IBG Scammell Pioneer Tank Transporter Build in 1/72 Scale Part II

Several parts of the trailer are rendered in photoetch, including the side support frames and mounts for the jack stands. The sprue attachment points are visible on the bottoms of the frames. These look like scars but are actually sanded smooth.

The finished model measures 7.5 inches (19 cm), which is on the smaller side for a tank transporter.

After a coat of Mr. Surfacer 1000 everything got sprayed with Mr. Color 19 and oversprayed with Mr. Color 44 for contrast. The lighter 44 was used to highlight the horizontal surfaces and panel centers to break up the otherwise monochrome finish.

For the cab interior I painted the seats a dark brown and then used Tamiya Brown and Black washes to give it some depth. The tires were brush painted with Mr. Color Tire Black, appropriately enough.

The kit decals performed without problems. I fixed the cab roof panels in place, there is a slight gap which is easily addressed with Perfect Plastic Putty. I haven’t started the washes yet but there is a little “volunteer” shading coming through from washing the interior. The headlamps are fragile and I managed to break mine off during handling, what you see here are replacements made from plunge molding plastic sheet over the back end of a drill bit.

The model was weathered with Black and Brown Tamiya washes. Then Dull Aluminum and a Dark Brown were dabbed on with a bit of sponge, the areas of greatest wear on the trailer receiving the most attention. Finally specific chips were applied with dark brown eyeliner. The last “bustoffables” were put in place – windshield wipers, cables, and canvas shades – then the model got sprayed with Testors Dullcote to finish up.

SUMMARY

I started this kit as a quick project while awaiting a box of modeling goodness from Hannants.  It’s not really a quick build though.  IBG has modeled every component of the Scammell Pioneer without regard as to whether it will be visible on the finished model or not, and many of these components are reproduced using photoetch.  This cuts both ways.  On one hand the model is very detailed, on the other assembly is complex and there is a constant issue with alignment.  My personal preference is for simplifying detail and combining parts to ease assembly, especially if the parts are in a location where the simplification can never be seen.

The instructions have a large number of steps but a relatively small number of parts used in each step.  There is also a finished render in each step to show how everything is supposed to fit together.  Still there are some areas which can be confusing, I think my trailer decking is mounted a bit too high.  There is still a little room for modelers to add to the kit, particularly if you find a bit of scratchbuilding preferable to fiddling with PE.

I found the kit fiddly to build but liked the subject, I have a soft spot for tank transporters.  It is not a “box shaker”, but if you can push through the assembly stage it makes for an eye-catching model.

Completed photographs here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2022/07/26/ibg-scammell-pioneer-tank-transporter-in-1-72-scale/