More progress on the trailer, the hoops that form the basis of the frame for the cover have been cleaned up.



and fitted.



The Biber has also been placed as test fit, well for the second time, the first attempt called for "down periscope". That was achieved by 5 minutes work with the side cutters, file, glue and a touch up with paint.

Paint job next.

Si

She is coming along very nicely indeed Simon......Cheers mark

Thanks Mark,

The Trailer gets a coat chaos black as a primer.



Time to get with the dock itself, steps and mooring rings and bollards cleaned up ready for addition.



The dock decorated and primed with Halfords plastic primer. I have set the Biber on the trailer on the dock to get a feel for how it sits. It does take up rather more room that I than I thought it would.



To get a feel I have taped the basic hull parts of the Bren carrier together and along with the chassis of the staff car added them to the scene.



A bit overcrowded, now just with the Bren Carrier.



That looks much more like it. I think I will go with that as the vehicles, just need the figures now.

A bit of pre shading, still learning this, we will see how it turns out.



Final job of today, the wheels have been painted & assembled.



More soon.

Si

Looking good Simon, I like the composition in the 2nd photo better. You could even move the Bren Carrier a little more to the left, towards the Biber, and have room on the right for a small vehicle, like a jeep or motorcycle. Al

Thanks for the feedback Al, Motorcycle is a good idea, I hadn't thought of that, but was also thinking the Bren Carrier crew having a brew up awaiting more senior officers to examine their discovery.

Si

A bit more progress on the trailer,

The wheels are on as is the towing frame, details painted and a little light weathering. Drybrushed some citadel "leadbelcher" on to the edges and gone over with a light dusting of lifecolor weathering powders.



As I managed to knock the rear frame off I have added the longitudinal ribs between the fist three. in the bottom of the shot the mudguards base coated.



Si

The mudguards removed from their casting blocks, weathered and ready for fitting, again the lifecolor weathering powders(corroded rust and burnt corroded rust)have ben used.



Mudguards fitted, and the biber put in place prior to adding the last of the framework.



Frame completed, the longitudinal frames have been painted matt aluminium and brushed over with a wash of lifecolor rust. The underside and wheels have been misted with various earthy dusty shades just to blend and tone down the weathering.



Si

I'm liking the rust on the trailer, almost feels like we should start seeing holes in the fenders soon.

Michael, how do you know that isn't the end of the dock? A small flak gun at the end of the dock would make sense, but even easier Simon, just join two long docks together..
I think it would make much more sense to have the staff car there than the Bren. Why would they use a tracked vehicle for reconnaissance on a nice hard dock ideally suited to a Jeep?

Thanks Jeremy, first use for real of weathering powders, I am pleased.

Warren, agree a Jeep might be more likely, but as I am thinking "Somewhere in Northern France, Autumn 1944" I am thinking the Allies would have sent whatever was around to take a shufti.

Also, to be totally honest, I had a Bren in the loft and it gave the option of having the crew brewing up whilst awaiting the arrival of some brass.

I did think of making it the end of the dock, however they tend to involve curves, so it would have been major work.

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

Si

It looks very good Simon. Have you considered draping some camouflage netting over the trailer? Must have watched too many westerns in my misspent youth, that trailer reminds me of an old Conestoga and I keep looking for John Wayne and the Indians. Al

Nice idea Al, but I want to show the frame off.

I am thinking of having the tilt laying in heap on the dock, as if abandoned in a hurry.



Si

Back to this one as well,

bit of base colour on the dock, lots of dry brushing and washing next.



Construction of the Bren Carrier has started, for an old beast the Tamiya kit is going together well.



More soon.

Si

I think the cab looks fine, but find the boom ugly. What I don't understand it that there is shallow relief lattice-work on the sides of the boom, when it's actually presented as a solid form.

Does anyone know what the ptototype is, or know if there are photos showing it? I'm mostly curious if the boom is accurately represented.

Hi Simon,

Coming along well, the trailer is looking good and I'm following with interest.

Cheers

Al

Thanks Al,

The trailer is a great kit, not cheap, but for a resin completely vice free. I do like the finished article, and when it has been out on the ALM club stand at shows it has been a real conversation piece.

Si

More progress on the dock, the dock furniture is base coated corroded rust, the rails burnt rust from lifecolor, and the manhole covers a dark metallic.

I have also started the suspension on the Bren carrier.



the engine cover and suspension fitted to the bren carrier.



Si

Hi Simon,

Can I make a suggestion. The Tamiya carrier has a few faults as I am sure you are aware. The biggest and most noticeable of these are the very poor tracks and drive wheel. Resicast do a replacement set that will enhance the vehicle considerably. I might be a bit late as you have the drive wheels on already but it's worth the effort.

Good progress, the trailer looks excellent.

Al

Hi Al,

Yup, the old Tamiya kit has it's short comings, but I reckon I can get away with then with a bit of "clever" (And by clever I mean Lucky) placement of figures and accessories (Also I have not succeeded with resin tracks yet - which is more to the point)

Thanks for looking in.

Si

A hair dryer and cocktail sticks to hold them in place until they re-set worked for me. Tricky though but worth the effort.

Look forward to developments, things are looking good.

Al

Hi Al,

Thanks for tips, I have had a couple of goes at this, and not succeeded, like all things practice makes perfect. I will have another try, but on something less major than this build.

Thanks again.

Si

After somewhat of a hiatus on this, and deciding the bren carrier was not the right vehicle I have found whait I think is. originally inspired by the Dragon ETO SAS jeep, but knowing I would need some figures for it I found the Bronco Jeep & trailer complete with 8 paras, and thought what the heck, this is just the job. Also found the AFV club German mines, they will add a bit of decoration.



Inside the boxes.





Hope to get started on these next weekend.

Si

I was wondering what had happended with this build Simon. Looks like you have great plans. The mines are very nice, I bought the Cammett set years ago but never got around to building them, (some even emigrated to Uraguay, Mr. Moscatelli ).
Nice to see you are back on track.

Thanks Julian,

You may have noticed the dock itself in pics of models on other builds. I am glad to be back on it, now I have found the right vehicle and figures . The mines were quite a find just need some more clutter now.

Si

Hi Simon,

Not to rain on your parade but something like an Austin Tilly or Bedford QLD might be better. I like the idea of the German staff car but it too could be a liberated one.

Accurate Armour Dio a couple of nice Officer types and Wee Friends have the Sailors which would make a good mix. Alternatively some new British Officers from MiniArt are due out soon.

Look forward to developments.

Al