Airfix Cromwell Mk VI

[RangerNeil]

I seem to be in an armour mode at the moment so - next on the build list is the Airfix 1/35 release of the Cromwell Mk VI.


I suspect this is a reboxing of someone elses release - possibly Academy? - as it doesn't feel like a typical Airfix product. Open to correction here. Certainly everthing is crisply moulded, no flash and minimal seam lines.

Anyways on to the kit!
Instructions




















Sprues














Decals & PE


Now - first stage of building...... hull inner sides, lower front and rear plate and braces all in place. All parts were a lovely tight fit that clicked together - could probably have got away with out adhesive at this level!


Next step is the suspension arms and outer hull sides. I wasn't sure how much could be seen once inside so the whole interior got a coat of Tamiya Olive Drab.


End of play today saw the build this far - Steps 1 to 4 are completed.

[Stokesy44]

Nice subject and off to a good start.

Agree your comments about the origins of the kit. Airfix have a slew of 1/35 kits suddenly on their books, pretty sure they contain zero Airfix DNA. Academy, as you say, are a likely suspect....

Be interesting to see how it goes together.

Link and length tracks - lucky boy if they look good.

I had a Tamiya 1/35 Comet in my sights recently when I was looking at a British subject to build but couldn't decide between it and an Archer TD. In the end I did what I always do. I bought neither and got annoyed with myself

Happy to watch along

[RangerNeil]

On hold for a few days - I've run out of Olive Drab!! Doh!
Got the wheels painted ready for assembly and thats it. Paints ordered, should be here 8th/9th of the month.....

[DRUMS01]

Neat looking vehicle, should turn out to be a nice addition.

[RangerNeil]

Neat looking vehicle, should turn out to be a nice addition.

Thanks for the vote of confidence!!

Lower hull is now complete to instructions level:




And work starts on the upper hull (should be the tracks next but I'm leaving them till later). The upper hull deck was warped so, in the best possible tradition of being me its all.clamped up...


First two bits of PE are on. Next two bits - I think - get stuck on top of these making a T section....

[Stokesy44]

Blimey, someone's not hanging about!

What are your thoughts on the kit so far?

[RangerNeil]

So far its very good. No flash or visible ejector marks and everything fits exactly. So much so if you get paint where a part goes it has to be scraped off. None of the drive sprockets, wheels and idlers are stuck on - fit is so exact they are just pressed on and aren't coming off again in a hurry.
My only issue thus far has been the warped deck. But the pieces stuck to the underside have pulled it more or less flat now.
I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a Cromwell.

So far I've found two different main guns, three different mount plates for the gun and three different turret fronts. Interestingly - the wheels etc all had space inside for poly caps - but the instructions do not call for them!! Only poly caps used are for the gun mount....

[digger303]

So far its very good. No flash or visible ejector marks and everything fits exactly. So much so if you get paint where a part goes it has to be scraped off. None of the drive sprockets, wheels and idlers are stuck on - fit is so exact they are just pressed on and aren't coming off again in a hurry.
My only issue thus far has been the warped deck. But the pieces stuck to the underside have pulled it more or less flat now.
I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a Cromwell.

So far I've found two different main guns, three different mount plates for the gun and three different turret fronts. Interestingly - the wheels etc all had space inside for poly caps - but the instructions do not call for them!! Only poly caps used are for the gun mount....

Maybe someone used to work for Dragon
Does look a good kit.

[RangerNeil]

So far its very good. No flash or visible ejector marks and everything fits exactly. So much so if you get paint where a part goes it has to be scraped off. None of the drive sprockets, wheels and idlers are stuck on - fit is so exact they are just pressed on and aren't coming off again in a hurry.
My only issue thus far has been the warped deck. But the pieces stuck to the underside have pulled it more or less flat now.
I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a Cromwell.

So far I've found two different main guns, three different mount plates for the gun and three different turret fronts. Interestingly - the wheels etc all had space inside for poly caps - but the instructions do not call for them!! Only poly caps used are for the gun mount....

