Italeri 1/35 M7 Priest

Post by **robwuk** » Sat Apr 02, 2022 7:34 pm

I know its an oldie but like the look of it... going to add stowage and a rack at the front plus wading fittings and some tarps.....

Post by **digger303** » Sun Apr 03, 2022 1:17 am

Be interesting to see how this goes together and how you add in the extra's. I must get a set of those oil cans, if possible.

Post by **robwuk** » Sun Apr 03, 2022 5:07 pm

and for completeness, this is the "look" I am going for... stowage, tarps... I know the kit doesnt match a dday version but i am going to make her up to look similar:

https://12thfieldrca.ca/wp-content/uplo ... E-1944.jpg

Post by **robwuk** » Sun Apr 03, 2022 5:08 pm

"rope" on....

Post by **digger303** » Mon Apr 04, 2022 1:03 am

robwuk wrote: Sun Apr 03, 2022 5:07 pm and for completeness, this is the "look" I am going for... stowage, tarps... I know the kit doesnt match a dday version but i am going to make her up to look similar:

https://12thfieldrca.ca/wp-content/uplo ... E-1944.jpg

That's a great pic. What was the rope for...heat shield ?

Post by **robwuk** » Fri Apr 08, 2022 7:38 am

not sure on the rope to be honest but it caught my eye... am assuming some sort of heat shield yes...

running gear done (tracks a touch tight but can fix that with super glue to fix the wheels level)... onwards with the gun... started on the small fixtures & fittings and internal gun shield. currently floor plate and gun just placed to check fit (any thoughts on the drivers compartment colour? just white floor and everything else OD?

...

Post by **digger303** » Fri Apr 08, 2022 12:41 pm

Post by **robwuk** » Thu Apr 14, 2022 7:32 am

so front glacis completed have moved the lights up, added the spare track boxes... started to look at stowage - does anyone have any recommendations for what can simulate the cable - in scale is it 1.5mm thick (with a link?) - the photo I am working form has it draped round the light but obviously not stiff like plastic....

next stop will be to start the side modifications (handles, tarp support brackets, wading armour

Post by **digger303** » Thu Apr 14, 2022 1:59 pm

robwuk wrote: Thu Apr 14, 2022 7:32 am so front glacis completed have moved the lights up, added the spare track boxes... started to look at stowage - does anyone have any recommendations for what can simulate the cable - in scale is it 1.5mm thick (with a link?) - the photo I am working form has it draped round the light but obviously not stiff like plastic....

I have some galvanized woven wire which I heat up to soften and it replicates the tow ropes quite well. Alternatively a copper product from Eureka models supply either individual sizes or you can get a set of 8 with various sized cables.

Post by **robwuk** » Sat Apr 16, 2022 7:53 am

thanks... others suggested picture hanging wire so got some of that - looks OK (need to anneal it and try it with tow ends though)...

4 hours see the first side done... happy how close to the photo it looks (well still need to add some bolts to the supports)...

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Apr 16, 2022 8:19 am

Excellent scratch-build work. Turning an average kit into so much more. Great stuff.

Post by **digger303** » Sat Apr 16, 2022 9:53 am

Nice additions.

Post by **robwuk** » Wed Apr 20, 2022 10:39 am

thanks both... ready for first round of paint (well primer to check how bad my sanding is)....

Post by **digger303** » Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:30 am

robwuk wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 10:39 am thanks both... ready for first round of paint (well primer to check how bad my sanding is)....

Mines never as good as I thought it was....

Post by **aur0ra145** » Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:54 am

digger303 wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:30 am
robwuk wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 10:39 am thanks both... ready for first round of paint (well primer to check how bad my sanding is)....

Mines never as good as I thought it was....

This comment also describes me.

Post by **robwuk** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:12 pm

s'gone green..... AK Interactive OD modulation set (ran out of Dark Base tho so will need some for the outside)

Post by **robwuk** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:05 pm

and now it is built.... well mostly... need to add rear baskets (not sure if I should try to remake from mesh or just use the plastic with patterned mesh) sort stowage out for the frton, add rear fuel can racks on the rear fenders and consider rear stowage....

of course, some school boy errors have appeared (forgot the seats before I built the superstructure and had the spare track racks on the wrong way round - now removed....

Post by **digger303** » Sat Apr 23, 2022 12:22 am

Always good once the glue flows. Love the texture for the transmission.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Apr 23, 2022 8:27 am

Lovely paintwork on the interior walls

Post by **robwuk** » Sat Apr 23, 2022 10:00 pm

thanks both... started working on front and rear stowage.... not sure if I need to add more to the rear, plus some boxes/fuel cans elsewhere.... paper shaped with VMS PaperShaper...

