Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Buzzbomb on August 09, 2026, 02:54:53 PM
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So as to make a contribution to the site, this is what I am muddling around on the WhatIf Antipodeas/ANZAC build,
A Self Propelled gun based on the Vickers Medium tank Mk II, that in the Mid 30's (ignore Depressions and other pesky real life happenings) the Australian Army decided to try and build a Self Propelled Gun based on one of the Vickers Mediums they had, using the current, if getting old, 18 Pounder Field gun as a proof of concept.
The Brits had tried this with the experimental Birch Gun, very rudimentary really and totally open gun placement.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/BirchGun.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
The Australian Engineers were perhaps more optimistic about doing this.
Hopefully, I am as capable as my imaginary engineer friends are ;)
Starting Bits, HobbyBoss Vickers Medium Mk II, that happened to have the Rocking Horse Doo Doo, IMA Interior set in it. That may or may not get used, but will certainly be used as templates.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nvl8hc3s4im8j2p7e4j01/VickMedSPG_1.JPG?rlkey=vdxotoatg64v79m33c04s2uwt&st=80pteot1&raw=1)
So the whole thing rests on a creditable 18 Pounder. There is no way I am buying a Resicast kit for this. I do have the Tommy's War 54mm kit though, which will be my reference piece, plus a few diagrams
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7remi1mljwxvks7fw6ofv/VickMedSPG_2.JPG?rlkey=1d4obvevf660hzccw91573asb&st=memiyh6c&raw=1)
This idea lives and dies by the 18 Pounder, so I have started by scratching up (old school Guy ;) ) something that might vaguely represent an 18 Pounder, so work in progress. Getting that 18 Pounder Flair at the muzzle end is a challenge.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/13yjhk4mmilj04b21g3w4/VickMedSPG_3.JPG?rlkey=pl1rs2yirqx5abna3a6f9dblj&st=mlmodu9b&raw=1)
Sensibilty check for size against the Vickers Medium hull, if there is something approaching enough space to service the gun as an SP platform.. I am running with yes. Crew comfort.. Bahhh.. dont be soft ;D
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0cgs44gpu6a8w8533py4k/VickMedSPG_4.JPG?rlkey=yzfe67j200h7izpgj9own07ta&st=eztkh15v&raw=1)
So, I have given myself the go ahead to start the major hackage on the Vickers Medium to get this underway.
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:smiley: 8)
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Ironically, I have an old 1/35 scale Emher 18pdr gun kit in my stash. However, it is very basic and I would say that your scratch built gun is much better by far. Looking forward to this build! :smiley:
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Inclement Weather leads to shed time :D
So first up.. I baulked at using the IMA Interior and just used as templates to build my own, as I as modifying the fuel tank area anyway even then added more than was included like steering levers.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2i1bqual3b8qugybybj31/VickMedSPG_5.JPG?rlkey=v6v6v287nymhzlyzc8657hnf3&st=bdnncaxe&raw=1)
Got it into the hull, the long boxy bit is the new fuel tankage.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5upikbukql8yiog6eya8m/VickMedSPG_6.JPG?rlkey=fdevevaopwhb4gam777ll3t7m&st=69n4eu9p&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bntujss6mau6sjk5pumqt/VickMedSPG_7.JPG?rlkey=erc0gi3b1bx2p0rhr7okilqmc&st=zgcqbg4d&raw=1)
A bit more on the gun, working with using as much 18pdr bits like the trail to make it somewhat like what I think the Aussie Engineers might do to minimize mods
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6lev8zx0mxhl2nw59x2f0/VickMedSPG_8.JPG?rlkey=pd1b9yqmrkkufaljwrb5gov38&st=ugd0l020&raw=1)
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Very nice! :smiley:
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Looking interesting. :smiley:
Casemate mount? ???
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That is looking might fine ... well worth "the major hackage" :D
... using as much 18pdr bits like the trail to make it somewhat like what I think the Aussie Engineers might do to minimize mods
Excellent approach! :smiley:
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Looks good and the scratch driver's compartment looks great! Are you going to put a reinforcement over the drive tunnel where the gun brake/trail is resting?
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Casemate mount? ???
Probably not, I think I will have a fairly simple setup, looking at it as development type thing.
The listed traverse is 4.5° So to add to that, probably as simple as an additional handwheel engaging a traverse gear to move the entire gun carriage left or right a bit.
