Meng 1:35 French FT-17 (Riveted Turret)

[OneSmallStep1966]

I've been loitering on this forum admiring everyone else's work for long enough and decided that it was about time I plucked up the courage to share my first proper attempt at building an AFV.
Please be kind because modelling AFV is a long way from my comfort zone of Real Space models and its been quite a steep learning curve trying to get to grips with new techniques (weathering being chief among them), so don't expect a masterpiece but I do welcome constructive criticism because its a great way to learn

Right, my choice of first kit was Meng's 1:35 French FT-17 Riveted Turret.



It's a beautifully detailed little kit and has a basic interior, but I wasn't sure if I wanted it buttoned up or open, so I decided to construct the interior anyway leaving me the option to decide later on.



Spring suspension assembly



Running gear



I didn't photograph the running gear assembly because it was quite a fiddly process and I forgot (sorry ), but along the way I did decide I didn't want the hatches open and went ahead and buttoned them up.




The included diorama base is quite nice and was quickly assembled...



...and finally, assembly of the turret and tracks.





A dry test fit



After making good the grinners (bad bits) I got to try out the Ultimate Primer (aka Stynylrez) for the first time. It proved to be a revelation and I now understand what everyone is raving about It does airbrush beautifully and has left a superb finish.




Next job will be starting the US Army Verdun paint scheme.

[privatepete]

Hi you plucked up the courage end jumped in with both feet ,I don't know what you worried about awesome start ,I will be watching.Pete

[pir8hntr]

It looks really good. Should turn out to be a great build.

[OneSmallStep1966]

Thank you

Yesterday I ordered a set of Master Box Tankmen of WWI Era figures and will try to incorporate the French crew into this build (I also have plans for the German and British crews in other projects).

tankmen_wwi_1.jpg

[InitialProduction1]

Great looking build onesmallstep1966, don't you think company's are really raising the bar for kits, I mean look a dio piece with the kit, awesome. Again really great build.

[OneSmallStep1966]

don't you think company's are really raising the bar for kits, I mean look a dio piece with the kit, awesome.

I couldn't agree more and it's even more impressive that this kit with its diorama base and metal suspension parts only cost £23.00.

[InitialProduction1]

Dang, you couldn't go wrong with that kit, with that cost to, that's amazing I've got to get that kit. I only have to live till I'm 150 and I'll get all my kits built, lol.

[Naedrux]

An included diorama base? That's brilliant! I feel as though I've been living under a rock for the last couple of years. It'll be exciting to see what you can make out of this kit, it certainly looks good so far.

[privatepete]

Hi the vice/ tool I got from Ebay for £7.99/free postage from RS Shop after seeing Paul revue on the news show.

I also find this small jewelry hand vice handy got that for Ebay as well £6.5 /free post from Tool n Tools UK .

just to get the rough size

that is a very good price for that model Pete.

[OneSmallStep1966]

Thanks for the vice information, I now have one on order

Meng make two versions of this kit, riveted turret and cast turret. The cast turret version includes a full interior with engine but lacks the diorama base and is more than twice as expensive which seems odd?

[OneSmallStep1966]

Got a bit more done the last couple of days.

Started off with painting the base colour...



...and then used Humbrol Maskol for the Camo pattern.




After picking off the Maskol I was left with this...




Still quite a bit of clean-up to do and I'm not totally happy with the way Maskol has left some jagged edges behind, so next time I might try silly putty instead.

Thats it for now because the dreaded in-laws are visiting for the rest of the Bank Holiday and that will ensure no further progress for a few days

[InitialProduction1]

our prays are out to you buddy, I hate maskol and others like them, I never get a clean mask, I like silly puddy, anyway, that's why I get impressed with guys who build wwI stuff, i love the camos you get to do. Very cool,

[Coen]

I'm a silly putty or blue tac dude myself.
I've tried the maskol on a couple of builds and it's never gone well. No where near as well as yours. That worked really well for what it was. Nice work!
I still use maskol for small jobs.

[privatepete]

Hi Norm sorry to see what has happen , I'am waiting for some Ultimate primer, your not going like this one silly putty,I hate maskol tried the on a couple of builds crap,I though it was because I brush paint but silly putty works for me Pete

[privatepete]

HI Norm have you had a chance to do any clean-up work as you call it.Pete

[OneSmallStep1966]

HI Norm have you had a chance to do any clean-up work as you call it.Pete

Thanks to the dreaded in-laws I didn't get a chance to do anymore over the Easter weekend and I've been busy at work this week so the answer is no
If time allows this weekend I'll try and push it on but I think SWIMBO might have other ideas

[privatepete]

Hi Norm I don't know if you get any model magazine's but you might want to have a look at Military Scale Modeller International, April's is there is a Ft-17 article in it,4 pages ,complete build might give you some ideals.

[OneSmallStep1966]

Hi Norm I don't know if you get any model magazine's but you might want to have a look at Military Scale Modeller International, April's is there is a Ft-17 article in it,4 pages ,complete build might give you some ideals.

Cheers for that, I'll see if I can pick up a copy.

[OneSmallStep1966]

I've done my best on the base but have to admit I'm finding this scenery/weathering malarky very difficult...







I also started to weather the FT-17 but I think I've eff'd it up and on the verge of abandoning this project...I guess more practise is needed .

[InitialProduction1]

That is freaken awesome OneSmallStep1966, your helping that company make me give up my money, lol.

[privatepete]

Honestly Norm I don't think you've got a lot to worry about it's very very good

[OneSmallStep1966]

Thanks guys, but I know when to call a retreat and I am doing so here because my first proper attempt to weather a vehicle didn't work out well

I was more or less happy (maskol aside) with the FT-17 up until the weathering stage where I properly messed it up trying to hide one mistake after another leaving me with an over-weathered FT-17 that looks like it was splatted by a seagull full of muddy poo.

The FT-17 may have ended up a horrible mess but I I've learnt from it and will approach it differently next time

Does this forum have a How-Not-To section for completed builds?

[Coen]

Very very COOL!!!!!
Nicely done!

[Gauzer]

Looks good to me.

[OneSmallStep1966]

Thanks guys, you are to kind and I do appreciate your comments

The problem for me (and it's a good problem) is that the bar for finish quality on this forum is set very, very, high and my mediocare efforts look poor in comparison.

[Tiger213]

I have the same model on the way, so this is very good source of inspiration

and I do not think you messed it up. Is there a way to reduce the weathering? using white spirit or any other cleaner? because the built and paint job was very well done

[OneSmallStep1966]

Is there a way to reduce the weathering? using white spirit or any other cleaner? because the built and paint job was very well done

Thank you for your kind comment

I could possibly reduce the weathering but I prefer to move on to the next build. However, I am tempted to buy another one of these kits (currently on eBay for just £20.99 delivered) because it was such a beautiful kit to build and I wouldn't mind having another crack at it again in the future.

[Tiger213]

Good to go, I keep my fingers crossed for the next one to be much better.
I fully agree, I also love this "two man mini-tank"

Next week, mine should arrive. I have already Dragon SS-VT figures, I plant to have a small scene from Frane 1940.