discussion Miniart 1/35 Mk.III Valentine II

[Guest]

Hope you don't mind me coming in with a partially built kit with a few pics to show progress to date, there is still a fair way to go.


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This kit was released as a re box with side skirts and a few other parts in 2010 and I purchased the kit from a stall at the Waddington (Lincoln) airshow the same year so it is time it got started. MiniArt kits are a love hate thing with some modellers, I love them. They can be (are, let's be honest) over engineered. Why use two parts when twelve will do? They can also be a bit brittle in the plastic department, though this kit is not to bad in that department. But, enough, let's see the pics.


The biggest fault with this kit has to be the visible ejector pin marks. I suppose that the ones in the turret and the recoil guard would not be an issue buttoned up. However there is just enough internal detail to tempt you into open hatches so they need to be dealt with.


First up, the gun


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As you can see, quite a few parts to build a relatively small component. There is a beautifully detailed end cap that is then hidden forever in the mantelet!


A very nice representation of the radio comes next which sits in the back of the turret once painted up and the photo etch guard is fitted over the front


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Then the complete turret internals. Nothing glued up as the ejector pin marks have to be dealt with


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Before that, I decided to tackle the hull detail. First the drivers station, not massively detailed but enough to see through the hatches.


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Then onto the hull top. It starts like this


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Loads of ejector pin marks that may or may not be visible when completed so got dealt with just in case using super glue and talcum powder.


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Followed by lots of little bits and a few photo etch parts.


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The exhaust is about seven parts and then you put a big cover over it!


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Then, nearly seventy parts, just on the upper hull, later this is where I am now


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Sorry for the long winded introduction

 

[takeslousyphotos]

This looks like it'll be a great project to follow Graham.... I`'ll watch your progress.

 

[Guest]

Nice start Graham, looking forward to following your build as I have a few of these in the stash.

 

[Guest]

I've always fancied a crack at one of these Graham, so I'm watching with interest. The grey plastic reminds me of Dragon kits.

 

[Guest]

Defently I will follow this one!


I love these extended and detailed threads


By the way, excellent start and interesting kit as well.

 

[Guest]

This is looking good so far Graham, keep up the good work.


scott

 

[monica]

Nice start Graham,looks an interesting build,i,m in as well,

 

[Steve Brodie]

looking good, chair pulled up.

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys. Doubt there will be much done before the silly season kicks in but worry not, there will be more

 

[Guest]

I've always fancied a crack at one of these Graham, so I'm watching with interest. The grey plastic reminds me of Dragon kits.

There are quit a few reminders of Dragon kits Patrick. Over engineered and iffy instructions, although instructions are not too bad I suppose. This plastic is also quite like Dragon but some of their kits have very brittle plastic I still use a small razor saw to cut most of the fine parts off the sprue though.

 

[Guest]

I have always loved Valentines, I like to see how it looks, Greetings

 

[Guest]

There are quit a few reminders of Dragon kits Patrick. Over engineered and iffy instructions, although instructions are not too bad I suppose. This plastic is also quite like Dragon but some of their kits have very brittle plastic I still use a small razor saw to cut most of the fine parts off the sprue though.

I think over-engineering is how many manufacturers are going these days Graham - Dragon, Meng, Broncos, Takom... soon we'll need a masters degree from MIT to build a kit!

 

[takeslousyphotos]

I think over-engineering is how many manufacturers are going these days Graham - Dragon, Meng, Broncos, Takom... soon we'll need a masters degree from MIT to build a kit!

Personally......... I find it more challenging.

 

[Guest]

Personally......... I find it more challenging.

I quite agree Peter! Even if some manufacturers go down the high-engineering route, there's always Academy or older Tamiya kits when we fancy a quick build

 

[tanktrack]

great work so far I have built a number of valentines as British is my thing, can never understand why the have to cover all that nice detail on the exhaust , good luck with the rest of the build .

 

[Guest]

I agree about the over engineering so long as it is build able then that's good enough for me. What worries me more is the way people are raving about the snap together Bandi (spelling?) Star Wars kits. Some are saying that this is the way all kit makers should go.


That being the case, we could build a virtually pre painted 1/35 AFV or a 1/48 aircraft in an afternoon.


Where is the fun in that? Might as well just collect diecast models.

 

[Guest]

I agree about the over engineering so long as it is build able then that's good enough for me. What worries me more is the way people are raving about the snap together Bandi (spelling?) Star Wars kits. Some are saying that this is the way all kit makers should go.
That being the case, we could build a virtually pre painted 1/35 AFV or a 1/48 aircraft in an afternoon.


Where is the fun in that? Might as well just collect diecast models.

I agree with you, one thing is the models and other toys, even if they are pretty well done. Fortunately, there models for all the tastes and abilities (and prices, lol)

 

[Guest]

I agree about the over engineering so long as it is build able then that's good enough for me. What worries me more is the way people are raving about the snap together Bandi (spelling?) Star Wars kits. Some are saying that this is the way all kit makers should go.
That being the case, we could build a virtually pre painted 1/35 AFV or a 1/48 aircraft in an afternoon.


Where is the fun in that? Might as well just collect diecast models.

Easy build or snap fit kits are a great way to get kids involved in model making, but us big boys want big boys toys!

 

[Guest]

Looks great so far mate!

 

[Guest]

Nice start Graham will be following this.