Italeri M10 Achilles Groub Build

Post by **chief5437** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 1:17 am

This is looking great so far. Good work fella. I wish mine was moving as fast as this! Lol.

Post by **BrummieModeller** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 2:36 am

Loving the build gav

that talk about how to build that inside rack came off in the end i see

look forward to seeing the next update

great work!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 5:03 pm

Cheers guys.

So today so far has been spent priming some of the parts. I am aiming to work on the other main interior sub assembly first and so its been primed, and has had a coat of VGC Cold Grey as a primer colour to chip back to. I realised when priming that I hadn't filled the ejector pin marks on the turret sides properly so have had to add more filler there. Hoping to get the drivers compartment etc all painted ready to install in the lower hull by the end of the weekend, as I will be away next week and won't have access to my models.

Will update with pictures later, so keep your eyes peeled!

Post by **Bagpiper** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 5:33 pm

Very nice build thread Gavin. Looking good mate

Cheers
Jim

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 8:30 pm

Update 6

So its update time again.

Today's work has been cut short by the pub calling, a call I have to answer lol. Anyways, today I got a good bit of work done anyway.

Using this picture found on the internet I spent most of today painting up the drivers compartment. Other parts have been primered and I made a start to the figures as well.

Primer on the gun breech and recoil mechanism

And the drive sprockets

I built up one of the figures, he is holding a map (not shown) and a compass, so I will position him in such a way that suggests he is plotting a route in response to new orders or something.

The figure built up nicely, with no major gaps. He is well balanced and stands on his own as well. I am looking forward to painting him, I haven't painted a figure for a while, and even then the last figures I painted were 15mm tall!

The next shots show the progress of painting and weathering the drivers compartment.

And the two interior sections placed in the lower hull

And with the figure for scale

So tomorrow I hope to perhaps get the lower hull primed and the interior parts associated with that painted to the same level as the floor sections shown above. That will be the last bit of work for a while then. On Monday I am going back to my parents for a week and won't be taking any modelling things with me. I should be back in Oban a week tomorrow so tomorrow's update will be the last for a week.

I hope you enjoy this update, and as always comments are most appreciated, as are any questions or queries on how I have done something.

Thanks

Post by **Radzy** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 8:38 pm

That interior weathering looks amazing! Good job mate!

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 8:58 pm

Really nice build the interior is coming together nicely.

Post by **DC87** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 9:41 pm

First class build so far, keep up the very good work.

Post by **Coen** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 9:42 pm

Crap!
A week!
Oh well.

Looks fantastic by the way.
I've used that figure in one of my dioramas and I was quite happy with how he turned out.
He's nicely modelled.
Looking forward to more!

Post by **Paul** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 11:40 pm

Nice work Gav, it's looking great

Post by **BrummieModeller** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 1:25 am

I bloody love this build

great detail ive defo got to get this kit in the future

Post by **Lee** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:06 am

Looking good Gav, nice update

Post by **HobbyModeller** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:21 am

Great stuff Gav

Post by **HamilkarBarkas** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:20 am

Great job on the model so far, the interior is really an eye candy

Post by **bullgill67** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 12:38 pm

very very nice

michael

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:15 pm

Update 7

First of all thanks very much for all the comments, helps me greatly! So as I mentioned before I will be back at my parents this week coming and so won't have any modelling stuff with me. So this update will be the last for at least a week, but as soon as I am back with anything to show, you will see it!

So, the meat of this update then. Well I have bee busy priming bits and pieces and generally getting ready to start painting. As you have seen the two interior sub-assemblies are painted now, so next was the lower hull. First of all I glued the bogies to the hull, I was going to keep these separate, but decided I would be able to paint them ok attached to the hull, we will see later if that decision was wise!

I also got round to painting up the figure I had built as well. I am pretty pleased with how it came out in the end, although I think I could have done a better job on the corporals stripes, but I think they will do.

Onto the pictures!

Primered lower hull

Primed figure

The following photos are just a series of snaps I took as I went through the process of painting the figure, with the last picture being the completed and varnished figure.

Comments are most welcome as always. I will be around next week to answer questions etc, I just won't be posting any updates for a week or so.

Thanks

Post by **DC87** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:54 pm

Really nice figure, did you apply a wash and if so what did you use?

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:56 pm

Liking it

Post by **Coen** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:15 pm

Awesome, I loved the expression on the corporal's face.
Looks doubtful.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:24 pm

DC87 wrote:Really nice figure, did you apply a wash and if so what did you use?

Yes, the uniform was painted with Vallejo Model Colour English Uniform, and I then added some Khaki to that and added it to the upper areas, then washed it with Citadel Devlan Mud.

Cheers Coen, the figure will be holding a map when properly finished, so he will make a bit more sense than he does now! Yes, the doubtful look could be due to the destination he is plotting out or something lol.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:43 pm

Gav0909 wrote:
DC87 wrote:Really nice figure, did you apply a wash and if so what did you use?
Yes, the uniform was painted with Vallejo Model Colour English Uniform, and I then added some Khaki to that and added it to the upper areas, then washed it with Citadel Devlan Mud.

