WW1 male and female tanks

[RangerNeil]

Made a start on the two Airfix WW1 tanks last night. Very quick and easy build, very enjoyable so far.
I started with the female version (4 × machine guns in the sponsons) simply because it was the first box I picked up.

So - instructions:


Sprues


Decals


The build was quick and simple. The female kit is basically the male with an additional, new, sprue containing the female sponson parts. These are like chalk and cheese - whilst the male parts are actually cleanly moulded the new parts are clearly superior mouldings. The part numbers are very clearly marked on the sprue like the modern kits whereas the male parts are, primarily, moulded on the parts, very, very small numbers I had to break out a magnifying glass to read.
This is the new sprue:


These are the old:




For a kit based on a classic one it went together very very well. At the end of 4 hours this is the result - ready for priming and painting. As can be seen - there was only one real issue requiring the application of filler around the top of the front panel.


Next step is to prime this one then either build the male or paint this first.

[digger303]

[RangerNeil]

Decided to complete the male tank first as it will make painting easier!
So - again - the instructions - almost identical to the female, only the sponsons differ:




Decal - only one!!


Sprues


And the results of a couple of hours work - all the sub-assemblies completed and left to set overnight


Given the age of the kit/moulds of the Male sprues in both kits (1967 these compared to 1963 for the F2B) these parts are a lot cleaner, absolute minimal flash & seam lines and no visible ejector marks unlike the F2B & Triplane. The two tanks have been a delight to build, proving that old models are not always a challenge.

[digger303]

You'll be able to go war gaming

[RangerNeil]

You'll be able to go war gaming

More to the point Digger - they are SMALL!! And I now have a critical lack of display space......

[digger303]

You'll be able to go war gaming

More to the point Digger - they are SMALL!! And I now have a critical lack of display space......

Yes but your finishing them 6 times faster, accumulating them 6 times quicker and using the same amount of space..... you still end up with the same problem.
Disposal of the lesser liked could be on the cards or sticking them around your house fence line....

[RangerNeil]

You'll be able to go war gaming

More to the point Digger - they are SMALL!! And I now have a critical lack of display space......

Yes but your finishing them 6 times faster, accumulating them 6 times quicker and using the same amount of space..... you still end up with the same problem.
Disposal of the lesser liked could be on the cards or sticking them around your house fence line....

Thats the trouble with retirement - too much free time!! Got my eye on an Ikea cabinet for next month to ease, if not solve, the problem.
Got a wee problem using the house fence.......


Mainly the fact we have yet to actually SEE the fences ......

Meantime - both male & female on the paint turntable having had a coat of Tamiya surface primer:

[digger303]

I see what you mean about the fence. If it is old the the trees maybe holding the fence up...better leave them there. Another problem solved

[RangerNeil]

Its paint time!!! Both have had their respective base coats applied:


The Male is masked ready to spray the nose of the tracks white before remasking to add the red stripe. The Female has had the Olive Drab overlay applied by hairy stick and tomorrow will get the Ochre component.

[digger303]