Armourfast 1/72nd scale kits

[Séan Pádraig]

I should start by saying that I don't as a rule build Armour subjects and never in 1/72nd scale, however at my model club meeting last week we were offered the opportunity to try out some of the Armourfast range of tanks (for free)... each pack contains two tanks so it was agreed that we pair up and swap one kit each so building two different tanks. The upshot of this was I returned home with a (British) Cromwell and a (Soviet)T34/85.

I decided that I would just slap one together as a quick test and take my time with the other, a flip of a coin later I started on the Cromwell.

My initial impression of the Armourfast kit is that it is basic (with approx 20 parts) and is aimed squarely at the war gaming people rather than modellers, no decals are included and parts such as the tracks/wheels are single piece mouldings.

This is fine if you just want a 'representation' of a Cromwell tank and want to build/paint several at once just to build up a division for your war gaming. However even as a non armour builder I have to say that the modeller in me wanted more detail.

Anyway, I assembled the hull parts and the turret parts and set about priming them ready for painting... as mentioned before the tracks/wheels are a single moulding so left separate to make painting simpler. despite being basic the turret hatch doors are individual pieces and fiddly to attach.

Despite wishing to build this first kit as basic as possible I couldn't help but drill out end of the gun barrel as well as the holes on the drive wheels, added an aerial and I even bent some staples as handles on the back deck even though they do not exist on the real tank (AFAIK)

Once it was all painted the tracks were glued to the hull and the turret added... I only have the two machine guns to attach and the rear engine grille otherwise that is it done.

BTW... I also noticed that my painting of the wheels/tracks was rather poor... although it 'looked' fine in my workshop, studio, shed but in the house when I took the photo it was clear it was poor... I really must get better lighting down there.

Anyway... it was basic fun for the most part, so much in fact that I am actually looking forward to doing the little T34/85 and adding a bit more detail (and better painting)

I will keep you posted...

[Séan Pádraig]

no comments....

Anyway I have added the final touches and some scrap decals (not accurate in the slightest but they help finish it). On the whole I have enjoyed it and will start on the T34/85 now and we'll see how I get on with that one, using what I have learnt with the Cromwell build.

[ferny]

Good effort!

i do like a cromwell in any scale! Still have one 1/2 of a pair of them in the stash, might dig it out and practice my air brushing on it one day.

Jon

[thx6667]

I tell you what would be cool - an assessment of all the Armourfast kits with pics etc... I;d like to grab another few but would like to know what are the better ones in the range.

[daz greenwood]

Hi Jonathan.

Here are pics of the Armourfast Sherman Firefly.

Sorry, I don't have any others in the range, but I'm hoping to get both versions of the StuG III soon!

[FZ6]

Those Armourfast kits look interesting.

I nice model if you want to quickly progress onto the painting stage.