king derelict

Thanks Jav, Vespid seems to make a nice AFV kit. I will confess, I hadn’t heard of the Comet until I saw the kit online. Although it saw some action at the end of the war, it wasn’t a classic WW2 tank and for some reason it wasnt used in Korea I think we had the last of the Churchills and the Centurion. Not sure why Comets didn’t go, as I understand it, they were a tank that solved most of the Churchills problems. Alan

With the Comet finished it is now time to get this one moving. I’ve been getting a bit vexed with the nail brushes. I’m probably too heavy handed with them but they are now beginning to lose their point and stray bristles escape from the rest and paint goes somewhere where it’s not wanted. I invested in these and they are a delight so far, this one can handle small details and it also holds a reasonable amount of paint. Ive been building up the basic glazes on the drummer. The blue seems to have a bit of a gloss to it and in spite of the primer shading it’s a bit too uniform. I am planning to try to simulate fading, considering he is supposed to be at Pensacola. That might take care of the problems. basics of the face have been painted in. I’m trying for a young look so no stubble or mustache. The paler skin might go against the whole Pensacola thing but he is wearing a hat. The mouth will be tidied up as part of the general cleanup. And the dog had some work done. This is new ground for me so I’m not really sure about the best way to simulate the fur. I can also see a seam that needs attention. There is something in front of his right ear that doesn’t look right too. May do a bit of filing.Paws will be next. There is something basic paints are on the drummer and now the white tensioning straps need touching up. The painting guide shows the Royal Arms painted on the drummer and now but that is completely beyond my skill. Thanks for looking in. it’s fun to be back painting these little fellows Alan

Thanks Ken. I think it possible to over weather tanks, especially in 1/72. alan

Thank you very much OC. It’s a nice kit to build. Alan

The turrets are great. She’s really looking superb now. I can’t believe it’s card. alan

Thank you very much Andrew. It’s great to see the Gannet moving forward. That’s a terrific subject. Alan

Thank you very much EG Your detailed advice on track painting was extremely helpful. I learnt a lot. Manganese Steel sounds horrible to machine but I’m assuming that the sprocket wheels must be made of something similar otherwise the tracks would quickly wear the teeth off them. alan

Thank you very much Phil. Vespid have an interesting range of subjects so another one is tempting. alan

Thank you Chris. generally it was very enjoyable alan

Thank you very much Patrick. The photos were lifesavers at some points in the build. They were super helpful. Instructions don’t seem to be Vespids strong point. alan

Coming on really nicely. The ladder is a very nice touch. alan

Far too many distractions but Ive been getting bits done here and there. last two bits of PE were a puzzle. The instructions show P4 as mounted on the turret but not where. The helpful photos provided by Patrick once again came in very handy and confirmed that there is nothing similar on the real machine. Again P9 is supposed to be situated in front of the driver’s hatch but the photos show nothing there so these pieces have been omitted. That done the tank was ready for paint touch up and a gloss coat ready for the decals. The decals came off the backing paper nicely and laid down smoothly. spade was added and the towing cable. The kit supplies a length of braided wire for this but no indication of placement or length. Once again those photos …… Many thanks again @Baker The wire looked under scale and too springy to use easily so I substituted a piece of rigging cord painted light grey (galvanized I assume) and added the kit supplied eyes to each end. This was added to the front deck and suddenly it was obvious what some of the PE bits were for. ive used some diluted buff acrylic paint to simulate a light coat of road dust. I can’t imagine that peacetime tanks were encouraged to be scruffy. I enjoyed building this kit and actually found it to be easier but still well detailed compared to the Flyhawk kits. I’m very tempted to try another Vespid kit but I’m trying to hold to a moratorium on buying anything else until the pile is reduced. Many thanks for looking in, for the likes and very helpful support. Over to the little drummer boy now I think. alan

Looks stunning. The color is beautiful. Congratulations alan

Super work. Congratulations alan

Really great work Andy. That’s a beautiful Mosquito. alan