A.F.V Club Mk.11c 'Achilles' winter dio.

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Sun Sep 15, 2019 4:50 pm

Hi all

Going to do this winter dio I have been planing for a while first off is the kit the AFV Club Achilles tank destroyer because of there thin armour they would use stealth often laying in wait behind cover for the German counter attack with tanks so they could pick them off one by one. The dio will be of a Achilles lying in wait using a house and wall with gate as cover with a winter theme.

A little bit of history on the Achilles when the tanks arrived from the US the tanks were fitted with the standard US anti-tank gun but there was a problem with this gun a shortage of available shells. The British had quite a few 17 pounder anti-tank guns available and a plentiful supply of shells for that gun. So after the upgrade all Britsh M10's were called Wolverines first and after the changes made to the turret to accommodate the 17 pounder 'Achilles'.

The kit is to AFV's usual standard and in green styrene and includes a turned metal gun barrel. The kit also has winter camo version in the instructions paint guide. The tracks provided with the kit are the wrong type so the Bronco working tracks were obtained to replace them. I also got the latest book on the M10. Other extras are the Eduard etch set, legend stowage set, crew set, miniart dio set,paint sets and finally the Krycell snow system.

The kit-

P2162022 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P2162024 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P2162028 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P2162029 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P2162031 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P2162034 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P2162035 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P2162037 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Book-

P3132679 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Tracks-

P2232475 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Etch-

P2232474 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Baggage set-

P2202371 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Crew-

P2232471 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Dio base-

P2232477 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Snow system-

P9154471 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Andy

Post by **Quax** » Sun Sep 15, 2019 5:59 pm

Wow Andy this looks like it's going to be very cool,

definitely going to keep an eye on it!

Cheers Paul

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:52 pm

Thanx for looking in and your comments Paul

Post by **TheNordus** » Sun Sep 15, 2019 10:56 pm

Looks like you have good kits for a nice diorama. I'll be looking at your progress, definitely.
By the way, I think its a Mk. 2c Achilles, not a Mk. 11.

Post by **digger303** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:09 am

Wow very nice upgrades, this is going to look spick when you have finished. I haven't seen that snow system before . Is it good ?

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:27 am

TheNordus wrote: Sun Sep 15, 2019 10:56 pm Looks like you have good kits for a nice diorama. I'll be looking at your progress, definitely.
By the way, I think its a Mk. 2c Achilles, not a Mk. 11.

It's the brits and there confusing armour designations there was a 1c and then a 11c so all they did was add another 1 to the one already there instead of putting a 2 there. One plus one equals two so to speak. Thanks for looking in and your comments.

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:37 am

digger303 wrote: Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:09 am Wow very nice upgrades, this is going to look spick when you have finished. I haven't seen that snow system before . Is it good ?
[/quote

Thanks for looking in and your comments Digger. The krycell stuff is very good I have used it before in a winter mute dio I did (see my finished builds). There starter set is a good way to start and the website has tutorials and they do some nice sheets that can be broken up to resemble broken ice in a small streamriver after a vehicle has assed through it.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:57 am

This looks great - will be watching with interest how you bring it all together.

Us Brits and our Roman Numerals eh?

Post by **digger303** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:50 am

Hawkmoon wrote: Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:37 am
digger303 wrote: Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:09 am Wow very nice upgrades, this is going to look spick when you have finished. I haven't seen that snow system before . Is it good ?
[/quote

Thanks for looking in and your comments Digger. The krycell stuff is very good I have used it before in a winter mute dio I did (see my finished builds). There starter set is a good way to start and the website has tutorials and they do some nice sheets that can be broken up to resemble broken ice in a small streamriver after a vehicle has assed through it.
I shall put that in my too buy list..thanks

Post by **Donkeywalloper** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:13 pm

Monsterous

amounts of upgrades and additions there.

out and sat on comfiest sofa awaiting this spiffing Dio
DW

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:06 pm

Looking forward to seeing this one come together

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Tue Sep 17, 2019 8:19 am

Thanks for looking in and your comments Kev

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Wed Sep 18, 2019 9:47 pm

We start with the internals, the kit provides the seats,radios,instrument panel, transmission and transfer boxes but no steering controls or emergency hatch. The etch set has rectified this and then the front area where the driver/radio man sits was painted white the exposed rear open turret area was then painted green base.

The weathering has been started but not finished still a bit to do here. More soon.

