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Centurion Mk.1 by Baker - Airfix - scale 1/76 - PLASTIC - an Airfix Centurion conversion


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Posted

This will be an attempt to convert an old Airfix Centurion (Mk.8) into a Centurion Mk.1

 

General Centurion info: Wikipedia  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centurion_(tank)#Centurion_production_mark_numbers


While looking for parts for another project I came across this old "box with parts". And i knew I once had a description of how to build a Mk.1 "somewhere".


This will be a build that will end in one of 2 different possibilities.
1: A model in the cabinet

2: plastic waste in the trash bin 

 

Base
An Airfix Centurion. An Airfix magazine from 1977 and a book Centurion in action from Squadron / Signal publications.

20201223_190810.thumb.jpg.ef66349bbb5d21fca46e1947e5896859.jpg20201223_190822.thumb.jpg.4fc7a8d172d85ebeffefff042ee847c7.jpg20201223_190835.thumb.jpg.291bd3fce2cffbf0bbac5a9e3f800007.jpg20201223_190852.thumb.jpg.28e138d74ee4d5ae83975f89ce92cb14.jpg20201223_190857.thumb.jpg.c7e181990909b2ba0d3eb542c48e887e.jpg

 

The hull of the Mk.1 & 2 was longer than the later models. This is also stated in the Airfix description.
Plastic Surgery needed...

20201223_192840.thumb.jpg.b843d5a18d6ea2cf0baf7ee06af10625.jpg20201223_194020.thumb.jpg.769c7cce150e5be8f48b75b61515689b.jpg

Let dry, and fingers crossed for a successful build :Whew:

 

Posted
5 minutes ago, Backer said:

Let dry, and fingers crossed for a successful build

I understand fully, but I think you've got it handled Patrick....

 

Ambitious project.....

Current Build: F-86F-30 Sabre by Egilman - Kinetic - 1/32nd scale

In the Garage: East Bound & Down, Building a Smokey & the Bandit Kenworth Rig in 1/25th scale

Completed: M8A1 HST  1930 Packard Boattail Speedster  M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer  F-4J Phantom II Bell H-13's P-51B/C

Temporary Suspension: USS Gwin DD-433  F-104C Starfighter "Blue Jay Four" 1/32nd Scale

Terminated Build: F-104C Starfighter

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:

"Relish Today, Ketchup Tomorrow"

Posted

Was this from one of Airfix  poly bags (some were not put in boxes  but were in a clear bag with a stapled piece of card along the top)   dating from the 70s?   if so I too have built one of these  as a kid.

 

OC.

Current builds  


28mm  Battle of Waterloo   attack on La Haye Saint   Diorama.

1/700  HMS Hood   Flyhawk   with  PE, Resin  and Wood Decking.

 

 

 

Completed works.

 

Dragon 1/700 HMS Edinburgh type 42 batch 3 Destroyer plastic.

HMS Warspite Academy 1/350 plastic kit and wem parts.

HMS Trafalgar Airfix 1/350 submarine  plastic.

Black Pearl  1/72  Revell   with  pirate crew.

Revell  1/48  Mosquito  B IV

Eduard  1/48  Spitfire IX

ICM    1/48   Seafire Mk.III   Special Conversion

1/48  Kinetic  Sea Harrier  FRS1

Posted
14 hours ago, Javlin said:

Cool! :imNotWorthy: Kevin

14 hours ago, Egilman said:

I understand fully, but I think you've got it handled Patrick....

 

Ambitious project.....

10 hours ago, Canute said:

Very nice, a kit-bash. I'm in, too.

Thanks everyone and welcome

 

10 hours ago, Old Collingwood said:

Was this from one of Airfix  poly bags

I think so, and it did come out later in a box. 

 

With few modifications, different models can be made, and I think the kit in the box represents a Mk.5. 

My Airfix Centurions 

20201224_100944.thumb.jpg.a065ccfc01d28b231674ca454b5c08d9.jpg

178 463/BG73 Centurion (10,5cm diesel)
179 539/GB81 Centurion Mk.2
180 544/GB82 Centurion Mk.3
181 58/GB10 Centurion Mk.5
182 646/GB94 Centurion Mk.5/2
183 1414/GB176 Centurion FV-4005 18,3cm
Posted

That is one Lethal box Patrick!

 

I would think that with that many completed Centurions there is a possibility you may be the local expert on the design.

