Matchbox 1:35 M109G

[benskipper]

What Ho, project Challenger has taken a break for a while as I needed to work out how to do some bits and pieces, and add very small bolt heads et. Now rather than waste my energies with plastiard I saw this little beauty at Louth (Lincs) premier (only) modelship cum fishing tackle/bait shop. So £9.99 later I was the proud owner of this wonderful little Matchbox/Revell kit.

As a kit it gos together well, no filling on the joints was needed, but there were some sink marks in various areas as you can see by the photo's. I've also decided to make a pre 1978 long barrel M189 version, so this is the original M109. It would appear that the Americans got the Vanden Plas version whilst everyone else got the Popular Plus, but not to worry. Half the parts aren't usd on the RA version and the spares box has grown a litlte, and the only major changes were removal of the rings prior to the muzzle break assembly, adding some nut heads, grab handles, weld lines etc to various areas. I also chose to make a vehicle that would have been around at the of my birth so this fits the bill.

The paint scheme is a little made up as the only colour photo I could find of an RA machine shows a very filthy version, on a virtually ground level 3/4 view, so apologies for that, but hopefully you'll get the idea.

New Driver periscope covers, note the bolts on the front of the turret, these are CMG 0.65mm bolts, the kit omits these.

The rear plough blade support strurt also recieved some CMG goodies.

Various handles made from butty bag twists and copper from some old lengths of stereo speaker wire.

The finish is Olive drab, a dusting of Khaki Drab and flat black.

The odd water marks are from the transport of the model from the garage to the kitchen. Once it's recieved the chez Skipper muck treatment they'll disappear. Hopefully.

If ther are any ex gunners who used this type please post any feed back as it would be most welcome.

Edited February 19, 2011 by benskipper

[benskipper]

What ho chaps and chapesses,

This week it's been wheel sets and tracks. As I've decided to build as much of this kit out of the box I've used the kit track, which all things considered isn't too ropey...

As standard, a little too slack, bit of reasearch showed the track touched the middle three wheels...

...I attached some invisible thread to the outer 2 of the 3 wheels, tied it up and sealed with some liquid glue...

...Ah infintely better...

...Next I applied gentle heat with an old hair drier set on HIGH to the drve sproket and rear idler. This took a little time, but the effect is about there, daren't apply too much heat for fear of melting and snapping the tracks, so there's still a little bit of slack, but not enough to make it look too hideous...

... bit of GW chainmail on theose areas of the track that would be visable and their ready for the weathering process. Jobs a good 'un.

Edited February 19, 2011 by benskipper

[Alex Gordon]

Ah!The joys of Castaline.Looking good so far,

[benskipper]

Alex that place is a little goldmine, he has literally hundresds of kits, the really good ones, such as this, tend to be well hidden!

Right that's it, all done now, just the final weathering to be done and she's good to go. I think this is fastest I've ever built a kit! 2 weeks from start to finish isn't too shabby.

Rear turret mounted Jerry cans of DERV...

...a big mallet for hiting things...

...the exhaust, hollowed out and weathered up...

..rear of vehicle...

...close of plough stabilser unit showing fresh paint chips and rust...

...the business end. A 155mm howitzer with paint chips on the aft of the muzzle brake. This was caused by propellant debris which followed the round upon being fired.

Edited February 19, 2011 by benskipper

[benskipper]

All finished now please go to Drive it like you stole it to see the finished article.