First Build in 52 yrs. Mk ll Universal Carrier

[cannuck]

1:35 Scale Tamiya Universal carrier Mk ll, first attempt at using photo etch ( eduard upgrade), as well as figures and simple diorama. 

Painted and finished with all Vallejo products . Completely Hand Painted.

My uncle crewed one in Italy and  NW Europe during WW2.

All comments welcome as help improve my next build an Archer SPG.e, to help me improve for my next build an Archer SPG.

[Rootes75]

What fantastic detail, it looks brilliant.

[KevinT]

Hi Cannuck,

Really nice work.

That is great work with the old Tamiya Universal Carrier. Have you tried any of the RIICH Models Carriers in the same 1/35th scale? They do a MK I, II and Airborne Mk III as well as a Vickers Machine Gun Carrier, a 3" Mortar Carrier and Mk I and IIC WASP's. They also do a set of tracks with running gear, drive sprockets that update the old Tamiya tracks and wheels.

You have now inspired me to do the Mk I that I have had in the stash for a while.

Cheers

Kevin

[cannuck]

Good day Kevin, thank you for your comments. Yes I have seen the RIICH carriers at the hobby store when I decided to start into this hobby. They were a bit pricey compared to the Tamiya carrier for a first build, not knowing how it would turn out and if I would continue to take this up as a true hobby. So starting from scratch, I went and purchased a few books, paints /weathering products, brushes, Eduard Photo Etch, and a whole lot of tools. Then an inexpensive kit, with ties to my Uncles involvement during WW2 ( 10 -11 months later a product). Now that I have spent way more on supplies then the kit  and the first product turned out reasonably well ( not yet at the standards of  things posted on modeling sites), I feel I will continue. My plan is to start by building kits the have a ties to my families involvement in WW2. This will test my ability to build planes , a ship and varies land vehicles .  My next build will be a SPG Archer 1:35 scale from Tamiya.

Note this is the first time ever using photo etch, figures and hand painting everything.

Boy the real world of proper modeling is quite a shock, considering my last build as a 13 yr. old, which was more of a right of passage for teens at that time. A quick slap together, some basic paint and done.

Thanks again Dennis

[KevinT]

Hi Dennis,

The Tamiya Archer is a nice kit and goes together well with no real issues. Good choice. Not sure if there is any photo etch for the Archer or not.

Like you I too hand paint all of my models, all British / Commonwealth WW II and all in 1/35th scale.

Keep modelling now you have started back up again.

Cheers

Kevin

[Chris Camfield]

Hi Dennis,

I realize I'm about six months too late so I imagine you have made your Archer, but if you have any questions related to the vehicle let me know, like if you want to use different markings from what's provided in the kit. 

The Tamiya kit has a spotlight on the right side of the fighting compartment (if you're looking at the vehicle from the point of view of the driver) and a cable reel mount on the right mudguard which is actually missing the cable reel. After the first 300 vehicles - as I recall - the spotlight was removed and the cable reel mount was moved up to around that location. But probably all the Archers used during WW2 were in that range.

Cheers!

PS Hope to have my book on the Archer done early in 2022

[KevinT]

Chris / Dennis,

I have been going through the Canadian Heritage site and have found ( so far ) the following census numbers for Valentine  SP 17pdr.

Canadian

1st Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA

CS279670, 704, 852, 889, 898, 899, 900, 904, 907, 909, 912, 939, 948, 983, 984, 985 and CS279989

2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA

SS279713, 724, 726, 727, 729, 749, 766, 783, 801, 814, 827, 834, 835, 842, 848, 851, 854, 857, 860, 865, 915, 917 and CS279543

3rd Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA

CS279658, 660, 661, 710, 717, 719, 720, 730, 734, 744, 759, 763, 769, 787, 832, 861, 876, 880, 914, 921 and CS279936

British

55th Anti-Tank Regiment, RA

S279606, 608, 621, 634, 645, 651, 656, 673, 715, 721, 722, 739, 758, 776 (220 Battery), 778, 779 (220 Battery), 799 and S279820 (220 Battery).

