Centurion AA (Rapier) - Done

[Buzzbomb]

So, whilst procrastinating on putting decals on a new build (AFV Club Churchill NA75 Conversion) I somehow got to thinking about what to do next.
Going through the boxes of halfies (half finished/started/destroyed/lost) I spied this
The venerable Tamiya/Academy Centurion Mk 3 kit from mid last century. Very very average kit and rather delapitated


I think the guy I got this off was thinking of doing an Aussie Cent at some stage so hacked off the guards for some reason. These had to be put back first


Then in a moment of lertness... a bit of inspiration, what about the first attempt to get the Rapier Anti aircraft Missile on a mobile mount. On an older chassis but still able to hack with the tanks. The dates of the Centurion and the Rapier development sort of align somewhat
Mock up of the turret is now underway to see if it will work. It turns out that a 1/72 Soviet AS11 Kilter Anti Ship Missile is near as dammit to a 1/35 Rapier in look and length, good enough for this stage anyway


I am thinking Armoured boxes for the missiles, pretty much the same as the Real Tracked Rapier on the M548 TLC, with earlier ground mount type tracking gear or close proximity. Probably only go for 4 missiles in ready rack though.

[LemonJello]

Off to a solid start. 

I need to add a Centurion to the collection - probably in USMC markings....

[Old Wombat]

I dunno, BT, the Cent looks fairly good for the era. Maybe a bit Sheesh! compared to modern kits but good for its day.

Just because I needed a reference to the system, I present ...

The M548 TLC Rapier;

(prototype)











So, sort of a 1/2 to 3/4 box structure with 2 Rapiers per side.

The tracking radar doesn't look that difficult to scratch up.

The search radar (not represented here ) could be mounted on a M113/M548/another Cent hull.

[Gingie]

Is the TRL sitting on a longer than normal M113 chassis? The roadwheel spacing is throwing me.

[raafif]

I think the chassis is based on the M-548 logistics carrier.

I really like the Rapier, wish someone would do it in plastic.

[LemonJello]

I'd be in for a Rapier and a Roland in plastic, 1/35th scale, please.

[Buzzbomb]

Thanks for the interest.

Been a bit hot and putrid for much shop work, nonetheless a bit has been achieved.

tinkering around with the Turret shape


So turret pretty much sorted out at a basic level, then the Missile mounts.



My practical whiffer vehicle voice in the head says, the missile boxes should be fully enclosed at the sides to offer protection for the missiles in the field.
However, the other voice is saying, then you cannot see they are Rapier missiles and loses a bit of kazing! factor.
Mr Middle ground is offering up sides off and use guard rails. Of course Mr Middle ground always presents the most challenging way forward.

let see who wins

[Old Wombat]

Big turret for a relatively small missile.

You could always have one coming out of the launcher.

[Dr. YoKai]

Big turret for a relatively small missile.

You could always have one coming out of the launcher.

 An extra pair of missiles per side? Really liking the basic shape of the turret already.

[finsrin]

Missiles showing gives model pizzaz vrs boxes being there.

[LemonJello]

Another vote for exposed missiles here. 

This is coming along quite well.

[apophenia]

Another vote for exposed missiles here...

Thirded 

A nice catch that the scale-o-rama'd AS-11s were such a close match for the Rapiers. To then cover up such serendipity could be an affront to the Great Goddess Styrene!

[Gingie]

This is gonna be great! It already is, I mean its gonna be greaterer.

[Buzzbomb]

Progress.
More turret work and running gear. First up, there are a few bits missing, like one road wheel and the idler axles. Should be able to sort that out.
The original tracks are long gone and it appears that AFV Club rubber jobbies are a bit long, again, sort outable.

This is about it for the Turret and missile mounts, sans the scrub guards around the missiles. Procrastinating on that.




Missile mounts do rotate. Front Radar, not so much

Turret top details.


Couple more sessions and should be paint shop time.
Thanks for your interest

[Ramba]

Terrific scratch building and looks great.

[LemonJello]

Nicely done!

[GTX_Admin]

 

[Jeffry Fontaine]

@BuzzBomb - you make it look so easy.  Great save on the spare wheels and fender bits for the blast deflector and radar dish. 

[raafif]

  I do like the lowered front idler   Not as if an AA tank will need to go crazy fast over terrain.

[Gingie]

I'm digging this more & more!

My niggle - the turret radar mount roadwheel is a bit of a give-away. Can you disguise that a wee bit more?

Definitely missiles out is the way to go. 

[Buzzbomb]

My niggle - the turret radar mount roadwheel is a bit of a give-away. Can you disguise that a wee bit more?

Already in hand and underway along with a few other detail bits I did not like after the photos. The Sensor housing is getting another ring around the top bit and the holes are now covered up as access points. Should have done it before the photos, but didn't, then the photos shouted at me... "You idiot !"

I do like the lowered front idler   Not as if an AA tank will need to go crazy fast over terrain.

It is really only sitting on the track horns, while I was working out around the track length. See the above around photos shouting at me. 

[Buzzbomb]

The end is nigh !

Side plates and Brush guards pretty much done. Maybe. If it annoys me enough a couple more horizontal bars might be added.

Added in the smoke launchers





Wheel solution, a couple of spare AFV Club wheels and some grandt line bolts. Mostly hidden by the side plates, so the clear differences will not be that apparent.


Can only find two Kilters, so a couple of "Rapiers" short. Although I am sure I have a Fencer with more in my still packed up models in storage, so may need a raid there in the near future.
Be away from the bench for a week, so paint shop after next week.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

The end is nigh !<snip> Can only find two Kilters, so a couple of "Rapiers" short <snip>

Being short a couple of missiles might be an opportunity to incorporate newer technology with older technology.  The Rapiers were built and assembled prior to mounting to the launching unit.  Later air defense systems rely on containerized missiles that are mounted "en'bloc" to the launcher unit without the need to assemble the weapon prior to use.  Why not blend these two into one subject.  Have the Rapier on the bottom or one side of the launcher and two containerized missiles occupying the other two positions?  Or add in some MANPAD SAM units for a combining of capabilities with both systems being available on the same launch unit?  Up to you the builder in the end but I just had to share the idea before you call this project done. 

[finsrin]

Talk about 'The Right Stuff' this has it.   

[Gingie]

This really captures the cold war era tracked AD look perfectly!