Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: raafif on June 05, 2025, 07:13:16 AM

Title: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: raafif on June 05, 2025, 07:13:16 AM
I like the look of older equipment so I started to backdate this Tamiya Bren Carrier to a Dragon.

First I built the main body, removing the mudguard humps over the front wheels & replacing the front deck area with plasticard.  Next was the undercarriage – fairly straight forward except now I had to lower the front idlers by a millimeter or two for the wheel & track to clear the new front deck.  Apart from trimming the side shields to fit the new deck level, the only other work needed was to fill the interior with various boxes.  The old fashioned headlamps came from the Tamiya Matilda tank.  The trailer is from Tamiya’s 25pdr gun kit and I’ll have to find a good 6pdr gun to go behind the Dragon.

The vehicle has a nice rear-down stance for that slightly overloaded look.
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: Claymore on June 05, 2025, 07:27:36 AM
Nice work there.  I wonder if in that top photo it is actually pulling a QF 4.5” Howitzer?
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: GTX_Admin on June 06, 2025, 12:57:15 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: apophenia on June 06, 2025, 05:59:18 AM
... I wonder if in that top photo it is actually pulling a QF 4.5” Howitzer?

It looks like it. And here's another shot of a Dragon towing a QF 4.5-inch Howitzer and limber with the original spoked wheels (rather than the late-WW1/postwar steel disc types).
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: Old Wombat on June 09, 2025, 07:30:34 PM
Cool! 8) :smiley:
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: raafif on June 10, 2025, 08:54:50 AM
Work ongoing.  Detailing the driving area & have found most parts of an old (twice-recycled) 6pdr gun to be fixed up & go behind.
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: raafif on June 25, 2025, 09:13:30 AM
I've completed the 6pdr gun from parts of old wrecked kits.  A Tamiya barrel & shield, Italeri trails, jeep wheels with sprue axle, then repainted it all green.

Still some more to do on the carrier.
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: apophenia on June 26, 2025, 04:56:55 AM
Nice!  :smiley:
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: dadlamassu on June 26, 2025, 04:12:40 PM
Nice work there.  I wonder if in that top photo it is actually pulling a QF 4.5” Howitzer?

A bit late but to me it looks like a 3.7" Pack Howitzer
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/QF_3-7inch_mountain_howitzer_duxford.JPG/500px-QF_3-7inch_mountain_howitzer_duxford.JPG[img]
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: Old Wombat on June 26, 2025, 11:04:25 PM
QF 3.7-inch Mountain Howitzer

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/The_British_Army_in_the_United_Kingdom_H376.jpg)


QF 4.5-inch Howitzer

(https://images.proxibid.com/AuctionImages/3140/233009/ere.jpg)
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: Story on June 27, 2025, 04:12:11 PM
I've completed the 2pdr gun from parts of old wrecked kits.  A Tamiya barrel & shield, Italeri trails, jeep wheels with sprue axle, then repainted it all green.

Still some more to do on the carrier.

Isn't that a 17lbr shown?

Period illustration of a 2lbr

(https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.DivSTPvH-67jtTZ9IIUKxQHaEx?r=0&rs=1&pid=ImgDetMain&cb=idpwebpc2)
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: Old Wombat on June 27, 2025, 11:47:39 PM
Looking at the breech, muzzle brake & re-coil housing, I'd say it's more likely to be the QF 6-pdr

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Ordnance_QF_6-pounder_AT_Gun%2C_Rothesay%2C_New_Brunswick.JPG/1200px-Ordnance_QF_6-pounder_AT_Gun%2C_Rothesay%2C_New_Brunswick.JPG)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/3220/3038796313_85e4df7067_b.jpg)

(https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/weapons/ordnance/6pounder.gif)


This is the Tamiya QF 6-pounder (I couldn't find a Tamiya 2-pounder);

(https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2019_08/IMG_4423.jpeg.38cd50a4bcc686ad5ba44176dbcca0ba.jpeg)
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: Claymore on June 28, 2025, 02:28:33 AM
Looking at the breech, muzzle brake & re-coil housing, I'd say it's more likely to be the QF 6-pdr

Agreed.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: raafif on July 04, 2025, 07:46:24 AM
Completed !
(Yes, I have edited the text above to 6pdr)

Had to cut the driver’s feet off to get him to fit in, added the instrument panel & steering wheel.  Fitted the canvas roof from the old Italeri White Scout Car (perfect snug fit) & added tie-down straps.  Blanked off the rear of the engine with some mesh.
Photos are a mix of my old digital camera & my newer phone (which is only a little bit better).
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on July 04, 2025, 07:55:17 AM
The canvas cover for the prime mover is a nice additional detail.  Looks really convincing and completes it in appearance.  Great work!  :smiley:
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: Old Wombat on July 04, 2025, 11:48:03 AM
Good finish! Came out nicely!  :smiley:
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: Frank3k on July 04, 2025, 12:44:14 PM
The canvas cover looks good and really changes the appearance of the vehicle!
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: Buzzbomb on July 04, 2025, 12:50:36 PM
Nice work. Agree that the Tilt really sets it off
Title: Re: Light Dragon Mk.4
Post by: Claymore on July 04, 2025, 05:25:06 PM
An interesting and different choice of subject that is well built and finished. Great job, Sir!  :smiley: