Caricature Kit S-B *** Open***

[JohnRatzenberger]

Good, first out of the nest !
I’ll adjust the sign-up/queue tomorrow.

[flakmonkey]

A lovely result, Andrew.

[flakmonkey]

Apologies for a brief absence which was entirely unexpected but necessary.

I have, as previously intimated, spent some time making a complete running hull and chassis. The resulting vehicle looks like somebody threw a Tiger II into Antman's shrinky dink machine and then glued the result onto a Panzer 38(t).



Absolutely charming, and so much fun.

Now, I will say, the rubber band tracks are not great. Vinyl tracks can be very good indeed, and Trumpeter's AS-90 and Challenger 2 are proof of this, but these are rather old school.

They do, however, look perfectly fine on the model once painted up and bear in mind that given the kit's intent, this is hardly a crtiticism, more of a casual observation.

I have stuck with my idea of a "comic book character" and carried out the weathering etc., in keeping with this. Consider it a satire on modern armor modeling.





There is, apparently, some kind of event in the UK on May 6th in which I frankly have very little interest, and so I shall devote the time well away from any kind of TV or raido and instead finish this with the upper hull "accessorization". These are going to be the little bits and bobs that will, I hope, really make this "pop".

[JohnRatzenberger]

Well, you certainly have achieved your goals - it is, for what it is, quite charming and an excellent example of what can be done with these kits (by someone with talent, not me). Your colors and markings make it a 'toon, and not just a KV turret atop a Stuart or something like that.

[iggie]

That looks really good indeed The camouflage is just sufficiently OTT to complement the general wackiness of the subject

[AndrewR]

Good result

[JohnRatzenberger]

Well, I am going to move my B-24 into active, leaving the B-17 in-queue.





The kit has correctable flaws. Look at the rudder to see the large mold flaw, along the stabilizer line. I have sanded out half already. The opposite rudder wasn't near as bad and is almost done. One side of the fuselage has something similar, near the cockpit on one side but not as bad and I have it almost fixed and the other side is minor and already fixed.

The only other flaw is in the instructions (lower left) where the waist guns are shown in place but not given a part #. They are there.

Unlike Steve's Tiger II, this only comes with waterslide decals, not stickers or both.

It's not a "good" replica of a B-24, which had a long fuselage and wide narrow wings. IMHO it would have still looked 'toonish if the wings were half-again as wide and the fuselage maybe a quarter longer, but then it may not have fit in the box. I'm not going to fix it.

Still undecided are the markings. Steve has endorsed the stripes while I am favoring dots. I am going to think about this considering my remark just above and take another look through the assembly ships book.

Anyway, my two GB's have priority but I can still see work proceeding after today. I have a new doctor to look at my mobility and she has 13 page of forms to be filled out.

[flakmonkey]

Tiger II is now actually done. This took me a little longer to build than it perhaps should have, due to some unavoidable interruptions.







As I have previously said, it's a very nice and fun kit to build, let down a little by the tracks. They do look fine once they are on and painted up, and suit the character of the model well.

Quite pleased with this one.

[flakmonkey]

Well, I am going to move my B-24 into active, leaving the B-17 in-queue.

I have been looking forward to seeing this, John. It's quite interesting to note the different approach to the Lancaster kit from Meng, which uses a single, rather intricate, slide moulded part to provide just over half the entire airframe. I think either the dots or the stripes would look great, in all honesty, but masking all those dots... oh my goodness.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Masking ? What is this creature you are talking about ? Stab with a round brush

Steve, that Tiger finish would be good in any scale - Wow !!

[jssel]

My entry will be the Meng Panther. I am not a stranger to the Toon Tanks having built the Tiger I and M4 Sherman, They are great fun so we are off.


Boxart.





Innards.







Hmmmmmmmm.






Thinking hot water will work this out.


This kit was purchased at a HobbyLobby chain store and on the bottom of the hull I find this printed on the plastic.

[flakmonkey]

I had the same issue with the tracks in my Tiger II kit. Rubber tracks does not seem to be Meng's ballpark at all. Some people make great ones (Trumpeter) but Meng does not.

[skypirate]

Wow! Wonderful results here.
Who says we don't have a sense of humour?

David

[jssel]

Bit of progress today. Skipping around somewhat. Going to have to replace the grab handles on the turret. Evergreen strip to the rescue.

[flakmonkey]

This is looking good. I do like these World War Toons armour kits.