Just another quick update:
I really wanted to do some painting but I’ve had so much deliberation with my sources, inaccuracies to deal with and some brute hacking and slashing. I must commend
Tamiya for their past efforts - back in the day they were light years ahead and one of the only brands to go to - as
Airfix back then looked like it had been moulded from clay (Aside from their now very dated 1/24 aircraft)
I digress. I still have a little more to do before the paint starts spraying. Many of the tools are completely wrong both in dimensions and placement. I managed to scrounge some parts from my spares.
You must excuse the unfinished look - some parts still need a little clean up. The tow pin was missing as was the coolant top and chain. The rear flaps were brutally hacked off because they were way too long, inaccurate and to make way for some replacement parts.
here you can see the spare track rail and some of the custom tools and their repositioning. It doesnt look much but I had to check up on a lot of contradictory sources: the track rail can be shorter, the spare antenna rods were way too short and the lug holes had to be filled in (many others as well) The starter crank was too short by far - I just added a bit on. You can make out the replacements. The spade is yet to be fitted - the kit one is way too short. I’ll be getting a new Jack from somewhere. The wrench on the front fender was for an earlier version so lug holes filled in.
The rear light (yet to go on) was also a PITA because even the scale drawings only show one type whereas
Tamiya supply another. I was about to scratch the new type when I finally spotted the type supplied. These things were often knocked off in combat (as were the rear flaps)
Riveting now done.
The scissor scope will really make the profile a little more interesting. The exhaust muffler needs to be done right - my first attempt!
Thats it for now.