Tamiya's M40 "build"

Bart Goesaert
that's a nice build. seems like a good kit anyway. Will you stay in WWII for the painting stage, or will you include the Korean war too?

Kerry COX
G'day Bart. Purely Korean mate. 👍
I have a mate from the US who's DAD was in the artillery there and he has supplied me with a ton of images, and a lot with snow and cold all round, so I think, I will have the whole dugout set up with tunnels for the gun crew to keep warm in and I will try to get that "miserable, get me out of here" feel. 🙂

Bart Goesaert
cool... 😉

Rui S
I'm in. Obviously. 👍

Kerry COX
I have to be in too. Now I have committed so much time and effort. 🙂 👍
It should be fun. 🙂

Robert W Martel
it doesn't look like an "easy" one to build Kerry. You're moving right along!

Kerry COX
Robert, G'day mate. 🙂
Surprisingly, this kit almost throws it's self together. 🙂
The instructions are crisp and precise, and the 'sequence' is perfect.
There is totally, NO 'flash' on any of the parts except for the usual, but very fine seam lines.👍
Everything about this kit screams simplicity and ease of assembly.
And the detail is a little better than I was hoping for. Just a pure joy to do, and so satisfying once your done.
Highly recommended, even for younger modellers, as like I say. The instructions are so easy to understand and follow. I loved every second of both kits I bought. ( I am a glutton.) 🙂

Miro Herold
A good work Kerry. I am impressed.

Kerry COX
Miro, I appreciate you taking a look and your encouraging comment mate. 🙂
My current challenge is all the 155mm ammunition and the copper compression rings I need to paint. :-/
I am also going to attempt removing the 'sling rings', drill the main body of the rounds and have the 'fuse setter' screwing in the cone tip fuses. All pretty fine work, but a heap of fun. 🙂 🙂

Dan M
A very good build. I like all the details you try to put into the kit, I will watch it with great interest. As usual Kerry your explanations are very useful for those of us with less experience 🙂

Kerry COX
Mr DAN. 🙂 Thank you my friend. 🙂
I was waiting for so long for this kit to be released and I just couldn't just let it sit with out doing something more to it.👍
I like to think my work can encourage some of you guys to see just how much more we can do with our sometimes 'plain' kits. Not that this M40 is plain. OMG. !!!
But I do like trying to make my models 'say something' and look busy.🙂
Cheers Dan, and thank you for your kind words. 🙂

Norbert Steffens
I like your build. Looks like a lot of parts. Maybe I overread something...but why do you simultaenous build 2 of them?

Bart Goesaert
looks good. none with the mickey mouse camo?

Kerry COX
Norbert. Both models were built separately, and what 'issues' I came across on the first build, I could be prepared for with the second build, and also, any 'ideas' for improving the assembly I though of after from the first, I did on the second. :-/
So, overall, the last build was 'perfect', and the first, although there were some small 'glitches', it was not a major concern. 🙂
And finally, as I am using them both in the one diorama, it was worth the time to do it this way, especially as I had used the "Bronco" tracks and I found that with getting all the running gear in place on the first build presented a problem of having to 'join' the tracks ON the vehicle using tie wires, but second time around, I built the tracks complete first and added the wheels and running gear last, making it hassle free and no breaking of the finished links as I had on the first build. 👍
And besides. I have ALWAYS bought two of every model I have ever had. 🙂 I have done that from when I was a little boy. 🙂

Kerry COX
Bart. I have not come across any images of the MM cammo and was it used in the Korean campaign?.
If you have some info that I may find useful, there is still plenty of time for me to make adjustments to see if I can do some on them, as the OD straight it is kind of bland, but with what I have in my minds eye, the snow, dust, wet, muddy and generally messy overall appearance I have images of will have to do, plus some snow slush patches too. And the gun crew will be 'bulked' to give the impression of heavy clothing too.

Bart Goesaert
slip of the mind it seems, thought there was one such version in the AFV-kit, but is isn't

Norbert Steffens
Kerry, crazy thing to buy every kit twice.....on the second sight maybe clever.....

Kerry COX
Bart. I am wondering if the Mickey Mouse cammo was used on the M40 late in the days of WWII in Europe, as from what I can find, these SPG's were late arrivals in Europe and maybe the MM scheme could have ben used then. ? maybe.?

Kerry COX
Norbert. I know it sounds extravagant getting two at once, but It certainly has helped when bits go missing, being able to duplicate with some moulding and I have give a lot of my models as gifts fully assembled to veterans associations and such. 🙂 It's a habit I have often berated myself over, but I just cant help it. And I do have some beautiful old kits in my stash collection though.  🙂

Robert W Martel
Great job on the ammo Kerry, very realistic !

