A-34 Comet Mk1 and Scammell transporter with 30 ton trailer.

1
May 27, 2023
Starting to turn.... Thank goodness it missed the petrol pumps!
2
May 27, 2023
Cables attached, from a recovery vehicle in the background
3
May 27, 2023
Don't ask me, I just got here ?
4
May 27, 2023
How did you manage that!? How can a transporter turn over? Too fast round a corner, perhaps?
5
July 22, 2023
Kit for the Comet purchased...
6
July 22, 2023
Good box art shows the lugs for lifting the hull and turret. Those on the hill are part of the kit parts, but I'll need to add those on the turret.
7
July 22, 2023
But the kit is simplified, so if I need them, I'll have to improvise.
8
July 22, 2023
Watch this space....
9
July 22, 2023
Spare turret and gun, for practice. Dremmel bit used to open up the muzzle brake.
10
July 22, 2023
First attempt, using copper wire. I need some shackles as well as lugs. I may try spare PE too.
11
July 23, 2023
I now have a good idea of how to make lifting eyes and shackles. This first attempt is 5/10 for the plate and 3/10 for the shackle. But I know what to change when I make a start on the real turret, etc.
12
July 23, 2023
I'll need to make at least six more, for the Comet's turret and deck.
13
August 12, 2023
A start on the kit, requires the storage bin to be opened up. Here, the floor and the back of the turret made to measure and installed.
14
August 12, 2023
So, saw cut the lid off and make a floor from spare sheet.
15
August 12, 2023
The loose fitted lid looks neat and tidy.
16
August 12, 2023
The floor, recessed into chamfers created around the three sides, fits flush.
17
August 12, 2023
Next, let's make these holes into something useful.
18
August 12, 2023
Plates for the lifting points coming along. Some more filing required. I've used plastic as the PE prototype was too thin.
19
August 13, 2023
Closing up the underside of the turret. It's not essential but is good practice for when it might be important.
20
August 13, 2023
Reasonably neat fit. I will infill the slit later.
21
August 13, 2023
Okay, so there's where some plastic card infill will be required. The fenders' edges have been thinned down to less than half the cast thickness.
22
August 13, 2023
The offending empty space... And fenders that needed to be thinned down
23
August 13, 2023
I'm thinking about try to open up the grills, so have started by scraping away the cast texture from one grill. If I can make a recess deep enough, I will fit some open mesh sheet.
24
August 13, 2023
Lifting plates made neater and fitted, plus the cupula hatch thinned, cut into halves, and fitted.
25
August 13, 2023
26
August 13, 2023
Progress on the wheels, with the hull sides painted first.
27
August 13, 2023
The kit's diorama base.
28
August 14, 2023
Two more lifting plates added, to the rear of the hull. Grey paint overall, then light grey, then white for high-lights.
29
August 14, 2023
Hopefully, this will show through the top coat colour.
30
August 14, 2023
Oils used for dusty hull sides, behind the wheels and under the fenders.
31
August 14, 2023
Dry fitted top to bottom.
32
August 14, 2023
Wheels and tracks to be painted next. Small extras also to be made and added, then the main gun, etc.
33
August 19, 2023
Today's progress.
34
August 19, 2023
Extra bracket to secure the towing cable.
35
August 19, 2023
It's coming together..
36
August 19, 2023
Scratch building two fire extinguishers, for the rear bin.
37
August 19, 2023
Extinguishers mounted, and the spot light.
38
August 19, 2023
Scratch built a spot light from copper wire and a spare piece of clear sprue, ideally shaped so just a hole needed to be drilled.
39
August 19, 2023
Wheels painted, and ready for the rubber tracks.
40
August 19, 2023
Tracks painted, so not much left to do.
41
August 19, 2023
Loose fitted the deck to the hull. Add ons painted.
42
August 19, 2023
I just need to find the correct adhesive, to stick down the nylon mesh for the exhaust grill.
43
August 19, 2023
It's the first time I've made little extras, based on period photos, and am pleased with the results so far. No doubt I'll re-visit some areas to make improvements, so all comments welcome! Driver's mirror and decals later....
44
August 20, 2023
Mesh added for the exhaust. I left the inlet grill just as the cast texture.
45
August 20, 2023
Fine wire for the headlamp guards . I need to find some slightly thicker wire, as these look too thin. I'll leave them for now.
46
August 20, 2023
Some dust overall, using Ammo MIG oils. I'll re-visit when fully dry. I decided against adding a driver's mirror.
47
August 20, 2023
48
August 20, 2023
Suggestions for improvements welcome!
49
August 20, 2023
Hasps added to the toolboxes, and a couple of extras added to fake some vision slits.
50
August 20, 2023
51
August 20, 2023
More weathering, hopefully an improvement...
52
August 20, 2023
All suggestions welcome🙂
53
September 10, 2023
Sprues for the Scammell transporter.
54
September 10, 2023
Some lumps need to be removed, flash tidied up, etc.
55
September 10, 2023
Cab started, with some fine detail to bring out, plus plastic to transform into canvas...
56
September 10, 2023
But first, the interior needs to be cleaned up, painted, fine details created, then assembled 🙂
57
September 14, 2023