Lou

 

Build logs: Colonial sloop Providence 1/48th scale kit bashed from AL Independence

Currant builds:

Constructo Brigantine Sentinel (Union) (On hold)

Minicraft 1/350 Titanic (For the Admiral)

1/350 Heavy Cruiser USS Houston (Resin)

Currant research/scratchbuild:

Schooner USS Lanikai/Hermes

Non ship build log:

1/35th UH-1H Huey

 

Posted (edited)

Thanks,

 

Airfix sells / sold this kit as a Mk.8. This is certainly not a Mk.8, but a Mk.3 or 5.

 

Extending the hull was successful. Reinforcements have been added inside, so later on there is only some cleaning here and there.

The chance that this model ends up in the waste bin has become very small :Whew:

20201224_165605.thumb.jpg.d8afd03fd311f20ae3880b9ee6192d4d.jpg20201224_165619.thumb.jpg.4d5c58c782b2aba2cc4a744a40b34480.jpg20201225_112115.thumb.jpg.6ba261019121cb8ab08e870679af24fd.jpg20201225_112122.thumb.jpg.2eff0b6d7d82f786f935a0906b7f3af4.jpg

Discovered something, this build cannot go wrong
The kit was "born" in 1964 (and that was a very good year ;)

20201224_163146.thumb.jpg.c06fb2d1530e4fc053feee23b5b01a8a.jpg

Thanks for following,  and a merry Christmass and happy new year

Edited by Backer
Posted
24 minutes ago, Backer said:

The kit was "born" in 1964 (and that was a very good year ;)

A very good year indeed 😁 I'm in Patrick 

Current builds;

 Henry Ramey Upcher 1:25 - on hold

 HMS Winchelsea 1764 1:48 

Completed:

HM Cutter Sherbourne- 1:64 - FINISHED   Triton cross section scratch- 1:60 - FINISHED

Providence whaleboat- 1:25 - FINISHED

 

Non ship:  SBD-3 Dauntless 1:48 Hasegawa -FINISHED

 

 

Posted (edited)

After the top plate was applied, cleaning and sanding of the hull started (with a too sharp knife 👍👎)

20201227_170354.thumb.jpg.d785ee9801b9e43beee6c8704e870d0c.jpg

The mudguards are cleaned up, extended and glued

20201228_191108.thumb.jpg.ff2a19c2f1234b3dd4105278c03c5f8e.jpg20201229_185959.thumb.jpg.c064614158fe19a44aaa85ce28d0c4a1.jpg

The upper part of the hull is adjusted and the engine exhausts extended. And i have a full bag with new clamps.

20201230_185943.thumb.jpg.b08f654115c894d7dfd0c9352588818b.jpg

 

Extra detailing on the hull. A previously built Mk.3 serves as example.20201230_194708.thumb.jpg.8a152f67d20568e9591bf0712fee0f0d.jpg

I will see you all back in 2021  :champagne-popping-smiley-emotic

Edited by Backer
Posted

Ouch.... I hope no stitches were needed.  There's an old saying around these parts... "there will be blood".  Luckily, it's not always enforced.

Mark
"The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me

Current Build:                                                                                             
Past Builds:
 La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD           Triton Cross-Section   

 NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit                                                                            HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64               

 

Non-Ship Model:                                                                                         On hold, maybe forever:           

CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed                                                   Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned)         

         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Posted

Finger healed 👍. And continue to build the Centurion.

Additional details on the front and top.

20210105_185922.thumb.jpg.b9c8219b814f95775c5fd2724847fbe1.jpg20210105_185952.thumb.jpg.d5436f8357ba70fe22b36028324064b6.jpg

 

Now we will continue with the back and the top of the engine compartment.

Thanks for folowing .

Posted

very nicely done Patrick!........love what your doing here!  ;)   I've had a few cuts in my day........glad you healed up OK :) 

I yam wot I yam!

finished builds:
Billings Nordkap 476 / Billings Cux 87 / Billings Mary Ann / Billings AmericA - reissue
Billings Regina - bashed into the Susan A / Andrea Gail 1:20 - semi scratch w/ Billing instructions
M&M Fun Ship - semi scratch build / Gundalow - scratch build / Jeanne D'Arc - Heller
Phylly C & Denny-Zen - the Lobsie twins - bashed & semi scratch dual build

Billing T78 Norden

 

in dry dock:
Billing's Gothenborg 1:100 / Billing's Boulogne Etaples 1:20
Billing's Half Moon 1:40 - some scratch required
Revell U.S.S. United States 1:96 - plastic/ wood modified / Academy Titanic 1:400
Trawler Syborn - semi scratch / Holiday Harbor dual build - semi scratch

Posted

Continue with the hull.
The modifications for a Mk.1 on the engine compartment with plastic strip

20210105_193922.thumb.jpg.3c1787442a636e64cfc28bec1241c855.jpg20210107_194623.thumb.jpg.cbdd9eb2f20ca97e3eaec425d42d7622.jpg

Extra details and cabels at the rear.

