Italian Tankettes

I needed to upgrade My WWII Italian force with 13/40 & 14/41 (pretty much the same tank with a more powerful engine). I also got some of SHQ's most excellent CV tankettes, as My original ones were not good resin casts. I will start with the CVs. They come with instructions but here is how I did it.

                                                          Here is what I bought

First check all the bits are there (Flame tankette)

CV33 Tankette

Wash in warm soapy water

Dab with old cloth, then let dry naturally for a couple of hours. Recheck parts.

Place all small parts in a box out of the way of your working area (just in case!!!)

These are the MGs for My 14/41, but you get the idea. Clean off any swarf from the vehicle.

Use a good quality super glue and make sure one part is glued to the model before gluing the next part on. A production line helps (three vehicles at a time is the norm with me).

Find the location points and "dry fit" parts to check they do not need trimming.

Fitting wheels of the flame tankette trailer, whilst tracks dry.

Tracks fitted and trailer wheels on.

           Small parts (mention earlier), spare wheels need careful cutting from the block. see drill tip

This is where it goes (see knife tip), and tankette below (already fitted)

Left over parts (these are used in the command variant, aerial mounts)

Now with MGs and flame nozzle fitted

Jack and trailer coupling fitted (left model) to rear of vehicles. Knife tip shows locating hole.

Different angle, showing jack and trailer coupling. 

All finished and based.

SHQ along side some Frontline resin CVs. Sand has now been added using PVA & water mix (50/50).

Leave sand to dry on base overnight, because if when you paint base before it dries, the pva will just become mixed with the paint and cause the sand to fall off!.

CVs were part of My mass priming session. I prime with Humbrol White enamel

Next phase of painting is to airbrush two coats of Humbrol 63 Sand. Allow to dry between coats. 

Do not be to concerned about coverage as a wash of Brown will be going on next.

Brown wash applied Humbol 186 Brown, thinned down to "taste"

Tracks, exhausts etc, are then painted black (Humbrol 33). 

 Then dry brushed with silver (Humbrol 11)

Then Gloss varnish at places decals are to be applied (leave to Dry). Place decals, then Matt varnish.

Paint base ( I use Dulux Cashmere emulsion, diluted 50/50), then drybrush base white.

Resin ones

SHQ (on Right), Frontline (on Left)

Flametankettes