Splash's Churchill Mk VII ***finished***

[splash]

It's time to put my fears behind me and attempt to build my Nemisis kit, the very old Airfix 1/76 scale Churchill Mk VII.

Back when dinosaurs had just died out and the kit was one of Airfix's latest offerings, I attempted to build it, but as a young teenager I did not have the patience or skills that I have now and recall having great difficulty fitting all the small wheels, to the extent of picking it up and throwing it very hard at the wall, this is the only kit I ever recall doing this to

So it's time to attempt it again, I have taken all the pictures off the wall just in case.

On opening the box it looks like the kit has lasted well, with very little flash, I know the kit has accuracy issues and that's fine by me as I very rarely build AFV and have no research to show me the errors

[splash]

Leaving the wheels on the sprue makes the task very simple it only took 5 minutes to attach all the wheels to the suspension.

The big job will be fitting the suspension/wheels to the hull.

[jssel]

Go, Fight, Win, Splash.

[JamesPerrin]

Makes you feel like someone cares when that happens

[DavidWomby]

Good luck with it. Those suspension bits look intimidating but you can do it!

David

[splash]

It was the suspension stage last time that caused all the problems, they all need to be aligned and the tracks fitted before you can add the outer sides that have to align with 11 small holes and two large holes.

If ever there was a tank kit that needed the wheels and tracks to be moulded as one piece this is it.

Regards Splash

[Spearjig]

Ive got three of these little B****rs to make for a diorama Im planning so I'll be watching this build with interest!

[lancfan]

The easiest way to attach the bogies is to fix them all to the inner hull sides and when the glue is thick enough to hold them upright they can then be aligned to glue into the outer sides, the moulds are getting old now and it helps if you clear out the attachment holes with a drill before starting.


David.

[splash]

The easiest way to attach the bogies is to fix them all to the inner hull sides and when the glue is thick enough to hold them upright they can then be aligned to glue into the outer sides, the moulds are getting old now and it helps if you clear out the attachment holes with a drill before starting.


David.

Last night I stuck one set of wheels to the inner so that should now be set, but the problem is you have to fit the tracks befor joining the outer half to the inner.

Or I could cheat and just poke the track through at the front and back and stick it along the base.

Regards Splash

[splash]

I'm going to try an old schoolboy trick we used to use with Airfix tracks and that is to staple the tracks together with a paper stapler.

[splash]

A test fit looks ok

[iggie]

I remember the staple trick!! That vinyl is (or was back in the day) impervious to all known glues of the time; Dad even tried some Araldite epoxy, and the tracks laughed in it's face

I have a spare Armourfast Churchill with one piece tracks and wheels if I can tempt you......

[splash]

I remember the staple trick!! That vinyl is (or was back in the day) impervious to all known glues of the time; Dad even tried some Araldite epoxy, and the tracks laughed in it's face

I have a spare Armourfast Churchill with one piece tracks and wheels if I can tempt you......

I'm tempted to get a set of the Armourfast Churchill's and build some D-Day funnies

I have had no problems with the wheels and both sides are now buttened up ready for paint.

[jssel]

I should have tried the staple process on my King Tiger. I could have built in some space to allow better fitting and less damage.

[TimJ]

Nice work so far. It should be plain sailing from now on.