OK as penance I will start an on topic thread.
My overall production hasn?t been that high but I have been getting better and eagerly read various web forums as well as here for pointers.
My latest ?obsession? is the Renwal/Revell 8? SPH. While not a modern kit by any means the general outline is pretty good even if the details are weak. I?ve looked at Wm Vink?s build and it is very well done and I?ve collected a number of relatively good pictures, some drawings a mess o? websites with good pictures. No luck finding a TM though and not having seen many personally I?m not sure which one to get anyway, that would have relevant pictures that is.
Generally the outside is covered well and the inside isn?t. I?m limited to shots through open doors and the light dark differential in many cases obscures things further back.
The main thing I don?t like about Vink?s build that I don?t think he quite got right is the powder and shell racks. The powder rack is to solid, it should be more just metal bars welded together. The projectile rack is way to big is protrudes almost to the rammer/spade hoist. There would be no way for a person to walk around it.
I?m using the AFV Club 155 and 203 rounds and the Verlinden resin 8? shell set to get the dimensions right (less the difference 1/32-1/35) I think I got the pattern down right for the charge tube rack last night, need to make 4 more and then add the verticals.
Anyway, I?ll post some pictures eventually hopefully it won?t look to bad. I?ll try to keep notes of every little thing as best I can.
Thanks Cookie for answering my pesky questions and the guys at Armorama and especially Missing Lynx have been great.
As a side note the idea is to scratch as much as possible, I have Verlinden pioneer tools to replace the molded on ones, jerry cans, the ammunition as AM. A skills test I suppose.
I'd like to do a dio with trucks resupplying. I have the Monogram M34 which is only 2.5 tons and old tech. I have ordered the Eduard set for the M35A2 to dress it up (cheating a bit, I know) and there are a couple of really well done builds on Armorama. Really well done.
The idea is to do it a period set piece with period kits.
To that end I seek a copy of the Revell (ex renwal) 1/32 Military Wrecker to convert to an M35. Again I know it's regarded as a stinker but again that's the challenge. I figure the Eduard set will help it too.
Biggest problem with that so far is that there is a ton of ref on the M35 but after several days of looking high and low the M34 seems, um, rather undocumeted. I'm gonna ask the dude on Aromorama for what he has or where he got it, but I've found like 3 pictures so far, one is a Timkins Axles sale brochure, much more recent color picture sand/brown camo with an upright(!) exhaust stack and a winch (but with the distinctive bed shape) and an older B&W image but with an MG ring mount above the passenger seat. Oddly enogh all are quarter views, passenger side front. I'm in the same boat on the TM as I am with the M55, not sure which type to look for that would have sufficient images.
I don't expect this to be done quick, but I hope it comes out good. I'm thinking a USAEUR practice fire mission or a real-deal fire mission in Vietnam. Since none of my figures (Renwal and Airfix multipose infantry) appear to be in a warm climate it kinda narrows my choices. It's gonna be sorta freelanced not a detail for detail reenactment though I want to make a good effort.
Any comments on any of this mess?
M55, M34, M35?
Reference, pictures, etc.?
Frank