M18 Hellcat

I've just finished a new mini diorama after fancying a very different challenge after picking up this Airfix Hellcat from the new stock that had just landed at my local Seaton Hobby Shop. 

This is my first foray into 1:35 scale modelling which I thought would provide an interesting take on the 3rd 'Saints and Soldiers' film "The Void". To complete the scene I wanted to portray, I added a Jeep, recently purchase from my first collector’s fair in 2 years, and as Airfix don’t include figures, a box of Tamiya's tank crew was needed to give a bit more reality to the diorama which I’ve placed on this Heller base. Phew!

The story here, opens in Germany 1945 where the crew of the Hellcat have been informed by the MP in the Jeep, that a bridge along their intended route has been destroyed by enemy forces and they need to take a detour. 

In the scene I have built, one of the Hellcat's tracks has been playing up and is being worked on by one of the crew. Meanwhile, the presence of enemy forces has lead the commander to request more ammunition be brought closer to hand within the Hellcat, while he, with another member of the crew, check out the new route. 

I love a backstory to my model making! 😊

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The Kits

Brand: Airfix

Title: M18 Hellcat GMC Tank Destroyer

Number: A1371

Scale: 1:35

Type: Full kit

Released: 2020 | Rebox (Changed decals)

Brand: Tamiya

Title: Jeep Willys MB 1/4ton 4X4 Truck

Number: 35219 (Also listed as MM219)

Scale: 1:35

Type: Full kit

Released: 1997 | Initial release - new tool

Brand: Tamiya

Title: U.S. Tank Crew set (European Theater)

Number: 35347

Scale: 1:35

Type: Figure

Released: 2015 | Initial release - new tool

A Year's Scale Modelling Diorama

It's been a year now since I removed my old Scalextric track in the loft from its baseboard so as to showcase some of my 'lockdown' builds, and having now completed my latest diorama, the RAF Airfield from Autumn 1943, I can't believe I have finally run out of space! 🤦‍♂️

It has been suggested that there may be opportunities to display one or two of these at model shows etc, but how I not only cut them into their respective scenes, let alone bring them down from the loft, is somewhat perplexing me! 🤷‍♂️

I have, however, seen some folk building smaller dioramas, which I understand are called vignettes, using old picture frames, such that I may now have to do a tour of the house to see which pictures I can repurpose!🤭😂

Suggestions welcomed!

Willys MB Jeep

 Last week I was away from the workshop and suffering modelling withdrawal symptoms,I bought an Airfix Starter Set of their 1:72 Willys MB Jeep. Little did I know that this would be the start of another little project! 

This 2014 retooled kit is great. 2 versions, and a hidden 3rd, to build in multiple setups was a kit I could not avoid buying 3 times! 

The first, and the subject of the box art, is the 6th Airborne Division’s Jeep from Normandy with cut down front bumper, cradle, trailer and 75mm Pack Howitzer. 

The second is the US Army’s 4th Division HQ Jeep from Belgium, 1944. This can be fitted with 2 machine gun types or raised hood. 

I went with the latter as I discovered I already had made the machine gun variant 10 plus years ago from the first Airfix edition, based on the Heller moulding and which came with 2 figures. Don’t know why Airfix left these out of the new kit. 

The third hidden kit is the SAS long range desert Jeep which although parts are included on the sprue in the form of British machine guns and a different bonnet there is - as yet - no released model nor instructions. I loaded the Jeep with spare Jerry cans from the other 2 kits and another pair of machine guns and mountings. Added a scratch built condenser to the front grill and think it makes for a quite good representation. It’s surprising that after 8 years, Airfix have yet to make use of these parts. Watch this space I guess!

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The kit

Brand: Airfix
Title: Willys MB Jeep
Number: A02339
Scale: 1:72
Type: Full kit
Released: 2018 | Rebox (Changed box only)