion of the turret. M31 BIG WELDON in Italy, 1945. Notice the 75mm dummy gun barrel The turret machine gun mount was the British style seen on the cruiser tank Grant I instead of the normal Lee cupola. The crane could lift 4500kg without the supporting boom jacks extended, 5400kg with the jacks attached to the front hull, or 14,000kg with the support legs on the ground. A 27,000kg capacity winch was added in the fighting compartment, and the cable was spooled out of the turret and over the crane boom or out the rear of the TRV. Internal winch (27 ton capacity) in the fighting compartment of M31 Tool boxes were also added to the rear sponsons and above the dummy 75mm gun. M31 pulls a damaged M4 across a Bailey Bridge, Germany - 1944 Notice the spare vertical volute spring below the M31 comander and the tool box above the 75mm dummy gun Types: M31 (based on M-3 Lee Medium Tank with Continental R-975-C1 9 cyl. radial gasoline engine, riveted hull) M31B1 (based on M3A3 with twin General Motors 6046; 12 cylinder (6/engine), 2 cycle, twin in-line diesel engines, welded hull) M31B2 (based on M3A5 with twin General Motors 6046; 12 cylinder (6/engine), 2 cycle, twin in-line diesel engines, riveted hull) The M31B1, introduced in October 1942, was based on the M3A3 Lee, and the conversion was similar to the M31 except that the power takeoff on the diesel TRVs was at the front and powered by the engine, rather than being at the left rear and driven by the transmission on the radial gasoline-engined vehicles. This difference necessitated some modifications to the winch operator's position and controls. Almost 296 M31B1s were manufactured by Baldwin Locomotive works. M31B2, also built by Baldwin, was based on the M3A5 Lee. M31B1 welded hull Just over 800 of the Tank Recovery Vehicle T-2 (M31) were produced in all variants, in service through 1945. The T2 (M31) was slowly replaced by the M32 Tank Recovery Vehicle, based on the M4 Sherman tank, starting in 1944. The British converted M3 Lee tanks (called Grant in the UK, with minor modifications) to armored recovery vehicles, known as the Grant ARV I. This is similar to the T-2 (M31) but of simpler design. When M31 vehicles were obtained by Britain under Lend-Lease, they were referred to as Grant ARV II. About 125 T-2 (M31) vehicles were sent to the Soviet Union during WW II. Other Allies also received units or converted their own M3 tanks. The M33 Prime Mover (for towing artillery) was based on the Vehicle, Tank Recovery, T2 (or M31) minus the crane, turret and recovery equipment, but with the 75mm dummy gun: M33 prime mover (artillery tractor) As the M31 TRV was being replaced by the M32 Tank Recovery Vehicle, over 100 of the M31 TRVs were converted to the M33 Prime Mover in 1943-1944 to be used as an alternative to scarce high speed tractors. M33 snorting when towing a 240mm howitzer near Mt.Porchia, Italy, 1944. Specs: M31 (T2) Tank Recovery Vehicle Type Recovery tank Place of origin United States Service history Wars World War II Production history Produced 1942 - 1944 (Baldwin Locomotive Works) Number built + 800 Variants 03: see text Specifications Weight 34 t Length 5.64 m (hull) Width 2.72 m Height 3.12 m with crane lowered Crew 6 Armor up to 51 mm Steel Main armament none Sec. armament 1 or 2 × .30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine guns 9,200 rounds Engine M-31:Wright (Continental) R975 EC2 400 hp - gasoline M31B1/B2: General Motors GM6046 twin 6-cylinder 375 hp - diesel Transmission Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse Suspension vertical volute spring Ground clearance 0.46 m Fuel capacity 662 liters gasoline 560 liters diesel Operational range 190 km gasoline 240 km diesel Speed 40 km/h (road) 22 km/h (off-road) Steering system controlled differential The kits: For this project, I'll use parts of the M3 Lee medium from Tamiya (#35039), the M3 Lee Medium tank from Academy (#13206) and the M31 conversion resin kit from Legend (#LF1135): And this picture really poked my imagination: Italy, 1944. M31 M31 lifting a Panzernest, german prefabricated pillbox... M31 with Panzernest in Mt. Lungo, italy. January, 1944. For this composition, the RPM kit MG-Panzernest (#35018). The building starts by the Lee chassi. I had, in my souls basin (scrap box), parts of Lee tanks from Academy and Tamiya (remains of old projects). The Tamiya's hull is oversized, but I used the tamiya's chassi. The challenge was to join the upper hull from Academy with the chassis from Tamiya. But until the thing flowed cool ...!!! The