Andy

P9184473 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9184476 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9184478 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9184480 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9184481 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Post by **Donkeywalloper** » Thu Sep 19, 2019 7:18 am

Loving it, very subtle weathering, spot on.
DW

Post by **digger303** » Thu Sep 19, 2019 11:34 am

OFF to a pretty good start

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu Sep 19, 2019 5:21 pm

You're off to a good start

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Fri Sep 20, 2019 9:08 am

Thanks for looking in and your comments every one

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Sun Sep 22, 2019 6:59 pm

The internal weathering is finished now all there is to add are the shells the kit only supplies enough to fit out the turret and the ones provided in the resin set are the US type. A.F.V do a brass shell set for this kit that should provide enough to fill the racks above the wheels so im waiting for them to arrive from the far east so the build is sorta on hold till they arrive but I can get on with other things on the dio.

The lower body also has had various components fitted along with the main wheels. The upper body of the tank has had various parts attached and is now at the painting stage. The turret and main gun assemblies are complete and ready for some paint.

Made a start on the baggage set and have removed all the casting blocks and is now ready for paint.

P9224485 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9224486 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9224489 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9224492 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9224494 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9224496 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9224498 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9224501 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Andy

Post by **CygnusX1** » Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:02 am

I must have missed this one somehow...
Looks like it's coming along great; very nice and subtle weathering on that interior.
This is really nice looking build and you don't look too far away from paint.

Post by **digger303** » Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:25 am

The leather seats and Pe has come out a treat.

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Wed Sep 25, 2019 7:04 pm

CygnusX1 wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:02 am I must have missed this one somehow...
Looks like it's coming along great; very nice and subtle weathering on that interior.
This is really nice looking build and you don't look too far away from paint.

Thanks for looking in and your comments Cygnus. Once the shell racks are full [ There on the way probably on the Mongolian snail mail or economy economy mail] the top will be buttoned up and then the paint fest begins.

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Wed Sep 25, 2019 7:14 pm

digger303 wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:25 am The leather seats and Pe has come out a treat.

Thanks for looking in and your comments Digger the etch set is not too bad the only thing that annoys about etch sets is when they try to replace round grab handles with flat parts just provide some wire + template and I will make my own, rant over.

Post by **digger303** » Thu Sep 26, 2019 12:31 am

Hawkmoon wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 7:14 pm
digger303 wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:25 am The leather seats and Pe has come out a treat.
Thanks for looking in and your comments Digger the etch set is not too bad the only thing that annoys about etch sets is when they try to replace round grab handles with flat parts just provide some wire + template and I will make my own, rant over.

Often thought the same over the grab rails so quiet understand where your at there.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Thu Sep 26, 2019 3:08 pm

Wow - really great progress since the last time I had chance to check in!

The interior looks superb.

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Thu Sep 26, 2019 6:23 pm

Tomcat64 wrote: Thu Sep 26, 2019 3:08 pm Wow - really great progress since the last time I had chance to check in!

The interior looks superb.

Thanks for looking in and your comments Tomcat, I do like the AFV kits I have a few in the stash I need to get around to building

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Fri Sep 27, 2019 5:12 pm

The shell set arrived very quickly from Taiwan in only 6 days so the inside can now get finished off and the top buttoned down.

P9274502 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9274506 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

P9274505 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Post by **CygnusX1** » Mon Sep 30, 2019 5:39 pm

Nice set of shells; must have cost some to come from Taiwan. Where are you buying from?

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Mon Sep 30, 2019 5:46 pm

Hi Cygnus

Thanks for looking in and your comments.

The shell set was on flea-bay at £14.58 including postage [ I know the postage is hidden in the price] and is a genuine AFC Club part so I didnt do too bad.

I have also found model shops in Taiwan that have some great prices but they only sell locally and dont export anything.

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 7:01 pm

Shells painted and fitted into the racks with the etch straps [ 6 saved for the turret racks]. You can also now see why I did not remove the ejector pin marks as I knew the shells/cases would hide them. The upper deck was masked off then glued to the lower hull ready for undercoat and paint.

PA034597 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA034601 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Post by **alextheblue** » Fri Oct 04, 2019 7:10 pm

Beautiful painting and weathering on that interior detail. Shame to put the upper hull on!

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Sat Oct 05, 2019 12:32 am

Hi Alex

with the open turret on the Achilles you can see more of the interior than say an open hatch Sherman so more can be seen so to speak but thanks for looking in and your comments all appreciated

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:49 pm

The hull and turret were first undercoated in MIG one shot black primer and when dry MIG olive drab base was sprayed on the parts. Started to prep the workable tracks.