Kerry COX
Robert. 🙂 Thank you my friend. 👍
I am trying to put in place in my dio what I see other modellers fail to do, especially now that we have so much to chose from in the way of highly detailed accessories we can chose from to make it all look so much better. 🙂

Robert W Martel
You're so right. Couldn't have done it like this when we were young. We didn't have the options that are available now. Especially the internet !!

Kerry COX
My fondest memories of my start out was the kits in a bag with the instructions on the inside flap that was stapled to the bag. AND the pilot moulded into place for you. :-O and that wee bit of clear plastic for the canopy. 🙂
The "Good ole days". LOL

Robert W Martel
Yea Right! LOL Ole being the key word there.!!

Kerry COX
I am 70 and the thrill is still there every time I open a kit. "ole" or new. LOL 🙂

Robert W Martel
Yup! LOL. You only have a few years on me Kerry, I'll be 64 next week. Big brother.

wilky
I'm 49 I don't remember bagged kits and I didn't get pocket money until I was a teenager and my father had passed away because he didn't believe in it. I always had a heap of chores though and had to be happy with a punch in the head if they weren't done properly. For some strange reason I'm not that fond of the good ole days

Robert W Martel
LOL Wilky !! Can't blame ya for that I guess !

wilky
Yeah, lol. Can laugh about it now but was pretty shitty at the time. Pretty much made sure I never wanted to get married and have kids as I don't like doing what I'm told so best to not enter that kind of situation. Worse thing was going to school and being bashed by the teachers too as they should have been educated thinking people but in reality fat women that took out their frustrations on defenceless little children. Thing is no matter how bad it is it can always get worse and unfortunately for some kids it was worse. Far better to be beaten than what some adults do to children

Robert W Martel
yes, but still not a good beginning. But seems like you turned out to be a good fellow in spite of it all.
I grew up in an institution from age 2 till I was almost 10 yrs. old. I hated the place because it kept me away from my family, I had 2 younger brothers and wanted to live a "normal" life at home. It did create problems later in life as I didn't know "family" as a kid. made it tough for me to be a father, 'cause I didn't have one as a child. I think that's why I try to be close to my grandson, I didn't have a grandfather either. Every boy needs a grandfather to show him the wisdom of old age. lol
My mom always used to say if you think you got it bad just take a good look around and you'll always find someone that has it worse, so be thankful because it could always be worse!

Kerry COX
Well Gents. :-/
I am sad that there was such sadness for some in our formative years and we all now have the willingness to talk about it.
I am sorry if my earlier comments have opened up some not so pleasant memories, as that was not my intention. 🙁
It's not easy to sit here and not know what to say, other than thank our lucky stars we are all still drawing breath and the world, such as it is. Is still turning. 👍

wilky
As they say Kerry, shit happens. No need to feel sad or responsible as we all have things happen that we'd rather not have had. If I felt sad at what happens to me I'd never be anything but sad. At least my Crappy childhood has given me the strengh to persist through my Crappy adulthood. At least I had a few good years in between

Kerry COX
Cheers wilky. Good to know you did well. 🙂

Robert W Martel
Kerry, you're a good mate and I wish I could meet you in person. And you too Wilky. It was nothing you said. That's the thing Kerry, most people just don't realize and appreciate how good they do have it or how bad it all could be.
But like Wilky said "shit happens", who knows why. But I'm still kickin and hope to be for some time yet. I better 'cause I have a crapload of models to build.
I just want to be around to have a positive influence on my grandson, that's the meaning of my life at this point. The rest is all past and cant be changed, but just maybe I can help give him a positive future! ,,,,,,,must be something in my eyes. LOL

wilky
Bit of resin dust, hey Bob. I'm Martin, Van Der Wilk is my last name and funnily enough Robert is my middle name

Robert W Martel
LOL

Robert W Martel
Nice to be acquainted,,,,, Martin !

Kerry COX
It never ceases to amaze me, the wide variety of nationalities that gather here and all with a tale to tell and a prize winner to show. LOL 🙂
I get through my days realising that my complaints are nothing compared with some. :-/
I had a trip to Europe all lined up for March, but the body had an other surprise and now my medico is advising me to wait a bit until I can take the effort. :-/
It would be the most incredible thing if there was a "Gathering of the ScaleMate minds", like a model comp of sorts, beer and food included. hahahahaha🙂
As for the resin dust, jeez, tons of that stuff around. 😉
This pair of beasts I am working on at the moment is going to keep me occupied for a while yet, just have to work out how I am to gather all the extras to finish it. Heap of fun though.🙂
stay tuned. !! 🙂

Robert W Martel
👍