The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

That Saladin looks really good, Steve. Did JB mould the Saracen a little on the long side?

I think so Shaun, both the Saracen and Saladin were built on the same chassis I believe and to achieve that the requisite 3mm needs to be removed where shown on the photograph. It is documented in one of the Airfix Build and Convert books that was written by Tom Cole.

Managed to get back to the 1/35th Saladin this morning so that's now complete and off the bench:



Updates to follow.

Having got the Saladin out of the way I went back to the Saracen Ambulance.
After some checks I was wondering whether I had done right to shorten the chassis, but after the research and utilising the JB instructions I think I am right. The Marks 1 and 2 according to everything I can find were 4.8m long, it was only the mark 3 that was 5.23 m long. So from that I believe that if you make the mark 3 then no shortening is required.
With that in mind I am continuing and have added some detail to the main body tub, added a plate to the top where the turret was and used some smoke dischargers from a chieftain that I had laying around:



Updates to follow

Superb work on that Saladin! (possibly the first time I've ever used 'Superb' and 'Salad' in the same sentence!)

This morning I have just got underway with an Airfix 1/76 Crusader which I am aiming to convert to an AA Mk1.
Running gear and complete hull assembled as per the kit apart from removing around a couple of mm from the bottom fuel tank stays to allow it to lay flatter.
Here it is with the new AA turret from S and S Models dry fitted:



Updates to follow.

This afternoon, I decided to get the Mark 2 AA Crusader version underway as well and after a couple of hours I had it to the stage of dry fitting the turret, again from S and S Models:



Updates will follow

The Saladin really turned out well in the end, Steve, excellent work. I'm also enjoying your ongoing efforts with the Saracen and there's yet another interesting project on your bench in the shape of that Crusader AA tank. All good stuff as far as I'm concerned

Thanks Shaun for the nice comments
Have managed a little more this afternoon with the Saracen.
Scratched a stretcher for the right hand wing, added some pioneer tools, the headlamps from a crusader kit (as these are a little larger than the JB offerings and more in keeping) and finally made a start with the white metal wheels and suspension upgrade on one side:



Updates to follow.

Veritable production line of top notch British Army vehicles. Thanks for explaining why the Sararcen got the chop.

More work with the Saracen Ambulance this morning. Have now got the other sides wheels attached and all six are on the ground together (Phew!).
Now needs a little more tidying before I go for paint:



As I've been so involved with the Saracen and also the fact I had another set of white metal wheels I decided I would refurbish an earlier attempt at this armoured car and turn it into a Mk III (so no shortening). Spent the rest of this morning adding some detail, the white metal wheels and axles, larger headlamps and also moving the turret forward a couple of millimetres to match the drawings on the back of the kit box, here it is ready for some paint:



Will have to do something about those weedy smoke dischargers!

Excellent, two Saracen variants on the go now. I agree, why let those additional wheels languish in the stash when they can be used on a refurb instead. Lovely jubbly.

Thanks Shaun.
This afternoon after a lunch break and a little TV time I decided on some more work to the Crusader AA Mk2.
I have now added the guns, handrail and spot lamp to the turret. The fuel tank and extra front locker to the hull. Cut down the side covers and added some headlamp guards:



With so many now heading for the paint shop perhaps I should have a painting day
Updates to follow

Definitely a painting day today.
First off the Stalwart got it's undercarriage painted plus the interior before fitting the cab and wheels:



Next up I tackled both the Saracens, the ambulance getting a coat of green and the Mk III a coat of desert yellow:



Second coats could well be in order.
Finally the Crusader AA Mk 2 got it's coat of green, the tyre rims blacked in and the exhaust and spare track link painted:



Updates to follow

A nicely busy paint shop, Steve. Is it airbrush or paint brush for these little gems?