Vickers Medium Tank MK 2......Hobbyboss 1/35

[digger303]

A inter war tank.

United Kingdom (1924)
Medium Tank – 286 Built

The early 1920’s were a difficult time for the British Royal Armoured Corps (RAC). Their First World War tanks were becoming worn down and obsolete. Equally, a series of projects designed in house, such as the Medium D, Medium C, and Light Infantry tank, had all failed. Other external designs such as the Vickers No.1 design had failed to be taken up.
This was a major issue to the RAC as the Treasury had provided a sum of GB£220,000 for the purchase of tanks to totally re-equip the RAC. If, however, a new tank could not be found then this money would be reclaimed by the Treasury, and any new purchase of equipment would be subject to new reviews. These would push the acquisition of new equipment back by years and leave the RAC with its First World War Mk.V Tank and Medium A Whippets well into the late 1920’s.
Then, in 1923, the army received two new tanks. Although unarmored, these tanks were the forerunners of a design that would see service all the way until at least 1941. These two tanks were the first of the Vickers Medium Mk.I, and almost no clue can be found to their origin. David Fletcher (Mechanised Force, p.8) suggests these tanks may have been created out of spare parts and designs lying around by Vickers in collusion with the War Office.
The only other clue might come from a copy of The Commercial Motor magazine of October 1933. In an article talking about a tractor, the designer of the tractor is introduced as Mr. C. S. Vincent-Smith, whom it is claimed designed tanks for the Army. This is the only tenuous link to the creation of the Mediums.






Bit dubious about these small links although they look good.


As you can see despite my crappy pic's the detail isn't too bad and they go to the trouble of adding Pe screens behind vents.

[cor]

Looks like it was designed by Picaso

[digger303]

Looks like it was designed by Picaso

There is a lot of sharp angles for sure, but it a interim design leading into WW2 and a huge change in design from the WW1 MK4's which were still in service in the 20's and 30's to a lesser extent.
On the gun tanks, the circular turret mounted a 3-pounder Mk.I, L32 gun, with a Hotchkiss machine-gun in a separate ball mount to the right of the turret. A visually distinctive feature of British armour of the time was the bevelling of the turret sides. The turret had three ball mounts for Hotchkiss machine-guns.
Two of these were placed about 180 degrees apart with the first one a few degrees to the right of the main gun. The third was placed on the aft right quarter of the turret. This meant that to bring a machine-gun to bare on a target to the front the 3-pounder had to be slewed off to one side. Two additional Vickers machine guns were mounted, one on either side, in the hull.
The V8 Armstrong Siddeley engine was mounted in a chamber separated from the rest of the fighting compartment on the left of the hull, with the driver sitting beside it. The driver’s head was in a cowl with a D shaped front plate that opened sideways. This plate hinged on the right side of the cowl, and mounted vision ports allowing the driver a view to the front, but was not intended as an entry or exit route. The rear plate of the hull mounted a large door on the right. This, along with two smaller hatches just in front of the Vickers guns, provided entry and egress to the crew.

[KalebB]

A very cool example of an inter-war armored machine, looks like they have given it a decent amount of detail. Like you said, the PE screens are a nice touch.

Are you planning on doing any sort of camo job or just typical British armor color?

[digger303]

A very cool example of an inter-war armored machine, looks like they have given it a decent amount of detail. Like you said, the PE screens are a nice touch.

Are you planning on doing any sort of camo job or just typical British armor color?

[digger303]

A very cool example of an inter-war armored machine, looks like they have given it a decent amount of detail. Like you said, the PE screens are a nice touch.
Are you planning on doing any sort of camo job or just typical British armor color?

I think just the usual green Kaleb. Maybe might do some Aussie markings depending what decals I have in the stash/ spare decal file.

[digger303]

I've done a bit and it's starting to look more complete.


Almost all the Pe is done except for the light guards and adding the lights.

I ran into a few more issues that I had with the ADGZ almost like the B team ran this project. It has some very nice rivet detail that I suspect is under size, but it is quite sharp so no biggy. In the next pic the supporting brackets are too short so I'm going to have to replace them with brass.


One other problem was the return rollers are hard up against the side of the mud chute and in fact the one closet to the drive wheel required me to remove a good chunk of the roller in order to get it to sit level. Definitely not a fault on my behalf, a bit rare but I do stuff up occasionally....

Another issue is there are 2 triangle pieces to attach and the top one near the turret has to slide into a slot. Well of course that slot is way too narrow and for such a smallish part it absorbed a lot of time to get it to sit right.

When constructing the idler wheel assembly getting the second half together is a pain and damn awkward. However it does result in a adjustable idler. It wont sit straight so once the tracks are positioned it will have to be cemented in place.


Other than that it goes together like a dream and all there is too look forward to now is track assembly. Unfortunately that is also going to be a bit of a slog as I've tested a couple of links and they don't go together without removal and straightening of the inside walls of the socket.