Cheers Coen, the figure will be holding a map when properly finished, so he will make a bit more sense than he does now! Yes, the doubtful look could be due to the destination he is plotting out or something lol.

Devlan mud is such a useful wash Best thing citadel ever did.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 8:43 am

Cheers for the comments.

@T3hGuppy Yeah the Citadel washes are pretty good, I haven't tried their new versions yet, some people are mixed on whether they are "better" or perhaps just along the same lines. Certainly the new version of Devlan Mud I have heard isn't quite as good, but meh I don't know.

Only been at home a day and already I miss my modelling bench! Once I finished working for the day I was forced to go out on an 18 km cycle lol. Oh well if that keeps up then I might be a bit fitter come the end of the week.

Post by **Lee** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 9:04 am

That's all coming along nicely Gav

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:43 am

Ok so while I am away from the modelling bench for this week, I will use this time to get some help from you guys.

This kit comes with vinyl tracks, and actually they are very good, I can see no obvious mould line, and there is only one place where there is a touch of flash which can be removed. And the cleat detail etc is very nice and crisp. However, when painting the vinyl tracks on my AS90 I had issues with the primer flaking off if the track was moved. Has anyone got any tips on how to stop this?

I use Vallejo Grey primer, which just might not work so well with this kind of material. Might it be worth trying an aerosol spray primer, like Halfords grey? Also, is it worth giving the vinyl a wash in some soapy water, perhaps that substance holds mould release agents a bit more than the plastic and so needs a wash to help the primer stick.

Either that, or do I not bother painting the tracks at all and just cover them up with pigments and mud etc anyway?

Some thoughts, hints and tips are welcome guys!

Post by **HobbyModeller** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 10:22 am

From my past experiences the tracks usually behave uniquely. For example I used Citadel Boltgun metal on my Airfix King Tiger and it was fine but I used it on Airfix's Sherman and it peeled off. This kit is good quality though so I doubt there should be much of an issue

However I reckon the Halfords Primer would work if needed... hope this was helpful

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 10:28 am

Yeah that's what I was thinking, was that this kit should be quality enough that I shouldn't have much problem. The Vallejo Grey primer seems a bit "plastic" for want of a better term, and perhaps it just doesn't work so well with this material. I might pick up some Halfords grey while I am near a Halfords this week, it always comes in handy anyway, so I will give it a go. I used to use grey auto primer before I got the Vallejo stuff and always found it to work well and be quite hard wearing.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 11:21 am

Though I've only ever dealt with Dragon's DS tracks, AFV's belts, and Tamiya's belts, I've only had that happen once.
It was with a set of ancient Tamiya's. As soon as it happened I tossed them and replaced them with aftermarkets.
It's all in the plastic.
The new stuff takes the paints that I use without any issue.
The old stuff is too soft and non-porous to hold it.
I prime everything with just plain old flat black Model Master Acrylic.
In fact I've never used real primer at all and I've never had trouble with my tracks.
The easiest thing to do I guess would be to try to paint the stuff and see what happens.

Post by **Bagpiper** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 12:52 pm

Great question Gav as I'm in the same boat. i.e. vinyl tracks with Vallejo primer. Some good tips already mate. Let us know how it works out when you get back.

Cheers
Jim

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 1:12 pm

I will do Jim. I have had the Vallejo primer peel off normal model plastic as well, unless its left to cure for a few days, a problem I have never had with aerosol primers.

I think I will pick up some Halfords grey primer since I am near a Halfords this week (there isn't one within 100 miles of where I normally live) and give that a go for the tracks.

Results shall be posted here!

Post by **chief5437** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 3:48 pm

Don't know if it makes a difference, but I got the halfords primer for plastic. I assume as its for plastic it has a bit of flexibility to it. It worked fine for me anyway! Hth

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 2:24 pm

I was going to get some Halfords primer when I was near one last week, but I didn't in the end. There is a shop in town here that sells car grey primer which I have used before and it works well. So I might get some of that for parts where using Vallejo primer isn't as suitable.

Well when I got home last night my ordered metal barrel, aerial and 2nd set of brass 17 pdr ammunition was waiting for me. I will get some pics of that up later. Building might slow down a bit as I need to focus more on this PhD thesis for the time being, but I will work on the M10 here and there and keep this thread going. Perhaps next I will update with some further history of the use of the M10 Achilles with the Royal Artillery.

Thanks

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 11:32 pm

Update 8

So I return with a picture update! After being away for a week or so I was glad to get home to my models and my own bed! (and the gf I suppose lol). Anyway after work today I dug out my Miniart figures and decided to do some easy modelling this evening and build up another figure.