20210107_195537.thumb.jpg.20fc08b39fb2cabed0d9730fbd181400.jpg

the Turret ..
The author of the article explains the construction method very well. Unfortunately, it does not provide any dimensions or clear construction drawings.

20210107_195754.thumb.jpg.c67a297c360679543348cf3db183f9b1.jpg

That is why we start with the bottom plate and some "frames" as supports for the sides and tops of the turret.

20210108_192817.thumb.jpg.f9f288a45c0185618a1e3856b3450390.jpg20210108_195051.thumb.jpg.17ab6d1c08b8fb6e0b137e06fed6546c.jpg

To be continued, thanks for following.

Posted

sounds as bad as I am........I never write down measurements :blush:  I take it for granted concerning the scale I'm working on and try to stay with the scale.  as you've done,  it's always best to start at the bottom and work your way to the top  ;)   it does appear that your working from text,  so at least you have something to work with.  very nice detail work! 

 

I just noticed it.......but it appears that your missing a tooth on one of the track sections on the front of the body {left one}.    looks easy to add one :)   I'm not nit picking,  but I can see your a man of perfection ;) 

I yam wot I yam!

finished builds:
Billings Nordkap 476 / Billings Cux 87 / Billings Mary Ann / Billings AmericA - reissue
Billings Regina - bashed into the Susan A / Andrea Gail 1:20 - semi scratch w/ Billing instructions
M&M Fun Ship - semi scratch build / Gundalow - scratch build / Jeanne D'Arc - Heller
Phylly C & Denny-Zen - the Lobsie twins - bashed & semi scratch dual build

Billing T78 Norden

 

in dry dock:
Billing's Gothenborg 1:100 / Billing's Boulogne Etaples 1:20
Billing's Half Moon 1:40 - some scratch required
Revell U.S.S. United States 1:96 - plastic/ wood modified / Academy Titanic 1:400
Trawler Syborn - semi scratch / Holiday Harbor dual build - semi scratch

Posted
On 1/14/2021 at 5:50 PM, popeye the sailor said:

it appears that your missing a tooth on one of the track sections

Well spotted 👍    Went to the dentist to get a new tooth for the Centurion 😬🤣

20210115_194520.thumb.jpg.4fe134e42851a35657cc44a2641c90e5.jpg
The turret (the basic shape) is made of plastic plate and plaster.

Yes plaster on plastic. I have been using it for over 15 years and am very satisfied with the results.

20210114_182302.thumb.jpg.9d8bb63ddd7b8b1cf633160d4b69ae4f.jpg

Building the turret

20210111_191902.thumb.jpg.028415c115e7f45eff70934f6e8a1695.jpg20210111_195454.thumb.jpg.3af971b4e2cade60cc91d4a173556e5e.jpg20210111_195506.thumb.jpg.0fa4979a255ba983c4cd871da0bc6124.jpg20210112_193436.thumb.jpg.5afa0dd2e2769dc476ab761867c8c79b.jpg20210112_200326.thumb.jpg.09c93dda280d3101c83b55e5d0e64fe0.jpg20210112_200338.thumb.jpg.4b53943bf152a19ed7ac4aae15509846.jpg20210112_203925.thumb.jpg.23c18e1b55563ad7f936801a28ad5115.jpg20210114_182241.thumb.jpg.d9147545a6db4ef8109dd54c4f20b596.jpg

Dimensions look ok 

20210115_192748.thumb.jpg.9d47a49a42236a5bb87ecb8c91407531.jpg

But the rear needed to be made thinner.

20210115_193958.thumb.jpg.edbc3e23d2ce4445e0f5d8f07fdf123c.jpg

the basic shape of the turret is ready, he looks pretty ok to me

20210115_193900.thumb.jpg.ca151d129dd0cf53ef6cce1b73e92735.jpg

 

20210115_193921.thumb.jpg.9779842ea952290b3652d4165ffb70f4.jpg20210115_194430.thumb.jpg.e3a1c24994a4c31e7bdddf9b17a279de.jpg

To be continued, thanks for folowing

Posted

Neat idea Patrick, is that just basic ready mix Polyfilla?

