Italeri Crusader III 1/35

[Ian M]

As I had the camera in hand I thought I would post a couple of pictures of my current project.

A Crusader III.

Although a re release, it is the original tool and I have to say up to now I am quite impressed with the detail and the fineness of some of the parts. OK you can see that the tool is a little tired and the register on some of the parts is a fraction off. No problem on the larger parts. Some of the finer parts, pipes tubes and bars, are getting replaces with brass wire. I would of done that any way so what the hey!

Not sure which version the paint will be. There are three options on the plans A green one, a yellow one and a yellow/black one (probably the most seen of the three).

This is where I am at.

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Drilling the rims out was a labour of love.....Dude thats a lot a holes!

Ian M

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[Guest]

That's looking really good Ian, though I'd never have the patience to drill all those holes! I'm looking forward to seeing you paint it.

Patrick

[Ian M]

Thanks Patrick. Wasn't that many holes actually. Only 36 per rim (36X2X20, oh that is a lot of holes!) I must confess that I did them in four sessions.

Right now I have just primed it after having spent the day putting all the fidly bits on. I Think I will go for the Green option which is a tank from the 26th armoured brigade, though the all over sand version for the 9th Royal lancers is running a close second.....

Ian M

[Guest]

The green sounds a good choice, but in which theater would that one have served in?I've only seen Crusaders in North Africa. I quite fancy a crack at something from the Afrika Korps, never done a desert vehicle before.

[Ian M]

Funnily enough it was from a tank that was in Tunisia! 26th Armoured Brigade, 6th Armoured div. Tunisia, Feb 1943. Well thats what it says on the instructions....!

Well I just painted the first colour.....Bronze Green. I also painted the tracks Earth. So at some point in time the tank will get a few highlights and the like and the tracks will get a dry brush with silver.

Here is the first coat down.

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I was just a bout to paint the tires when I suddenly thought that I had better wait until the wheels had gotten a few highlights on them as well.

Ian M

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[papa 695]

Looking very good Ian makes me want to do a tank Iwill be watching this one grow

[Ian M]

Well found a bit of time today to do a bit more and post a few photos.

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I got the tracks painted. A coat of flat earth then dry brushed to brighten the contact areas.

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Then the road wheels got a light going over with Olive Green, Dry brushed to ware the paint down and a bit of rust in the nooks and krannies.

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Here the Turret and hull has been faded a little again with Olive green.

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These were then attacked with the dry brush

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Then give a bit of rust with the oils.

Too Much? Not enough?

The next run is painting all those rubber wheel bands!

Ian M

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[Guest]

It's come together really well Ian. I like your work with the AB to fade out the paintwork. I'm using oils as filters on my Pershing.

With regard to the rust, I'd have to say too much. I just can't see the crew allowing or being allowed to get it that bad. Just my opinion though!

Patrick

[Ian M]

Hmm I thought so my self so no worries. I'll see If I can back it up a bit.

If not I'll just give it loads more and have the thing abandoned at the road side.

Ian M

[Guest]

Shouldn't be a problem to tone it down a bit as you've used oils. I've done the same thing with careful application of thinners.

[Ian M]

After another day of non-stop eating at the father in law's I came back and gave the rust a swabbing down with a Q-tip and some white spirit. That seams to have done the trick. I will see what it dries like.

Ian M

[Ian M]

Well I think it will do. For now.

Pictures in the finished section.

Ian M