I think I might give that one a rest and head back to the ADGZ after I go to the markets

[KalebB]

Like you said the rivet detail may be a touch under size but it looks really darn good on this kit, seems like you have it all well in hand so far sir

Hopefully the tracks go together swell

[Stokesy44]

Nice little tanky. Those bolts and rivets are crying out for some serious weathering effects come painting time.

[Mpfiend]

Another interesting shape tank vehicle.
Really nice start.

[BigWall]

Another interesting shape tank vehicle.
Really nice start.

I was going to make the same comment. It's amazing how available manufacturing techniques determine how things had to be designed.

[ForeverPlasticKits]

This "between 2 wars" british tank is so typical, well done!

[digger303]

Doesn't look much different , but I finished a few small details and started to add the track.
Turns out I could have used the Matilda workable track I have instead of persevering with the kit supplied track.
It would have been the same amount of work and would have looked better.



Must admit to procrastinating here a bit, with adding the track.

[KalebB]

It's looking good! Can't wait to see it all painted up

[digger303]

I stuffed up again. Should not post when I'm not properly awake.

[krusty69]

Nice

[digger303]

Nice

Posted in the wrong spot ...sorry Krusty.
BUT thanks

[digger303]

Ok got myself sorted and in the right place this time. It's being upside down all the time it does ya head in....



Gloss coat and decals on and now to put a wash over all those rivets being my next step.

[krusty69]

that one is nice too

[RangerNeil]

Ok got myself sorted and in the right place this time. It's being upside down all the time it does ya head in....



Gloss coat and decals on and now to put a wash over all those rivets being my next step.

Looking good Digger - an unusual subject too!

[Stokesy44]

Ooh, shiny!

Looking forward to it getting down and dirty!

[psmithmags]

Cracking job Digger I think those rivets are going to look superb once your wash is on

[digger303]

Ok got myself sorted and in the right place this time. It's being upside down all the time it does ya head in....



Gloss coat and decals on and now to put a wash over all those rivets being my next step.

Looking good Digger - an unusual subject too!

Thanks Neil.

Ooh, shiny!
Looking forward to it getting down and dirty!

Matte will kill the shine and I didn't plan to get it dirty or scratched.
Maybe plans could change, depends on the day...

that one is nice too

Thanks mate.

Cracking job Digger I think those rivets are going to look superb once your wash is on

Very kind of you...thank you.
I might be a while before I get the wash on. I did something stupid.
Being used to adding Mr Colour levelling thiner to almost everything. I grabbed the Alcad Aqua Gloss and mixed in some LT and of course it sprayed quite well then added the the enamel wash after a day drying. Went to remove the excess wash and paint came away. To compound the boo boo and not wanting to waste any I poured it back into the bottle. The bottle had about a 25% left in it. I just turned around to check how much just then and knocked my figure off the desk and of course it landed on it's hand breaking 3 fingers off. I have yet to find them.....sigh. So I've elected to order some more and it will be about 2 weeks before that arrives.
.....I think

[cor]

Its looking good.

[psmithmags]

Very kind of you...thank you.
I might be a while before I get the wash on. I did something stupid.
Being used to adding Mr Colour levelling thiner to almost everything. I grabbed the Alcad Aqua Gloss and mixed in some LT and of course it sprayed quite well then added the the enamel wash after a day drying. Went to remove the excess wash and paint came away. To compound the boo boo and not wanting to waste any I poured it back into the bottle. The bottle had about a 25% left in it. I just turned around to check how much just then and knocked my figure off the desk and of course it landed on it's hand breaking 3 fingers off. I have yet to find them.....sigh. So I've elected to order some more and it will be about 2 weeks before that arrives.
.....I think
[/quote]

Ah man,that is sickening, it always feels like a little piece of you wants to give up when stuff like that happens (done it myself many a time unfortunately) however, reading your previous threads (and watching Aussie Gold Hunters) I know you will persevere and also come up with an ingenious solution

[digger303]

Its looking good.

Thanks

Ah man,that is sickening, it always feels like a little piece of you wants to give up when stuff like that happens (done it myself many a time unfortunately) however, reading your previous threads (and watching Aussie Gold Hunters) I know you will persevere and also come up with an ingenious solution

You give me too much credit

However I'm now up to this part where I've added some washes and the like. Dirtying it and giving it a sense of time.
I've lightened the tops of every rivet to give it a little shine and make it pop a tad . I need a little emoticon with the guy wiping his brow....



Still a little bit to do, but getting close to the line now.

[digger303]

This one got finished up tonight as well.





I could have made it all new and shiny as it might have been between wars and stationed at the Barracks, but I think this looks more interesting and it very well could have looked like this back at home in the middle of the war performing home guard duties and mostly unloved while newer more capable models were becoming available.
Thanks everyone