Fiat 3000 model 21 Ia

The most common versions of this kit, the Tauro Fiat 3000 21A. It's not a Tamiya quality kit, but I've also seen much worse. I own both versions of Tauro's Fiat 3000, and have kept them in the same box cause I don't want them to feel alone... Or the other box got damaged don't remember... 

The sprue layout minus tracks. 

The constructionmanual (it's from the Mod. 21. II version with the resin and etched update.) but the part's are basicly the same. 

Turret and hull are build up from the various part's, with some patience, a ruler/caliper and Tamiya's glue they came together nicely. Some plastic filler and strip was used to fill small cracks, but altogether the fit was better then expected. The tub, top and turret are not yet glued together, for better handling. 

Detail is a bit soft, but overall It's really a nicely detaild model with a lot of potential for easy upgrades 

The small idlerwheels we're poorly cast and not always round. But they are almost completely covered, so I glued them with the best side visible 

Although not a lot of reference material is availeble, the pictures Ive seen looked like spoked wheels. So I chose to separate the rims from the back part of the idler wheels. 

It was pretty simple with a sharp pinvise. The bar that holds the idlerwheels was strangely too long, I had to saw a piece off and glue it together again. 

The original part on the right the separated part's left, the middle circle will not be used. 

The backside of the idlerwheels after modifications. Here it connects to the drivewheel. 

The front of the idler, I'm happy with the modification.  

The spring part for holding the return rollers was very poorly detailed. The idea of adding the spring from copperwire is not mine, I borrowed that from Panzerserra. On his blog he posted a ton of great research material about the Fiat that I haven't found elswhere. Their is not much reference availeble about this tank as their are no survivors and it's primedays are well before the second worldwar. So all credit goes to Panzerserra. 

I really like the result. 

The tail.
Yes, I put it together with a hammer and nails as you can see... How else would I build a model? 

The little monsters tail, found it a bit boring. 

Decided to put some bolts on the top of the tail. 

Creative freedom 

Comes together nicely 

Added some hatch handles from wire. 

The front was damaged because of the way it was attached to the sprue, so I had to make some new.  

Finally the Besa Barrels have arrived, at €1,15 a piece they make a big improvement for a fair price. 

 

The same slow process due to other things screaming for attention. But it's still on the bench. And almost ready for painting. 

Painted with a primer coat of grey and oxide primer. (Thin layer of grey, oxide overspray.

Still in doubt about the base colour. 

Well, it's all or nothing... I chose this path and I will finish it. 

Happy noises  

Lots more happy noises  

Base colour is Tamiya buff mixed with a little white, the camo is Vallejo yellow olivia, and hull red. (I'd rather had something a bit lighter than hull red, but I didn't have it in the stash so this had to do.) 

Sometimes a bit edgy, but overall I'm really happy with the results. The flaws are part of the learning curve.  

Woohoo progress!!