Vickers Medium APC

[Buzzbomb]

Old Wombat built a Vickers Medium for this RAM theme.
It was a great build you can see here

As part of that thread, Frank said

The Vickers is looking good. I want to make one as an early APC. The interior kit looks interesting. Panzerserra Bunker built a Mk.II* for a client.

Having one in the stash, lets explore that APC Idea. Sorry Frank  Stealing your idea
During the early 30's the British were doing a bit of work on combined arms tactics. So what if, when the Mediums were retired and getting stored prior to being used as hard targets on a range, there was a line up against a fence and one Officer walked past and thought...
Wait.. how many troops could we fit in that and what if.......
So three are pulled of and a bit of work done to make them a platform to further test out the armoured APC concept, following up on earlier work on the Mk IX type tank at the end of WW1.
It would be squeezy, very squeezy and very crouchy I think, but troop comfort is quite often not often top of the considerations at an early experimental stage. Probably 6 soldiers tops the way I look at it.

I took the Vickers Medium Mk II kit to the last weekends "Modellers Retreat" build weekend and started the build
First up, the Hobbyboss kit is quite nice, a simple build and not a zillion parts, goes together swiftly


First up lets block out the bits that we need, like the engine compartment and move the fuel tank to allow better egress for the onboard troops


That then covers one of the MG ports, so decided to move them to the existing doors. To my mind the thinking would be that these MG would still have a use with the mindset of the 30's


Enlarged the rear hatch to have two doors. I think that the idea of a ramp would be too advanced for these early experiments.


I have to revisit the drive train a bit as it is not even really clear on the IMA interior kit pics what the drive train is or where it goes. So a bit of internet rummaging will be required for that, then look at what might replace the turret space in the hull top

[Frank3k]

This is looking great! The interior layout is what held me back. It looks cramped, but not much worse than a BMP-3. The Vickers Medium is about the same size as a BMD-2/3, with roughly the same complement of crew/troops.

You could put machine guns in the turret ring ( properly greased up) although in the time period you would probably be limited to Lewis and Vickers MGs. Maybe a test bed for the Besa or Bren if it’s later?

[Claymore]

Like it! 

Perhaps the top turret could be a smaller version armed with a Boys AT rifle and/or a Vickers MG a la the Rolls Royce armoured car of the same era.

[Old Wombat]

I have a Mk.I for this treatment, too. ............... One day.

So, I'll be taking notes!

[robunos]

Perhaps the top turret could be a smaller version armed with a Boys AT rifle and/or a Vickers MG a la the Rolls Royce armoured car of the same era.

Or one of the 'Dog Kennel' turrets from an early mark of Vickers Light Tank . . .

cheers,
Robin.

[Buzzbomb]

Some good ideas there. More on that a bit further on 

What started as a session to try and get the RAM Kangaroo done ended up being the Vickers.

Getting in the transmission train underway and this will be fitted onto the floor so that all that and the infantry seats can be just plugged in with the floor. Well that is the thought bubble plan.


Then, sometime during the session was an implied Pte Baldrick type "Permission to get carried away Sir ?" thought... That was granted so time to hack away some stuff from the roof.


Slight raise of the roof height and add in some hatches. I figured that with the height of the drivers position, why not.
This is also an 30's AFV which means rivets. Lots of drilling to ready for the tichy train rivets.

[Old Wombat]

[Frank3k]

Looks great! You could put a gun port in the forward facing wall. Unless you plan on adding a MG of some sort.

Better looking than the command/communications version:

[Buzzbomb]

Pillocking down today, which for us is wonderful, so to the Bench !

Better looking than the command/communications version:

Found that picture as well. It is boxy. I suppose it fulfilled a purpose. This build might be the 30's version of the M113 APC to M557 ACV 

Infantry seats


The drivers position, which given how high the vision slits are on the drivers position must be raised. Yes totally impractical seat, but it looks cool


Can hardly see it anyway


Progress shot with the MG's fitted. There are not a lot of chances to use a Lewis gun, so for this a flexible Commanders mount.
Lewis guns would probably be better for the side mounts as well. This is under consideration, but he kit Vickers are pretty nice jobs.


Onto tracks now. Like Old Wombat said.. annoying parts breakdown of the horns having to be fitted to the shoes, I can see why to get the undercut,

[Kerick]

Looks to me that the driver has the best seat in the house, literally!
This is looking better every day!

