Comet-ed

[Andy T]

A few more bits done this afternoon like the side skirts and some storage boxes, but the main task was the tow ropes.

Out of the box the tow ropes are moulded complete with their mounting brackets. Ideal if you're portraying them as normal, but if this vehicle is being towed it wouldn't quite make sense!



So after a bit of chopping, scraping and sanding we had one of these:



Along with filling the mounting holes (I'd missed one in this shot) it looks pretty presentable



And with most of the other bits & bobs that go in this area (sorry about the glare)

 

[scottie3158]

Nice work

 

[Valeron]

I'm late to the party Andy. Looking forward to seeing this one develop.

Mike

 

[Andy T]

Thanks Paul.

Good to have you along Mike. There's no rush, I think this will be a lengthy one.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Yep, looking pretty hunky dory to me.

 

[Andy T]

Cheers Andy.

Hull is finished and I'm on with the turret now. Might have it built by the end of the day, depending how long I nap for...

 

[Jack L]

Looks good Andy, Even if not being towed, two lots of identically laid out tow lines probably wouldn’t have looked right!

 

[Andy T]

Thanks Jack.

I've also left the tools off for now for a similar reason. I'm sure someone would have grabbed a shovel or something in the chaos.

 

[Andy T]

T
Apart from the tools assembly is complete on the first one, all broken down ready for the wet stuff. I've left the hatches and their liners separate until I decide what's going where.



The barrel has a hole through it which serves no purpose but perfectly fits a Mark 1 toothpick. I'd love to think someone at Tamiya designed it like that!



Time to crack open the next one!


As a bit of advice, what other vehicles would be suitable for this scene if I decide to add them? I know the Comet was very late war so not sure if a Universal Carrier or some kind of armoured car would be a good fit? Nothing too large like another tank, but something extra to fill the space and assist in the efforts.

A Dingo?

Thanks.

 

[outrunner]

Andy, Gecko do a nice Daimler armoured car in 1/35 but after the wee Bedford water tanker you might not fancy another Gecko kit.

Andy

 

[Andy T]

That's a good shout Andy, thanks.

I've done another of their kits fine and my head's screwed on a bit better these days so I'll have a look.

The Miniart Dingo I'm looking at (#35077) seems out of stock everywhere, so it may be the 70's Tamiya!

 

[JR]

Most impressed Andy with the fact that all the wheels are able to be removed, a touch of Si Benson there.

Tracks, well apart from Fruils I've never been able to manage them, despite numerous help from other showing me how it's done .
I either have them fall apart when attempting the bend or in rare cases left them far too long before trying to put them on !
Having the tape on and leaving after you've wrapped them around is something I shall attempt.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

........despite numerous help from other showing me how it's done .
I either have them fall apart when attempting the bend or in rare cases left them far too long before trying to put them on !

.... completely concur.... with BOTH of those scenarios John !!
That's why I like "Rubber band" tracks,( OH,the heresy of that statement ), well,the more recent ones, that is.

 

[Andy T]

John, I just need a whole box full of cocktail sticks to mount both sets now

I'm lucky that they were fairly idiot proof really, makes me look better at tracks than I really am lol. The only set I've found easier were on the Takom PL-01 which included a full assembly jig.

Noyhing wrong with rubber band tracks in my eyes Andy. Certainly takes a whole lot of faff out of the build.

 

[JR]

.... completely concur.... with BOTH of those scenarios John !!
That's why I like "Rubber band" tracks,( OH,the heresy of that statement ), well,the more recent ones, that is.

Ooh not alone then Andy, beginning to think I was the only one.
Sorry Andy for the intrusion.

 

[Andy T]

Sorry Andy for the intrusion.

No problem John, I seem to have lost most onlookers already, but I guess it's hard to make building a Tamiya kit sexy enough to draw a crowd. Especially twice

Hull, wheels & tracks are almost complete on no.2 but to add a bit of something extra I had a go at posing one of the side stowage bins open. Due to their construction it meant chopping off the lid, thinning the plastic down and removing the locking bar detail before adding it back in the open position with lead wire.

Nothing sensational but with a small amount of tweaking and little bit of junk inside it might be something else to draw the eye.

 

[stillp]

Still looking in Andy, just didn't have much to say.
Pete

 

[Andy T]

Glad you're still with me Pete. Hopefully things will get a bit more interesting soon

 

[JR]

Well it's interesting to me Andy.
The last time I saw one of these in the flesh was at Borden on a recovery training course. It was sunk in a lake well over the towing eyes. Guess who had to go in and fit the winch rope ?

 

[Neil Merryweather]

Still looking in Andy, just didn't have much to say.
Pete

Me too Andy.
Don't judge by the number of replies, just check the views. It can be a bit disheartening when few people comment, but it's reassuring to know that they are still interested even if they are not saying anything.
Believe me, when you do a build that lasts more than 2 years and basically involves 17 versions of a figure with the same uniform, it's not surprising people run out of things to say....