Frankenslee tank growing... I honestly think that someone in the Legend hates me. I have a damned unlucky with the resin of this manufacturer parts.The crane booms came warped as screws. The turret seemed a crumpled pie... After warm up the pieces in boiling water and try to align the spears of the crane, the thing looked like this: Horrible !!! The option was to redo these parts with Plastruct... In short, I had to redo many parts that do not have time to take pictures... This was one of the few that I took in the process. notice that I used the Academy turret with some modifications ... Notice the different colors of the parts: many origins The Girl almost done: Saturday and Sunday of hard work... Notice the steel cables... Other parts and colors... The crane boom...left side The crane boom...right side Notice the manual lighthouse: it's a poetic license ... But the Grunts should have lighting for work in low visibility conditions ... My intention is not reproduce the photo faithfully (life is too short...) , but build something based on the real image: The real composition... My interpretation... Panzernest History: In Italy the Germans have been using a mobile steel pillbox, nicknamed the "Armored Crab," which made its first appearance on the Russian front in 1943. These prefabricated bunkers, without rotation, had an armored casting carapace armed with a machine gun. Preserved Panzernest in expositio These pills boxes were manufactured by various companies in subassemblies contracts being transported to local use by train, trucks or tractors. They were very simple but extremely effective equipment. Panzernests and Bergepanther in railcars, waiting transportation Panzernest being towed by a Opel Blitz 2.5 ton This pillbox was mounted in an inverted position on wagon-like wheels, and usually is hauled by tractor or lorry to a designated site, where it is overturned into a prepared cavity.: Brand new panzernest under GI's inspection. Notice the wagon like wheels, in wood and metal. After this, the exposed upper half of the pillbox (which is non-rotating) is camouflaged with rocks, earth, or local vegetation. The panzernest's snout well camouflaged Description: In the front of the pillbox, there is a small embrasure for the machine gun, with an observation peephole above. When necessary, these openings are covered outside by a heavy metal shield, which can be moved either to the right or left of the embrasure by means of a lever inside the pillbox. On top of the pillbox are two collapsible periscopes, also regulated from the interior. The entrance to the pillbox is a small door in the rear; this is locked from the inside by means of two brackets. rear view These pillboxes are usually situated in the second defense zone. It takes 15 men to change one from traveling to fire position. When it's emplaced, the usual procedure is to dig a hole and sink the entire lower section and part of upper section. The panzernest does not rotate, so that only the machine gun aperture in front and the opening in the rear top with the two periscopes and pipe must be exposed. Panzernest - schematic drawing The machine gun is mounted on a single bracket mounting which allows a free horizontal traverse on a semicircular grooved slide. The field of fire is 60 degrees. Elevation and depression, which are limited, are accomplished by a small handle to the left of the machine gun. Internal view of MG mount (without MG) Forward of the machine-gun trigger, there is a leather cover to channel off the gases from the gun and also to receive spent cartridges. Attached to the cover is a metal tube. In turn, this tube is connected to a metal box fastened to the floor. The gases are expelled by a small fan situated beside the metal box. The fan is operated by two small foot pedals, one on each side of the pillbox. Each pedal may be worked independently. Air is expelled through a slit above, and to the right of, the door. Fresh air enters through a vent in the ceiling. Two folding seats are provided for the crew. There are two iron rungs which serve as steps to facilitate entering and leaving. Two leather straps are hung from the ceiling, near the periscope openings. At the rear of the pillbox, and near the top, there are two holes into which steel bars may be inserted to lift the pillbox on and off its trailer. When these holes are not in use, they are closed by metal plugs. Ammunition is stored on shelves below the machine gun, in the forward part of the pillbox. There are also two boxes for tools and spare parts for