What-If "Wildcat"

What happened was, I had gone in and tried to clean up that front some more, from the inside, to make the gun fit better. Where I had cut the upper hull off, it needed cleaning up so it would fit. I was cleaning the edges and test fitting...I had done this countless times during the build to see if the ammo cases cleared, test layout, etc. It was a bit warped before...I knew that and it was workable. I was test fitting and it just shattered when I popped it into place and clamped it. It was a mistake on my part. I should have finished up the front before trying to clamp it.

I've had to rethink the plan...again. I'll work up some templates and test out a few things today. The general idea is to rebuild the front as a flat paneled Sherman. It should give it an interesting contrast between the flat straight lines of the front and the curved edges of the rear. I might raise the height of the fighting compartment. As it was, the gunner was sitting on the floor and the loader would have been working while kneeling. Thanks to a quick use of Paint, this is what I am thinking about going with. It sort of has a M7 vibe to it.



I'll hit the bench in a bit, make a sacrifice to the model gods, and see what I can come up with.

I think Vers 2.0 looks like a Stugman! Seems like a sound plan fella

I had a good re-start...so let's get crackin'.

I cleaned up the remains of the upper hull. The stowage rack (A) was okay. I did manage to save a small bit of the front (B), to use as a guide for the glacis plate's angle. The area above the bolt strip gets a good and careful clean-up later. I cut down the sides (C) to remove the cast curve. I left the vertical flat sides there to keep the upper hull square when I mount it. I plan on cutting them off when I add the sides. And (D) would break right after I took this picture.


Now for the lower hull. Out with the old interior floor and rear wall. If I'm going to do this, I'm going to do this right. What am I doing? We're going topless with this one so we get to see all the interior bits.


So time to build a new floor...well not really. I'm going to cheat and use the floor panels from the Italeri M32(a1) kit. The M32(a1) kit is something I picked up ages ago for next to nothing. It's missing a few parts, so I bought it for the recovery boom and parts. The floor is perfect for what I need it for and no tripping over the exposed driveshaft or risk of getting your laces caught on it.


A bit of cardboard stock and I worked out the sides (A) & (B). I angled the rear sections. I think it looks better than the top being straight.  I used .075mm styrene sheet...which scales out to an inch. It's a little thin but I'll probably keep it...unless I booger up the sides and have to cut new ones. Then I'll go with 1mm thick. I'll probably provide spars for a canvas top to cover the entire top. The front is also thin but but I'll probably thicken it up by adding a
second layer of styrene or adding applique armor to the front. I already mentioned I was going open-top. But I will add a small roof section (C) to cover the driver and gunner.
Another casualty (D)...this time a roadwheel. I've knocked half of these off during this build and expect to knock the rest off before it's over. I decided to not put them back on until I'm done. I was going to note that I planned on removing the rear fold-down rack (E), but I might keep it just for fuel cans.


Since I am going open fighting compartment I'll do a driver's spot (A). I won't worry about the trans. Once the gun mount is added it should block all of that...at least using a M7 Priest as an example. If worse comes to worse, I have a M36 kit with a trans that I can use as a model to scratch one with. I thought about mounting the radio under here (B) but will probably cut down the sides and front a little. Ignore (C) for this picture...it's addressed in the next picture. Yeah I went overboard on the arrows when I resized these...seemed like a good idea at the time.


These (A) will be removed. I'm tempted to leave the parts that will be covered by the ammo storage. It would help strengthen the side support. I plan on remaking the ammo storage cases. The rear one (B) might be lower in height but with a ready-rack on top. I'm also thinking about possible separate storage for WP and smoke rounds. The forward ammo storage (C) will be reworked. I like how they sit up there. And the floor (D). Yep, definitely went overboard with the arrows....


...so no arrows on this one. The rear wall was scratched in. It still needs a bit of detailing and some trimwork to fill in those gaps. I'll probably place a rack for some M1 rifles and maybe a sling for a Thompson.


Anyway, except for arrow-overkill, things are going good. I'm in a lot better mood abut this build than I was 24 hours ago. I think it will be better and I won't need  Oompa Loompas to fill out the crew. I'll start on the driver's station tomorrow and I'm probably going to lower the front and side plates a bit.

Alex, that is really great work. You are making me want to build a hypothetical project. Very inspirational.

Best wishes,

Ian

Great bit of cutting and white work there Alex

Man oh Man.

Thanks. I'm headed down the back-straight on this one...at least as far as the build part of it goes. I'm thinking about adding a soft top. Alot of open-top vehicles had them. And by "thinking about" I mean I'll probably add it and keep it unless it doesn't look right...in which I shall declare I changed my mind.

I'm thinking color scheme. The obvious is Olive Drab. OD with khaki is another option. The third is a winter scheme. I figure this thing is essentially a tracked AT gun, with thin armor. It would be an ambush fighter...pop off a couple rounds and run like a scalded dog. Even with add-on armor it wouldn't want to try to slug it out with any opposing tank.

Sounds like you've got the bases covered, Dude.

So did I Alex. Thanks for not chucking it.