SPA Modeler

Tamiya’s most recent issue of this kit includes two figures for the turret. One seated in one of the gun mount seats, and the other perched on the turret rear... both in summer Africa uniforms... and also with a motorcycle and rider... if only that kit had been out when I bought this one... that would have saved me yesterday’s figure building and test fitting session and I could have been further along...

So during some image searches on this kit I found that the are on the top deck behind the turret is mesh on the real thing. Tamiya has it molded like it could be a texture plate non slip area....





So I gave in to the urge and broke out my Dremel and a grinding bit to thin it out and open up the mesh area, then I poked thru with some sharp tools





I overdid it a bit on one grid, but not too bad...

and then it was time for some primer



No bench time today due to a double shift at work, so I’ll start painting tomorrow...

oh yes, I primed up the crew figures too. Here is a direct overhead shot of the legless guy in the turret... his lack of lower legs is mostly concealed by the gun mount and only shows up under such illumination as a penlight shined in there....

That was a cool thing to do, using the Dremel !
I guess you used very low RPM:s to avoid melting ?

Coming along nicely!

- Kari

Thanks Kari. Yes, the lowest RPM setting that I could use, and a very light touch.... make a few runs, then hold it up to a window to check for translucence.... repeat at needed.

Looks great Stick! Looking at the figure I would also leave it as is too to beat the deadline. Great work on the screen on the top deck.

Thanks Clint. Time is my main limiting factor here. I could potentially do a lot more with the base kit of this... I’m coming up with ideas on this that I could use on the 223 in my stash.

Thanks Bruce. I’ll try to get some of the remaining openings taken care of with my pin vise and some micro drill bits...

Indeed the area... Tristar had some of the best figure sculptors in 1/35 injection plastic. Especially the faces.