My stash just grew again 2025

[Dizzyfugu]

Bought an Italeri 1:72 X-32 prototype, to be converted into a Saab Gripen successor for the Swedish Air Force with a canard layout. At least, that's the vague plan. 

[Old Wombat]

At my club meeting last Saturday one of the members insisted I take a Hobby Boss LVTP-7 "Tuna Boat" home with me. He didn't want anything for it either! He said he already had two in the stash so he thought he would like to see what I do with it. So I immediately thought of mounting a LAV-25, Bradley or Stryker turret on it. If I get a LAV to combine with the Swedish S-tank I would have a spare turret. Perfect. Or go all sci fi shuttle craft sort of thing.

It'd work for the next GB.
They can operate on land, at sea, and here's one trying to fly...   

Just a short glide from the shore to the water.   

[chrisonord]

My three Hasegawa tanks arrived this morning, all in 1/72 scale. All will be modestly upgraded to serve well beyond their retirement age as part of the Uranium mine defence force. I have already discussed what I will be doing to the Sherman, but the Stuart and Chaffee going to be rearmed with newer guns. They will be used to defend against soft skin vehicles and troops, so I am thinking for the Chaffee, a modified 30 mm cannon, possibly an Aden from a hunter, in a liquid cooled jacket over its lengthed barrel. The Stuart, being lighter could have twin 50 cals, or a minigun in a turret.

[Old Wombat]

My three Hasegawa tanks arrived this morning, all in 1/72 scale. All will be modestly upgraded to serve well beyond their retirement age as part of the Uranium mine defence force. I have already discussed what I will be doing to the Sherman, but the Stuart and Chaffee going to be rearmed with newer guns. They will be used to defend against soft skin vehicles and troops, so I am thinking for the Chaffee, a modified 30 mm cannon, possibly an Aden from a hunter, in a liquid cooled jacket over its lengthed barrel. The Stuart, being lighter could have twin 50 cals, or a minigun in a turret.

'Tis a strange thing to see "1/72" and "tank" referring to each other in the same sentence without, also, referencing either "microscopic" or "ridiculous". 

[chrisonord]

My three Hasegawa tanks arrived this morning, all in 1/72 scale. All will be modestly upgraded to serve well beyond their retirement age as part of the Uranium mine defence force. I have already discussed what I will be doing to the Sherman, but the Stuart and Chaffee going to be rearmed with newer guns. They will be used to defend against soft skin vehicles and troops, so I am thinking for the Chaffee, a modified 30 mm cannon, possibly an Aden from a hunter, in a liquid cooled jacket over its lengthed barrel. The Stuart, being lighter could have twin 50 cals, or a minigun in a turret.

'Tis a strange thing to see "1/72" and "tank" referring to each other in the same sentence without, also, referencing either "microscopic" or "ridiculous". 

   
I knew it would cause anxiety to several of our members when I wrote it. 

[Weaver]

My three Hasegawa tanks arrived this morning, all in 1/72 scale. All will be modestly upgraded to serve well beyond their retirement age as part of the Uranium mine defence force. I have already discussed what I will be doing to the Sherman, but the Stuart and Chaffee going to be rearmed with newer guns. They will be used to defend against soft skin vehicles and troops, so I am thinking for the Chaffee, a modified 30 mm cannon, possibly an Aden from a hunter, in a liquid cooled jacket over its lengthed barrel. The Stuart, being lighter could have twin 50 cals, or a minigun in a turret.

The Chaffee's 75mm is a pretty decent weapon, especially for chucking HE against infantry and soft-skins. It was upgradable to 90mm too. The Norwegians did it with the NM-116, which had a French D-925 90 mm gun (AML-90 gun) along with an M113 engine, 50-cal co-ax, and the bow gunner replaced with more ammo. The Chileans fitted theirs with Israeli 60mm HVMS guns (did the same with their Shermans too). Uraguayan ones have 76mm guns. Lastly, the French fitted a handful with AMX-13 turrets, so there's LOTS of potential for upgunning them.

The Stuart's 37mm is way more obsolete, and could very nicely be replaced by a 20mm or 30mm autocannon. In fact I think I've seen a pic of such a mod, possibly in Central America, but I can't put my hands on it right now.

[chrisonord]

@Weaver cheers for the info, much appreciated. I will definitely use it when I get round to building these things. 

[PR19_Kit]

They can operate on land, at sea, and here's one trying to fly...   

It needs MUCH longer wings! 

[Weaver]

@Weaver cheers for the info, much appreciated. I will definitely use it when I get round to building these things. 

Just figured it out: it wasn't a Stuart I saw with a 20mm, it was a Mexican M8 Greyhound armoured car. However it's the same 37mm gun that's being replaced, so what worked for the M8 should also work for the M3/M5.

[Charlie_c67]

It'd work for the next GB.
They can operate on land, at sea, and here's one trying to fly...   

Not the only one...

[The Wooksta!]

The two Mosquitoes I'd won on eBay have arrived and... Oh dear.  Part started and the way they've been done is going to make them problematic.  I mean, the engine nacelles are assembled and added to the lower wing piece, but the top isn't and the exhaust shrouds are glued on too.  Well, okay, that just means I can do some night intruders or bombers with black undersides and not worry.  The real complaint is that the cockpits are assembled but unpainted - there's some intricate paintwork to do there which is much easier if it's partially assembled.  The bomber is easier to work with than the fighter, as he's added all the radar gear, but I have spares for the latter having converted several to T-birds.

Edit:  The fighter cockpit came apart fairly easily and I managed to salvage some of it.

Edit 2:  Carefully managed to snap out the bulkhead holding the instrument panel, so the floor was saved and then some very careful work with the snips removed the installed radar gear.  Thinking this could well end up as a Malta F.II, although I'll need to check if the exhausts were shrouded.  In any case, the reinforcing strake on the starboard side needs to come off, as do the spar caps on the wings, as these were installed on the FB.VI onwards to strengthen the wing for carrying external loads.  Some B.IVs were re-winged to allow for the use of drop tanks. 618s definitely were.

[Old Wombat]

Not the only one...

One of those movie face-palm moments from the past.   

[kerick]

It'd work for the next GB.
They can operate on land, at sea, and here's one trying to fly... 

It'd work for the next GB.
They can operate on land, at sea, and here's one trying to fly... 

Not the only one...

I'm so glad I didn't join the Marines! The idea of riding in one of those in the water does not appeal to me at all!

[scooter]

I'm so glad I didn't join the Marines! The idea of riding in one of those in the water does not appeal to me at all!

They have (or had) a nasty habit of sinking.

[kerick]

IIRC the Marines have stopped using them and are waiting for the new vehicle that's in development. I hope it rides a little higher in the water!