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Modeller Build Logs
Italeri Crusader Mk I/II |
| By Mark Cooper |
| Started: | Apr 25, 2005 | | Updated: | Aug 16, 2005 |
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The first armour model I built was the Italeri Crusader III. That was almost 20 years ago and when I started modelling again it was the first kit that I had to have but unfortunately it was out of production.
I did track one down but I had so many project ideas I never stopped looking for additional copies. So when Italeri released the Crusader I/II I stocked up.
The Italeri Crusader is a good kit. OOTB it makes for a fun build but if you want to invest the time and effort you can produce a great model.
I started this kit a couple of years but due to a lack of reference material it got shelved. However, the release of the Armour Photo gallery title on the Crusader filled a major gap in my references and allowed me to start working on the project once again.
The objective of the project is to have some fun detailing the kit and to base it on a vehicle in serving in the UK. Thus no sand shields. |
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| Chapter 5 - MG Turret | Aug 16, 2005 |
| Armed with the Armour Photo Gallery title the MG auxiliary was detailed by scribing a panel line and adding a few bolts. |
| Chapter 4 - Improving the Air Filters | Aug 14, 2005 |
Based on the available references I improved the appearance of the air cleaners using styrene and copper wire. The rivets were made with a Punch and Die set as wells as stretched sprue.
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| Chapter 3 - Reshaping the mantlet | Apr 27, 2005 |
I have yet to find a photo showing the mantlet Italeri included in their new Crusader. So based on the photos I had and using milliputty, Tamiya Putty, styrene and Mr. Surfacer I reshaped the mantlet.
Once I had re-shaped the mantlet I added a cast texture using Mr. Surfacer and an old brush. |
| Chapter 2 - Lower Hull | Apr 26, 2005 |
One of the questions I could not answer which resulted in the kit being put away was the missing details on the sides of the hull.
Italeri did not bother to detail this area on the original Crusader III because it could not be seen and since the they re-used the mold for lower hull there is still... more |
| Chapter 1 - Back to the model bench | Apr 25, 2005 |
Even without a solid reference base I knew that there were a number of errors in the Crusader. The most obvious being the front fenders and gun.
The Front fenders were cut back and corrected using sheet styrene. The over sized barrel was replaced with a resin 2 pdr from Ultracast.
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