- Joined
- Apr 27, 2018
- Messages
- 1,758
- Points
- 113
- First Name
- Michael
Had this one in the stash for some time and as always along comes something to divert your attention.
As the Comet base is drying in the clamps and the packs are just about finished, I thought iIwould get another build out of the cupboard and finish it off.
So, when I finished my training and got sent up to the Battalion, and being a 5' 8' runt I got put with all the other runts in the Anti-Tank Platoon. At that time we were equipped with the MOWBAT 120mm Anti-Tank weapon. A few weeks later it was off to sunny Aden and a meeting with the WOMBAT. This was used to great effect in frightening crows (commonly called s***e hawks) and other things with wings including RAF Hunters, and seeing off the shepherds and a few sheep, chops all over the place and not a drop of mint sauce. Later we returned to the UK and back to the MOWBATS and duly towed them all over the country, great for storing bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale in the barrels...
Next posting was to Germany - Munster Kaserne and across the road Pinkys Bar, and it was here that we made the aquaintance again of the WOMBAT. No Bren gun on this baby, we had gone up in the world... a socking great .5, and the first words were "Do not stand in front of it, it is very tempramental." And not only that it came with its own transport a Land Rover, but not just any LR, an open LR, and not a drop of wet weather gear to hand, Oh the gun had it - we drowned....
So I now go back to my ill spent first few years in the army trying to drink Germany dry and other things with German ladies....
Having obtained the Italeri L/R I then went on the hunt for the David J Parkins white metal and etched brass conversion kit. This come to you with a complete WOMBAT and the brass to not only add the ammo bins but also new fron grill, windshield and other goodies. A new set of wheels from Accurate Armour started the ball rolling.
First job was to assemble the chassis and running gear, although not seen here I did add some aluminium tube between the brake drums and the axles to add strength and support. Also added was a new tail pipe from stainless steel tube and exhaust clamps for and aft of the rear axle.
I went a bit far when flattening the tyres, but once on a base the difference will not be noticable...
The kit front leaves a bit to be desired, the top of the wings leave a very big step between the upper wings and the front body panel. This was cemented with liquid cement and then filled with cellulose body stopper, also the ends of the wings/door support were filled. The bonnet/hood need the front underside to be ground away untill you are almost through the plastic, this is to allow the new grill to be fitted. This comes as two parts, the first it the mesh grill and the second is the 'bars' that you see at the front of the grill. As you can see I have taken off the side lights and indicators this will allow the later fitting of the SKP Models set of light lens for the L/R.
Here you can see where the ammo bins have been folded and soldered and c/a'd to the frame that sits across the bodywork. This panel is a very tight fit and will involve a bit of sanding of the inner wall of the bodywork plus some cutting away from the underside plastic, but this is nothing to worry about, just fit - sand - fit again.
And here is a mock-up of the vehicle so far, in the background you can see the new wind shield, and on the vehicle the lower part, there are some spare brackets for the wind shield if you lose one or two. On the lower front dash/ engine tunnel you can see I have added the heater controls, but that is a personal choice.
And that is the amount of work so far.
Cheers,
Mike.
As the Comet base is drying in the clamps and the packs are just about finished, I thought iIwould get another build out of the cupboard and finish it off.
So, when I finished my training and got sent up to the Battalion, and being a 5' 8' runt I got put with all the other runts in the Anti-Tank Platoon. At that time we were equipped with the MOWBAT 120mm Anti-Tank weapon. A few weeks later it was off to sunny Aden and a meeting with the WOMBAT. This was used to great effect in frightening crows (commonly called s***e hawks) and other things with wings including RAF Hunters, and seeing off the shepherds and a few sheep, chops all over the place and not a drop of mint sauce. Later we returned to the UK and back to the MOWBATS and duly towed them all over the country, great for storing bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale in the barrels...
Next posting was to Germany - Munster Kaserne and across the road Pinkys Bar, and it was here that we made the aquaintance again of the WOMBAT. No Bren gun on this baby, we had gone up in the world... a socking great .5, and the first words were "Do not stand in front of it, it is very tempramental." And not only that it came with its own transport a Land Rover, but not just any LR, an open LR, and not a drop of wet weather gear to hand, Oh the gun had it - we drowned....
So I now go back to my ill spent first few years in the army trying to drink Germany dry and other things with German ladies....
Having obtained the Italeri L/R I then went on the hunt for the David J Parkins white metal and etched brass conversion kit. This come to you with a complete WOMBAT and the brass to not only add the ammo bins but also new fron grill, windshield and other goodies. A new set of wheels from Accurate Armour started the ball rolling.
First job was to assemble the chassis and running gear, although not seen here I did add some aluminium tube between the brake drums and the axles to add strength and support. Also added was a new tail pipe from stainless steel tube and exhaust clamps for and aft of the rear axle.
I went a bit far when flattening the tyres, but once on a base the difference will not be noticable...
The kit front leaves a bit to be desired, the top of the wings leave a very big step between the upper wings and the front body panel. This was cemented with liquid cement and then filled with cellulose body stopper, also the ends of the wings/door support were filled. The bonnet/hood need the front underside to be ground away untill you are almost through the plastic, this is to allow the new grill to be fitted. This comes as two parts, the first it the mesh grill and the second is the 'bars' that you see at the front of the grill. As you can see I have taken off the side lights and indicators this will allow the later fitting of the SKP Models set of light lens for the L/R.
Here you can see where the ammo bins have been folded and soldered and c/a'd to the frame that sits across the bodywork. This panel is a very tight fit and will involve a bit of sanding of the inner wall of the bodywork plus some cutting away from the underside plastic, but this is nothing to worry about, just fit - sand - fit again.
And here is a mock-up of the vehicle so far, in the background you can see the new wind shield, and on the vehicle the lower part, there are some spare brackets for the wind shield if you lose one or two. On the lower front dash/ engine tunnel you can see I have added the heater controls, but that is a personal choice.
And that is the amount of work so far.
Cheers,
Mike.
.
....