discussion British Universal Carrier Mk2 - Tamiya 1:35

[pjgtech]

Was torn on deciding what to build next, but this one has been winking at me for a while, so its on to the British Universal Carrier, also fondly known as the Bren Gun Carrier. This is the Tamiya 1:35th scale kit, and I also have an Eduard PE kit to go with it.
It comes with five figures, three of which are based on the European theatre, so full uniform and berets, and the other two are from the North African Theatre, so basically squaddies in shorts and tin helmets! Lol...
As I've just done two desert schemes (x6 Wheeler and Scorpion) I think I'll go with the Euro scheme.
I've never built one of these, so looking forward to it...
Box art and sprues, etc...

 

[pjgtech]

And straight in to the build proper.....
Starting the chassis, and as I have the Eduard kit too, I'm having to cross reference across the two instructions, drawings to see what extra PE bits go where.
I sort of have a love / hate relationship with PE.
I love the extra details it gives.
I hate bloody fiddling about with those tiny parts!
Anyway, here's the first progress pic, bottom section of the chassis/floor with first lot of added PE, pedals, gear levers, grill, etc.

 

[scottie3158]

I will follow along got to love a bren carrier.

 

[PaulTRose]

Theres 2 versions of this and one has a little glich where you cant get the driver figure in once the front is glued on..... But i cant remember if its this one or the other


Have fun.... Nice kit as i remember

 

[pjgtech]

Yeah, I watched a YT vid last night of a guy doing this kit and he put the legs in place first, then attached the front panel/bulkhead, then the body and arms went in later, it did look a tight fit?

 

[pjgtech]

Been beavering away at the tiny, miniscule, PE parts, bloody difficult to handle! But they certainly do add detail....
Also done a bit more on the various bits of main chassis.

 

[pjgtech]

Bit more progress on this today...
Dry fit of the central section into the chassis, all good...


Main side and front panels and front and rear (central) bulkheads now fitted....


Then another dry fit of the central section.
However, I am going to leave this out for now, not permanently fix it yet, to make painting the inside of the carrier a bit easier.



Then few more bits were done, bit more PE attached, few more panels assembled, main rear wheels and diff made, other wheels and suspension made, all getting ready for priming and painting separately.

Also made a start on a couple of the figures....

 

[scottie3158]

Peter,

Coming on nicely

 

[Steven000]

A lot of stuff going on inside the vehicle - will be an interesting model for sure, looking good

 

[pjgtech]

There's not a lot of room for the driver figure!
Had to carefully check his arms a few time to make sure they were in the correct position.
Parts ready for a dry run...


Then put the pieces in place, front bonnet and front bulhead, to check the driver fits and looks ok....


Then primed up, in Black, the bits I have ready, which is most of them now..... all ready to start painting...

 

[scottie3158]

Looks good bring on the paint.

 

[pjgtech]

Made a start on the painting, main chassis done, various bits of bodywork done, cab interior (started), wheels & suspension (started), some of the accessories, eg: Bren's, Rifles, storage boxes, etc, also started on two figures, may use the 3rd, not sure yet?

 

[pjgtech]

This mornings little update....
The central engine cover section is now in.
Accessories added to the rear interior, eg: rifles, bren, rear seat, aerial mounts, radio, etc.



Underside done, exhausts mounted.


Decided I will be using the third figure, so he has been assembled and arms set to correct position, see dry fit and he's been primed up now too ready for painting.

Last few parts/ accessories painted up and assembled ready for final fit.


The included rope has been painted up and CA'd to the little end eyelets.

 

[pjgtech]

Main wheels now on, made sure to get a good bond, and will leave them for a good 24 hrs, as we have the horrid rubber stretchy tracks to fit, so may have to stretch them over the wheels, so could easily come loose or worse come off!

 

[Steven000]

Nice progress Peter

 

[pjgtech]

More progress...
Rear cover / tarp and storage basket with camo net installed.
Rear section/plate fitted and pioneer tools added.
Rope and eyelets attached to front bonnet.

All wheels now on, (front ones were not on earlier) and a dry trial run of the tracks, its tight, but they have a little bit of stretch! Hate these bloody tracks!
I super glued the links, and even though its a good join, not too obvious, I am strategically placing it behind the front track side plates, so it will be hidden if it all goes mammaries skywards!


And lastly so far today, have started painting the third crew member, he sits in the back with his arm nonchalantly resting on the rifles. Still needs tidying / finishing.

 

[scottie3158]

All looking good.

 

[flyjoe180]

Coming along nicely Peter

 

[pjgtech]

This mornings progress....
The tracks are on! Went on quite easily actually, so a big sigh of relief there, Lol.




Front section/bonnet is now on too and the driver installed...


Then spent couple of hours adding all the final parts and accessories, including the side track plates, front lamp, various storage boxes, cans, kit bags, a sten gun and PIAT laying ready for action in the rear. The rear passenger is also added. The third squaddie is also finished.
Then went round touching up all the little bits of paint, gave the tracks a brush of ali to indicate track wear.

NB: Just noticed that the main rear mounted Bren is wonky! so will have to straighten that up.




Added the very merest of ali dry brushing to the side step plates, but will be weathered a bit more once its had its gloss coat and the decals have been added (next step). So the main build is done, it just needs gloss, decals, weathering and final matt coat, so getting there, slowly slowly....

 

[scottie3158]

That's a cracking result mate.