RAM Tanks

[Buzzbomb]

No not Royal Australian Marines... as tempting as the subject is

This type, the Canadian Ram tank


Picked up the Bronco RAM II kit and had a very average resin kit of the RAM Kangaroo. Both Out of Box


There is a lot wrong with the Resin kit, so a lot of thought went into giving it a complete makeover, but dismissed all that as I was at my brothers place dog sitting and had no access to my spares stash, so out of the box there as well.
Interior is ok for the RAM Kangaroo, not sure about some of the kit, like the battery box. The thought of a bunch on infantry standing all over an open box, with hobnailed boots over live battery straps just did not seem logical. that might get a lid.


RAM Kangaroo resin tracks.. Just No. Emphatic no. Will source some extra tracks.


Onto the Bronco tracks, workable(ish) so much room for it to go wrong. It did.


The parts breakdown is good for workable, but Oh my giddy aunt.. fiddly (insert 3 more words starting with F before the fiddly)
The parts for two links. Rinse and repeat 82 times for each side


Tip time, after.. of course after doing all this, then added the end connectors last, I found a tip that to glue the end connectors to the double rod first, then add track pad parts is easier. Tested it. It is.

[Old Wombat]

Oh, joy! Indy tracks! 

Yes, I prefer them. No, I don't like building them! But needs must!



I have just acquired a set (175 pairs) of 3D printed resin QuickTracks T41 tracks for my Malkara M3 Grant. They say they're "snap fit". I don't believe them!

... But we'll find out together over the coming months (before SA Plastic Model Expo in October, I hope).

[Kerick]

Good luck with those tracks. That’s enough to make me start an B-17!

[Claymore]

Ah yes, resin tracks.

I have found a really easy way to deal with resin tracks which works every time.

1.  Open up the wee baggies of goodness and lay out their contents on a smooth and robust work surface - a sheet of glass is good. 
2.  Line all the pieces up in the order in which you might consider them eventually fitting in place. 
3.  Once happy with the arrangement, tip the whole stinking shebang into the bin!
4.  Buy replacement tracks.

Sorted! 

[Kerick]

Save a few links for add on armor!

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Ah yes, resin tracks.

I have found a really easy way to deal with resin tracks which works every time.

1.  Open up the wee baggies of goodness and lay out their contents on a smooth and robust work surface - a sheet of glass is good. 
2.  Line all the pieces up in the order in which you might consider them eventually fitting in place. 
3.  Once happy with the arrangement, tip the whole stinking shebang into the bin!
4.  Buy replacement tracks.

Sorted! 

A most excellent solution to the problem! 

[raafif]

Ram Tank = the sexy Sherman.
There was probably a wood floor to stop various things falling into the nether regions - this is a problem with modern Soviet tanks too

Ah yes, resin tracks.

I have found a really easy way to deal with resin tracks which works every time.

1.  Open up the wee baggies of goodness and lay out their contents on a smooth and robust work surface - a sheet of glass is good. 
2.  Line all the pieces up in the order in which you might consider them eventually fitting in place. 
3.  Once happy with the arrangement, tip the whole stinking shebang into the bin!
4.  Buy replacement tracks.

Sorted! 

Ahh, Yes, I heartily agree !

[apophenia]

Ram Tank = the sexy Sherman...

Absolutely! So, nice to see the Ram (and its Kangaroo) getting some love 

[Ramba]

Nice project! Those resin tracks look like a nightmare. Great to see you got the Bronco tracks instead.

[Buzzbomb]

Thanks team.
So after the Easter into ANZAC day holiday period.. back at the desk, so a quick update.

Initial paint on and tracks on... not without a fight, but they are on. The end connectors keep popping off 


More shortly after decals and some very light weathering. It is a training tank after all.

Although I did a quick whiff tryout to put the Cromwell (Centaur) 95mm turret on for a look, but figured the 95mm Close support gun would in all likelyhood fit directly into the RAM Turret. Still going OOB on this one.

[Old Wombat]

Liking this one!*






[*: Well, I always do, really, but this one's looking especially good.  ]

[Buzzbomb]

Finally, finally got to finish the RAM Tank.

Out of the box, nothing special. Nice enough kit. Except the tracks

[Claymore]

A sudden rush of completed models - the sign of a man soon to be going on his hols! 

Great job by the way! 

[Kerick]

Nice job! I’ve always liked the RAM.

[Old Wombat]

Excellent job, BT! Well worth the w-a-i-t. 

[apophenia]

... Out of the box, nothing special...

Disagree! It may not be a whif but it sure is pretty (in the Ram's last-puppy-in-the-crate sense).

I love what you've done with the weathering. It is there but 'B22' is just as clean and tidy as you'd expect a wartime training tank to be. Beautiful job 

[Dr. YoKai]

Nice to see good kits of the Ram-it was a fairly important, if largely unheralded design, if memory serves. Keep wondering when someone is going to give modelers a proper Sentinel, though. (And not just because I want to see someone do the twin 25 pounder turret.  )
And a good looking build, too.

[raafif]

Nice to see good kits of the Ram-it was a fairly important, if largely unheralded design, if memory serves. Keep wondering when someone is going to give modelers a proper Sentinel, though. (And not just because I want to see someone do the twin 25 pounder turret.  )
And a good looking build, too.

I concur.  There is room for two Sentinels, basic & 17pdr (quite a few differences in hull & turrets).  Though I would build the twin-25pdr version too !