RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

I'm not one for wee tanks below 1/16 scale, nor for static models either, since a detailed RC runner can fulfil that function as well. However, I'm away from home and my accumulating project treasury, so I thought I'd give a Tamiya 1:35 kit a go. Apart from Dean's Firefly kit, and the annoying stalled Asiatam PZ IV project (Pandora's box of niggling nightmares.. ), my Chris Ludwig 1/16 Cromwell
kit is jumping the queue of attention. What better then, than to use the Tamiya Cromwell as an artists's maquette for the scratchbuild version? (I use the term 'artist' very loosely.. )
Ferny did an interesting take on a Tamiya Tiger.. viewtopic.php?f=21&t=21087..and quite how he levered all that gear into that tiny plastic chassis, I don't know. Anyway, I didn't think that this Cromwell practice session would bear much scrutiny; so here are few pics of the model nearing completion, and then complete but awaiting the minute gunsights, a spot of olive drab daubing, and the decals.
Fitting some of the parts here, was like giving a flea a hair-transplant! How Painless and others insert those microscopic detail parts, is a constant source of wonder to me
Have to say that for £20+ pounds you get a highly detailed model, and the parts fit together with astonishing precision (if you get them in the right way round ). A perfect understudy for the real (i.e. 1:16) thing! For £90+ you can get RC-worthy 1:25 models (rare as rocking horse s**t, though ); but then the prices go stratospheric at 1/16 :thumb down: The Besa MG moves, as do the tracks, turret and cannon..but only through human intervention. I prefer RC intervention.. It's a real pity that Tamiya never made this in 1/16..or even 1/25 I also installed the optional hedgecutter and Normandy Cowling.
I'm hoping to build a 1/16 Cromwell that can do this:

Good morning,
You know as I do, Sir, that enough magnification and light to see the fiddly bits is required. I am often distracted from my work tho' by molecules floating into my range of vision and then bursting into flame. *chuckles* Your Tamiya Cromwell looks nice and tight, I'll be looking forward to seeing paint on it and then you starting up the 1/16 version.
regards,
Painless

Generous with praise to a fault, as usual, Painless- thanks. Unfortunately, all my visual aids- and all my tools- are at home in the Highlands. All I have here is a dispenser of Revell cement; some toe-clippers doubling as sprue cutters; and a nail file! Thus, this is a bit like the Robinson Crusoe version of tank construction. But then, improvisation broadens the mind, I reckon..and glues the fingers together
There were 6 sprues in the kit, and attached were an astonishing number of parts for such a wee beastie. Apart from a little 'cobweb' here and there of excess cement, that will need tidying up later, before a coat of paint is applied, the tank was a joy to assemble. I'll be home from my travels in another week, or ten days, and then the scratch build Cromwell begins....that will be a nailbiter