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Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale +3 (2019)

Posted: January 2nd, 2018, 5:32 am
by Chuck Finley
S-Models out of China has produces a nice line of unique easy build tanks in 1/72 scale. Two of these kits are the A-13 Mk.I Cruiser Mk. II and Crusader Mk. I/II. As I hate repeating myself, I thought it would be nice to present four different versions of the two tanks with the help of Dan Taylor Modelworks and his excellent line of resin conversion sets and decals.

My first cruiser build is the S-Model A-13 Mk.I, Cruiser Mk.III built up as T-4397 from 5 R Tanks, 1st Armd Division in France May 1940. The model is built OOB

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Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale

Posted: January 2nd, 2018, 11:41 am
by ShaunW
A very nice pair of early war British cruisers, Chuck. British armour from the early part of WW II doesn't feature on here very often and over the years has been largely overlooked by the kit manufacturers in favour of the later war big bruisers such as Panther, Tiger, Josef Stalin II etc.

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale

Posted: January 2nd, 2018, 10:18 pm
by Chuck Finley
Cruiser #2 is T-18149 'Amy' Cruiser Mk. IV, 7th Hussars, 7th Armoured Brigade, "Operation Crusader" Summer 1941 to Spring 1942.

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The base kit is the S-Models A-13 Cruiser in 1/72. The kit was upgraded using Dan Taylor Modelworks' "Cruiser Mk. IV A Conversion (Western Desert). The upgrades are provided in resin and etched brass. Resin parts include the spaced turret armour, later pattern cylindrical commander's hatch, loaders hatch, rectangular mantlet, late pattern 'axle' mantlet, extinguishers, smoke dischargers, lifting eyes and six oil cans. In etched brass there are desert dust guards, stowage box, oil can rack, drivers hatch and oil filter detailing. In addition "Operation Crusader, set 2" decals from Dan Taylor were used for the markings. According to Dan Taylor, this was a period of transition away from the Caunter paint scheme with many aging vehicles still having it. In addition, the vehicle was painted with Sovereign Colourcoat paints (Sovereign picked up the White Ensign paint line). I highly recommend both Dan Taylor and Colourcoats.

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale

Posted: January 2nd, 2018, 11:10 pm
by splash
Excellent work chuck.

A quick question from an idiot who knows very little about WWII tanks, what do the white/red/white marking denote?

Regards Splash

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale

Posted: January 3rd, 2018, 3:08 am
by Chuck Finley
splash wrote:Excellent work chuck.

A quick question from an idiot who knows very little about WWII tanks, what do the white/red/white marking denote?

Regards Splash

Thanks. According to Mike Starmer and Richard Taylor, the WRW markings was a specific ID marking for Operation Crusader.

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale

Posted: January 3rd, 2018, 3:54 pm
by celt
These kits look very good,well tidy modelling sir.
Regards
celt.

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale

Posted: January 3rd, 2018, 6:08 pm
by ShaunW
Very nice, Chuck. I'm also lacking in knowledge about these early British tanks but it sounds like the Dan Taylor desert conversion set for this kit is very comprehensive.

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale

Posted: January 3rd, 2018, 8:29 pm
by splash
Chuck Finley wrote:
splash wrote:Excellent work chuck.

A quick question from an idiot who knows very little about WWII tanks, what do the white/red/white marking denote?

Regards Splash

Thanks. According to Mike Starmer and Richard Taylor, the WRW markings was a specific ID marking for Operation Crusader.
Cheers

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale

Posted: January 7th, 2018, 7:47 pm
by Chuck Finley
Cruiser #3: A-15 Crusdarer Mk.I 'Chelsea Pensioner', 22nd Armoured Brigade, Operation Crusader 1941

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The base kit is the S-Model Crusader Mk.I/II converted to a early Crusader Mk.I with Dan Taylor Modelwork's " Crusader Mk.I Early Conversion". The set is designed for the S-Model Crusader tank and provides all the parts required to back date the kit. Incorporated are 29 crisply cast resin parts and 32 etched brass parts.

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale

Posted: January 7th, 2018, 8:50 pm
by iggie
Nice work Chuck, and nicely portrayed too

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale

Posted: January 8th, 2018, 2:41 am
by Chuck Finley
ShaunW wrote:Very nice, Chuck. I'm also lacking in knowledge about these early British tanks but it sounds like the Dan Taylor desert conversion set for this kit is very comprehensive.

Yes it is. I have found Dan Taylor to do excellent work with his conversion sets. That applies to anything made by him. Check out his webpage for a comprehensive list.

http://www.dantaylormodelworks.com/

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale +3 (2019)

Posted: February 18th, 2019, 1:07 am
by Chuck Finley
I picked up the Plastic Soldier Company's recent A9 Cuiser set in 1/72 scale. The box includes three vehicles and includes part for both the 2pdr gun tank and close support version. In addition, it has the desert option as well. Naturally, I wanted three different A9s to go with my A13s and Crusaders and am able to do so thanks to Dan Taylor Modelworks. My first A9 is straight out of the box and represents a CS (Close Support) A9 Cruiser Mk.I as used by 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 1st Armored Division during the Battle of France 1940.

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Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale +3 (2019)

Posted: February 18th, 2019, 6:39 am
by Clashcityrocker
Nice work.

Nigel

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale +3 (2019)

Posted: February 18th, 2019, 10:18 am
by ShaunW
Another excellent small scale build from you, Chuck. The turreted bow machine guns are interesting (making the vehicle centre drive by the looks, rather like a modern tank) but I don't think as an idea the feature lasted long - I seem to recall that early Crusaders had a similar fitment but featured only one mg turret rather than the two here.

Re: Chuck's cruiser quartet in 1/72 scale +3 (2019)

Posted: February 18th, 2019, 11:53 pm
by Chuck Finley
ShaunW wrote:Another excellent small scale build from you, Chuck. The turreted bow machine guns are interesting (making the vehicle centre drive by the looks, rather like a modern tank) but I don't think as an idea the feature lasted long - I seem to recall that early Crusaders had a similar fitment but featured only one mg turret rather than the two here.
Look up at Cruiser #3. It is a Crusader Mk.I with that very feature.