Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Buzzbomb on January 02, 2021, 01:27:58 PM
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This is actually and idea I had for the Japan 46 GB, but was looking for a cheap ass older Tamiya Matilda, which I never found in time. Plus a deal of procrastination of course. ???
Australians used the Matilda a lot during the Pacific theater, even developing the Frog flame thrower. They were used a lot to winkle out bunker positions.
So my thoughts were, what if as we got closer to the Japanese Homeland, the bunkers became more elaborate and existing methods proved harder to bust the bunkers.
The Petard on the Churchill AVRE proved very successful during the European campaign post D-Day, so why not source a few of those and fit into the existing Matilda's, thereby not introducing a new type, just modifying existing vehicles.
I ended up getting a new mold Tamiya Matilda and it is terrific. Easy to build and very accurate. I got the Desert version.
Mr Hindsight jumped in later to shout, very loudly, that I should have got the Russian version release as that had the more correct tracks for Australian use, being the heavy tracks.
So here is where we are at, out of the box except for the obvious Petard Mortar fitting from the AFV Club Churchill
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gjw2dgeq7f9qjd2gjw8m2/Matilda_Buster_1.JPG?rlkey=ex3696vhw1dmewmca5z3f2z2g&raw=1)
Still working a way to load the Mortar as the room at the front does not have the room a Churchill does for the manual loading method. I am loathe to have the driver do it, so I am thinking a hatch may appear next to the driver somewhere maybe at the 1 o'clock or 11 O'clock position, that the loader has to worm up to to load a round into a semi mechanical rammer mechanism.
This will be in a holding pattern for a while until some stuff arrives from Firestorm, such as the Australian Matilda Mods (heavy front Mudguards, turret splash fitting etc) and some appropriate decals. And of course.. the Bronco heavy track set that Mr Hindsight is still sitting on my shoulder being smarmy about. ;)
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Interesting
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So... where was I ?
Oh yes waiting for stuff.
I got the Bronco heavy tracks and was looking at some pictures of Australian Matilda's for track direction and noticed some anomalies to the Tamiya Matilida I was building
The Australian versions, were the later build, with the Heavy Tracks, but more importantly, Hinges on the track guards and the solid pannier covers
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2bvpegne6n67geavffx25/Matilda_Buster_2.JPG?rlkey=rzpuvqvig3jas8ur4hxyl5mpe&raw=1)
So now MR AMS kicked in, much wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth led to my head near exploding and I bought the Russian release, which has all these features.
Mr Hindsight was by now ROTFL
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/b9kvipx85h96smszihwmg/Matilda_Buster_3.JPG?rlkey=a8ocosjxgtxwpnt6vylxnoyks&raw=1)
I mentioned it is a great kit, had it together again in short order. Tamiya just make stuff that works and fits.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/s8xxa3xlfvj2p3gnsh3b0/Matilda_Buster_4.JPG?rlkey=dfjm9a074gqpwtbp9g2y1z3n6&raw=1)
Then test fitted the Firestorm Australian Matilda mods. Next will be a couple of small changes around loading the petard then promptly to the paintshop.
Or Not. ;)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jd2gezqgq2kv23ytpvyyd/Matilda_Buster_5.JPG?rlkey=oytzshkg780d00oq5avhjy4m1&raw=1)
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Good call on switching to the Russian version. This is looking great :smiley:
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Looks great!
As a side note warhammer 40k would be proud!😊
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And we're back. A few tweaks and fit the aussiefication gear.
added most of the Firestorm conversion, plus left over tracks as fitted applique armour
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dyepldg4bpjdao81zhb4d/Matilda_Buster_6.JPG?rlkey=b36klmj0ytesk82gcbkxk8drx&raw=1)
This how I figure the Dustbin Bombs can be loaded.
The Turret traversed to a set point at about 2 o'clock. The loader puts a bomb into a vertical loading tube, once the barrel is moved to its open position, the top lid rotates around and the
round is lifted up using some sort of clever mechanism. The round locks in, hatch shuts and the barrel is then returned to the locked position and back in business. ;)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2xw7mouoznqizu9rcv53p/Matilda_Buster_7.JPG?rlkey=0b9kk2benepmtbiuksrt331ap&raw=1)
Marsden Mat/PSP that was fitted commonly on Aussie Matilda's as an Anti Grenade/mine measure. Also changed the wireless Antenna to a more appropriate version.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/t47h1jhivbzdd12uareow/Matilda_Buster_8.JPG?rlkey=lj1u3ld2mblxcow7jfvw9p2jl&raw=1)
Another General more above shot
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ahlgwaiq3p4hmaql0lttn/Matilda_Buster_9.JPG?rlkey=zxbyzmibmgh658387jbeyo0jc&raw=1)
A couple of small tweaks to go and then ready to paint.
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As always, wonderfully executed.
However, the Flying Dustbin was a 40lb projectile
https://www.historicalfirearms.info/post/183924013714/devastating-it-wasnt-a-shell-which-explodes-and (https://www.historicalfirearms.info/post/183924013714/devastating-it-wasnt-a-shell-which-explodes-and)
Having slung 45lb 105mm HEAT rounds when I was a kid, lifting one over my head from a seated position seems daunting in retrospect.
*IF* I was the TC, I could see loading at the last covered-and-concealed position short of the target; spin the turret around til it's over the back deck, have the loader jump out and do his thing. Orient the turret front, move out and have the wing tank provide suppressive fire with the 2lb and BESA.
Fire Petard, pop those smoke dischargers and fall back to reload.
Maybe even have someone refill the smoke bombs with White Phosphorous.
PS - had to look it up. Precedence exists.
The Matilda Squadron HQ had two 3" CS variants along with a standard Matilda. For a deliberate assault, it'd be simple to attach one or both Dustbin Matildas to one of the Troops.
https://www.flamesofwar.com/portals/0/all_images/Frontpage/Community/MatildaArmouredSquadron-card2.jpg (https://www.flamesofwar.com/portals/0/all_images/Frontpage/Community/MatildaArmouredSquadron-card2.jpg)
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Thanks Team.
Can nail this one shut now.
Fairly generic Australian Matilda markings from an Echelon set. Firestorm Australian Crew
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8omij9j15u45dpkuumx9s/Matilda_Buster_10.JPG?rlkey=nnt4856b4xlksavkuw19nxrgk&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hsaef9tp4291pkjmf4hm5/Matilda_Buster_11.JPG?rlkey=fp1x8l5h5vagwib10fw03ogbm&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hj51g0r6jusbqyp35waz4/Matilda_Buster_12.JPG?rlkey=tvdu4ybsuvdieeqmo7krtuja0&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ortc42g3eid67m7bcio5n/Matilda_Buster_13.JPG?rlkey=s771qgc2z9qe9hzyfuv3ko9py&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5tkx34mtx4mh8f0378ec8/Matilda_Buster_14.JPG?rlkey=vzcqjmk3kls91l2q9r2ylyfoz&raw=1)
Have to bust out something else now
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The highest complement I can muster - that looks real.
Also, nice touch with the Marston matting - allows the engine to breath (overheating being endemic with British design tanks, from what I've read).
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The tank is a great concept. The weathering is outstanding!
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One of your best efforts yet! The weathering gives the impression of just having been through a nice heavy rainfall and all of the dust has been washed away. :smiley:
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Excellent built, BT! I agree with Story, it does look more like a "was" than a "whif"! :smiley: :smiley:
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Excellent build nice subtle weathering, it's a winner !!
Mog
>^-.-^<