I think we'll need a bigger shovel!

[paulh]

I was nearly going to post this in "things that float" but ...

On the basis of the box art for this one, you would be forgiven for thinking that what you were getting was from the initial production batch,



but a quick glance inside would seem to indicate at least a late batch 5 or possibly batch 6 vehicle.
For the uninitiated; the presence of a very obvious wind sensor on the turret roof –not present after the 2nd batch and also the absence of the loading hatch in the turret side- removed part way through the 5th batch.





On this basis I’m going to call it a 2A4, but am happy to be corrected by anyone more in the know. So using that as a starting point and this as inspiration;




The plan is to only use the turret from the kit and maybe improve some of the detailing, The biggest challenges are going to be the groundwork and a figure or two I have in mind.

Not sure how long this one is going to take

TTFN
P

[paulh]

I actively seek 'em out believe it or not!

Batch (Baulos)as opposed to model: The 2a4 proper was from the 5th production batch onwards - kinda l9ike the Ausf business used on the various versions of panthers, tigers etc way back when. - so afraid no sratcherising (currently) planned.
I'll have enough to do with figures & groundwork

[deafpanzer]

WHOA! Great reference picture!!! Glad to know it will never happen to an Abrams, right? LOLOL Count me in if you are really going to do this!!! Throw in couple of female figures for some kind of mud wrestling contest.

[paulh]

Andy- I'm starting to worry about your exposure to solvents and such like - That's the 2nd reference to mud-wrestelling in 24 hours Planning to use the pic as a basis rather than atrue reproduction abd like most of my builds this is going to be a bit of a stop/start kinda thing
P

[Deleted]

I C Wut U B Sayin!

[Deleted]

This will be a fun dio !

[Leon]

Count me in Paul.

[wbill76]

I'm in too!

[paulh]

Cheers guys, nice to have you along.

[Deano]

Oooo a half sunken tank , I like where this is going , shalst be watching!

Deano

[406 Silverado]

This should be quite interesting

[paulh]

Welcome along Deano.
Boss - quiet interesting is something of an understatement
P

[paulh]

Patience man- I've had to go out for a work related thing but will get the sprue shots up tomorrow night.
Having started this one I now need to figure out how I'm going to do it -especially the mud
P

[paulh]

Well here are the sprue shots demanded requested by his most holiness Squidmeister









And the tracks- bandy things with this horrible EP /knowckout marks on virtually every inner pad - suppose it's a good job they're not going to be used



Details are a bit soft- e.g. some tools molded onto engine deck and that kind of thing but seems generally ok.
I think some details will be included to finese things a wee bit.

One particular thing I just don't get with this (and the Italeri versions for that matter) is the integration of the side-skirts and box hatches on the hull side- makes a skirtless build a tad more difficult.

Examining the picture that inspired this you can see that part of the hull is still (just about) visible. I'm still not sure though whether or not I'll use the hull top provided. Though it might help with scaling things out more accurately and also stop it looking like a turret just dropped into a load of mud.

Any thoughts on this guys:
Hull top or no hull top?

P

[Deano]

Hi Paul , well if you look at the pic the upper hull is caked in mud so its hard to make out any features . Seems a shame to scratch something to cover it up like that .....just depends how far you are going to go with the finish?

Deano

[Leon]

Paul,i say go with the hull top as it would look more realistic than just the turret sitting in mud.

[paulh]

Dano, Leon, -thank you both very much. Having slept on this I'm also inclined to go with using the hull top.
P

[Deleted]

Hull top would be my plan too Paul, looking at the pic you can see a bit of the front plate too. So maybe an ultra thin wedge from the front back to just after the turret?  Just IMHO anyway 

[Tobi]

Hi Paul, agree with the guys. Hull top included is a must. You can always cover it up with mud in the end.

Take pictures from the submerged Sherman kit by Verlinden as an orientation how to achieve a good result!

Cheers,
Tobi

[paulh]

Hi Sterve and Tobi- really appreciate both your inputs on this one. Thanks.

Well then it looks like this is also going to be my first "Wedgie". Should be interesting. Still have quiet a bit of figuring out to do with this before glue meets styrene. I do have few days off comming up so once the garden is sorted I might be able to get started.

Stay tuned peeps.
P

[paulh]

I've been playing around with this for a while this evening and have just come to realise that becuase of the way this needs to go together about the only thing that wont be used will be the running gear
P

[AndyArgent]

This looks to be a great idea.watching

[paulh]

Yup jackwagon -this going to be a build the whole thing then bury it
Not going to be too worried about correcting to much on then hull as it will be for the most part covered.

Andy - very nice to have you along )just be aware- it is not going to be speedy.
P

[wing_nut]

Buried? can't wait to see that.

[AndyArgent]

Bit like me then Paul

[Deleted]

Paul,do you remember that Chiefy,VI did over on MM a coupla years ago?The bogged down one,with the crew fitting the winch cables?This is VERY like that,but with a LOT more ferkin mud!!!!

[paulh]

Yup- I do remeber that one now that you mention it- I have a look.
Cheers
P

Found it CB- thanks for the heads-up.

[paulh]

Cheers Chris- not so sure about the magic though