8 Likes
It’s good to see you starting another build!
2 Likes
Glad to see you’re building this ki​
I have this kit, love your builds…great tutorials​
3 Likes
some more finished.
Just a Note, I did the Final Drive Housings like this, because I like to add the Sprockets after painting and detailing. It is easier for me this way
Regards
Donald
6 Likes
Yes, Gecko’s instructions regarding the idler rings are not very clear, but the bevel actually goes on the inside. I think the bevel is Gecko’s attempt to make the edge look thinner. You can see in this photo that the face of the ring is flat. Unfortunately, the ring should also be more recessed; you can see the prominent lip in this photo as well.
3 Likes
The Rear Armor Hull Plate is mostly finished.
The Kit has Interior paneling in what would be the Engine Compartment.
Mabey their next release will have an Engine and Interior.
OK now for an Important Correction, The Instructions show the Bow Gun being assembled Wrong.
The following pics show how I assembled and Installed it, This is the only way that I could figure out how to do it. Mabey I’m wrong, What do you guys think ?
Regards
Donald
4 Likes
Now to Join together the Upper and Lower Hull Parts.
The Screen Pe. parts are a bit oversized and got Battle Damsged.
Finished for today.
Donald
6 Likes
I haven’t gotten to attaching the debris screens yet, but if you look carefully at Step 17, it shows that the forward screen is supposed to have its edge bent upwards. If you do this, it should fit better. And this is how the real screen fitted.
The rear screen does look about right, just a tiny bit to long.
And there’s a heavy seam line on both sides where the two bolt heads are that should not be there.
1 Like
You are Correct, I missed that, At 80 Years even with Reading Glasses my eyes don’t catch everything.
This Info. should help others building this kit. It’s too late for this one though
Regards
Donald
1 Like
Good to see you on another build Donald.
Yes it is a lovely kit with a few issues, mines at the mid weathering stage at the moment. Some things in the instructions could be clearer yes and the hull MG housing is confusing even more confusing as they moulded the bevel the wrong way so it flares out.
Tracks are easy to assemble but dont work with normal cement so must be ABS or similar. Pins just seem to escape and vanish as you work on them LOL Still compared to their universal carrier tracks are a vast improvement.
You’re definitely being diplomatic stating “a few issues”. The kit is a direct upscale of the Bronco 1/35 kit and thus has most of the same problems; the new Tamiya 1/35 kit is a huge improvement. Some of the largest issues with the Gecko kit are missing 6’ crowbar, missing gun cleaning rods, missing track jack tools, poorly shaped covers over the hull hatch arms/hinge, missing rear steps despite having marks on the rear plate for them (but they include the rear flotation plates that are not used so you could build the hybrid version), completely missing both hinge and pin detail on the fuel caps. There’s more but I’ll stop there.
I’ve had no issue with the tracks; only a half dozen or less pins do not stay in very well, so glue has been unnecessary. But Testors Cement does work on the harder plastic of the tracks so I don’t think it is ABS.
I still think it’s a decent kit, but it does appear they took the easy road by using the Bronco kit for reference.
5 Likes
Nice looking build so far.
The kit is wrong with regards to the two tie downs on the underside of the rear basket. These should be on the upper edge of the basket, slightly off center. On the underside is silly, since you wouldn’t be able to stow the gun cleaning rods (which Gecko does not include), which are what the U-shaped PE parts are for. You also note that the pry bar is missing, yes, and it goes on the brackets below the rear stowage basket.
I have the running gear installed and the rear basket tiedowns moved.
I’ll be working on the Track next.
regards
Donald
6 Likes
I have the Tracks assembled and temporarily installed,
Here is how I did it.
Now for a little Painting and Weathering.
Regards
Donald
5 Likes
Looking good Donald, how large is the kit compared to something in 1/35 scale.
I am very jealous of the space you must have to build all these 1/16 kits. I have the M8 in the stash and am not sure where I would put it if I build it