Great work on the scratch elements 😁

Current builds;

 Henry Ramey Upcher 1:25 - on hold

 HMS Winchelsea 1764 1:48 

Completed:

HM Cutter Sherbourne- 1:64 - FINISHED   Triton cross section scratch- 1:60 - FINISHED

Providence whaleboat- 1:25 - FINISHED

 

Non ship:  SBD-3 Dauntless 1:48 Hasegawa -FINISHED

 

 

Posted

 

1 hour ago, Edwardkenway said:

Neat idea Patrick, is that just basic ready mix Polyfilla?

Great work on the scratch elements 😁

Yes, a ready mix.

Posted

With a lazy Saturday and bad weather. There was a lot of "Centurion time".

 

Building the mantled and a"canvas" cover from tissue

20210116_145839.thumb.jpg.63182dc0ecb5e38caf5eb33b12d83927.jpg20210116_150210.thumb.jpg.3ffc630b313a8e332b76e1cf3e41266a.jpg

Discovered a 17 pounder in the parts box (ex M4 from Matchbox)

20210116_152835.thumb.jpg.5ff1fa0a224b9ea9a16da6c26e8cce9a.jpgToolboxes are made from lamineted plastic sheet

20210116_170516.thumb.jpg.c0aa29a4ad05d1fb3d8d47f3aba4323f.jpg20210116_185359.thumb.jpg.b6ac1d8ac4d70e5cc5f3f44f67fefb39.jpg

Hatches, ventilator and MG mount20210116_194659.thumb.jpg.8a03f7bd7f8c662cfeaa4b3f627f5861.jpg

Current status of the model  20210117_183829.thumb.jpg.abae0fe0c312fa066a278c35a118e6d0.jpg

20210117_183843.thumb.jpg.a38b97ce6d4330dea7c1b8e6f13ff094.jpg20210117_183855.thumb.jpg.89e88fa82bb1f0f961bae4ed74bfa2b1.jpg20210117_183907.thumb.jpg.751b65bcf6e74f3dc74b3df0a58c0a9b.jpg

This little experiment is going in the right direction.

Thanks for following

 

Posted

Amazing bit of scratching there  - looking lovely.

 

OC.

Current builds  


28mm  Battle of Waterloo   attack on La Haye Saint   Diorama.

1/700  HMS Hood   Flyhawk   with  PE, Resin  and Wood Decking.

 

 

 

Completed works.

 

Dragon 1/700 HMS Edinburgh type 42 batch 3 Destroyer plastic.

HMS Warspite Academy 1/350 plastic kit and wem parts.

HMS Trafalgar Airfix 1/350 submarine  plastic.

Black Pearl  1/72  Revell   with  pirate crew.

Revell  1/48  Mosquito  B IV

Eduard  1/48  Spitfire IX

ICM    1/48   Seafire Mk.III   Special Conversion

1/48  Kinetic  Sea Harrier  FRS1

Posted
20 hours ago, Backer said:

This little experiment is going in the right direction.

Thanks for following

You know as well as I do brother, once you learn to scratchbuild you can build anything in almost any scale with the proper references.....

 

And your a master at it....

 

AS far as following, I wouldn't miss it for the world my friend.....

Current Build: F-86F-30 Sabre by Egilman - Kinetic - 1/32nd scale

In the Garage: East Bound & Down, Building a Smokey & the Bandit Kenworth Rig in 1/25th scale

Completed: M8A1 HST  1930 Packard Boattail Speedster  M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer  F-4J Phantom II Bell H-13's P-51B/C

Temporary Suspension: USS Gwin DD-433  F-104C Starfighter "Blue Jay Four" 1/32nd Scale

Terminated Build: F-104C Starfighter

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:

"Relish Today, Ketchup Tomorrow"

Posted
On 1/17/2021 at 10:07 AM, Backer said:

This little experiment is going in the right direction.

That's an understatement. Nice work Patrick

Lou

 

Build logs: Colonial sloop Providence 1/48th scale kit bashed from AL Independence

Currant builds:

Constructo Brigantine Sentinel (Union) (On hold)

Minicraft 1/350 Titanic (For the Admiral)

1/350 Heavy Cruiser USS Houston (Resin)

Currant research/scratchbuild:

Schooner USS Lanikai/Hermes

Non ship build log:

1/35th UH-1H Huey

 

Posted
On 1/17/2021 at 8:05 PM, Old Collingwood said:

Amazing bit of scratching there  - looking lovely.

