discussion Scorpion CVR(T) FV101 - 1:35st scale - AFV

[pjgtech]

My new build is from the AFV Club, in 1:35th scale and is the (fastest tank in the World at the time) mighty Scorpion.
I love this tank, mainly cos when I was a nipper, I had the Action Man Scorpion tank and it was flipping great! Lol...
I've built a few little tanks now, in 1:72/76 and in 1:144 but not in this scale, so its probably time that I dip my toe into the bigger armoured scale.
I've never actually built a proper scale model of one of these before though, so here we go....

TBH I've been putting this one off as I was not looking forward to the tracks, individual links, etc. But, when I looked in the box again, it has rubber tracks, not individual links! So not sure why I initially thought that?

I think I may also add this tank to my Desert Diorama, which I'm currently also building. As both this (Scorpion) and the x6 wheeler ATMP were in service at the same time with an overlap of some six years or so, when they were both around and being used. So they could well have both been used in the desert somewhere, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc?

Anyway on to the obligatory box and sprue shots....
This seem to be a nicely detailed kit, with a few PE parts too.

 

[pjgtech]

And the build has started, so we are off!
First order of business was the end sections to the main chassis and the suspension arms/links.






Fixing the upper body to the chassis did require some clamps, but it seemed to go on well and was a nice fit.



Starting to add the side storage sections, there will be some minor filling required once the main assembly is complete, but nothing too bad, (so far).



Onto the turret which again, went together easily and was a nice fit, no drama's so far.... I have not glued the rotating barrel breach, so it will move. (NB: there's a nice steel barrel included in the kit).







There is a nice exhaust cover/grill included with the PE, which requires bending, so found a suitable paint brush and set to it, it seems to fit around the exhaust well now, but will be fitted later....

 

[PaulTRose]

This will be good....... I have exactly the same kit in the stash and ive been putting off doing it too lol......

So you can go first

 

[pjgtech]

Annoyingly I have already lost one of the (four) tiny lifting lugs/eyelets!!!
They are quite small and one has been eaten by the carpet monster, I've had two "sweeps" of the carpet on my hands and knees but nope, could not find the bloody thing, its so frustrating.
It must be such a common thing, to lose small parts, I wonder why manufacturers don't just add a couple of extra's in the kit, just in case?

 

[scottie3158]

Peter, great start I have driven a few of these in my time they used to be called the 9ton sports car.

 

[pjgtech]

More progress, been raining most of the day, just had thunder and a downpour, so been beavering away in the theatre of dreams, eg: spare bedroom, Lol!
Bit more details added to the turret, few periscope viewer thingies, and added the rear storage sections.


Then yet more detail added to the turret, there's quite a lot which is good... Both turret hatch covers, some hinge points, not sure what the little rocket thingies are, smoke, mortars? but they were added too...


Quite like that they have added the little weld details to various parts of the turret, just that extra nice bit of detail, prolly does not show up in the pics, but its a nice touch.
So pretty much all the bits and bobs added to the turret now, TBH, I have no idea what most of them are, but they look good...


Rear view, there's some sort of rear reel thing which required a bit of the PE to make a frame, there's also a small aerial holder (I think) made from PE, at the rear of the turret. I will be making the two aerials out of stretched sprue, eg: heat a bit of sprue and stretch it out until its really thin, then let it cool and use as thin wire. Never done it before, but will be giving it a go....


And the front view, few more little bits to add, then it will be ready for priming....

 

[langy71]

A lovely little build Peter.

Mrs L made this same kit when it first came out, she finished it in the UN white colour, (I think it's still upstairs in the loft)

 

[pjgtech]

A lovely little build Peter.

Mrs L made this same kit when it first came out, she finished it in the UN white colour, (I think it's still upstairs in the loft)

I'll be doing the desert sand coloured one, to go with the dio I'm doing....

 

[PaulTRose]

The rocket thingys are smoke dischargers

The cable drum thingy needs black or green wire....... It was so vehicles could hook up to each other when parked up...... Its a land line so no radio to be intercepted

Trick to stretching sprue is dont over heat and dont pull apart too quickly......and hold it stretched for a few seconds to cool... Also some sprue works and some dont..... Bit of practice and its easy

If you cant do it hobbycraft do wire for flower arranging...... About 20cm length, bag full for a couple of quid.... What i often use

Looking good.... You enjoying this scale?

 

[pjgtech]

I did wonder about the reel at the rear? shame they don't supply anything to wrap around it, I'll have a look in my stash to see what bits and bobs I have laying around, I do have some thin wire. Will prolly have to take it off and redo it though, bah!
Just primed it all up as well, typical....
Filled a few gaps, primed up the wheels, etc...(Barrel now fitted too)


Primed up the main body and turret...



Started painting the wheels....

 

[pjgtech]

Looking good.... You enjoying this scale?

Sorry forgot to answer that bit.... Yes mate. Its not my first 1:35th scale, I've done the Kubelwagon, and two Willys Jeeps and a Halftrack, but its my first proper tank at this scale. Really liking the detail, so much more to see, etc.

 

[pjgtech]

Todays little update...
Most small bits now primed and painted on the sprue.
Wheels now assembled.
First very light, very thin, almost a mist coat on the main tank chassis and turret.
Exhaust has its rust coat put on and painted up the exhaust guard, (PE).


Main wheels now on and setting. The wheels have had a first coat of paint, but I will tidy them up a bit before completion, and the tyres will get a tyre black coat and then of course they will be weathered too.
Have taken the rear spool off and I shall be attaching some thin garden wire (green) and wrapping it round and then the spool will be re-attached.

 

[pjgtech]

Doh! Tried to attached the exhaust guard earlier to the chassis side, but, it did not line up?
After looking at it and scratching my head, checking the instructions, and repeat a few times...
I finally realised that here's a small curved cut-out on one side of the guard, as it sits very close to the turret, so the cut-out allows for that.
You have to bend the guard, eg: around a pencil or similar to get the curved shape, and I had (typically) bent it the wrong way.
I had already primed and painted the guard, so a simple fix eh? just bend it the other way, yep, but oh no wait, its very fine PE, so no not that easy, once it was straightened and then re-bent/curved....the bloody paint cracked!
So have now painted it (again). Hey ho....

 

[pjgtech]

Still beavering away at this little tank in between also working on the desert dio.
Added the green wire to the rear spool, managed to break the little PE frame during the process and ended taking the whole spool off, removing the frame, adding the wire, then refixing the frame, then refixing the spool to the rear.
TBH not sure that I'm happy with the wire on the spool, its not quite right to me, but it is better than having an empty spool, so its staying (for now)!

Then set to fixing the exhaust guard in place, after having re-bent it the correct way to allow for the curve of the turret base, and then re-painting it! Will have to touch up the paint a bit.

Then started on the pioneer tools, on went the pick axe handles and pick on one side and then the shovel/spade on the other side. The turret has also had a second coat of paint. Main chassis has already had two coats.


Still lots to do, gotta add the mirrors, the drive wheels, then the tracks, then start the weathering process, so still a fair way to go. Not sure if I will be adding a tarp or netting, but I may do at some point....

 

[langy71]

seeing you build this now makes me want to build the scimitar,
I wonder if any body has done the more 'modern' sabre version of this ?