Vickers Medium Self Propelled 18 Pounder - Boondi

[Buzzbomb]

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.


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.


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


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.


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 


So, I have given myself the go ahead to start the major hackage on the Vickers Medium to get this underway.

[Old Wombat]

 

[Claymore]

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! 

[Buzzbomb]

Inclement Weather leads to shed time 

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.


Got it into the hull, the long boxy bit is the new fuel tankage.



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

[Claymore]

Very nice! 

[Old Wombat]

Looking interesting. 

Casemate mount? 

[apophenia]

That is looking might fine ... well worth "the major hackage" 

... 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! 

[Frank3k]

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?

[Buzzbomb]

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.

[Buzzbomb]

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



Ammo storage planning next and get onto the outside hull some more.

[Old Wombat]

Looking good, BT! 

[Dr. YoKai]

This has been mighty cool so far. The gun and mounting are excellent!