I'll try to add pedals and hand-painted speedometer. The windows need glass too. The mould bumps need to be removed too.
58
September 14, 2023
I'll also try to add the gear lever, hand brake and a few levers. More work needed on the seats...
59
September 14, 2023
Loose fitted, to give an idea of where this is heading. Fitted the external tank lower, so it's pipes connect through a hole in the bonnet better.
60
September 16, 2023
Holes drilled to each side of the winch drum. I need to deal with the open joint.
61
September 16, 2023
Cable wrapped on the winch.
62
September 16, 2023
Developing the painting of details.
63
September 16, 2023
Still working on the seats, and a base for the gear lever.
64
September 16, 2023
Lumps sanded off the windscreen frame, and painting improved.
65
September 16, 2023
Clutch and brake pedals installed.
66
September 16, 2023
Accelerator pedal, hand brake, and a couple of winch control levers installed. A blob of CA gel used to create knobs on the ends of the levers. I'll gloss black them later.
67
September 16, 2023
Excess plastic removed from the step, so it looks more realistic now.
68
September 16, 2023
A little fading and wear added to the edges of the seats. The gear lever installed too.
69
September 16, 2023
The mesh frame has been filed thinner, so a little less chunky, and the ends of the box thinned too.
70
September 16, 2023
Driver installed on a blob of white glue.
71
September 16, 2023
Meanwhile.....filling circular recesses has to be done on the ramp components.
72
September 16, 2023
Ready for assembly
73
September 16, 2023
These all need to dry thoroughly before I can think about the next steps. The seam on the fuel tank will be filled and sanded next.
74
September 16, 2023
Front windscreen added.
75
September 16, 2023
And the two side windows too.
76
September 16, 2023
Cab joined to the engine compartment, and the steering column and wheel squeezed in.
77
September 16, 2023
The gear lever has been painted dark grey, so it is slightly more visible.
78
September 16, 2023
79
September 16, 2023
Definitely coming together at last 🙂
80
September 16, 2023
Loosely fitted roof need to be painted and installed, together with the rear canvas curtains
81
September 16, 2023
Enough for one day 😉
82
September 17, 2023
The first few pieces have now been assembled
83
September 17, 2023
The next few parts require as much care.
84
September 17, 2023
85
September 17, 2023
The wheels are intended to freely rotate on the axles.
86
September 17, 2023
Front wheels.
87
September 17, 2023
Rear wheels.
88
September 17, 2023
89
September 17, 2023
90
September 17, 2023
91
September 17, 2023
The front suspension pivots but the pin to the front was off centre and too large. Sawed it off and added a replacement
92
September 17, 2023
And now the chassis and front suspension can be installed.
93
September 17, 2023
Time to think about painting parts that will be awkward if installed first.
94
September 17, 2023
Various parts being added to the chassis.
95
September 17, 2023
A tiny hole drilled to allow a cable to be fed between the sheaves.
96
September 17, 2023
Cabin roof suitably weathered.
97
September 17, 2023
Storage bin added. I'll make a step for the rear door.
98
September 17, 2023
Fuel tank added. I'll make a step for the rear door, but the step on the tank looks neat.
99
September 21, 2023
A mock up to see where it is heading. The wheels for the trailer still to be done (two halves to be matched and cleaned up, then painted).
100
September 21, 2023
Wheels loosely positioned, but wheel arches added and underside primed.
101
September 21, 2023
Almost looks like it could be converted to a hot rod!
102
September 21, 2023
Trailer ramps and various small parts added, then primed. Wheels are just loose at the moment.
103
September 23, 2023
The holes in some of the hubs are off-centre, so need painting of the hubs progressed.
104
September 24, 2023
Rear wheels and hubs.
105
September 24, 2023
Front wheels and short axles.
106
September 24, 2023
Painting continues....
107
September 24, 2023
Trailer painting started.
108
September 24, 2023
Picking out details started.
109
September 24, 2023
Rear rollers and sheaves picked out. Leaf springs too.
110
September 24, 2023
A dark wash here and there ...
111
September 24, 2023
112
September 24, 2023
Wheels added. Every axle shortened slightly, so the hubs fit closer to the wheels.
113
September 24, 2023
Step for rear door added. Yes, the steering wheel needs to be reinstalled. Going to be tricky....
114
September 24, 2023
Fuel filler made, and step added.
115
September 24, 2023
Timber deck painted.
116
September 24, 2023
Ready for first customer.
117
September 24, 2023
Comet hitching a lift. Oh, and wheel nuts painted too.
118
September 24, 2023
Just for size comparison.
119
September 30, 2023
Decals applied, sealed and some light weathering to the wheels, etc.
120
September 30, 2023
I'll revisit the wooden tool box, to make it darker and more brown. That seam on the wheel needs to be seen to, too....
121
September 30, 2023
My clumsy fingers snapped off the left indicator, and I'll have to ask the carpet monster for it back.....
122
September 30, 2023
123
September 30, 2023
The right indicator is intact and painted.