So Dennis if you haven't started the markings that should give you a little more choice of census numbers.

Chris,

Is your book going to be available in the UK once you get it published?

Cheers

Kevin

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by KevinT

[Chris Camfield]

Hi Kevin,

My book will be published in the UK in fact, by Trackpad Publishing.

I have a somewhat longer list of serials, but it needs some work to be presentable. 
 

Cheers,
Chris

[Enigma]

I like the weathering and action that goes on. Well done

[cannuck]

2 hours ago, Chris Camfield said:

Hi Kevin,

My book will be published in the UK in fact, by Trackpad Publishing.

I have a somewhat longer list of serials, but it needs some work to be presentable. 
 

Cheers,
Chris

 

4 hours ago, Chris Camfield said:

Hi Dennis,

I realize I'm about six months too late so I imagine you have made your Archer, but if you have any questions related to the vehicle let me know, like if you want to use different markings from what's provided in the kit. 

The Tamiya kit has a spotlight on the right side of the fighting compartment (if you're looking at the vehicle from the point of view of the driver) and a cable reel mount on the right mudguard which is actually missing the cable reel. After the first 300 vehicles - as I recall - the spotlight was removed and the cable reel mount was moved up to around that location. But probably all the Archers used during WW2 were in that range.

Cheers!

PS Hope to have my book on the Archer done early in 2022

Good day Chris, no you are not to late, as it takes me awhile to complete my builds. This is only my second build ,all painted by brush so it takes me awhile to complete. I have some pictures of Canadian Archers from 1943 - 1945 an they all seem to have the spot light and cable reel on the right side. I did do a lot of research and got in contact with the Canadian Artillery Museum in Manitoba for some good information.. I presently have the lower hull and tracks done, as well some of the upper hull. Working on the gun right now.

I will post the finish product here hopefully in the new year.

cheers Dennis

I was wondering are you in Alberta?

 

[cannuck]

2 hours ago, Enigma said:

I like the weathering and action that goes on. Well done

Thanks for the comments, Enigma.

I was over in the Netherlands in 2017, and followed the path of my uncle from his records, an his regiments battles. Also got to stop in Overloon it is a fantastic collection.

cheers Dennis

[cannuck]

3 hours ago, KevinT said:

Chris / Dennis,

I have been going through the Canadian Heritage site and have found ( so far ) the following census numbers for Valentine  SP 17pdr.

Canadian

1st Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA

CS279670, 704, 852, 889, 898, 899, 900, 904, 907, 909, 912, 939, 948, 983, 984, 985 and CS279989

2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA

SS279713, 724, 726, 727, 729, 749, 766, 783, 801, 814, 827, 834, 835, 842, 848, 851, 854, 857, 860, 865, 915, 917 and CS279543

3rd Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA

CS279658, 660, 661, 710, 717, 719, 720, 730, 734, 744, 759, 763, 769, 787, 832, 861, 876, 880, 914, 921 and CS279936

British

55th Anti-Tank Regiment, RA

S279606, 608, 621, 634, 645, 651, 656, 673, 715, 721, 722, 739, 758, 776 (220 Battery), 778, 779 (220 Battery), 799 and S279820 (220 Battery).

So Dennis if you haven't started the markings that should give you a little more choice of census numbers.

Chris,

Is your book going to be available in the UK once you get it published?

Cheers

Kevin

 

Thanks for all the extra markings . I will definitely keep these on hand.

Cheers Dennis 

[Chris Camfield]

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for your reply! No, I'm not in Alberta... I'm in deepest darkest Toronto. Which is fortunate from a writing point of view because it turns out the local reference library has a ton of regimental and divisional history books.

I am glad that the artillery museum was able to help you. I have not been in touch with them, I have to admit - don't know why, except that I couldn't visit them in person. The War Museum in Ottawa had some interesting things like an Archer maintenance manual.