Maybe someone used to work for Dragon
Does look a good kit.

Dragon is a possibility for OEM too!! Certainly its not Airfix original - their 1/35 Tiger is a reboxed Academy so there is precedent...

Back to the build.... The PE on the front is now on. Hopefully its done right because the illustration in the diagram is useless. I've assumed they are both inverted "L" shapes, not "T" sections.


The turret is basically done - just needs the hatches added.




Now - having test fitted the hull deck its obvious the tracks need to be done first if I'm going to used the moulded links. Which is a given as, unlike the Crusader, there are no side skirts to hide the flexi-track joins. So first the link sections need painting and I had a dim memory of seeing a YouTube video where the poster recommended painting the links with a dark colour first then dry brushing rust and silver over the top - so I'm giving it a try. No idea how its going to turn out.

[RangerNeil]

And with the rust dry-brushed on....

[digger303]

Tracks are turning out well so far.

[Stokesy44]

Tracks are turning out well so far.

What Diggedy Digger said

[RangerNeil]

Thanks both!!
Started fitting the tracks last night, one side is finished, the other has the lower half on.

[digger303]

They look good, but were they a link short ?
If they were I hate that it wouldn't hurt to have a few spare links and there's plenty of room on the sprues for a couple more.

[RangerNeil]

They look good, but were they a link short ?
If they were I hate that it wouldn't hurt to have a few spare links and there's plenty of room on the sprues for a couple more.

No, the track profile matches the illustration in the instructions. There are a couple of spare single links on both sprues though.

[Stokesy44]

Nice. Color looks good too

[RangerNeil]

Nice. Color looks good too

Many thanks

Both sets of tracks are now complete. Need to look at the colouring now as someone on another forum pointed out Cromwell tracks were manganese and didn't rust!!

[RangerNeil]

Having got both tracks on today and allowing them to set I then went over them with burnt umber to replace the rust colouring. Looking at some photos of actual Cromwell tracks I think a metallic grey dry brushed over the cleats and then some mud pigment worked into the gaps between the cleats will do the trick.

The upper hull went on tonight followed by the superstructure. Some tidying to do, the parts on the front to go on (lights, guards, tow eyes etc) plus the hatches and then its paint time.

I also got the debonder out and took the PE off then refitted it as per other photos seen. I think its getting there slowly.....

[digger303]

Is there any aftermarket decals for the range finding on the turret available after maket ?
Just asking because I was after a set or 2.

[Stokesy44]

Tracks are looking nice and neat, good to see the upper hull going on.

I assume the Ministry of Straight Lines had the final sign off for the design?

[RangerNeil]

Is there any aftermarket decals for the range finding on the turret available after maket ?
Just asking because I was after a set or 2.

Not that I know of Digger. Hannant have this from.Star Decals:
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/STAR ... oken=eBC4A

But I think its generic only.....

Tracks are looking nice and neat, good to see the upper hull going on.

I assume the Ministry of Straight Lines had the final sign off for the design?

Heh - that sums up most British tank designs tbrough WW2 up till Centurion arrived on the scene.

Back to the build - the superstructure is completed, all thats left is the pioneer tools and various hatches. First coat of Olive Drab went on last night by hairy stick to get colour into all the cracks and crevices. Today the airbrush comes out!!

[RangerNeil]

All painted up via airbrush today. Just need to fit the pioneer tools and hatches then its a gloss clear coat for the decals.....

[digger303]

[Stokesy44]

Great to see the paint go on.

[RangerNeil]

OK - calling this one done now. I might come back in the future and add crew, kit stowage and weathering but for now I'm just enjoying the clean look
I used the Polish unit markings simply because the Czech one required a Black disruptive overlay and I didn't feel like going through the hassle of marking it out!!

[digger303]

Nice clean build and I like the polish markings. So often the contribution from other countries get glossed over.