Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Buzzbomb on January 27, 2025, 12:29:35 PM

Title: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Buzzbomb on January 27, 2025, 12:29:35 PM
Diligently purchased a "grail" kit of the Accurate Armour Stalwart upon hearing of their forthcoming closure.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zwk4mforobq54wkovqceo/Stally_1.JPG?rlkey=04shb6ivy6vdo02xh2gf5bmdr&st=eb4jverd&raw=1)
yay, arrived in late October.

So, of course, 4 months later.. Airfix announce an injection mould Stalwart (https://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=219.msg226802#msg226802). Of course they did >:D

Best then get onto the AA version so you can compare the pair when the Airfix offering is at last offered.
To give Accurate Armour their well deserved plaudits, this kit is brim full of parts and detail. Pretty sure nothing is missed in the cab, more supplied than you will ever really see.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/f1r2fo035ykhkxo30brrj/Stally_2.JPG?rlkey=ly64w47oplx7rmhfacnelpbwi&st=1q4yxefc&raw=1)

Of course these kits are well engineered for a resin kit. Some parts were not super good, but being a modeller and not an assembler... not a real lot of issues to get a reasonable start, fairly quickly
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mh4ftprar5rw50heqrqwe/Stally_3.JPG?rlkey=tqydx1g4c0ly816trsh7mljyq&st=pzb85rcr&raw=1)

Just started on the cab zillion parts, so it is just plonked on and the wheels are blu tack on, hence the wonkiness there.
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Old Wombat on January 27, 2025, 04:50:36 PM
Wow! She looks good, BT! :smiley:
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Mig Eater on January 27, 2025, 04:56:23 PM
With Accurate Armour closing down I very nearly bought a Stalwart too, fearing that it would be my last and only chance to build one. Kinda glad that I hesitated now tho ;D Looking forward to seeing how your build goes and how it will compare to the future Airfix release.





Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Buzzbomb on January 29, 2025, 02:57:33 PM
This build has got me in, I am loving it. Ok, it is a bit more work than normal, the details are really well done

(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sfi0duwdca4hs5v8errui/Stally_4.JPG?rlkey=cjoq4uh1pqhi4yt3yz6fdjpwl&st=7xhon7ng&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qx0h13gzfexnz6adkuxyt/Stally_5.JPG?rlkey=mbvzyycue03eu4a0t58wcln7g&st=alq17ype&raw=1)

Going back to sort out the steering linkages next, the kit is designed for the wheels to be fixed on as part of the process. About to see if I am smart enough to do it an get the wheels off for paint

Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Mig Eater on January 29, 2025, 06:19:19 PM
Wow there is a lot going on in that cabin, does it come with clear parts for the glass?
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Old Wombat on January 29, 2025, 07:02:05 PM
Crikey! The details in the cab are fantastic! 8)
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Frank3k on January 30, 2025, 01:03:45 AM
Wow, that looks nice! You can use the model and the instructions on the Airfix kit to add details to areas where it lacks.
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Claymore on January 30, 2025, 01:53:18 AM
Very impressive!  :smiley:
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Buzzbomb on January 31, 2025, 08:27:13 AM
And that, is an Accurate Armour Stalwart. More or less.

(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6xsgxi77mzgjbkgn9kj7z/Stally_6.JPG?rlkey=3u6w71755nkreomzim6mpjzfj&st=3we3wara&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0kj3j97oxj0cy75z3simm/Stally_7.JPG?rlkey=q28bat3bruefx18897g81wd3w&st=z278e0eo&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/u7aqd1357o94lwpvlxiwe/Stally_8.JPG?rlkey=g47nzahxfk4w8xhhai58vntpl&st=joxmzmxa&raw=1)


A few more fiddly parts best fitted post final construction after joining the cab, post painting, couple of bits of etch, that are best left to after painting, some clear bits that need to be fabricated and coloured light lenses that were supplied.
That is using all the kit parts, I plan to replace the tilt cover frame with rod, rather than the kit part which is just fitted at the moment to show use of all the kit parts where possible.


Wow there is a lot going on in that cabin, does it come with clear parts for the glass?
Accurate Armour provide a clear sheet to fabricate your own windows. They are mounted internal, so not 100% correct, but the only practical way for this type of kit

Next, to the paint shop
Airfix have some pretty big boots to fill, but still very thankful we have an injection Stalwart coming soon.
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Old Wombat on January 31, 2025, 04:38:55 PM
Airfix have some pretty big boots to fill, but still very thankful we have an injection Stalwart coming soon.

