Scammell Pioneer Tank Transporter with Churchill Vignette in 1/72 Scale

This is the IBG Scammell Pioneer Tank Transporter with the Italeri (ESCI) Churchill Mk. III, North Africa, November 1942.  The figure is from Preiser components, most of the stowage is from Value Gear.

Vignette construction here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2022/07/08/scammell-pioneer-tank-transporter-with-churchill-vignette-build-in-1-72-scale/

Scammell Pioneer Tank Transporter with Churchill Vignette Build in 1/72 Scale

The Scammell is the third tank transporter I’ve built in the last few years, and I have developed the habit of showing them hauling their loads on bases. In order to give the vehicles a bit more of a “lived in” look I wanted to add some stowage. There are a few odds & ends from the kit itself, but most of this cargo is from Value Gear, which I highly recommend. Value Gear here: http://www.valuegeardetails.com/index.html

I’m not the best figure modeler, but I like to add figures for scale. This fellow is a combination of Preiser parts. If you want to see the judges get out their rulebooks at an IPMS show, ask whether your entry is a vehicle with a base, a vignette, or a diorama. This appears to be unsettled law. You will see clubs make different determinations depending on number of vehicles, number and placement of figures, and even the height of vegetation.

Here is the base, representing a well-traveled tract in the desert. It is a 4” x 12” (10 cm by 30 cm) piece of Oak trim with lightweight wall filler and stones from the driveway. Ruts were formed by rolling a Nickle along the filler, along with a few sizes of brass tubing. Vegetation tufts are from the train section of the LHS.

Bits and bobs painted and washed. One thing which I like about the Value Gear is most of these items are molded with straps in place – no “magnetic stowage” here.

I put a few pieces inside the cab of the Scammell, but most wound up in the bin under the cab or on the deck of the trailer. The jacks are spares from the kit, dressed up with some Evergreen stock.

The Scammell was loaded with the Italeri Churchill Mk. III and secured to the base. I had tried painting and washing the figure but didn’t like the result, so he was repainted and blended with oils. I’d like to see manufacturers produce more figures in casual poses, British or Australian figures gathered around “brewing a cuppa” would be very useful!

Scammell build here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2022/06/24/ibg-scammell-pioneer-tank-transporter-build-in-1-72-scale-part-i/

Churchill build here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2022/06/17/italeri-churchill-mk-iii-build-in-1-72-scale/

Sd. Kfz. 9 FAMO Halftrack Dioramas in 1/72 Scale

I present three dioramas (or are they vignettes) featuring Sd. Kfz. 9 FAMO Halftracks in 1/72 scale.  The first is a Planet Models resin kit with Black Dog accessories.  The figures are mainly from Preiser set 72505, augmented with others from one of their Luftwaffe sets.  The crew has taken a break for lunch in the shade of a tree.  The dog is painted to resemble one of my own.

This scene is the Revell FAMO towing an Italeri sFH 18 Field Howitzer, both very nice kits.  The cargo is mainly Value Gear in the bed and Black Dog tarps on the fenders.  Figures are a mix of Preiser and modified artillerymen from the Italeri kit. Value Gear here: http://valuegeardetails.com/UniversalStowage72.html

I have recently developed an affinity for tank transporters (like I needed another rabbit hole to climb in) so there will likely be more like this scene in the future.  This is the Trumpeter FAMO and transport trailer with a Zvezda Panzer IV.  Figures are from the CMK set designed for the FAMO and a few from Caesar, Value Gear stowage in the bed again.  I like the casual poses, particularly the bored guy on the back of the trailer.

 

 

 

 

Construction posts here:  https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2020/12/18/sd-kfz-9-famo-halftrack-comparison-build-in-1-72-scale-part-i/

Trumpeter Sd. Kfz. 9 FAMO Halftrack in 1/72 Scale

This is Trumpeter’s FAMO kit number 07203 which was issued in 2005.  This kit has been issued in several versions and boxings over the years and is still available.  Trumpeter’s kit is the most detailed FAMO and also contains the most parts by far.  Track are individual links and have separately molded rubber pads.  I found the kit to be over-engineered and fiddly.  The advantages in detail will not be visible from normal viewing angles, but if you wanted to display a FAMO with the hood panels open or over on its side this would be the place to start.  Value Gear cargo is in the bed.

Diorama construction here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/sd-kfz-9-famo-halftrack-base-construction-in-1-72-scale/

Revell Sd. Kfz. 9 FAMO Halftrack in 1/72 Scale

Here is Revell’s FAMO offering from 2005, their kit number 03141.  Tracks are link and length.  I found this kit to be well molded and engineered and a pleasure to build.  The canvas rolls on the fenders are from Black Dog resin, the cargo load in the bed is a mix of Value Gear resin bits.

More finished FAMO here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2021/01/12/trumpeter-sd-kfz-9-famo-halftrack-in-1-72-scale/

Sd. Kfz. 9 FAMO Halftrack Comparison Build in 1/72 Scale Part III

The kits were each primed with Mr. Surfacer 1000 to check for flaws, then recesses and shadow areas received a coat of Alclad black primer.

The Planet Resin model was painted Panzer Gray with a darker mix from below and a lighter mix from above.

This is the Revell kit with the tracks and rubber parts of the road wheels picked out.

The Trumpeter kit got bands of green and brown camouflage colors.

Here are all three together under a glosscoat after decals have been applied.

The FAMO looks a bit naked without some cargo. Black Dog makes a nice set for the FAMO, the section for the bed is a large chunk of resin representing a mixed cargo load and a loose canvas cover. I liked this set for the Planet kit as it will help make up for the reduced surface detail compared to the other two models.

The Black Dog resin is seen here painted in basic colors and sealed under a gloss coat. This is a good exercise in detail painting.

I detailed the some of the cargo with the usual washes and drybrushing, but decided to try a new technique (for me) on the canvas bits by using oils. Black oils were brushed into the recesses and white onto the ridges, then the two were gently blended into grays. This is actually pretty easy to control and relaxing to apply, and I was pleased with the depth and contrast at the end. Like anything new it will take more practice to perfect but the initial results are promising. The rope coil is rigging rope from the Syren Ship Model Company and is woven as rope, not thread.

For cargo in the remaining two FAMO I ordered the German Fuel Drum and German Ammo Crate sets from Value Gear. I purchased three sets with my order, and VG sent along a fourth set as a bonus! These are nice sets, and a lot easier than casting them yourself.  Value Gear here:  http://valuegeardetails.com/UniversalStowage72.html

Here are both sets painted up, enough to load my two FAMO with a bunch left over.

This is the finished Planet Models FAMO with the Black Dog resin set. The simplified construction is rugged and goes together easily, but it is not as detailed as the injection molded kits. This is the best choice for wargamers if you can find it. The Black Dog resin set adds visual interest while making the kit’s limited surface detail less noticeable.

Revell’s kit is the best compromise between detail and buildability. Mine carries Value Gear cargo in the bed and Black Dog tarps on the fenders. I made the canvas supports from metal rod, the molded pieces in the stowed position were just not as convincing.

The Trumpeter kit is the most detailed but is vastly over-engineered, especially in the case of the tracks and suspension which requires constant attention to align. Much of the detail is only visible from the underside so the extra effort is wasted. However, if a modeler wanted to model a FAMO with the hood open or the vehicle on its side, this would be the place to start.

More finished FAMO pictures here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2021/01/05/planet-model-resin-sd-kfz-9-famo-halftrack-in-1-72-scale/