[Dr. YoKai]

Well, it's no Mk IX  but it is coming along with your usual skill and imagination. Extra points if you give it a Cubist dazzle paint scheme.

[Claymore]

Looking good - great internal detailing! 

[Buzzbomb]

And we are back on deck. Although with a deadline later this month when I shoot off on holidays for an extended period, so best get this done soonish.

So, first the tracks    Not a pleasant experience for individual track links.
Not sure what Old Womby found, in my case the "click" part was not clicking, the join hinge extension was a smidge too wide for the female part of the next link. So each link needed a couple of swipes with a file to make it narrower at the join hinge bit. Razzin' Frazzin'
But, we got there and once securely glued on not going anywhere. So paint in Situ.


Then onto the rivetting, went quite fast, certainly a lot faster than the track debacle. Next is to trim the tails a bit and double, triple check the roof fits after all this

After looking at various bits and pieces around on the Medium, added shielding around the braking drums, plus a "step here" over the transmission shaft housing for the infanteers onboard to at least look like I care a bit about their well being and safetly during disembarking.


next interior paint in a pre-war Silverish colour and then add on the roof/floor/hatches... it goes on
Thanks again for the support.

[Old Wombat]

Pretty much the same on the tracks. 

Generally more work than I'd like required with a supposed "click-to-fit" system.

Ended up laying them out on lengths of tape & making (I think) 2 sections per track length, which I seem to recall ending up as 3 segments* whilst trying to re-fit them after painting.


Really liking how this is coming along, BT! 




[*: But at least I got the top done in one piece with appropriate sag.]

[Frank3k]

The interior looks great! Since you're adding quality of life details to the interior... don't forget a kettle for the tea, somewhere.

The only good click to fit tracks I've used have been from Takom, Border(Apocalypse tank) and RFM (T-55A) even then, some links were glued.

HobbyBoss/Bronco/Gecko - they're just into sadism so the claim that they're click to fit is part of their kink

[apophenia]

The interior looks great! Since you're adding quality of life details to the interior... don't forget a kettle for the tea, somewhere...

Indeed. Unlike modern British armour, no built-in 'boiling vessel' (BV) back in the day. Somewhere on the exterior, there needs to a dented and well-charred kettle ready for the next alfresco brew-up 

... HobbyBoss/Bronco/Gecko - they're just into sadism so the claim that they're click to fit is part of their kink

 

[Old Wombat]

Unlike modern British armour, no built-in 'boiling vessel' (BV) back in the day. Somewhere on the exterior, there needs to a dented and well-charred kettle ready for the next alfresco brew-up 

As it's Australian, a billy(can) would be more appropriate.



And, yes, somewhere in the mess that is my shed, I have a billy.

[GTX_Admin]

 

[apophenia]

As it's Australian, a billy(can) would be more appropriate...

Good point. I stand corrected.

[Buzzbomb]

MMMM.. fire 

Dreary weekend here.. so shed time

Interior painted



This is just about, perhaps, maybe the final bit of scratch building on this build. Roof is on, last of the rivets put in and hatches in test fit mode prior to paint




The floor is not fixed yet as I need to houdini in the Vickers MG's from the bottom
Add some detail bits and pieces and gun mounts and then the paint shop

[Old Wombat]

Bloody freezing over here!

Bare steel interior - Excellent! I'm going for white in mine!

But I'm loving the work & watching her come together!

[Buzzbomb]

Bare steel interior - Excellent! I'm going for white in mine!

Silver was the interior colour of choice for the Brits for many interwar and some early war vehicles, so I am running with that line

[Old Wombat]

I hadn't really thought about that.

However, I'll go with the RAMs wanting to improve light enhancement & rust resistance on the inside of their vehicles in the most cost effective method & white paint being as effective but cheaper than the metallic aluminium lacquer used in British AFVs.

[Buzzbomb]

Lets call that done. Pretty happy with the build as far as the concept I was working on.
Some rivets should be re-done, we shall see if it goes anywhere else other than on a forum.

Painted in SMS British G3 green and some average weathering.. not really happy with it. Not un-fixable, just not fixable at this stage.
There is a whole bunch of stuff inside that you cannot see in images, but they trick it out as far as I am concerned







That will be it for while, off on an extended holiday in the next couple of days.

To paraphrase the brave Lt "Titus" Oates.
I will be away from the bench, I might be some time.

[Claymore]

Very nice, very plausible. Great job!