Renault FT-17 on a Renault FP artillery transporter by RGL - Meng/U-Models - PLASTIC/RESIN - diorama

[RGL]

Next build, this will be a diorama, with a lovely resin kit from U-Models with a Meng FT 17 with full interior. 

[RGL]

Mandatory photo dump plus some form the Australian war memorial 

[RGL]

Of note, the FT17 at our memorial didn’t have enough track tracks so they cast their own. It still has a bullet lodged in the radiator. My plan is to have it all ya hated open. The Meng kit first released was a full interior kit, which cost twice as much as the later release with no engine (I got it cheap still from China. I also have a French motorcycle from CSM and lots of figures 

[RGL]

A morning working with resin 

[RGL]

All the resin is now cleaned up. I’ve ordered some cleats from Blast models in France for the tracks, I’ll have to paint up the lower hull first before the topside. Everything dry fits really nicely, which is mandatory as the instructions are quite basic. You can see the engine hood which is thrown on top of the fuel tank in nearly every photo and the engine is open to the air. 

[RGL]

Now if I could just find this book….

[RGL]

Lower part of the vehicle worked on today so I can mask it off and do the upper works. There are not enough track links for the entire length but I still drilled out and pinned the bent pieces of tracks. 

[RGL]

Tracks on! 

[RGL]

Ok! Base coat down. Clear coat next. 

[RGL]

Bit of weathering on the driving bits 

[RGL]

Now the back deck, multiple enamel washes. I’ll work this a lot more before I’m finished with pigments

[RGL]

I’m waiting for a cleats that go on the tracks, and considering it’s under the vehicle there’s. I point gluing anything down yet. So. The Tank that goes on top, interior detail set,resin luggage set and front wheels. 

[Canute]

Great work on your wooden deck. What's your technique?

[RGL]

So far? Mayo brown, then buff overspray, clear coat, layers of enamel washes. I’m not happy yet but when I get the top side stuff glued on including the railings and the tank I can go to work on it properly. There’s going to be a tank and a motorcycle on it 

[Canute]

It's a good base. I await your weathering approach. Should have pretty nicked up boards, thanks to the treads.

[RGL]

Time for paint

[RGL]

Engine done, once I get the other bits in I’ll do some weathering : all of them seem to have conflicting colours, but the kit (even the big 1/16 kit) omits the spark plus and leads so that bit was easy.