the gun. Space is provided for a field telephone. The pillbox accommodates two men, and was armed an M.G. 34 or 42. Panzernest pillbox cutaway Operation: Under combat conditions the observer looks through one of the periscopes to observe and direct the gunner's fire. The gunner observes through the forward slit. Protection from the front against rifle, grenade and artillery fire is by means of the iron slit cover which is manipulated to cover or open slit from the inside. Inside the pillbox there is sufiicient room for both members of the crew to sit comfortably and move around to a limited extent. There is a small heating stove and a ventilating apparatus, operated by a foot pedal, which provides suificient changes of air when all vents are closed. There is enough ammunition for 5 to 10 hours of fire. Methods of Combatting: As only about one meter of this pill box shows above the ground, it is very difficult to detect. Thorough reconnaissance is imperative. It can best be detected by the outline of its embrasure, by its periscopes, flue pipe, and flash and powder when firing. Specs: Panzernest light bunker Type prefabricated light bunker Place of origin Nazi Germany Service history In service 1942-45 Used by Germany and its allies Wars World War II Specifications Weight 3 tons Length 1.66 m (without towbar) Width 1.70 m Height 1.82 m Crew 2 Armor 138 mm- level with embrasure 89 mm- below embrasure 4 mm- sides, rear and top 1 mm- lower section and floor Main armament MG-42 or MG-34 machine gun with 60° horizontal field of fire Max. towing speed 10 Km/h The kit from RPM is nasty, awful, horrible !!! Burrs and defects simply unbelievable! Eeeeewww !!!! Trying to improve the thing ... Notice the shelves made with balsa wood The reaçl thing !!! I'll build the bunker with the hatch open and wanted to do some interior details ... The kit's engineering is horrible: the seams are wrong in comparison of the real bunker: in the kit the seams are vertical and in the real Panzernest they are horizontal. Horrible !!! Kit seams are vertical and in the real Panzernest they are horizontal. After tons of sanding and putty. Notice the other Panzernest (towing condition - next project) Rear view I found this reference, about a warning placard in the interior of Panzernest: Achtung !!! Well... let's do the decals: The warning placard and the limit of towing speed; Maximum speed:10 km/h. Maybe because the spoked wheels in wood... The marking in close... The Panzerserra decals... Decal in place - internal right side The RPM kit comes with artillery table (decal) - left side sorry about picture... The Panzernest in gray (standard from plant) and with decal in place rear view The 2 panzernests: firing and towing position The M31 in the final details: notice the 2 barrels of .30 (RBModels) for the Fifty !!! Painting and decal time: I always try to make a template of the markings for my project. I redesigned the (fantastic) drawing of George Bradford (George, you are the man !!!). My girl was in Italy, 1944, after the Battle of San Pietro Infine, near Mount Lungo, with 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion. My hypothetic Girl will be "CARINE", TRV number 4. And; CARINE was born !!! Gents, finally my M31 was ready... M31 CARINE from 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion, Mt Lungo (Battle of San Pietro Infine), Italy - January,1944. M31 TRV "CARINE" - 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion, Italy, 1944. But here, a correction: After publishing the pictures, I realized that I made a huge mistake: to take advantage in to use the complete suspension of Tamiya's Lee, this noob forgot to change the wheels. The kits Tamiya Lee and Grant comes with spoked wheels with a huge mistake: six spokes and six holes instead of five. Surgery time: Removing the wheels of the suspensions ... The Devil is doing without breaking any detail ... The wrong and the right stuff... But after a little blood, sweat and tears ... (when the head does not work, the body suffers ...) M31 TRV "CARINE" - 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion, Italy, 1944. M31 TRV "CARINE" - 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion - left side M31 TRV "CARINE" - 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalion - right side Panzernest M31 TRV "CARINE" - 5th Army, 753rd Tank Battalionwith Kojak and Rover, the dog. Notice the MG-34 in the Panzernest M31 TRV "CARINE" with my M32 ARV "OLD BALDY" (case report, soon...) Two working Girls... Thanks for follow, Gents !!!
