Ferret Scout Car Mk.2

The Airfix 1:35 scale Ferret Scout Car Mk.2. is a lovely kit which I decided on finishing as a British Army vehicle with all doors open and representing the United Nations in Cyprus during the troubles of 1974. 

Having now  added the front plates to the Airfix Ferret, I’ve also had a go at a small vignette of it stopped on a small dusty Cyprus road as this UN crew check on their location.  I didn’t attempt to squeeze my driver into the small space within the Scout Car but instead have given him a map to read while the officer enjoys a cigar! 

Both figures are from MiniArt Models sets and while acceptable from a distance they are a far cry from the quality of the 3D printed figures I’ve used more recently from Modelu, albeit the latter work out at 5x the price! The palm tree is one I bought from The Model Tree Shop for my 1:72 scale Vietnam project but found it far to big and even though it still won’t fit in my cabinet, I definitely think it suits this 1:35 scale kit better. 

I was the going to give you a bit of a backstory to the Cyprus problems which brought about the UN’s involvement following its independence from Britain in 1960 … but  its just as with the mess the major nations have made of the likes of Israel, Ireland, Korea and now Cyprus … just too depressing! 

Centurion Tank Mk 5/1

Vespid Models1/72 scale Centurion Tank Mk 5/1. The scheme I’ve gone for is for that of the Australian Army’s ARN 169007, call sign 24A of B Squadron, named “Buku Boom Boom” from 1969 in Vietnam. I’ve also added a couple of excellent Modelu tank crew figures. 

In February 1968 the announcement that a squadron of Centurion tanks was to reinforce the Australian forces in South Vietnam was greeted with skepticism. Critics suggested that the mobility of the heavy tanks would be so curtailed by the rice paddies and jungle that they would eventually become static pillboxes defending the perimeter of bases. It was also argued that an enemy with modern anti-tank weapons could easily destroy the slow and cumbersome Centurions. However, such criticisms were soon to be disproved.

On the morning of 6 June 1969, two Australian Centurions of 4 Troop, B Squadron were making their way northwards along Route 2 in support of infantry when they came under fire from houses in the village of Binh Ba, north of Dui Dat in the Phuoc Tuy province. The Battle of Binh Ba, Operation Hammer, raged for two days, ending on the second mass tank and infantry assault. The battle marked the end of such large-scale clashes, and ranks as one of the major Australian victories of the war.

One of the Centurions involved in the battle was named “Buku Boom Boom”, or more formally ARN 169007, call sign 24A of B Squadron, and it is in the colours of this Centurion Mk. 5/1 that I have finished this excellent Vespas Models 1:72 scale kit. To complete theme, I’ve built a small vignette using a fantastic couple of 3D printed tank crew figures from Alan at Modelu and a super mat of sedge grass and a pair of palm trees from Steven at The Model Tree Shop. I’m liking the finish and hope you do too. 

M113 APC

Italeri’s 1:72 scale M113 finished as one of the Australian Army APCs involved in the battle of Long Tan, 18 August, 1966. 

These M113s were in far from the best condition and so I’ve painted a layer of rust over the standard green paintwork. I think it looks better in the metal than in these photos. 

I’ve also added 3 Modelu figures depicting a moment of reflection post battle. 

MiG-17F Fresco

This is the Airfix 1/72 scale MiG-17F ‘Fresco’ which I’ve finished in the colours of Red 3020 as flown by Lê Hải of 932 Fighter Reg Vietnam People's Air Force in August 1969. 

This was a quick and simple build of one of Airfix’s excellent new kits (2019). I’ve had it in my stash for a couple of years now and when my ISCA Exeter Scale Model Club decided on a Vietnam inspired group build, I finally had the perfect excuse to dig it out 

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The Kit: 

Brand: Airfix
Title: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F 'Fresco' (Shenyang J-5)
Number: A03091
Scale: 1:72
Type: Full kit
Released: 2019 New tool

Scammell Tank Transporter

After two part days at the bench, my attempt at Airfix’s Vintage Classic 1:76 scale Scammell Tank Transporter is complete. Being a kit reproduced using the original 1962 moulding and instructions, it’s a far cry from the quality of today’s Airfix offerings but sometimes it’s nice to have a challenge!  

I plan to use my Scammell in a scene within my Somerset diorama together with a few other trucks yet to be built. I’m not yet decided on which tank to have on its back, but I’m tempted to have it covered in a tarpaulin for an added bit of mystery … keep tuned