Comments

45 27 May 2023, 09:19

Bruce Huxtable
Thanks for your 'likes', mates. I'm hunting for kits first....

27 May 2023, 20:57

Robert Podkoński
Taking a seat! 😉

22 July 2023, 18:06

Bruce Huxtable
Welcome, Robert, this is going to be challenging...

22 July 2023, 18:44

Bruce Huxtable
Welcome, John. Many thanks for your 'likes', everyone. I'm going to try to add more small extras, based on the photos. Two fire extinguishers on the outside of the storage bin, driver's wing mirror, spot lights.... Let's see how this goes 🙂

13 August 2023, 19:22

Bruce Huxtable
Some more progress..... thinking about undercoat, pre-shading, highlights , etc.

14 August 2023, 19:03

Bruce Huxtable
Lots added, and tracks installed, so the deck now fitted to the hull too. Decals added, so more piccies soon. I'd like to try to make the driver's mirror, and cages for the front lights.... Oh, and weathering....and make some shackles too......Still to find a recovery vehicle, so plenty still to do.

19 August 2023, 20:16

Ben M
👀

19 August 2023, 20:21

Bruce Huxtable
Welcome, Ben, and thanks for the 'likes' everyone.

20 August 2023, 07:22

Ben M
What's next, a scammel?

20 August 2023, 19:56

Bruce Huxtable
Indeed, Ben. A recovery vehicle will be the minimum, but it would be good to have a few figures too.

