Cromwell Mk IV - Airfix 1:35

Here is the place to show off the progress of your armor builds
User avatar
KSaarni
Elite Member
Posts: 5621
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 7:13 am
Location: Gent, Belgium
Contact:

Cromwell Mk IV - Airfix 1:35

Post by KSaarni »

Decided to take some time-out with the Avenger, Dauntless etc and focus on a really interesting, but as well important subject; the Cromwell tank.

Background
The town of Ghent in Belgium was liberated on September 6, 1944, by the British 7th Armoured Division, more familiarly known as the “Desert Rats.” While liberating Belgium (and beyond), they primarily used Cromwell and Sherman tanks, along with various other armored vehicles.

To honor this, I want to build this famous British cruiser tank, the Cromwell Mk IV.

I am even chewing with the idea, to add a very basic base as well, part of a road with a few details, such a road sign or similar. Would be fantastic to add a figure or two, but my figure painting skills are zero, so won’t be able to add such. The base need to be so big, that I can fit another vechicle, more precisely a Staghound II. A Staghound was the first armoured vechicle entering the town, all the way to the townhall, while thousands of ”Gentenaars” in other words residents of Ghent were cheering and welcoming the Desert rats.

From Wikipedia: Major-General Gerald Lloyd-Verney, GOC 7th Armoured Division, enters Ghent in his Staghound armoured car, 8 September 1944.
Image

This is Airfix’s relatively new tooling, and so far, I can only recommend it! An excellent kit with astonishing fit and superb engineering. On top of that, the sprues are made of the softer, classic Airfix plastic—something I really like.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Lets see what next!

- Kari
---
On the bench:

MiniArt 1:48 - Junkers F13 Float Plane



https://www.facebook.com/GrundAsk-Scale ... 721218708/
User avatar
LyleW
Admin
Posts: 15035
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 7:25 am
Location: Mt. Washington KY

Re: Cromwell Mk IV - Airfix 1:35

Post by LyleW »

Almost bought a Cromwell the other day. With your magic, this will be good!
To make each build less crappy than the last one. Or, put another way, "Better than the last one, not as good as the next one!"..
User avatar
speedgraflex
Moderator
Posts: 11358
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2017 11:08 pm
Contact:

Re: Cromwell Mk IV - Airfix 1:35

Post by speedgraflex »

Bravo! I am following along, Kari! It’s always a treat to see your work—the assembly is neat as a pin, and your smooth ax silk painting itself draws out the texture of the Airfix plastic. I’m also happy you made a unique post just for this project, merci, grazie, thank you so much for making this project as easy to follow as possible—and I definitely am following along.

Are you using primer or going “commando” without primer on virgin plastic? Those drive wheels look fantastic!

Love the base, with a bit of a difference to it having another armored vehicle as well. Have you thoughts on size?

Are there brass implanted tubes at the front of the tank? Sorry I’m not sure of names. They look a bit superior to the side piece, in terms of detail and weight. Again could be photo shadow trickery here, hence I’m asking. Cheers
Make more models!
User avatar
Gary Brantley
Elite Member
Posts: 2735
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:40 pm
Location: Cameron, Texas

Re: Cromwell Mk IV - Airfix 1:35

Post by Gary Brantley »

This is a cool project, Kari! :cool: That's a mean looking tank right there! :grin:
User avatar
keavdog
Elite Member
Posts: 4777
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:14 am
Location: Earth

Re: Cromwell Mk IV - Airfix 1:35

Post by keavdog »

I really like that staghound. The Cromwell is a wicked looking tank. Suprised to think those tanks with completely vertical armor survived in those later war years. Nice work so far!
Thanks,
John
User avatar
Stikpusher
Moderator
Posts: 21179
Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2014 8:37 pm
Location: Ceti Alpha 5

Re: Cromwell Mk IV - Airfix 1:35

Post by Stikpusher »

Great project choice Kari! :shoutout: :shoutout: :shoutout: There are several Staghound kits to choose from in 1/35, as well as other types such as the Daimler Dingo or Humber types to add to your scene here.
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."

FLSM
User avatar
BlackSheep214
Elite Member
Posts: 13409
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:47 pm

Re: Cromwell Mk IV - Airfix 1:35

Post by BlackSheep214 »

Here’s one… this is the exact type in photo you posted.


Image

Instruction guide from scalemates. You probably can omit the rocket launcher setup.

https://www.scalemates.com/products/img ... ctions.pdf
“Who controls the skies, controls the fate of this Earth”

Author unknown- 352nd Fighter Group, Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney

“Send one plane it’s a sortie; send two planes it’s a flight; send four planes it’s a test of airpower. - Richard Kohn
User avatar
Stuart
Elite Member
Posts: 11887
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:06 pm
Location: North Wales

Re: Cromwell Mk IV - Airfix 1:35

Post by Stuart »

Nice subject Kari - something on my to-get list at some point. You're off to a good start too.

Liking the idea of the diorama!
Stuart Templeton 'I may not be good but I'm slow...'
User avatar
KSaarni
Elite Member
Posts: 5621
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 7:13 am
Location: Gent, Belgium
Contact:

Re: Cromwell Mk IV - Airfix 1:35

Post by KSaarni »

Thank you Lyle, Bruce, Gary, John, Carlos, Tom and Stuart!

I just ordered Broncos Staghound Mk. I (thanks Tom for the tip!)

@Bruce: So many questions! :-) Have not come so far with the planning of the base, but I guess about size A4 (or about Letter size in the US). I do use primer & thanks for the compliments! Need to weather the wheels still, dry dust, not mud. September 1944 was, I guess, based on the pictures, dry in Belgium, at least in my scenario :whistle:
There came a few PE parts, and those are the ones you see, sharp eyes Bruce!

Let's see what next!

- Kari
---
On the bench:

MiniArt 1:48 - Junkers F13 Float Plane



https://www.facebook.com/GrundAsk-Scale ... 721218708/
User avatar
KSaarni
Elite Member
Posts: 5621
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 7:13 am
Location: Gent, Belgium
Contact:

Re: Cromwell Mk IV - Airfix 1:35

Post by KSaarni »

Back to the Cromwell, which has been primed and waiting for a layer of olive drab

Image

Meanwhile the roadwheels have received their 1st step in the weathering process, a simple oilwash "raw umber"

Image

Image

Image


Quite happy with the results

Let's see what next!

- Kari
---
On the bench:

MiniArt 1:48 - Junkers F13 Float Plane



https://www.facebook.com/GrundAsk-Scale ... 721218708/
Post Reply

Return to “Work In Progress: Armor”