PA054602 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA054606 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 8:02 pm

Tracks were undercoated then painted steel for the pins/horns and rubber black for the pads. The track set works by glueing an upper and lower pad together with the pins captured by the pads then the horns are added.

I tried the finished track on the Achilles to see how they look and there much better than I thought [ just need to add 3 more pads to complete the track ], they take time to assemble but the results speak for them selves.

Painted sprues

PA064609 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Assembly

PA064611 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Adding the horns

PA064613 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

One track completed

PA064616 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Test need 3 more pads to complete the track.

PA064617 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Second track still to do

PA064619 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:12 am

Very interesting, painting the tracks before assembly

The build is really coming together, some lovely internal weathering and detailing

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Mon Oct 07, 2019 10:27 am

Hi Kev

The T51 type track was really thick rubber pads joined together with metal rod's and the drive wheel horns attached to the metal rods. The horns also overhang the pads on the inside making it hard to pain't properly after assembly. Also the pads are glued together along a central Groove so the tracks stay fully operational.

Thanks for looking in and your comments

Andy

Post by **Quax** » Mon Oct 07, 2019 1:15 pm

Hi Andy, its come together very nicely and I have of course been stealing as much as possible for my M10.

Your tracks will however far out do my Tamiya offerings

cheers

Paul

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Mon Oct 07, 2019 9:02 pm

Borrow whatever you find useful Paul and thanks for looking in and your comments

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Tue Oct 08, 2019 8:43 pm

Tracks are done, the spare pads and teeth in the picture are to join each track when fitted on the tank. Bronco are quite generous with there sprues as I have one complete set of each left although the carpet monster did not get to feast on any parts this time round.

PA084622 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA084624 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA084625 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Thu Oct 10, 2019 9:48 pm

Decals added front and rear, tools made painted and fitted, 50 cal assembled/painted, exhaust made up crusted up/painted and the recovery hawser made up painted and fitted.

Started to apply the winter wash camo, im using Precision Ice and Snow winter camo paint for this.

PA104631 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA104632 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA104634 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA104635 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA104636 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA104642 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA104643 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA104645 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA104647 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA104649 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Post by **rcfanuk** » Sat Oct 12, 2019 11:15 am

Great job mate, very tempted to get this kit so have picked up the AG book on the M10/ Achilles

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Sat Oct 12, 2019 6:10 pm

Thanks for looking in and your comments rcfan its a nice kit that goes together well the only down side is no driver controls but the etch set takes care of that

Post by **CygnusX1** » Tue Oct 15, 2019 4:43 pm

Definitely looking good - from your initial post though, it looks like you've still got a way to go yet though.

How long did it take for those Bronco tracks to make? It looks like a lot of parts for one track link...

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Tue Oct 15, 2019 9:59 pm

CygnusX1 wrote: Tue Oct 15, 2019 4:43 pm Definitely looking good - from your initial post though, it looks like you've still got a way to go yet though.

How long did it take for those Bronco tracks to make? It looks like a lot of parts for one track link...

Thanks for looking in and your comments Cygnus the tracks well the first set I did took around 4 hours but as you assemble them you get faster as you get into the swing of things and the last one took a lot less time. Quite pleased with them as they do look good.

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Tue Oct 15, 2019 10:01 pm

Two coats of the whitewash have gone on now the dirtying up can start after a clean up on the rubber wheel parts

PA154774 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

PA154777 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

Post by **Donkeywalloper** » Wed Oct 16, 2019 8:07 am

Lovely, lovely job on this Hawkmoon.
DW

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Wed Oct 16, 2019 8:15 pm

Donkeywalloper wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2019 8:07 am Lovely, lovely job on this Hawkmoon.
DW

Thanks for looking in and your comments

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Oct 18, 2019 11:42 am

Great work with this one mate it's come along really nicely since the last time I properly had chance to check in.

Like the whitewash effect and good work on those tracks - I always seem to get bogged down at that stage!

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Fri Oct 18, 2019 10:17 pm

Thanks for looking in and your comments Tomcat

Post by **digger303** » Fri Oct 18, 2019 11:44 pm

Almost there and not a flaw to be seen as usual.

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Sun Oct 20, 2019 12:02 pm

digger303 wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2019 11:44 pm Almost there and not a flaw to be seen as usual.

Thanks for looking in and your comments