 

OC.

 

On 1/18/2021 at 3:09 PM, Canute said:

Great job enhancing this conversion, Patrick.

 

On 1/18/2021 at 3:44 PM, Egilman said:

You know as well as I do brother, once you learn to scratchbuild you can build anything in almost any scale with the proper references.....

 

And your a master at it....

 

AS far as following, I wouldn't miss it for the world my friend.....

 

21 hours ago, lmagna said:

That's an understatement. Nice work Patrick

Thank you, thank you .Far too much credit for me 👍

 

I came across another abandoned project.
A batch of M29 's.

One example in resin (no manufacturer) bought somewhere long ago at an exhibition of IPMS.
Stupid me sold the series of magazines ( Vehicule Militaire International) which contained the building descriptions. And did not make copies :default_wallbash:
This will probably be a project for next winter.

20210118_093304.thumb.jpg.3525645e64d3c7152889f1d81889db24.jpg

 

 

Posted

Can't keep you down mate   - more the merryier.

 

OC.

Current builds  


28mm  Battle of Waterloo   attack on La Haye Saint   Diorama.

1/700  HMS Hood   Flyhawk   with  PE, Resin  and Wood Decking.

 

 

 

Completed works.

 

Dragon 1/700 HMS Edinburgh type 42 batch 3 Destroyer plastic.

HMS Warspite Academy 1/350 plastic kit and wem parts.

HMS Trafalgar Airfix 1/350 submarine  plastic.

Black Pearl  1/72  Revell   with  pirate crew.

Revell  1/48  Mosquito  B IV

Eduard  1/48  Spitfire IX

ICM    1/48   Seafire Mk.III   Special Conversion

1/48  Kinetic  Sea Harrier  FRS1

Posted
12 minutes ago, Backer said:

I came across another abandoned project.
A batch of M29 's.

489th transportation company, US Army October 30th 1944, Tacloban, Leyte.... Red Beach One....

Ducks and Weasels..... Serving up supplies for the 24th Division.... 19th Infantry.....

 

My father was there....

 

Current Build: F-86F-30 Sabre by Egilman - Kinetic - 1/32nd scale

In the Garage: East Bound & Down, Building a Smokey & the Bandit Kenworth Rig in 1/25th scale

Completed: M8A1 HST  1930 Packard Boattail Speedster  M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer  F-4J Phantom II Bell H-13's P-51B/C

Temporary Suspension: USS Gwin DD-433  F-104C Starfighter "Blue Jay Four" 1/32nd Scale

Terminated Build: F-104C Starfighter

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:

"Relish Today, Ketchup Tomorrow"

Posted
17 minutes ago, Canute said:

Maybe those magazines are archived online somewhere? A research project.

Perhape we can have a look online for them?

 

OC.

Current builds  


28mm  Battle of Waterloo   attack on La Haye Saint   Diorama.

1/700  HMS Hood   Flyhawk   with  PE, Resin  and Wood Decking.

 

 

 

Completed works.

 

Dragon 1/700 HMS Edinburgh type 42 batch 3 Destroyer plastic.

HMS Warspite Academy 1/350 plastic kit and wem parts.

HMS Trafalgar Airfix 1/350 submarine  plastic.

Black Pearl  1/72  Revell   with  pirate crew.

Revell  1/48  Mosquito  B IV

Eduard  1/48  Spitfire IX

ICM    1/48   Seafire Mk.III   Special Conversion

1/48  Kinetic  Sea Harrier  FRS1

Posted

I found this  not sure if it will help?

 

http://www.peachmountain.com/5star/Tanks_Patton_Tanks_M29_Tank.aspx

 

OC.

Current builds  


28mm  Battle of Waterloo   attack on La Haye Saint   Diorama.

1/700  HMS Hood   Flyhawk   with  PE, Resin  and Wood Decking.

 

 

 

Completed works.

 

Dragon 1/700 HMS Edinburgh type 42 batch 3 Destroyer plastic.

HMS Warspite Academy 1/350 plastic kit and wem parts.

HMS Trafalgar Airfix 1/350 submarine  plastic.

Black Pearl  1/72  Revell   with  pirate crew.

Revell  1/48  Mosquito  B IV

Eduard  1/48  Spitfire IX

ICM    1/48   Seafire Mk.III   Special Conversion

1/48  Kinetic  Sea Harrier  FRS1

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