Tamiya Cromwell Mk IV 1/35

[Augustus]

First thing I noticed was how soft the plastic was. Had to be very careful sanding not to take too much off.

It went together easy enough. I didn't have the PE mesh and the supplied one was very wimpy so I put the Normandy cowling on. I read that most late models had this improvement, but the fit was a bit dodgy.

All I've done so far is stick it together and added a base coat of Ammo British Olive Drab 44-5 (Mig-112).

[alextheblue]

Great progress so far! Love the Cromwell, it's a great looking tank, nice and industrial.

[privatepete]

Hi looking good, its nice to a British tank good luck with the rest of the build

[Kevthemodeller]

I'm looking forward to this build, looks good so far

[chalkyw]

Looking good so far Augustus , I'll sit back and watch with interest as I've got one in the stash

[OneSmallStep1966]

Watching along

[Augustus]

I read somewhere (and cannot find it now!!!) that the tracks on the Cromwell were made of Magnesium or Manganese. If this is so how would these wear/corrode?

[chalkyw]

Augustus, what with having a vested interest in this build I did a bit of digging and yes the tracks were made with manganese in the steel, I also found a painting guide for this type of track. Its for a Tiger but the material is the same so I presume the colours will be as well

The Tiger's tracks were made from Manganese (as was the drive sprocket), which unpolished has a very dark brown colour. For this reason I usually paint my tracks Dark Brown. I use Lifecolor's acrylic 'SchokoladenBraun' UA205 or Humbrol's matt 160 for enamel, but any Dark Brown colour from any paint maker would do. Then I give the tracks a dry brush with a 'Steel' colour to highlight the 'worn/polished' edges. And finally I give the tracks a wash with black oil just to darken all the crooks and crannies and tone down the 'Steel' colour.

Hope that helps and something I'll be doing when I start my own Cromwell......looking forward to the next update
Cheers
Chalky

[Augustus]

The Tiger's tracks were made from Manganese (as was the drive sprocket), which unpolished has a very dark brown colour. For this reason I usually paint my tracks Dark Brown. I use Lifecolor's acrylic 'SchokoladenBraun' UA205 or Humbrol's matt 160 for enamel, but any Dark Brown colour from any paint maker would do. Then I give the tracks a dry brush with a 'Steel' colour to highlight the 'worn/polished' edges. And finally I give the tracks a wash with black oil just to darken all the crooks and crannies and tone down the 'Steel' colour.

Hope that helps and something I'll be doing when I start my own Cromwell......looking forward to the next update
Cheers
Chalky

Cheers Chalky, that's most helpful.

Be very careful with the decals. The allied star on the top of the turret lays across the air vent. When trying to settle it with Solva Set/Sol it tore and disintegrated. I thought it was just my amateurish attempts but it happened to a couple of others on flat surfaces. Also I'd drilled a hole for an antenna too far too the centre which didn't help with the positioning of the star. I had a smaller allied cross left over from the Sherman so I placed that near the rear of the turret. It's facing the opposite direction to the stars in the instructions. I did this because I thought that the star on top surfaces had to face forward for identification from the air, see below. I don't know if this is correct but it seems logical to me.

[InitialProduction1]

Hey Augustus cool build. didn't they put a 17-pounder it that tank Also?.

[Augustus]

Just a small update.
A wee bit of chipping and metalizing some edges.
A sprinkling of dried mud and dust around the wheel arches, and front and back, done with wash, hand and old toothbrush.
Bit of soot around the exhaust cowling.
And a light coat of Aqua Wash for the next lot of weathering.

[Augustus]

Hey Augustus cool build. didn't they put a 17-pounder it that tank Also?.

When you said that mate it rang a bell but then I think it was a variant on the Cromwell. I'm by no means an expert on this type of stuff though, I just go by what I like and what looks right.

[digger303]

A30 Avenger SP 17pdr was a later derivative of the Cromwell used after the d day landings

[chalkyw]

Great progress Augustus and I'll keep an eye on those decals when I do mine

[Augustus]

Behind the turret, the top of the deck is long and flat and would be ideal for stowage but I'm not sure if I want any, or maybe just a little.

But if I do I've made some box/crate type shapes from some kind of polystyrene. Just cut to different sizes and to be hidden under a tarp. I've painted them different colours so that if someone's looking under the tarp it won't just be white.

[chalkyw]

Behind the turret, the top of the deck is long and flat and would be ideal for stowage but I'm not sure if I want any, or maybe just a little.

But if I do I've made some box/crate type shapes from some kind of polystyrene. Just cut to different sizes and to be hidden under a tarp. I've painted them different colours so that if someone's looking under the tarp it won't just be white.

Now that's a bloody good idea which I hadn't thought of

[Klargplutte]

There was also A30 Challenger , Cromvell based tank with 17pdr. Comet had the 77mm gun wich was a modified 17pdr to fit better in smaller turrets.

[Augustus]

Looking rather menacing I think,



In the early morning mist,

[Augustus]

For what should have been a straightforward build I ran into a few problems along the way. Nothing major, just irritating little things that didn't go as they should of. But I suppose that's all part of the learning, and the fun really.

It's bad when you step back and have a look at photos you've just taken as they don't hide a thing. I've especially noticed some terrible attempts at chipping. I'm not going to go over it now though, I'll leave them there to remind me to be more careful in the future as I can now see the results.

So here she is, feel free to say as you please,

Cheers,















First attempt at battle damage. I don't know if it's realistic or not and don't really care, I like it. It was weird going at your freshly built model with a whirring drill bit!

[Madmattmodels89]

Honestly I love the way you tackled the weathering! It's subtle and not too much in your face! I'd say great job! Also love the battle damage! Fits the model very well!

[Kevthemodeller]

Looking good mate, I've got to get me one of these

[chalkyw]

Looking very nice Augustus, good that you haven't gone OTT with the weathering ....as Kev said I might have to break open mine from the stash. BTW - between you and me I painted the M3 Stuart four times until I was happy with the chipping, its very easy to get it wrong but a good learning experience for the future.
Cheers
Chalky

[Augustus]

Looking very nice Augustus, good that you haven't gone OTT with the weathering ....as Kev said I might have to break open mine from the stash?....
Chalky

Thanks for the kind words all. When I did the Sherman I liked what I'd done, then thought "I'll try some mud" and the mud covered the best bits. So, this time I made a conscious effort for less aggressive weathering.

Chalky and Kev, this was a nice little kit to do. I think they're great looking beasts. Very British, functional and great big bloody rivets.

[chalkyw]

We like great big bloody rivets

[arkbuilder2012]

Nice to see one of these kits built. Always like the look of the Cromwell and Comet.

[Liamcraven666]

Great job , that battle damage on the turret looks spot on.

[Augustus]

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment everyone.

[chalkyw]

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment everyone.

Well I've started a new one so where's all this German stuff then .....lol

[Augustus]

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment everyone.

Well I've started a new one so where's all this German stuff then .....lol

I never said 'all German stuff', I just like a bit of diversity. I'm not happy with the way the 35(t) has gone, even the paint job had a go at me. So instead of continuing in anger I've put it to one side for the mo and will start something else tomorrow. I'll see how I feel, it could well end up being another German though!

[Augustus]

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment everyone.

Well I've started a new one so where's all this German stuff then .....lol

I never said 'all German stuff', I just like a bit of diversity. I'm not happy with the way the 35(t) has gone, even the paint job had a go at me. So instead of continuing in anger I've put it to one side for the mo and will start something else tomorrow. I'll see how I feel, it could well end up being another German though!

Just for you mate:

http://intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=19021