My recently complete “Mk I” Tank from Airfix. The model is actually a hydrid, as Airfix based it upon the ‘mock-up’ at the Tank Museum (in Dorset, UK) which was based on a MK II, prior to their receiving a genuine MkI. So the original kit is more like a Mk II (squared track tensioner housing, hatch in cab roof, narrowed cab, cheese wedge rear upper access. At the time the Mk II was notionally fitted with a rear tail frame, wheels and springs, to make it look more like a MK I. The tank was also a ‘supply tank’ hence the necessary access hatch in the cab roof.
Despite being aware of all this, I made the model as is.
As this was not intended to be totally accurate, I experimented a bit with the colouring!
Initially she was given an overall coat of black primer (Mr Surfacer) and panels were highlighted in a very thinly applied pale yellow.
This was then all given a coat of SMS transparent brown.
Finally, it was weathered with oils and pastels.
Not a perfect replica by any means, but it was enjoyable to build.
I have a taste for this era now, and will be producing more British WWI Tanks. I’ve already obtained one each of the Masterbox 1/72 Male and Female Mk II’s, and will also be converting another couple of Airfix Mk I’s (one Male and one Female) to proper Mk I’s.
Excellent model Terry.Ive got 2 of these kits and 1 Masterbox Mark 1s.I will try and make one of mine as a fairly accurate Mark 1 with a bit of scratchbuilding.Matador models i believe do some replacement tracks for these kits.I first had one for my tenth birthday in 1979.How did the tracks pan out on your model?.Hope you build the others soon.Might make one of my out of the box just for a fun build.
Excellent work on that kit. I knew the kit had some shape problems, but wasn’t sure what they were so very helpful.
Emhar do quite a nice Mk.IV Male and Female along with the Whippet and A7V. They would make nice additions to your collection. I’m not sure if anyone has any of the French tanks in small scale though.
Thanks Richard. I have some 3D printed parts to correct the Airfix model, into proper Mk 1’s, both male and female, so my next builds of the Airfix kit will use those. As for the tracks, they were OK, but a very tight fit and don’t quite meet at the bottom! I now also have 3D printed tracks from the same source.
Ah cool. Was about to say stay away from the Emhar 1/35 tanks. They’re very old tooling, crude and almost toy-like and refuse to fit together. Their later small scales are much better.
I attempted their 1/35 Tadpole a few years ago and gave up after a couple of afternoons. Fortunately, there are newer and better WW1 armour kits on the market now. Tamiya do a really nice Mk.IV. I can also vouch for Copper State Models armoured car kits. They are wonderful kits.
The 3D parts sound great.Shame a company doesnt produce updates for them.Ive got the Emhar Mark 1V in 1.72nd and the Whippet,they are ok kits with some test fitting and fettling to fit.Butt joints so careful lining up is order of the day.Must get around to doing my Airfix kit soon.
@Richard50, If you are genuinely interested in the 3D conversion parts, I can let you have contact details of the person I know who produces them. They are extremely well designed and produced by an enthusiast. I’ll dig the parts out this weekend and post some pictures.
Hi, I have just joined this forum, pointed in this direction by Terry - author of this thread. ‘Tis I who has designed the upgrade parts for the Airfix Mk1 tank kits which I know Terry will be featuring in due course. Like many, I was content that the Airfix Mk1 tank model was great ……. Until I discovered that it wasn’t, I’ll not remind you of the history of the errors!
I have done ‘old school’ corrections but some 3 years ago I started dabbling in 3D design and then 3D printing. Bye and bye my skill set improved and a while back I decided to tackle the Mk1 kit.
Terry has many of my ‘improvements’ but as this is a continuously evolving project I’ve subsequently produced more.
All the grey parts are the replacements. Although I’ve not added the V exhaust deflectors, springs or the hyd jack protective shield. I have also designed the ‘basic’ anti grenade canopy frame.
Excellent Terry. I have 3D tracks for the Masterbox kits and they also fit the Emhar MkIV models.
This is a breakdown of some of my parts (some parts have since been revised. Probably the most significant parts are the corrected roof, widened cab, revised sponsons. The tracks align the rhomboid halves and each track plate is designed from a detailed diagram of the real thing. (Please note that the grey rhomboid, top right, is from a ‘female’ kit and not a 3D part).
I thought I’d add a couple of images of parts that I have designed and have just had some minor modifications made:
The tail frame for the balance/steering wheels has the various lightening holes, correct shape strengthening plates with the different number of rivets. This is the print plate image in the ‘slicing’ software.
At the other end of the same print plate are the hydraulic lift jack armoured covers, better detailed springs at the correct spacing and boxes sometimes seen on the tail frame. (almost certainly discarded ammunition boxes).
This is the ‘basic’ grenade canopy frame. Photographic evident shows at least 4 variations with rear extensions, extensions over the top of the sponsons and one which has a ‘mess’ of chicken wire.
