Dave Ward's 1/35 HobbyBoss Vickers Medium Mark I

[Guest]

There is only one colour option, in which HB calls for overall 'olive drab'. I don't think that is correct,

Not according to Mike Starmer’s book, British Army Colours & Disruptive Camouflage in the United Kingdom, France & N.W. Europe, 1936 -1945. I quote:

An examination of immediate pre-war monochrome photographs frequently shows tanks and other vehicles with a very dark and glossy, almost black, appearance which the writer believes to be examples of B.S.C. No.24 Deep Bronze Green.

The model paint mixture he provides for this in the same book is 6 parts Humbrol 3 Brunswick Green, 3 parts Humbrol 10 Service Brown and 1 part Humbrol 2 Emerald Green, and apply a satin varnish over the paint. The paint chip also included is basically a glossy, very dark green.

[Dave Ward]

Jakko,
yep, fair enough - although the Medium Mk I was produced in 1924, so before Mr Starmers reference period. I do have several types of Deep Bronze Green, but I don't have to decide for a while yet!
Dave

[Guest]

Dave I think you need to invest in a new nipper,those rough cuts on the links only add to the clean up in my opinion:thumb2:.

[Dave Ward]

Tony,
Ah, but there is a reason for the cuts - the guides are so small, I can't get a tighter cut - so I will clean them up after having glued the guide link to the track plate. I did try using a scalpel, but the carpet monster was ready and waiting! It's a matter of being able to handle the bits with my fat fingers!
Dave

[Guest]

the Medium Mk I was produced in 1924, so before Mr Starmers reference period.

I confused the versions you were building — thought it was the later Mk. II

[Dave Ward]

Further construction - the road wheels/bogies
These bits go to make up one bogie
[ATTACH]304558[/ATTACH]

And ten of these have to be made.....................
[ATTACH]304559[/ATTACH] All pretty small, some will need additional clean up, they're too small for me until I've assembled them!
Jakko - I've been unable to find any reference to the colour of the original 1924 production models - other than 'green', so really it's going to be best guess!
Dave

[papa 695]

Nice work Dave, I bet the carpet monster was at the ready, while making those up.

[Dave Ward]

Ian,
There are spares for these parts - the carpet monster is only interested in those single, unique shaped bits!
After a hour or so, one side of the suspension is nearly complete - I can't add the drive sprocket, until the suspension box is added to the main hull. I'm doing one side at a time, because there are handed parts that look VERY similar.
[ATTACH]304560[/ATTACH]

Christina Perri was my music of today, I have rather an eclectic taste - tomorrow? could be Wagner!
Dave

[Guest]

Man that road wheel system looks so delicate and prone to battle damage.:dizzy:

[Guest]

Jakko - I've been unable to find any reference to the colour of the original 1924 production models - other than 'green', so really it's going to be best guess!

According to Mike Starmer’s book I quoted earlier, the Deep Bronze Green was made the standard colour in 1934, so if the Mk. I was still in use then you could go for that. Otherwise, B.T. White in British Tank Markings and Names (London: Arms and Armour Press, 1978; ISBN 0-85368-222-4) says on page 73:

Immediately following the First World War the grey, brown and khaki-green colours continued in use. In 1930 this khaki-green was known as bronze-green and was published in British Standard No. 381-1930 as: Colours No. 22 Light Bronze Green; No. 23 Middle Bronze Green; and No. 24 Deep Bronze Green. No. 23 appears to have been the one for normal use in the United Kingdom, with No. 22 for use in terrain with light foliage; and No. 24 for dark surroundings. A range of Brunswick greens also appears to have been used.

There are no real indicators of what these colours would have actually looked like, but a starting point would be Mike Starmer’s version of deep bronze green and making it lighter.

[Dave Ward]

Tony,
The Mark I suspension was fragile - the road wheel axles being prone to breakage, leading to regular shedding of parts on exercises!
Colour wise, I have looked through my box, and I have picked out 8 greens that might be suitable - I've painted test patches onto white card, and will judge them in daylight. Hopefully, I can use one straight from the bottle...............
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Bright Morning sunlight here in Gloucestershire, The test patches:[ATTACH]304762[/ATTACH]

Well, the pictures don't really show the true colours, but as a comparison between the samples, I can immediately discount some of them!
At the moment, I'm undecided between Reflective, Bronze or Military. I'll make up another test piece to see how it goes
Dave

[Guest]

It’s impossible for us to say anything meaningful based on photos of the colours, unfortunately … Based on the colour chip I mentioned earlier, I’d probably go for a darkish medium green myself, aiming for a green green, if you know what I mean, rather than a grey or brown one.

[Dave Ward]

Jakko,
you're quite right on the photo, but it does show the colours in comparison with each other ie lighter/darker, and narrows down the choice. Given the 90 odd years since these tanks were produced, I doubt if any definitive colour can be absolutely confirmed. I'm going to make a best guess - but still don't know which one!
Dave

[papa 695]

Nice work David, and it's nice to hear that they supply spare parts just to feed the carpet monster.