Splash's Airfix 1/76 scale Cromwell ***Finished***

[splash]

I'm going to attempt to build this kit using just the paints supplied with the starter kit, I might even use the glue supplied as well.

Planned start time is just after 10:00 GMT on Wednesday the 15th February and must be finished by 17:30 when my wife comes home from work



Regards Splash

[DavidWomby]

7.5 hours? Good luck. I'm sure you can do it but I'd take 7.5 hours just to get it out of the box!

David

[chrism]

It goes together well. Tracks are cleverly done, and its a nice build. Hardest bit for a rushjob is getting the star to sit on turrettop. It can be easiest to cut star from ring to get it to fit.

I've built a few of this kit in different disguises, including a build-in-a-day using what you get in pack ... Which was "interesting"

[rob_van_riel]

I'm going to attempt to build this kit using just the paints supplied with the starter kit, I might even use the glue supplied as well.

The paint should behave well enough, but unless you use an airbrush, I suspect you might run out of green before you run out of tank. I wouldn't recommend using the glue during a blitz; tube glue takes a lot longer to cure than liquid cement. It would work, but I think it will slow you down more than you can afford.

[fredk]

That star decal is awkward. I used lot and lots of Micro wotsit to make it conform. I see others just move it to the side of the bumpy bit

[splash]

The paint should behave well enough, but unless you use an airbrush, I suspect you might run out of green before you run out of tank. I wouldn't recommend using the glue during a blitz; tube glue takes a lot longer to cure than liquid cement. It would work, but I think it will slow you down more than you can afford.

I plan on using an airbrush so the paint should be OK and I agree about the glue, I might have to take a rethink about using that.

Being a new kit the build should be straightforward, looking at the plans the tracks will force me to paint the tracks, wheels and body before assembly

[ShaunW]

I've heard plenty about how nice this kit is Alan so you should be in with a fighting chance of meeting your tight build schedule - 7 hours 30 would be a quick build even by blitz standards, best of luck with it.

[jssel]

I believe you will enjoy this build. Mine was a weekender. Looking forward to this

[splash]

Unusual for me I know but I have decided to carry out research before starting the build tomorrow morning

A look at the kit parts shows that, it appears Airfix have done a nice job of detailing this kit and taken a new approach to making the tracks, gone are the old rubber tracking and in it's place are piece moulded track that will require fitting of the inner wheels followed by the track then the outer wheels.

Normally I would build the tank with its wheels then spray the base coat and then fit the tracks but this kit will need a rethink

[rob_van_riel]

Normally I would build the tank with its wheels then spray the base coat and then fit the tracks but this kit will need a rethink

Simply fit the inner wheels before spraying, and the outers later? Or are there tankish subtleties involved that I'm unaware of?

[iggie]

Watching with interest Splash; I have one to build one day and will follow your lead

[splash]

Normally I would build the tank with its wheels then spray the base coat and then fit the tracks but this kit will need a rethink

Simply fit the inner wheels before spraying, and the outers later? Or are there tankish subtleties involved that I'm unaware of?

That is one of the options I was thinking of, but until I cut plastic, I will not be able to see if that's a good option or not.

[DavidWomby]

Some lovely moulded detail on there - the hatch cover locks and hinges, etc.

David

[splash]

Some lovely moulded detail on there - the hatch cover locks and hinges, etc.

David

A nice touch is you get an open or closed commanders hatch that has a moulded in seat, it's just a shame you don't get the tank commander.

[lancfan]

Alan, when I built mine I painted the wheels and tracks separately on the sprues, assembled and painted the hull and fitted the wheels and tracks afterwards, touching in where needed.

David.