Bedford QLD and Bedford QLT

Here are my completed models of the Bedford QLD and Bedford QLT from Airfix’s 2010 tooled 1:76 kit. Many different body styles were designed for the QL chassis and it is the QLD general service truck and QLT "Trooper" troop carrying vehicle that have been provided in this kit. 

While an impressive set of decals are supplied for a variety of different regiments there is unfortunately little historical explanation as to which to use. After some research and personal choice, I have selected for both trucks the markings of 88 Brigade Workshop (REME), a regiment with whom I’m proud to say my father served. And, as I acquired these to play a key role in my “Somerset Rhubarb” diorama and with the Tank Regiment base at Bovington being a shortish drive down the road, it made sense to me to have them attached to the 11th Armoured Division, which, formed in 1941, were responsible for many victories in the Battle of Normandy through to the crossing of the Rhine in 1945.

The Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME) were formed on 1 October 1942 following the observations that Rommel’s swift advance towards Egypt owed much of its success to the German maintenance crews who mended both German and British tanks on the battlefield and sent them back into action within a few hours. Prior to mechanical maintenance of the Army’s equipment being centralised under the command and control of the REME, responsibility was inefficiently being shared between the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC), the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), Royal Engineers (RE) and Royal Armoured Corps (RAC). Mike Sibbons, ex REME and Archivist at the REME Museum, wrote in his 1988 book on the REME ‘From the Archives’, that “Already, within a few months of formation, this new British Army organisation had triumphed in the Middle East campaign. Never before in British history has an army fought with more efficiently maintained equipment”.

A REME Brigade Workshop consisted of 272 officers and men and 97 vehicles organised into 4 echelons of repair. These were: 1st echelon Light Aid Detachment (LAD), 2nd echelon Mobile Workshops, 3rd echelon Semi-Mobile Workshops and 4th echelon Static Based Workshops. My trucks are intended to be part of the 2nd echelon Mobile Workshops Light Aid Detachment (LAD) which deployed with the tanks, artillery regiments and infantry brigades, equipped to carry out light repairs, replacements and recovery of equipment in the field. Using artistic licence rather than on this occasion any scratch building skills, it is my assumption - based on historical photographs - that the QLT is close enough to a REME workshop lorry as used by the LAD, and I need make no changes to the QLD which is perfect in its predetermined general service truck role. 

The build and detail in these kits is very presentable for their scale and price, although I did decide to not use the glazing provided due to its totally  unrealistic thickness. I could have used a piece of clear plastic sheet but thought I’d try an application of Krystal Klear which, although it was more than capable of filling the required area did, due to the size of the window frame, dry a little bit like a concave lens. I still think they look good enough though 

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 

Malayan Emergency Casualty Evacuation (1955)

When in 2020, I built Glencoe Model's Bristol Sycamore, I placed it in a jungle casualty evacuation scene set during the 1950s Malayan Emergency. My focus then was on the model and the historical backstory that was more important to me than the diorama I created to display it. After 3 years exposed to modelling fumes and paint spray in the loft, time had taken its tole on both diorama and model. Had it not had such historical and emotional connection, and with a new project in the planning and space being a premium, I would have just 'black bagged' it - a fait already met by my early Vietnam, Korea, and Falklands dioramas! 

Having a plan for a new epic diorama, I thought refreshing this old Malayan scene, keeping true to my original vision but applying skills honed over the past few years - this one having been my first ever proper scale modelling diorama - would give me some much needed practice. 

I dusted down the old diorama clearing all the loose foliage and figures and built my own wooden frame in which to both display it and to give it extra strength, its original base having been just cardboard glued to a larger 'multi diorama' base.

As well as giving the land a new layer of grass and a good covering of undergrowth, I 'borrowed' trees from my Pegasus Bridge diorama - it will be due its own makeover in a year or so - and dug out an old bottle of scenic water. I got a bit carried away with the water, adding a feeder river to my lake, which on reflection probably adds a bit more realism to the scene.

I strategically placed reeds around the new river and dusted off the figures. I didn't think they looked too bad for their years, so left them with their original paint. 

The old Sycamore model was also looking OK to my eye. Yes, if I were building it today, I'll have added a bit of weathering but I was keen to keep it as original to my 3 year old self and so just gave it a clean.

When doing a little more research on the period I came across this picture of a Westland Whirlwind ... 

 .. so as I hast happened to have a Whirlwind in my collection, thought why not!

Finally, here's a little video to complete the project ...

I now feel suitably ready to move on to the next one :)