I have two. :icon_meditation:


 ;)




Nice work, BT! :smiley:
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Frank3k on February 01, 2025, 01:49:00 AM
Is that the radiator housing behind the driver, a fuel cell or something else?
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: apophenia on February 01, 2025, 06:59:38 AM
Is that the radiator housing behind the driver, a fuel cell or something else?

Not sure Frank but the Stalwart's actual radiator was mounted to the rear - aft of the B.81 engine. Apparently, an exception was the Swedish Amfibiebil 101 - a Stalwart Mark 1 for the Kustartilleri - which had 3 x radiators in the cab (doubling as cabin heaters).
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Buzzbomb on February 03, 2025, 01:22:17 PM
 I am waiting for the weather down here to stop being 36-40 degrees so I can paint the Stalwart  :(

Bit of a diversion while I wait and on the Accurate Armour topic, also working slowly on the AFV Club Centurion AVRE, found the Accurate Armour AVRE trailer at a swap and sell and said, why not  :D

(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0fd2t0bp94iubs3kuo918/AVRE_Trailer_1.JPG?rlkey=1ts5ywq7csjv912q3qeqd6u4i&st=839kyj8y&raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tqh3qbgfdtmcc9vvx95lo/AVRE_Trailer_2.JPG?rlkey=zfccw6vpcp1v6jgj35am7voaq&st=9ajov8ww&raw=1)

Annoyingly the metal parts were missing from the kit, but mostly straight square section for sway bars or tube for stands and supports, so nothing that cannot be fabricated quite easily.
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Buzzbomb on February 08, 2025, 12:52:42 PM
Is that the radiator housing behind the driver, a fuel cell or something else?

As discussed on WIM probably better than my guess. The top part clearly has some tanks in it as there are fillers on the top of it. Not fuel though, that goes in from the side.
Given the lack of stowage space, the remainder will be electrical and maybe general stowage. However there are rifle racks on the front so getting into it would not be trivial due to that and the seat location.
Lets just call it...  Box, General Stuff, CES Item.........

Finally got to a half decent temperature to paint.
Cab work. Added in an SLR in a rack. Went wood stock model to make it stand out. That is the only addition, the rest is kit supplied.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jfdvupjeruuc8d9w1xlh0/Stally_9.JPG?rlkey=69siguhihghodflrf3zk4bezv&st=961dx43h&raw=1)

General Paint with gloss coat. Fitting the clear parts will be last step, with a bit of touch up after fixing the cab. The supplied clear is very thin and you could bank it in, that if you masked it, glued the cab on, one or probably more would immediately fall off inside.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9xkx8zsd58hg386pfgqyo/Stally_10.JPG?rlkey=qxkrcpzidh6ccc5ocjwg0ompo&st=yuhczz6d&raw=1)
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Kerick on February 08, 2025, 01:07:31 PM
I love the look of the Stalwart. So many whiff possibilities.
That ARVE trailer looks like it could be a natural towed behind the Stalwart.
This is great work. All that resin is turning out very nice.
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Old Wombat on February 08, 2025, 04:37:18 PM
I love the look of the Stalwart. So many whiff possibilities.
That ARVE trailer looks like it could be a natural towed behind the Stalwart.
This is great work. All that resin is turning out very nice.

Same! :smiley:
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Buzzbomb on February 17, 2025, 04:55:28 PM
Back from a short bit of away time and hit the bench today on the Stolly, almost finished, just doing some last bit of gap wrangling.
Wheels fitted and transparencies in
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/f731a2231rkulo55uajzb/Stally_11.JPG?rlkey=v075c0elz902k6f8hiot9nu1i&st=ltzqwes7&raw=1)

Possible cargo, the Gecko 105mm  Ammo set (https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/3/0/7/1307307-38473-14-pristine.jpg), all nicely stacked on pallets, with a gazillion decals
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8ccdbgrfrbfhi4bbblb3e/Stally_12.JPG?rlkey=uhlvafwzlyav1kny3k3zlm250&st=6cqigbt6&raw=1)

