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Old 01-28-2013, 08:52 AM
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airdave airdave is offline
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Mk.5 Centurion Tank - a Big Scale Model from AirDave

Well, I have finally started work on my nex "big" project...
the Centurion Tank*.
[*a Mk.5 Centurion, mid 1960s, Nationality to be determined]



Very very early stages at the moment.
Still trying to work out my build method...planning the central Hull...
deciding how much Interior I want to install...will the Tracks be
fully articulated...and exactly what Scale will I work in?

At the moment I am seriously considering 1/16 scale.
This would make the Tank (not including the Gun Barrel) about 18" (450mm) long.

Thats a big model, but not unreasonable.
GPM already produces some 1/16 Armour in Paper.

I had originally planned on 1/18 to keep it in scale with my 1/18 Autocar Armored Car model.
(The Armored Car ended up at 1/18 scale so that main parts would fit onto Letter size
pages without the need of breraking them into multiple pieces.)


I have since been convinced that 1/16 and 1/25 are the more common and preferred scales for Armour kits
and the page fit issue at either 1/18 or 1/16 is not a factor.
(1/25 is too small for what I want to produce...my goal was another "big" scale kit)


First plan is a Canadian marked version...standard British Army Bronze Green finish.
I have a markings scheme for an 8th Can. Hussars Tank serving in Germany around 1960.

Then I will look at some alternates, if there is enough interest.
British? American, Israeli? I'm not sure yet.
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Old 01-28-2013, 08:53 AM
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Okay...issues already...and I haven't even started! lol
I started this

I really wanted to design and build a BIG model.
1/18 was the original choice, same as my Autocar models (the Armored Car and Army Lorry)
but unlike those somewhat unique models, it might not be as well accepted.

So the standard 1/16 seemed like the only option...except I am running into a number of issues.
First is the part size and the fact that NOTHING of the central Hull (inner structure and outer 'skins")
fits on a standard page without splitting into multiple parts.
There will obviously be other parts that may have this same issue.

Then theres the thickness of panels and parts. Not everything can be proper scale thickness and doesn't
need to be. But somethings have to be scaled up in thickness for strength and rigidity and some parts
need the illusion of scale thickness and require layers or internal structure. Cutting card and laminating to
2-3-4mm thickness can be a real pain!

And then theres the overall size.
I wanted BIG, but this model will be 2 foot long with Gun barrel!...maybe more?
That might really limit sales of the kit to a select few large scale builders.

Anyway...sorry to be so long winded about this...I have done a complete turnaround and downscaled my
design to 1/25 scale. And I think thats where it should stay (lol)

At 1/25 scale, the Centurion will be about 12" long...add another 4" for barrel?
But most importantly, Hull sides and other large parts fit completely on one standard sheet (Letter or A4)
and that makes a big difference.

1/25 is it then!
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Old 01-28-2013, 08:54 AM
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Okay, I'm back-peddling again!

I did a beta build of the Main Hull substructure last night.
A nice strong structure, I'm happy with that.
Got a few changes that I need to make, but its a start.



Problem is...its too small!
1/25 scale....the overall length of the Hull is just over 11"
With the fenders, skirts, etc all in place the Tank will be about 12" long.

Its too small.
I wanted a big scale model and this is not getting me excited.

As it stands, the longest model pieces will fit (diagonally) on one page of paper/cardstock.
Thats a good thing.
Its possible to bump it up to 1/24 scale and still get the parts on to the page.
But thats it.

So, anything bigger than that will create the need to cut some of the large parts and panels
into multiple pieces that need to be reassembled.
This isn't a big issue with internal parts...but for outer panels, it means adding seams and joins.

However, on the tank, I think its possible to mask and hide all these joints.
The Hull sides for example are hidden behind the Tracks and Drive Wheels and then Side Skirts.
The Side Skirts are built from separate Metal panels, so joints could be hidden within those.

The question is "what scale would an interested customer want?"
Is it important to stick to standard scales like 1/16 and 1/25 (the common Armour Model scales).
Is 1/18 an acceptable alternative (as I designed my Autocar Armored Car)?
What about 1/20, 1/21 or 1/22 scales?

I'd love to hear from anyone on this...especially those interested in Armour kits and those that
might actually consider buying this model.
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Old 01-28-2013, 09:15 AM
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Gixergs Gixergs is offline
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BIG IS BETTER but honestly I've wanted a Centurion for so long any scale 1/35 or above would be a dream come true.
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Old 01-28-2013, 09:18 AM
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Tim Crowe Tim Crowe is offline
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Nice to see a model Centurion at last

More impressed with 1:16 than 1:25, any scale in between strikes me as a bit pointless.

The Orlik K-Wagen (1:25) had laminations up to 6mm, though most were only 2mm. I used 1.8mm (as it turned out) self adhesive mount-board, which comes in really big sheets. The model came in an A3 book and still needed longer parts to be joined.

Maybe an option would be to give the builder the choice print in either scales, seeing as they will be printing out.

Will be following this thread - are you taking advance orders?

Tim
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Old 01-28-2013, 10:42 AM
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KCStephens KCStephens is offline
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I like the idea of a large 1:16 scale model.
Any part that will not fit on a standard 8 1/2 x 11 sheet can be pieced together in sections before its mounted onto a larger heavier under structure.
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Old 01-28-2013, 10:58 AM
thorst thorst is offline
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Dave,

I seriously consider designing a Maus tank in 1/16, I'm just waiting on the last references coming to me.
Let's populate this scale! And for all open-minded modelers, there's a new Tiger in this scale too...

Thorsten
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Old 01-28-2013, 11:54 AM
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65Cycl0ne 65Cycl0ne is offline
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Thats CRAZY BIG.... Interested !!!
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Old 01-28-2013, 12:02 PM
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65Cycl0ne 65Cycl0ne is offline
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I'd vote for 1/16th.
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Old 01-28-2013, 12:07 PM
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oh my! at last! 1/16 please.
B
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