I’ve started this as progress on the M103 meant that the one on the singleton RU 251 thread wasn’t really appropriate.
To recap: the plan is to depict both the M103 heavy Tank and the prototype recce tank, RU 251, together as a What-If project ie, depicted as in service making their debut on an exercise in the mid-60s. This is how I envisage it going down; the recce vehicle has stopped to brief the heavy tank commander of the situation ahead. So, all a bit figure intensive, which usually slows me down a fair bit. Also, I’ve been making stowage for the tanks in the form of rucksacks and Zeltbahn-covered packs.
A reminder of the aim:
The aforementioned rucksacks:
And the heavy tank – which I’ve christened M103A2G – coming to fruition (this is the Takom M103A2 kit)
As mentioned within the RU 251 piece, it’s been Germanized with smoke dischargers, and a searchlight box; I also added a Leitkreuz - not shown in these pics. Even in 1:35 scale, you can see that this is a lot of tank; the mass of the turret and the long gun barrel really give this model presence I feel.
Note that the kit instructions dictate that the metal barrel (Takom supply one) cannot be used with the mantlet cover, only the plastic version. I’d already identified an Aber barrel in any case but wanted to use it with the mantlet cover, so I simply drilled the cover out, fitted the barrel, then made a Milliput cover for where the barrel enters the cover. To effect the concertina-like “discs” for want of a better word, I wrapped thin lead wire around it to gain a comparable effect. It’s a bit of an optical illusion, but works, well, for me(!)
The stowage in position for a test fit; I should have positioned some when the Milliput was still flexible as they don’t hug the turret sides especially well; however, I’m not sure I can re-visit all that work, so they may have to do. I don’t think they’ll look too out of place, but I must add more straps as some would be visible even when lashed to the securing loops.
The item on the LH side of the searchlight container is what I’ve designed as a searchlight mounting plate adapter; I thought that something would be needed to enable the German-type searchlight to be fitted to the US mount, and came up with this idea. I’m probably overthinking this!
Another view of the stowage; I envisage that the bundle lashed to the turret rails would be rucksacks wrapped in a Zeltbahn, perhaps by the more experienced crew members; we all know that nothing the Army - any Army issues - is ever 100% waterproof, certainly not rucksacks.
And lastly a figure Blu-tak’d together to test the concept. I am building/converting figures as I go; this is actually hurtling along by my (abysmal) standards. I’ll try and maintain both volition and velocity(!)