Some respraying after the filling, some detail painting, final bit attaching and a touch of weathering and to the cabinet it goes
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Mig Eater on February 17, 2025, 07:33:50 PM
Looking good :smiley:

That's a lot of ammo, I dont think I'd have the patience for all those decals!
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Ramba on February 18, 2025, 12:20:44 AM
Cool looking truck. Always wanted one and thank goodness Airfix is finally bringing one out in plastic. So many what if possibilities. Terrific build as always.
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Kerick on February 18, 2025, 10:52:35 AM
So cool! :smiley:
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Frank3k on February 18, 2025, 11:06:10 AM
Looks great! Did the forward four wheels turn, or all six? Did AA make them movable?
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: finsrin on February 18, 2025, 02:14:48 PM
Looks super good/right.  :smiley:  Wish I could build that well.
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Old Wombat on February 18, 2025, 06:33:44 PM
 :smiley: :smiley: 8)
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Claymore on February 20, 2025, 05:23:59 PM
Wow! Great resin and EB work and outstanding finish. You patience and eye for detail is truly impressive and inspiring.  :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Buzzbomb on February 23, 2025, 07:26:47 AM
Pretty much it..a bit of dust and wash top ups of some last minute assemblies maybe, the camera is a full on nag for bits that are not done, which you thought were done on the bench
Plus I forgot to fit the winch, so back to do that too.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mb9sep4p17zgvf32a6cmo/Stally_13.JPG?rlkey=z8ssd0bnslwehsxlqq8qj3hd5&st=zir20brm&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/020la6e4ebu46ulm5dikp/Stally_14.JPG?rlkey=ehgca095wkwy8ndtovxww8l34&st=tiy3h10k&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ir52vyd6my2tqjb06hmjl/Stally_15.JPG?rlkey=usrcvyfwv9ts1v01h5hfllfy7&st=aqy68h48&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/50varrlr2cguq52mtsine/Stally_16.JPG?rlkey=jxpwtp850r9mzknkrrymkm0no&st=d9f97neq&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/js36mp6zb7eivozase7cg/Stally_17.JPG?rlkey=0sxdcexz4f4hvcup0uoegmo6t&st=pep2zfgx&raw=1)

Looks great! Did the forward four wheels turn, or all six? Did AA make them movable?
Only the front 4 wheels steer. Turning the wheels is a bit of engineering as the kit parts are designed for in line fitting. I did not totally get it right, but close enough for me these days.

As a kit, I liked it as these do challenge a bit. Still if Airfix can replicate this, they will have nailed it.
So the AVRE Trailer and the 3.7Inch AA gun still to go in my AA kit stash.
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Dr. YoKai on February 23, 2025, 07:42:31 AM
Came out looking swell!
Quote
I am waiting for the weather down here to stop being 36-40 degrees so I can paint the Stalwart

I feel your pain. I can manage a couple of hours sanding, but even with the space heater a few feet away, the workshop
isn't warm enough for painting. Temps here have barely been above freezing (Fahrenheit) for close to a month.
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Old Wombat on February 23, 2025, 10:43:22 PM
You know he's talking Celsius, right, Doc? ???

So, far end of the spectrum from freezing. ;)
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Dr. YoKai on February 23, 2025, 11:50:28 PM
You know he's talking Celsius, right, Doc? ???

So, far end of the spectrum from freezing. ;)

I figured, but the conversion, while a little warm (I spent 40 years in Texas) should be good for painting... ???
Anyway, it is still a great looking build.
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Old Wombat on February 24, 2025, 12:41:33 AM
Well, 97oF-104oF isn't the best temperature range for paints to be sprayed in, but if BT is painting in a shed then you can add an easy 10oC-15oC without much effort (so, up to 122oF-131oF).

Plus, some people react differently to heat than I - That's my kind of temperatures! ;)
Title: Re: Stalwart - Taking one for the team
Post by: Buzzbomb on February 24, 2025, 05:07:49 AM
Well, 97oF-104oF isn't the best temperature range for paints to be sprayed in, but if BT is painting in a shed then you can add an easy 10oC-15oC without much effort (so, up to 122oF-131oF).

Plus, some people react differently to heat than I - That's my kind of temperatures! ;)

Or laziness... don't forget laziness.  :smiley:

I do build in a shed, pretty well insulated, but getting excuses not to go out are getting easier as I get older.