Archer self-propelled anti-tank gun by Rik Thistle - FINISHED - Tamiya 1:35 - 1945

[king derelict]

On 3/8/2024 at 1:42 PM, Rik Thistle said:

..wish I could turn the clock back 😉

Yes, I had great times on the farm as a kid. Of course nowadays Health and Safety doesn’t let you jump from the top of the bales into the loose straw.

[Rik Thistle]

top of the bales into the loose straw.

 

Yes. And that was one of the safer activities 🙂

 

When I think about all the open machinery in those days (belts, gears), riding on the back of trailers, climbing farm buildings/trees etc.... I'm surprised we are are still here. But it did build up a strong 'risk assessment' instinct. The childhood was maybe not that different from being brought up in a town...it was just more easily accessible?

 

Richard

[Rik Thistle]

Hi all,

 

This is my final update on the Archer scenario build.

 

Firstly, another look at the Tamiya box art.

 

For the scenario, I created a farm location somewhere in Normandy. A particular feature of that countryside is the thick hedges planted on raised banks, and ditches bordering most fields.

 

The top right of the scenario was a bit bare so I made a concrete water trough for the cattle. Early prototype on the right, and a finished one on the left coated in slightly diluted AK Grey putty. A would later add some weathering to it.

 

Below, the Archer crew painting details. I've just noticed that the box art shows black leather boots but the instructions call for Red Brown XF-64 paint.... ah well, too late now....the Commander has shiny red leather boots!

 

Plenty (sieved and microwaved) garden dirt added to the rear (and front) of the Archer.

 

Marguerite waits patiently for the 'tractor' to throw over some hay. Unfortunately for her, and some others about 1 mile away, it is not hay being delivered today!

Cattle are generally curious animals and had a habit off staring at soldiers hiding in the hedgerows, and even wandering over to get a better look. The enemy found this a bit of a nuisance, to say the least.

 

Below, the final overall scenario - the Archer has pulled in to the field to target the enemy, whilst not blocking the farm path. A passing infantry patrol has had a chat with the Canadians and are now departing. One infantryman wants to watch the first shell being delivered.

 

This was an interesting build. Some of the Tamiya Archer parts were a bit more delicate than the Churchill tank parts, and it was a slightly more complex build. I think I prefer to see the 'machinery' in use in a typical setting - it gives context to purpose and effect on the local communities.

 

I'm not sure what my next build will be...possibly back to the machine shop for another metal model as the warmer weather is showing signs of moving in 🙂

 

Finally, thank you all again for the Likes, Comments and perspectives (on what was a very difficult time for the world). I don't think a Build really works unless opinions and advice are shared.

 

Take care,

 

Richard

Edited March 14 by Rik Thistle

[Canute]

Well done, Richard! I really like your diorama. 👍

[Rik Thistle]

Thanks Ken.

 

It's now happily sitting on the Study shelf next to the Churchill tank. But shelf space is disappearing quickly....I might need to scale down!

 

Richard

[realworkingsailor]

17 minutes ago, Rik Thistle said:

Thanks Ken.

 

It's now happily sitting on the Study shelf next to the Churchill tank. But shelf space is disappearing quickly....I might need to scale down!

 

Richard

A bigger shelf is a better idea…. 😁

 

Nice job on your Archer and scene! 
 

Andy

[Egilman]

Excellent job!!!

 

The depiction of a NE Normandy pasture scene is par excellence!!!

 

And Yes, the livestock frequently got in the way....

[Rik Thistle]

Andy, Egilman,

 

Thanks for the feedback....much appreciated.

 

A bigger shelf is a better idea

I've got the type of adjustable shelving shown above...so there is still space for a couple of more shelves 😉

 

And Yes, the livestock frequently got in the way....

As kids on our farm we always found the cows as friendly, inquisitive animals. The Bull was a different story!

 

Richard

[Egilman]

My Great Uncle had a farm in West Burke VT. 40 some odd milk cows and a bull.... (learned not to stand around the back end as they were being milked, {chuckle})

They were very friendly, and always came in for milking in the morning....

The Bull had his own section of pasture and would stand about ten feet inside the fence and just stare at you, the look in his eye was terrifying....

 

We used to build forts in the hayloft from the bales.... it was a grand time in my life....

