The first armour model
I've built since I was just a wee lad. Esci's Churchill
is a nice little model, but the fit leaves a lot to be
desired, especially the seams between the tops and sides
of the fenders. Careful trimming and dry fitting will
pay off here as any filler will affect the detail in this
area.
I used Eduard's photo etched set for this kit which has
since been discontinued. Included on the tiny fret are
new hatches for the commander, the sighting vane, machine
gun covers, new ends and handles for the rear mounted
fuel tank, new water tin(?) mounting brackets for the
rear fenders and various handles and lifting rings.
The road wheels and their swing arms are all one piece
mouldings which are really tedious to clean up,
but the end result looks fine.
I replaced the machine
guns with fine stainless tubing and the tow cables with
twisted copper wire. Kit decals were used but the brigade
and regiment markings were overpainted to represent a
tank of 14 Calgary Regiment, 1st Canadian Army Brigade.
I probably should have left the tops of the fenders off
as most Canadian Churchills don't seem to have them (and
this would have solved the fit problems as well) but I
didn't. So there.
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