20 August 2023, 20:05

Ben M
There's some great wwii recovery vehicle training videos on YouTube.

20 August 2023, 20:17

Bruce Huxtable
Thanks for the tip, Ben. I'll check them out.

21 August 2023, 06:40

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks for your 'likes', everyone.

24 August 2023, 21:48

Bruce Huxtable
Welcome, James I've ordered a Scammell tank transporter, so the next phase will start soon..... I still have no idea how they spilled a tank off and managed to flip the trailer too!

4 September 2023, 10:11

Walton
Nice job !!!! British tanks are not too many exploited !!!!

7 September 2023, 19:09

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks, Walton. My motivation comes from the old family photos 🙂

8 September 2023, 06:58

Bruce Huxtable
Welcome, John E, and thanks everyone for your 'likes'.

8 September 2023, 07:00

Ahmet Eren İspir
This kit was one of my first AFVs and seeing how much you improved it by adding these details is impressive and it gives me a nostalgic feeling. Great build so far

8 September 2023, 09:36

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks for your encouraging comments, Ahmet. I need to make some small shackle for cables too, so let's see how things progress. I too have re-made a few kits that I made many, many years ago, and enjoyed them all over again (hopefully a little better this time around!).

8 September 2023, 12:07

Oleg Smilyk
Well done, Bruce! It turned out to be a great Comet!

8 September 2023, 14:30

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks, Oleg. There's always room for improvement🙂

8 September 2023, 18:33

Bruce Huxtable
I have now started the Airfix Scammell transporter. Lot's of flash on some of the sprues, which is expected. A few circular recesses to fill, but also several raised circular lumps to neatly remove.... The over-simplified cab needs a few levers and door handles. I'll upload piccies as things progress, but I need to do some research first.....

10 September 2023, 21:51

Bruce Huxtable
Lots of filling and sanding to be done, before anything more can be glued....

14 September 2023, 12:32

Ralf Topeters
Looks great. I'm excited about the outcome! 👍

16 September 2023, 09:06

Bruce Huxtable
Welcome, Ralf. I need to prepare lots of parts today, before any further assembly, plus scratch building of driver.'s controls (fingers crossed...)

16 September 2023, 09:10

Ralf Topeters
You just hit my area of interest and your build looks very resourceful!

16 September 2023, 09:16

Bruce Huxtable
Welcome, Marc. Many thanks for your 'likes', everyone. I hope you like the driver's controls, Ralf. No PE anywhere 😉

16 September 2023, 14:24

Bruce Huxtable
I'm looking forward to preparing the trailer's wheels, and lots of detail painting on the whole rig.

21 September 2023, 12:55

Bruce Huxtable
Welcome, Petr. Not too much assembly to finish, then comes painting...

21 September 2023, 17:13

Walton
Right at picture 101, it looks a bit like a ford 32 hot rod !!!! 😅

21 September 2023, 18:28

Guy Rump
Lovely builds Bruce. 👍

21 September 2023, 19:10

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks, Guy. Slowly but surely, I think things are heading in the right direction.....

21 September 2023, 20:53

Bruce Huxtable
It would be tempting to obtain another of these, just to try some modifications, Walton 😉 It's crying out for a tall, shiny exhaust stack too! And then there's the paint job.....

21 September 2023, 20:55

Walton
Poor scamel !!! 😅

22 September 2023, 07:32

Bruce Huxtable
Welcome, Michael - more progress planned for the weekend 🙂

22 September 2023, 14:51

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks for your 'likes', everyone. It's starting to look as intended, so only a few last things to do.

24 September 2023, 15:02

Bruce Huxtable
Welcome, Carlos, and thanks for your 'likes'.

22 October 2023, 18:05

Ben M
You're not going to have the comet rolled over?

22 October 2023, 18:52

Bruce Huxtable
I'll have to make a suitable base, Ben. But not sure about having no figures.... suggestions?