I call him "Tam" lol. Obviously the commander guy, with the leather jerkin and tasche! He required a touch of filler under the arms and at a hole where the two leg halves and the torso met. A touch of vallejo putty in there sorted those out.

My brass aerial set and another set of the 17 pdr ammo turned up while I was away. I love this brass stuff!

I set about installing the metal barrel this evening as well. I needed to lengthen the breech end of the barrel so that it would reach into the breech/recoil mechanism. Otherwise when installed the rear of the gun wouldn't be connected to the barrel. So a length of sprue and some green stuff later we have this....

The green stuff is to make the hole in the breech bit the right size for the sprue extention. So once that is dry I can go about putting the gun into the breech ready for painting and later installation into the turret.

Here is the rest of the gun, lovely turned barrel with brass barrel weight (comes with a tiny PE fret for adding the bolt heads to the weights!) and the muzzle brake. Lovely stuff!

Comments and criticsms well accepted as always. Next update should be the completed gun assembly and the metal aerial bases installed on the outer hull.

Post by **Paul** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 11:37 pm

Looking good gav, I too love the brass stuff

Post by **BrummieModeller** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:41 am

The brass bits n bobs are defo going to make this build look great!!

Post by **panzerman** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 11:03 am

Gav, the M10 is looking sweet. Great work on the interior.....very realistic looking. Also nice work on the crewman.....good paint job.
Hey, loving the Brass extras.....shells and barrel......don't go broke detailing it up. HaHaHa.
Bill.

Post by **UKscalemodeller** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 11:56 am

Nice work so far Gav, keep it up

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 12:04 pm

Nice update.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 3:42 pm

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated. I didn't get any work done on the M10 last night as I was painting 15mm Flames of War trucks for a commission I really need to get finished!

However while on a break from work this afternoon I took the M10 chassis off the shelf and noticed that as I rolled it along (all the road wheels still turn and the suspension works) it made a lovely squeak, just like the real thing! So here is a small video, showing this in action.

*click the photo for the video

Cheers

Post by **BrummieModeller** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:10 am

Gav0909 wrote:Thanks for the comments, much appreciated. I didn't get any work done on the M10 last night as I was painting 15mm Flames of War trucks for a commission I really need to get finished!

However while on a break from work this afternoon I took the M10 chassis off the shelf and noticed that as I rolled it along (all the road wheels still turn and the suspension works) it made a lovely squeak, just like the real thing! So here is a small video, showing this in action.

*click the photo for the video

Cheers

Haha it seriously does sound like the real thing that's amazing

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:40 am

Yeah I thought it was pretty funny when I noticed it.

Got some work done this evening, the lower hull interior was painted grey, then white and had a few chips back to the primer (the grey) added, and the drivers console and radio painted in. I then glued in the two interior sub assemblies. I need to add a few details to the lower hull sidewalls which I couldn't add until the sub assemblies were installed.

I also built up another crew figure as well, and sanded off the filled ejector pin marks on the inside of the turret sides.

And I also tried out a few shades of military green I have to try and see what looks best as a shade. I think I have settled on one.

I will update with the pics I took tomorrow, its too late now and I am off to bed!

Cheers

Post by **Bagpiper** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:34 am

Sweet. Love the fact you number your updates. I am not that organized

Keep up the great work mate

Jim

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 9:49 am

Well the prizes for this GB are judged on the best thread, not necessarily the best end model. So I thought to clearly mark each picture update to help the thread be more organised.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:36 pm

Update 9

So time for some more pictures. I was busy last night trying out colours to try and decide on most suitable.

I think I am going to go with the bottom one in that picture, which is Vallejo Model Air US Dark Green. Once its dry its a touch too dark, so think I am going to use some of the Grey green (the middle colour) or Russian Uniform to lighten it a touch.

Interior sub assemblies are now glued in place

And the interior details on the hull sides (ammo racks, dashboard etc)

Ejector pin marks filled

Another crewman built, I love this guy. Casually sitting in the hatch.

More additions to the upper hull, just little bits

Primed crewman

Painted idlers and drive sprockets (going to lighten these a bit then wash them, if I like the effect then that's what will get used on the rest of the model).

Beast of a 17pdr built up

Comments and critiscm welcome as per usual. This evenings work will consist of trying out different paints to get the final shade I like. I intend to add mud etc anyway so its not so important for the lower hull, more the upper and turret.

Post by **Paul** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:39 pm

More good progress gav.

Post by **wappynutter** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:41 pm

Wow...........

Don't need to say anymore..

Regards Andy.

Post by **BrummieModeller** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:52 pm

Looking better n better after every update

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:54 pm

Very cool stuff dude!!!

Looking forward to seeing this one come together.

Post by **Nige201980** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:19 pm

Looking fantastic mate.

Post by **DC87** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:24 pm

THIS BUILD IS EPIC! Awesome stuff.

Post by **PhildaFish** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:26 pm

Beautiful down to the tiniest detail!