1/35 cromwell

[kaktus]

Workbench is (almost) clean and it's tme to start a new project. This time I will focus my weathering with mud and maybe some snow. There is some good references of whitewashed cromwells in january 45.


Everything starts with some surgery.. 


A little soldering and fenders are in place. Needs still a little cleanup.

[lyle]

Nice!

[jester75]

Yes!! Love to see more British armor being built. Excellent work on soldering those fenders!

[stikpusher]

That is a great kit OOB! Aside from fragile tracks that are best replaced, it is a real gem of a kit. Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours here!

[406 Silverado]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh BOY!!! I got my popcorn ready and am looking forward to another smokin' hot build from you Jukka!

[TJ]

I'm watching

[handiabled]

I'll be following along with this for sure

[kaktus]

Mar 22, 2024 16:24:57 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

That is a great kit OOB! Aside from fragile tracks that are best replaced, it is a real gem of a kit. Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours here!

It sure looks a good kit. I'm planning to change kit tracks to panzerwerk design. 

Work continues with engine deck. Tamiya has somehow picked a wrong model deck. Not a big deal to fix, a little different layout for hatches.


Layout corrected and started working with pe hinges. 


Thanks for watching!

[buddho]

Heck of a start...the PE work looks tedious, but worth the results.

[kaktus]

Hinges and locks are in place. Type D deck has two locks more than type C so I had to leave two in plastic. I'm adding stowage so it's not a problem. Same goes with hinges. 



Test fitting storage bin. Needs soldering and all detail parts. I hate to bend those long hinges..

[handiabled]

That piano hinge looks fantastic! Your pe improvements are looking great so far

[kaktus]

More work with boxes. When pressing rivets, grooves etc, it's good to use a foam block under pe part.


Piano hinge bend against copper wire.

[kaktus]

Some progress again. Got fender boxes and exhaust cowl done. References show quite heavy bending in rear part of the fenders. 

[dupes]

You're going to have more PE than plastic at this rate! More patient than me with the etch, that's for sure.

[kaktus]

Mar 31, 2024 17:10:55 GMT -5 dupes said:

You're going to have more PE than plastic at this rate! More patient than me with the etch, that's for sure.

That is exactly what I'm doing here.   

Got smoke launchers and wiring done. That small spring goes to side hatch handle, pe set had a handle in pe, but it was a way too flat. Kit part looks better here. Also changed besa.mg barrel for excellent master model product.

[handiabled]

That is some fantastic photo etch work. This gets better and better

[lyle]

I am so envious of you that can do these things with PE. Makes this really pop.

[adt70hk]

Very cool!!! What are you using for the base model?

[kyledehart5]

This is some truly exceptional work!!

[kaktus]

Thank you everyone!

Apr 2, 2024 16:59:18 GMT -5 adt70hk said:

Very cool!!! What are you using for the
base model?

It's Tamiya kit and all pe is from aber.

[kaktus]

Got a few more details done. I really like making these british tool holders, a way more fun than german style clamps.



Photos show that front armor plates are roughly textured, tamiya has some in their parts, but can be improved. Needs wiring for lamps and some other details.

[handiabled]

You have mad photoetch skills sir! Looking excellent!

[deafpanzer]

So sorry that I am late to your party! Excellent work especially the soldering part!!! 👍👍

[tcoat]

Came across this really cool series of videos last night. First one I saw was the Cromwell and I immediately thought of your project.

[kaktus]

Apr 12, 2024 7:59:53 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Came across this really cool series of videos last night. First one I saw was the Cromwell and I immediately thought of your project.

That was a very interesting video! Thanks for the link! 

[406 Silverado]

Excellent work on the details here Jukka. Good LORD man!!

[moparmadness]

Wow, that’s some insane PE detail right there!

[kaktus]

Thanks! Did a little work today. Search light was a little model itself.. Needs some cleaning still.



Had to test how it looks with the turret on. 







Moving to rear mudguards. Those always seem to be pretty beaten, then found this good pic from IWM, where left one is blown up. That was just what I needed!



CROMWELL TANKS IN NW EUROPE 1944-45. © IWM (B 9038) IWM Non Commercial License

[deafpanzer]

Really like the damage on the fenders! The spotlight addition will be a looker when it is done.