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Post by jabbly on Apr 27, 2020 7:16:14 GMT
 As I’ve spent quite a bit of time on painting the S35 I fancied a bit of plastic and glue with this monster so I spent some sofa time and started on the lower hull/running gear. My impression of the kit so far is fairly good with a few minor niggles. So some nice detail without going overboard with tiny parts and multiple parts where one would do. That’s something I always appreciate. The fit is good with some sound keying to make life a bit easier although one part of the drive sprocket housing seems to have the pin hole in the wrong place. When it comes to seams/injector marks/sink holes, a bit of a mixed bag so far with, for example, a sink hole on each suspension arm. The positive is that they are all hidden. The instructions are pretty clear with that little bit of extra effort, with warning boxes, showing the assembled part where Mr. Cockup may come too town. The tracks need a special mention as they are indie workable links that having had a quick play with them seem pretty solid when put together. As an added bonus the click together nicely and the clean-up is nice and easy. Only two attachment points and if you have a good pair on snips you don’t even need to clean them up. There’s also some copper wire, real springs and and small PE fret to round things off. A negative, no clear parts. For vision ports, well that’s not something that every bothers me but headlight lenses. Now that’s a problem and hopefully the spares box can sort that out. Overall I like this kit of an interesting subject even if it only got to the mock-up stage. So progress so far.  And the first use of my sprue holder.  |
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Post by Paul B on Apr 27, 2020 7:51:53 GMT
Cracking start Jase  . Beware of them pesky tracks dude, they might seem nice and solid now. But after handling a couple of times, they will show their true intensions, and start to disintergrate  . |
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Post by jabbly on Apr 27, 2020 8:00:44 GMT
Cracking start Jase . Beware of them pesky tracks dude, they might seem nice and solid now. But after handling a couple of times, they will show their true intensions, and start to disintergrate . Which version of the kit did you build Paul as the tracks were changed in the later variants. I did actually try and give them a few ‘twists’ to see how solid the were. They stayed in place. Oh and I don’t think they’re going to take me five hours per-side to put together  |
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Post by Paul B on Apr 27, 2020 10:35:26 GMT
I built the Mk1 Jabbs. It will if they don't hold  |
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Post by jabbly on Apr 27, 2020 10:58:59 GMT
I built the Mk1 Jabbs. It will if they don't hold All has become clear, different tracks. |
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Post by Snipersmudge on Apr 28, 2020 5:45:55 GMT
Oh good looking forward to this monster taking shape |
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Post by armorguy on Apr 28, 2020 6:45:32 GMT
The same here, patiently waiting.
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Post by jabbly on Apr 28, 2020 7:02:26 GMT
Only a small bit of progress yesterday so not really worth any pictures. Put together the track runs at about 2/3 lengths as the top run isn’t visible. That was less than an hour to do and I only had to apply glue to a couple of problematic tracks. From what Paul said about his less than workable tracks it looks like Amusing Hobby agreed and changed how they were done. I’ve also cleaned up and assembled the wheels but they’re not yet attached to the suspension as I’m trying to decide the best way to get everything painted. A slightly interesting part is that the idler wheel is adjustable. This sounds good until you think that means I can put it in completely the wrong position.
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Post by Paul B on Apr 28, 2020 7:56:37 GMT
LMFAO  , not only you ole chap |
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Post by jabbly on Apr 28, 2020 8:30:00 GMT
LMFAO , not only you ole chap It was one of those ones where before I’ve fallen into the trap of thinking I just do it, what’s the worse that can happen. Instead left it for the night and then looked at again this morning. |
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Post by northmuskie on Apr 29, 2020 11:11:23 GMT
Nice!
glad I caught this one at the starting line(almost)😎
great start Jab.
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Post by Ian H. on Apr 29, 2020 18:41:50 GMT
Great start and looking forward to seeing this one.
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Post by jabbly on Apr 29, 2020 21:28:52 GMT
Northmuskie/Ian, welcome to the thread and some build progress tomorrow including a chance to see just how big that gun actually is.
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Post by Marco on Apr 30, 2020 11:00:49 GMT
I liked the shape of this beast! I' belated In
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Post by jabbly on Apr 30, 2020 12:39:12 GMT
Progress and thoughts on the kit so far. I’ve attached the suspension, wheels are on cocktail sticks and primed, and then moved on to the upper hull. Most of that is finished except the fine details (I’ll just end up knocking them off) and the bits of PE. On to the turret and about half way there. I decided to add some picture frame wire to the cable drum. Not in scale but it still looks better that having nothing there. So the thoughts, the keying/attachment points aren’t as good as I first suspected with more just a raised area to be attached to. This isn’t really a problem but being a Tamiya/Trumpeter/Meng fan that’s who I end up comparing other vendors to. The cable drum, well it just has a little pin in the back which goes onto the flat side of the turret. The chances of that staying on are low so I snipped it off and instead put a small square of sprue tab in its place. One part where they seem to have dropped the ball is that the right rear turret hatch is shown as having two ‘locking’ bits on each side. What you actually get is one and a bolt head. As I was going to be something that annoyed me I made one up for plastic card. There was also a small sink hole in the turret that had to be filled. So here we are.  And just to see how big the gun is.  |
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Post by Paul B on Apr 30, 2020 12:44:29 GMT
Still it does look like a good kit fella . The Conqueror hull is big also, so it could defo pack this turret and gun |
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Post by jabbly on Apr 30, 2020 13:08:30 GMT
Still it does look like a good kit fella . The Conqueror hull is big also, so it could defo pack this turret and gun Oh I agree, still a great kit that I would very much recommend. I'm probably spoiled by what you get from the kits I normally build so it may sound like gripes but they are really just observations. Saying that, jkb's M48 ... well that would have been in the bin for me now with those problems.
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Post by northmuskie on Apr 30, 2020 13:14:01 GMT
That, is a big gun!!!
Superb progress!
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Post by jabbly on May 2, 2020 18:21:54 GMT
Well that’s the build pretty much finished except for some PE work. I really do like the look of this beast and I’m certainly looking forward to getting the airbrush out. A couple of little niggles with build. The attachment points for MG mount and associated ammo boxes are rather small and everything has to be well lined up. After much moving about, mild swearing and annoyance I got it not perfect but good enough. The detail n the MG is also a bit soft. I did think about drilling the holes put but instead just opted for the end of the barrel. A nice black undercoat and then dry brushing should give the barrel holes a more 3D look. A bigger problem is the fronts of the smoke discharger units have somewhat of a moulding defect. Some filing and filling are required to get them into shape. Overall it’s been an enjoyable build besides some minor issues, still a chance for the headlight guards to give me grief though.  |
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Post by Paul B on May 2, 2020 18:41:34 GMT
Despite the minor issues it looks bloody good Jase  . Good enough to give me thought about getting one too  |
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, not only you ole chap 
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