James C
I made a start on this big, ugly beast a couple days ago. It's been sitting in my stash for a few years now as a birthday gift from my brother... whom has been bugging me to build it ever since. I had been reluctant to make a start on it due to it's size (and the amount of track links required) but after completing the French Char 2C, it doesn't appear to be as unappealing anymore. 😄

zakboom0815
Great start! It's actually the same with the turrets: just when you think you've finished them all, another one appears 😉

James C
Hehe, thanks zakboom0815 🙂 You can never have too many turrets 😉👍

Only a little progress made yesterday with the rear drive and front return idler wheels now installed along with some more detailing to the rear engine deck. With the lower hull now mostly assembled, I'll switch from the kit components and get the replacement metal track links put together and test fit in position while I still have full access to the running gear. Pics to follow...

James C
I got the replacement Friulmodel tracks assembled and mounted for a test fit today. 132 links per side for 264 links total. I may end up adding an additional link to the right side though, otherwise I'm very happy with how they look. Also managed to avoid stabbing myself with the drill bit this time, so that was a bonus! 😄

Villiers de Vos
Very nice progress.

Guy Rump
Looking great! 👍

Robin (WhiteGlint)
Joining in 👀

Ben M
👁️‍🗨️👁️‍🗨️

James C
Welcome aboard guys 🙂

I'm hoping to knock off the rest of the plastic assembly in the next day or so, then look at applying the photo-etch, which there is a fair bit of included with this kit. Will see how it goes, as I struggle a lot with folding and placing it, and therefore rarely use it on anything other than engine grills/covers etc.

John
Looks great James. 👍 Tracks turned out really well, perfect slack to them. Glad there were no injuries this time!

Jan Peters
Following this behemoth 👀

James C
Thanks John and welcome Jan 👍🙂

A little more progress made with the plastic assembly mostly finished now after installing the sponsons.
Next up is the P/E which I'm not looking forward to. 🤔

James C
Thanks Roland 🙂 ...and welcome to the dark side mate! 😛

I've since given everything a coat of Stynylrez black surface primer and intend to start shooting the base colour of 4BO green later today.

Slavo Hazucha
taking a seat 😉

James C
Welcome mate 🙂

A little more progress made with the base colour of 4BO Russian Green (A.Mig-019) now applied, and permanently attached the wheels and side armor.

zakboom0815
It's a pleasure to watch the beast come to life 🙂 really like the 4BO and shading.

Gary Curling
comming along very well

James C
Thanks Zak & Gary 🙂

Rui S
Did I missed this? 🤔 definitely not anymore 👍

James C
Welcome mate 🙂

Rolf Rolf
Looks good mate, love to see a fellow kiwi.

James C
Cheers Rolf, likewise mate! 🙂👍

I've since permanently installed the tracks and remaining photo-etch braces, and given it a gloss coat in readiness for applying the decals. Will update the album when there's a little more to see.

Jos Jansen
Good to see James your great skills on building vehicles...👍!

James C
Thanks Jos 🙂

A little update showing current progress with the tracks installed and decals applied.
Just need to seal them now, then can think about weathering and dirtying up the beast.

Gary Curling
Will this tank go on a diorama.

James C
No, I will leave the dioramas for those with more talent (and display space) but I do intend to dirty it up a little though 😉

James C
I finished this one off finally a couple days ago but hadn't been able to take any pictures of the finished build before now.

This was a great kit, with very good detailing and clear, easy to follow assembly instructions.
I didn't encounter any numbering discrepancies during construction either.
The kit gives you the choice of several circular aerials to attach to the turret, but doesn't indicate what the difference is between the two. (I presume they represent different radio transmitter/receiver sets installed etc)
The only visual difference I could see is that one has 8 attachment brackets (to the main turret) and the other has just 6.