Are you going to put a reinforcement over the drive tunnel where the gun brake/trail is resting?
Yes some sort of magic will happen there, I think combined with the plan above, it was only plonked there to get a feel for how it might look. Pretty sure the length will change to a shorter trail section. Easier to remove than add most of the time.
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Bit of forward movement, getting the gun mount and more gun details on the sights and handwheels done.
Still a bit to go on the trail mount and the traverse gear gubbins
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8jayo4dg9dt2u1exc1pdu/VickMedSPG_9.JPG?rlkey=85qg5wlq9ip1po3768w55wvjf&st=6rj34q7y&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dvbeptbruygbeek815yh3/VickMedSPG_10.JPG?rlkey=gpi7y96xwt0zn2npfr02flyl6&st=5fi7d3wb&raw=1)
Ammo storage planning next and get onto the outside hull some more.
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Looking good, BT! :smiley:
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This has been mighty cool so far. The gun and mounting are excellent!
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This has been mighty cool so far. The gun and mounting are excellent!
Yup! Love those girder structures supporting the piece. It's got that whole "Now, what've we got in the way of mounts" vibe to it - scrounge, cobble-together, stop once she gets the job done! :smiley: :smiley:
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Thanks team.
Apparently I am on a bit of a roll, this is moving ahead quite well.
Substantially, that is about it for the interior and the gun. Shield on and the mount is about where it will stay, albeit sorting out the final fixings and the gun layers seat.
Now well into the hull parts. The individual tracks are underway now, so that will slow down things a bit.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/76hulujqtn644pbvotshn/VickMedSPG_11.JPG?rlkey=8trfeicd7x779im31fbgpdiiv&st=gojikfxx&raw=1)
Ammo storage along right hand side
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gh1ouomhby8orzdojdigi/VickMedSPG_12.JPG?rlkey=ztbapuaxzxlkroat8o0few41n&st=yg5o9o6h&raw=1)
Some crew seating, less cushions over the revised fuel storage.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tig5iy2541fvhlf88ad9r/VickMedSPG_13.JPG?rlkey=1w14y644pu4xl3x9om7nle8w7&st=nxrbvxn3&raw=1)
So progress has been pretty good. Still some queries sitting with my engineering department but get to them after the tracks.
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Oh, yeah! That's steaming ahead! 8) :smiley:
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This is looking so good! Fantastic work on the gun and the gun/crew compartment. I love all that fine styrene work.
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Again, thanks all for the support.
Calling the build work done, except the shield extension I decided on during photo time. There will also be an oil can carrier on the guards for both Vehicle and gun. Maybe some other storage added, see how the whims go.
Interior and gun
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ypbft8rpa57y2hrtb6bpw/VickMedSPG_14.JPG?rlkey=yfcc25aw7tm2b2htjgi225q4e&st=1b9skig0&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dpgchqhff6icypm9ot6ux/VickMedSPG_15.JPG?rlkey=l0w2ci6r1zdfyb71vz7tgmhnj&st=mpy5fm5g&raw=1)
Hull
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/imxi4qi0opn959wcwhxde/VickMedSPG_16.JPG?rlkey=xnzc2mt4n5kiurjc3fgybn4ng&st=nch33hiu&raw=1)
Few more shots, with a figure for scale size reference.. I am pretty happy with that overall
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9d4tq04p659cv04fvaq1l/VickMedSPG_17.JPG?rlkey=zdv659d9utkwglfid89igb6ry&st=olgfs9l1&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2bdt7r7beil8hwle4q6n0/VickMedSPG_18.JPG?rlkey=r9oeb6kvpkxdszt7wbnxkl16e&st=nevgi7f2&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zcukiixytdk02wnk1y8u6/VickMedSPG_19.JPG?rlkey=ad5upmcdn1z9mzu9xx2b4zutu&st=q412quo0&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0th6thve1adb2nra50mjl/VickMedSPG_20.JPG?rlkey=bjy37d58l5wz77qe1av92en90&st=vwkgjw0z&raw=1)
Next paint shop, but that may have to wait a couple of weeks as I have a road trip on next week
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Sharp as a pin, mate. Absolutely stunning work as usual. :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:
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Yep. A thing of ad hoc beauty :-*
Love the casual pose of the artilleryman too :smiley:
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Very, very nice! :smiley: 8)
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Love the old school white p-card! Tight as a tiger!