Post by **digger303** » Sat Apr 23, 2022 11:28 pm

Love the stowage and glad the cling wrap worked.

Post by **robwuk** » Sun Apr 24, 2022 6:16 pm

yep cling film to the rescue...

more work on stowage... stuck the individual parts together (I hope) added the first of 2 fuel can racks on rear fenders and added the gun tarps (hopefully they will look better once painted) - again all done using acrylic binder (a.k.a. VMS Paper Shaper)

Post by **digger303** » Sun Apr 24, 2022 9:58 pm

Post by **robwuk** » Tue Apr 26, 2022 10:05 am

just wondered if acrylic binder could help strengthen paper to make home made stencils... tried with a star (so printed & cut out star then brushed binder over edges)... doesn't lie 100% flat but with sponge you can get something... not sure how sharp these markings should be but sponge application can create faded (don't think it would stand up to air spraying)...

Post by **RangerNeil** » Tue Apr 26, 2022 10:39 am

Sharp would depend on who applied tthe markings, where & when. If a base workshop then usually very sharp as they'd be sprayed over stencils by someone who had the time and knowledge. In a field workshop - 50/50 chance depending on who did it, how much time was available etc. In the field - running repairs as it were - they'd be ragged, maybe not even stencilled but slapped on by eye.

Post by **robwuk** » Tue Apr 26, 2022 12:13 pm

RangerNeil wrote: Tue Apr 26, 2022 10:39 am Sharp would depend on who applied tthe markings, where & when. If a base workshop then usually very sharp as they'd be sprayed over stencils by someone who had the time and knowledge. In a field workshop - 50/50 chance depending on who did it, how much time was available etc. In the field - running repairs as it were - they'd be ragged, maybe not even stencilled but slapped on by eye.

thats what I was thinking... problem is that the kit decals are too specific so just wanted generic stars.. will see if I have anything lying around in old decals

Post by **robwuk** » Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:52 pm

replacement tow cable done (thanks all for the tips), finished rear deck stowage completed and tried to do the fighting compartment tarp - not sure if it works or if I need to redo...

Post by **aur0ra145** » Thu Apr 28, 2022 2:42 am

Stowage looks really good so far!

Post by **BigWall** » Fri Apr 29, 2022 11:16 pm

It's coming along nicely. I really like the homemade extras you're adding

Post by **digger303** » Fri Apr 29, 2022 11:26 pm

Its great with all the additions to make it look like a used vehicle and didn't go over board and cover the engine vent like you see with a few builds.

Post by **robwuk** » Sat Apr 30, 2022 8:40 pm

paints on... not sure if it is too dark, and started on the stowage (terrible mix of colours but dont think just OD would add a lot... have to admit I am pleased with how the tarp turned out... need to do the one on the gun.....

Post by **robwuk** » Mon May 02, 2022 2:55 pm

this is where the weekend leaves the M7... paint gear packed away until next Saturday which will be gloss coat ahead of decals....

Post by **digger303** » Mon May 02, 2022 11:26 pm

Looking good and if your worried about the paint you could always go back over with a lighter colour to give it a more faded look. From what I understand the OD faded quite quickly.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Tue May 03, 2022 6:58 am

Tarps and stowage look really good.

Agree with Digger, fading the OD is well worth considering

Post by **robwuk** » Tue May 03, 2022 1:10 pm

thanks both - will consider lightening when the airbrush is next out.... updates at the weekend

Post by **BigWall** » Tue May 03, 2022 8:07 pm

It's looking great. I think I agree with the fading as well.

Post by **robwuk** » Sun May 08, 2022 9:46 pm

decals on... slightly what-if, taken from various kits

Post by **digger303** » Sun May 08, 2022 11:30 pm

Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon May 09, 2022 8:07 am

Its alive!

I always love the moment the decals go on

Post by **robwuk** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 1:36 pm

matt varnish on, stowage on, tracks and rubber painted....not envisaging a heavily weathered vehicle this time

Post by **digger303** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 2:44 pm

All the stowage is giving it life.

Post by **BigWall** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 5:23 pm

It's looking great. Very nice detailing

Post by **robwuk** » Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:46 pm

finished, finito, done.... really enjoyed this build, learning all about stowage, some extra detail and scratch building....

Post by **digger303** » Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:40 pm

A great result, it's all very well done.

Post by **BigWall** » Tue Jun 14, 2022 12:43 am

Brilliant work. It looks great!

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed Jun 15, 2022 8:49 am

Awesome result Rob, the stowage really takes it to another level and was well worth the effort you put in there.

Post by **ForeverPlasticKits** » Thu Aug 25, 2022 11:22 pm

Very nice piece of artillery!