Type 90 Figures The Decal Work

Well finally an update on the figures to go with the type 90. Yes it's been a while since my last post but the weather here in the UK has been rather splendid, an actual summer for a change! And I have been taking full advantage with plenty of BBQ's!!

Anyway the figures, I sourced some mister chronicle decals from Jason at LSA models who seem to be the only place in the UK to obtain them by the way. The sheet it's self is printed with a repeating pattern of the camouflage just like the real thing and very nice it looks too being in scale.

I decided to use two pieces of decal per leg instead of trying to get one big piece to fit and this has worked very well. Even with some overlap once dry the decals show no joint lines. The decal is quite thick and can stand quite a bit of prodding and poking plus trimming even when wet. For decal solution I have been using mr mark setter and softer, this is quite strong stuff and the softer really does draw the decal down into all the nooks and cranny's. I have also found that pressing the decal with a cotton bud after about 10 minutes helps any air bubbles to disappear.

So far it looks good to me with enough variation in pattern to mimic the real thing. However it's slow going and each section needs to dry before the next is added.

AEC Fenders and Bins

Slowly progressing adding loads of small parts that you really can't see plus adding the fenders and side stowage bins. The boxy shape of the vehicle is very apparent now.

Boy are those wheels nice! lovely details which I can't wait to paint.

AEC Engine & Suspension

 Here's some more progress for you and I have now completed the engine and added the suspension parts. The engine looks really nice just a pity most of it is hidden. I have noticed whilst working on the kit that it suffers from over complication syndrome, i.e why use one part when you can use ten! A good case in point are the drive shaft connectors which in some cases are made up of 4 or 5 parts when one would have been fine. Lets face it how many models are displayed belly up? There are also loads of tiny parts that need to be added, cutting them off the runners is bad enough but clean up is near impossible. Another case of OCS.

However once assembled it does look nice. The etch is very springy so needs heating over a candle before bending it. I also added parts ba25 & 26 to the front wheel shafts instead of the rear of the wheels as per instructions. This makes it easier to glue the wheels on later. Talking of wheels they are absolutely superb with no seam lines to worry about and nice detail which should really pop out once painted.

Type 90 Ammo

whilst I'm waiting for the uniform decals to arrive I have been working on the ammo. A simple task of painting using tamiya, vallejo and games workshop colours and adding quite a few decals to the boxes. However due to Tamiya's usual attention to detail they do look very nice. A bit of weathering and they will be done.

AEC First Steps

Well I cracked the box yesterday afternoon on the model and so far have really enjoyed it. There are some fiddly bits especially the drivers seat which is made up of nine parts, all of them extremely fine and delicate. However the fighting compartment is well detailed and looks very nice indeed.

Here's the hull assembled notice the rivet and weld line details on the hull. Should look good under a coat of paint. The two rear braces caused a bit of head scratching at first as they are angled, I thought that I had made a balls up or that the kit had been moulded wrong but on further investigation I discovered they are correct. Quirky British engineering or what?

MiniArt AEC MkII Armoured Car

Next up on the smudgewerks bench is MiniArt's superb AEC MkII. I have been slobbering over the screen shots of this vehicle since it was first announced and today I have managed to get my hands on the kit. A quick inspection of the kit parts reveals a model packed with fine details which includes a full interior fighting compartment plus full engine and bay! The whole kit just oozes quality with very few sink marks in evidence.

This certainly is going to be an enjoyable build, the real thing is simply massive and the model will certainly have a presence once built. I just love the boxy purposeful shape of the thing. Check back soon for the first steps of construction!