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The new paint shop is now open for business, and I am back from a jaunt away.. so an Update on the Vickers Medium
Getting it together after painting the interior. Went for the 30's Silver, as my thinking is until you see something does not work.. it does not change, so a brand new open topped SPG might not get repainted until the doctrine changes.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/eem7vzx6pdpv63hszvq0c/VickMedSPG_21.JPG?rlkey=mf3kl9gkugduc4pw027ydpqz9&st=ahw85roc&raw=1)
Basic boring camo on, which suits my thoughts on this. Leaving the gun basically Original green. Also went with the rope around the recuperator to make it more 18 pounderish
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rl0yzxqsm1rbtz3dbvej4/VickMedSPG_22.JPG?rlkey=kvuldtkmkbd17apncpcnoqczc&st=mfesh7j2&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/melkvyzyabeyi07fjhty3/VickMedSPG_23.JPG?rlkey=l41qucpfvh0ffbin47dh08agj&st=lfbigsxx&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/chhyoosogyppokvz3s28r/VickMedSPG_24.JPG?rlkey=dty8x196doxy8xlgbuycv5gll&st=lwe0p99r&raw=1)
Still work in progress with some decals and more detail painting to happen
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She's coming along really nicely, BT! 8) :smiley:
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The camo looks good and the weathering so far looks realistic.
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Frank summed it up perfectly! Really looks good after watching WIP up to now.
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Brian, your Vickers Medium APC could pair up with this and act as the crew and ammo carrier.
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Loving the paintwork so far! :-*
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Thanks guys.
So wrap this up and put it away.
In 1930, the Australian Army received a submission from the Lithgow Munitions works around the proposal to fit some redundant 18 Pounder field guns, into 2 Vickers Medium tanks to work through the feasibility of having a Self Propelled Artillery element for the development of the Australian Tank Arm. This experimental work was approved and the work duly carried out to fit the guns.
The roominess of the Vickers Medium tank allowed a quite decent amount of ammunition to be carried and enough gun crew to make the operation feasible.
It was found that the 18 Pounder lacked some firepower and using most of the existing gun carriage limited some elevation and traverse, but delivered enough to prove the concept that Self Propelled Artillery was a viable addition to the Australian Defence force.
During the next year, the Depression stopped this development and all the equipment was mothballed. Subsequently the gun was removed so that somebodies inventory was correct and the empty hull towed out whilst the track links were counted and removed as part of the Inventory reconciliation by an over exuberant QM. The now empty and trackless hull languished out the back of the stores depot until WW2 erupted where it was then broken down for scrap.
OMG :o I have done a backstory ;D
The Boondi - Self Propelled 18 Pounder Field gun. Australian Army 1930
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/roeq3yk99wnb91ivb10g8/VickMedSPG_25.JPG?rlkey=ng3gvxk9wp3sztrtlnzgg3et0&st=t21igjdf&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vaahgvf8w673s85w8d2df/VickMedSPG_26.JPG?rlkey=d1du1uhvjril6llb30jowdy0z&st=tj90sr3m&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/c93fzd9sh51h268ymbbo9/VickMedSPG_27.JPG?rlkey=zhg2c38nwrcis77kqf4hdcse2&st=zy0l36v5&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/cqfnf15odx79khlksfzqe/VickMedSPG_28.JPG?rlkey=j673skoypg27v4wq7fxp3pc5r&st=984bnus9&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/d12pxv1ttd7p6qfkcjghn/VickMedSPG_29.JPG?rlkey=3cz9vp21jjtrt3asa1if33chn&st=ftrpjjpj&raw=1)
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Another fine what-if from Buzz Bomb Industrial Research and Development LLC.
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Fantastic job, BT! :icon_alabanza:
Just needs a few more crewmen. ;)
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Great model BT, and perfect backstory. :smiley:
Those that have served will appreciate with a knowing, wry smile just how probably the fate of the Boondi actually was. Nothing, not even light itself, escapes the clutches of the QM’s department - and that every branch of service has its own version of that particular bureaucratic singularity! ;)
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Glorious, grimy goodness :-*
Just needs a few more crewmen. ;)
Maybe he has drawn the short straw? He has to stay with the vehicle and keep an eye peeled for officers. (The rest of the SP's crew have bunked off for a smoko.)