The kit also offers a reasonable amount of photo etch detailing, as well as clear parts for the headlights and twisted wire for the tow cables.
I'm not a huge fan of photo etch and wire cables, as I personally struggle with it due to poor eyesight and dexterity, but I don't see that as a valid reason to bag the kit itself... but in saying that, it would have been nice to have the option to use molded plastic parts instead, and in some instances would have been a far better alternative, especially in regards to the L shaped brackets that attach from the top of the sponsons to the vertical side armour.

The decals in the kit were very thin and laid down nicely without any silvering, but care needs to be taken when positioning them over the raised bolt detailing as they have a tendency to catch on, and tear very easily.
A liberal application of decal setting solution (or water) will help prevent this.

The Friulmodel track links I used to replace the plastic link and length tracks in the kit were fantastic and fit perfectly around the teeth of the rear drive wheels, but were a tight fit where the individual guide horns slipped down between the upper roller wheels, and especially so after painting. It may pay to file the inside edges between the two wheels of each set of upper rollers to allow for a little more "wiggle" room.

All up, a great looking kit and definitely recommended.

Youtube Video

Slavo Hazucha
Cheers James! Useless weather in NZ so we don't get the usual package of black table, sun & contrast pics?

Big thing came out great, probing again thad mild vs wild often brings the better result in shading, weathering and all-over finish (a principle I need to remind myself of more often! 😄) - looking realistic but nowhere nesr boring at the same time! 👍🏻

Neuling
Top build and story! Thanks a lot for showing/telling! 👍👍

Villiers de Vos
The outcome is very nice. Just right.

Gary Curling
Well done a lovely model and photos. What is next? or will you put your feet up for a while.

Rolf Rolf
Your brother will be chuffed

Robin (WhiteGlint)
What an impressive machine! Very good work James 👍

Guy Rump
Excellent build. 👍

James C
Thanks for looking in and commenting guys, very much appreciated as always 🙂

This will be my last build for a little while now due to the onset of winter and the cooler temperatures that come with it.
Additionally, one of the reasons that this build took a little longer to complete is that I had been side tracked while house hunting on the local real estate market.
We were on the lookout for something a little smaller, but more modern than our current home, and finally found one a little north of Auckland that met all of our needs and wants, and for the right price. Our bid on it has been accepted, and so we expect to make the move some time in late July all going well.

I have a few kits planned for once we get settled in, but too early at this stage to make a definite decision, so will have a good think about it until then.

Bruce Huxtable
I hope all goes well for finalising the house purchase and move to your new home, James. I hope nothing gets lost or damaged in the move!

James C
Cheers Bruce 👍

Rui S
Great weathering 👍

James C
Thanks Rui 🙂

Jos Jansen
Beautiful James...and congrats with your new home!

Pietro De Angelis
Beautiful job and great wheatering,
congrats!

James C
Thanks Jos & Pietro 🙂

Jennifer Franklin
The weathering on this is amazing. Nice results!

James C
Thanks Jennifer 🙂

Mr James
10 out 10 for the paint job and weathering. You set a high bar my friend...

John
Great result James. What a beast! Good luck on the move, one of my least favorite things.

James C
Thanks guys 🙂

@ John - Yeah, It's taken me several days just to pack my unbuilt stash of kits and accessories into cartons.
Not looking forward to emptying the display cabinets with the fragile completed builds inside.
The settlement date has been brought forward, so the move will now be taking place at the end of June instead. 😮

Simon Nagorsnik
Ugly beast 👹
But awesome job 😎
👏 for you James!

James C
Thanks Simon 🙂

CaptGPF
Out of morbid curiosity - just how long does it take to build one of your beauties?

James C
Depends on the kit and how much free time I have. For tanks I generally complete assembly inside of 3 days, but filling, painting, decals and weathering will take several weeks or more doing a little at a time. So, approx. a month for a tank build, but probably twice as long for modern aircraft due to the extra time required for filling the joins and clean-up etc.

CaptGPF
Interesting, I would have thought it would be the other way around - with armor taking more time than aircraft due to the weathering effects! Keep up the great work, I look forward to seeing more of these beauties in the future. 😀