[Rik Thistle]

learned not to stand around the back end

Yes, first rule of farm life... the cow/horse/donkey can't afford the time to decide if you are a human or a mountain lion....kick first, ask questions later.  I read somewhere recently,  if a mule kicks at you and misses it was because he intended to miss.

 

We used to build forts in the hayloft from the bales

Yup, we were spoiled 😉  Not sure Dad appreciated his bales going out of shape, but he gave us enough slack to keep us happy.

 

Richard

[Egilman]

4 hours ago, Rik Thistle said:

the cow/horse/donkey can't afford the time to decide if you are a human or a mountain lion....kick first, ask questions later.

It wasn't really that, it was the other.... {chuckle} there is a reason he had us shoveling out the milking barn.... He didn't warn us either, dad said it was the fastest way to permanently learn not to stand behind the cow....

Edited March 14 by Egilman

[king derelict]

This is a superb scene Richard. The landscape especially the hedges is so realistic and the Archer blends into the scene and the story instead of dominating it.

Great Work

Alan

[Old Collingwood]

This  is a  Great finish  -  really nice.

 

OC.

[Rik Thistle]

Egilman, Alan, OC,

 

Thanks for the comments and kind words.

 

fastest way to permanently learn not to stand behind the cow.

Ah, right...THAT danger 😉 But it did quickly become just part of everyday life - even the smell 'disappeared'.

 

the Archer blends into the scene

That was my inattention....glad you like it. Like most things in life, nothing happens in isolation.

 

This is a Great finish - really nice.

As usual, when a build is finished the builder knows where all the skeletons are buried and what things should have been done differently. But it's a learning game 😉

I'm not sure what to do next.....scenarios do take up quite a bit of shelf space, and I need to get back to 'metalworking' in the shed....some random thoughts.... Oil Field pump (...I always found the American movies on the early oil business fascinating), Shaper (another one for the shed), Westland Lynx (been close to them a few times and worked on some of their contents), Comms truck (a vital part of the organisation). 

Maybe one for the shed (during the day), and one for the Study (in the evening). Thinking...

 

Richard

Edited March 15 by Rik Thistle

[Canute]

Hmm, oil field pump or whirly bird? Will the pump be automated or static? Automation would be cool, but it's your build, your choice.

[Rik Thistle]

Will the pump be automated or static

I do have a Stuart V10 steam engine that would be used to power it, even if only temporarily on the bench just to see it pumping.

If I were to build a combined power source + pump scenario it would be quite a large size. Also, to be period correct, I believe the steam engine would be a horizontal one. Anyway, still thinking about the pump 😉

 

Yes, the Lynx is an interesting platform. It is used both by Armies and Navies.... Westland Lynx - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westland_Lynx  I'd go for the Naval variant with a full sensor suite, and maybe with the Sea Skua missile (which used the nose radar for target illumination).

 

There are a few makers of Lynx kits eg Airfix (1:72 scale) .... but I haven't researched which is best.

 

I'll have my thinking cap on over the weekend....it's a fun part of the hobby deciding what to do next.

 

Richard

 

Edit: This Lynx with the 360 deg radar and at 1:48 scale may be a better bet.... https://uk.airfix.com/products/westland-navy-lynx-mk88ahma8mk90b-a10107a?

2nd Edit: The latest version of the Lynx is the AW159 Wildcat....  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland_AW159_Wildcat

It went in to service Aug 2014. It does look good. But there isn't yet a kit supplier for it - however there is a conversion kit available that upgrades earlier Lynx kits. If I did go for the Wildcat in the future I'd plan to do a scenario of it sitting on a flight deck. But all that is for sometime in the future, maybe 😉 

 

Edited March 17 by Rik Thistle

[Canute]

Yes, the new Airfix would be a very good choice. 😁

[Rik Thistle]

I've ordered the Comms truck ... U.S. Army K51 Radio Truck with K52 Trailer - https://www.scalemates.com/kits/miniart-35418-k51-radio-truck-with-k52-trailer--1459015  ...for indoors ....

 

...and will probably also order the PMR Shaper  ...for the shed. (Edit: Now ordered).

 

I'd have liked to get the Stuart oil pump but it is over £500 ($636) so it just a bit too rich for me at the moment.

 

Richard

Edited March 19 by Rik Thistle