A few little things done in this update. Scratched the .30 mount as there isn’t one in the Kit (or the actual gun for that matter). Need to do the .30 barrel rest but that won’t be done until later otherwise I’ll have knocked it off 20 times before I even get to paint. Made a canvas cover for the Don10 reel on the rear of the turret as it wasn’t often you saw the real thing without the cover. Fettled some more wiring for the lights, fitted the Clansman ABA’s and filled the holes in the other antenna mounts but need toi find something small enough to put on as the antenna base cover bolts!. Also fitted stowage to the rear left fender. Amazing the things you notice when you take a close up pic, the filler where the kit commanders light fitted needs re-filling as there is a hole and there is a strange divit in the mantlet to the right of the barrel which will need filling also, AND the mold lines on the ABA’s.
Looking very nice Mate, very nice indeed!
Lovely details Max, and the DQP cover is very nicely done. Going great guns 
Yes looking great!
Thanks guys, just a small update today. Did the commanders spotlight and painted it to get an idea of how the lens securing screws look and I think they look ok, it will have the brass support cut down once it’s ready to be glued into position. Did the same process with the vehicle headlights. Filled the divit in the mantlet. I’m going to re-do the stowage on the bag fender as I’m not happy with the tie downs. I’ve got them wrong.
First coat of paint down, Tamiya XF67 Nato Green. I’ll be lightening it a little once fully dry to add a little contrast. Then Nato Black, before starting the detail painting and decals. Apologies for the dark pictures, I find if I use my flash it washes things out too much.
Looking good there Max. You are certainly doing it justice
Nice paint. You’d never know this is a Black Plague kit. You’ve done a phenomenal job on it.
Cheers fellas, I’m having big issues with my Harder & Steenbeck Ultra airbrush, it keeps blowing bubbles through the paint cup which I believe is indicative of the seals at the nozzle failing. Having problems sourcing replacements specific to the Ultra. Wondering if other Harder & Steenbeck seal sets would fit it, so if anyone knows I’d be really pleased if you could let me know. Worth giving it a go I suppose. At the moment I have the nozzle sealed using PTFE tape on the threads which isn’t ideal but it works as I figured since it stops gas/liquids on plumbing it would work on an airbrush. I wouldn’t care but my airbrush is only a year old, got it for Chrimbo last year and expected the seals to last a little longer.
Could there be old, dried, paint in the seal area or the threads?
One year old, not the seals unless damaged in cleaning/ assembly.
Trouble shooting, bubbles in the cup.
I’d previously watched the second video on Youtube which led me to believe it’s the seals. I’ve meticulously cleaned it and switched the PTFE seal on the nozzle around and still it bubbles. I’m thinking it’s the nozzle cap seal as when I PTFE that the bubbling stops. I think i’ll likely have to swap seals when i find some that will fit.
Unofficial best BL kit? I would hate to see their worst then. I personally found the kit to be overpriced and under detailed. To top things off, all six DS plastic tyres split after about three years in the cabinet (it was just starting when I took this image). I have the DEF wheels to retrofit at some point… This colour scheme is for the RAAC Armoured Centre.
Nope, I stand by this is the best of the Black Label kits. It is the only Black label kit in my stash.Buyers beware. As an aside I pitched the kit wheels and tires for the DEF to start with and ordered some resin parts. I would like to get some PE for it. I believe this is about the only kit of this vehicle readily available. If the tires start to melt they will damage the plastic parts the goo gets on.
Not to argue for the sake of it Greg, but I found the Black Label Conqueror pretty good; sure, it needed a bit of TLC (as does the Saladin of course). There were those who slated it but I didn’t think it was too bad an effort; and it was the only injected kit around at the time.
Shame about the Australian Saladin’s tyres though.
For all those complaining about the DL kit I still have a Tamiya one in the stash, free for the taking.
The basic shape and details are all there, so in that respect it’s a very good starting point. As previously said some extras are needed to bring it up to standard but the rest would be scratching. I’ve tried new things on this and been pleasantly surprised at the results and it has increased my modelling abilities. I’m very happy with the kit truth be told.
I’d forgotten about that one; I’d almost take you up on the offer just for the box art and the decals!
I didn’t intend to disparage the Saladin kit. I think it is an OK kit and is easy to work with. It is the other BL kits I have stayed away from.
Well Greg, if you wanted to re-visit any I’d still recommend the mighty Conqueror, and even the Kpz 70; I haven’t yet tackled the latter but it looks do-able enoughto me.