1/35 SADF Eland Mk7 (AML 90) "Noddy Car"

[Snowman]

Hi ya all,

While the paint is drying on my 1/35 Trumpeter Rooikat, I thought that I would make in roads on “Ou Boet” (Old Brother), the Eland 90 reconnaissance armoured car that preceded the Rooikat, “Klein Boet” (Baby Brother).

My build is based on the 1/35 Takom AML 90 kit, which will require significant modification. My friend got hold of a Tiger kit of the AML 90, which in my opinion is a better kit with all the additional details, interior and some more inline with the SADF variant external details.



Talking about mods, here are some images of work and mods required.
The turret and engine bay require the most work, I will need to change the tyres and head lights as well.




This what I have done to the kit thus far....







I have been battling with the copula mod and decided to to resort to 3D resin printing. Now eagerly awaiting for my design to arrive.

Compared to the Rooikat, the Eland is crazy small. No wonder it could not keep up with the Ratels during the bush war and even scarier that they engaged with and destroyed Soviet supplied T34-85 & T55’s manned by Angolan’s, Cuban’s & possibly Soviet Russians as there were “advisors” in evidence. Though it did normally require multiple hits with an unstabilised low pressure 90mm gun firing HEAT rounds. Utilising, shoot and scoot tactics.

The turret of a disabled Olifant Mk1a was sent to the then Soviet Union for analysis, pretty much like the T90 been shipped to the USA for analysis.

This is an impressive little vehicle that fought well outside it weight division that deserves to be honoured in a build.

Thanks for watching.
We came in peace, so shoot to kill

 

[Snowman]

Well, now that the Battroid is finished, I can pick up from where I left off.

The 3D printed copula is now fitted and the air filter repositioned.


Still plenty to do.

Thanks for watching.

 

[Snowman]

Done a little more work, rear turret stowage box, reposition the aerial mounts and put the lid on the copula.

Till the next update!

 

[Snowman]

I've been beavering away on the turret.

.303 Browning mount and copula tread plate fitted.

Hand grips, smoke dischargers and stowage tubes fitted.

Till next time.

 

[Snowman]

The main gun, co-ax and commanders hatch end stop fitted. The commanders .303 is loosely positioned for the photo. There are still a few bits to be done and the finish line for the turret assembly is in sight.

I'm very pleased with my scratch building efforts.

Till next update!

 

[Jakko]

You’re doing a pretty nice job there

However, .303? Didn’t the SADF convert the M1919 Brownings to 7.62 mm NATO?

 

[Snowman]

Hi Jakko, it's possible, but in the SAAF we were still using .303 Browings on the Allouette choppers. So, I'm of the opinion that it was most likely .303.

 

[Jakko]

Now I’m curious I just got out my copy of Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1985–86, guessing that it might have an entry for the Eland. And indeed, page 204 does. It says the machine guns were “7.62 mm”, so now I need to browse a bit to see if they also use that to refer to ones I know were in .30-06 in the 1980s. Hmm … it seems Jane’s just uses “7.62 mm” for any weapon of that calibre, since it also says the American mate armoured car had a coax in that calibre, which was most definitely chambered in .30-06, so that doesn’t really help.

BTW, did you use M1919 Brownings on helicopters, or were they the British aircraft versions, like used on Spitfires etc. during the Second World War? Because those are the only ones I know of that were made in .303 from the factory.

 

[Snowman]

Now I’m curious I just got out my copy of Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1985–86, guessing that it might have an entry for the Eland. And indeed, page 204 does. It says the machine guns were “7.62 mm”, so now I need to browse a bit to see if they also use that to refer to ones I know were in .30-06 in the 1980s. Hmm … it seems Jane’s just uses “7.62 mm” for any weapon of that calibre, since it also says the American mate armoured car had a coax in that calibre, which was most definitely chambered in .30-06, so that doesn’t really help.

BTW, did you use M1919 Brownings on helicopters, or were they the British aircraft versions, like used on Spitfires etc. during the Second World War? Because those are the only ones I know of that were made in .303 from the factory.

It was definitely .303 as it was a 1947 vintage that we strapped to the top of a Bedford and took down to the stop butt to check if was "functioning correctly". The Pumas had a 7.62mm MAG as we called them (LMG) on a pintle mount in the doorway. This was also "tested for functionality".

 

[Snowman]

Managed to mount the ammo box onto the .303 Browning.

Did some work on the revised engine bay.

The old engine bay cover.

Revised engine bay WIP.

Making good progress, very happy with my efforts.

Till the next update.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

That is looking really neat, and some great scratch work as well.

 

[Snowman]

The engine bay is coming along nicely. Still the rear grill to go. 3D print or scratch?

Happy with the look so far. Just need to decide my approach for grill.

Till the next update!

 

[scottie3158]

Looking good with some great scratchery.

 

[Mickc1440]

That's looking very nice, lovely scratch work

 

[Jakko]

Like this?

(source)

That doesn't look too hard to scratchbuild to me. If I were to do it myself I’d cut strips of plastic card for the slats and hide spacers towards the back.

 

[Snowman]

Like this?

(source)

That doesn't look too hard to scratchbuild to me. If I were to do it myself I’d cut strips of plastic card for the slats and hide spacers towards the back.

You must have been reading my mind.

 

[Snowman]

Like this?

(source)

That doesn't look too hard to scratchbuild to me. If I were to do it myself I’d cut strips of plastic card for the slats and hide spacers towards the back.

Not too hard, but damnably fiddly.

I started last night, very happy thus far, very crisp.
Till the next update.

 

[scottie3158]

Nicely done.

 

[Waspie]

Now I’m curious I just got out my copy of Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1985–86, guessing that it might have an entry for the Eland. And indeed, page 204 does. It says the machine guns were “7.62 mm”, so now I need to browse a bit to see if they also use that to refer to ones I know were in .30-06 in the 1980s. Hmm … it seems Jane’s just uses “7.62 mm” for any weapon of that calibre, since it also says the American mate armoured car had a coax in that calibre, which was most definitely chambered in .30-06, so that doesn’t really help.

BTW, did you use M1919 Brownings on helicopters, or were they the British aircraft versions, like used on Spitfires etc. during the Second World War? Because those are the only ones I know of that were made in .303 from the factory.

Whilst not knocking Janes publications. (I used them a lot in when employed as a recognition instructor as well as a useful ‘aid’ when embarked operationally). They can tend to be a tad behind as far a weapons/dates are concerned. It was best supplemented with Janes Defence Journal which is a monthly update and carries the latest intel.

 

[Jakko]

True, but for reference and stats on older gear, it’s usually a pretty good resource. It would have been nice if they’d specified things like calibres a little more carefully, though