My Beaut Aussie Cent

[Stephen White]

I started this thread in June 2012:

Six years later, we've reached a milestone:

200,000 hits and counting. I'm guessing that a large proportion of those are guests. To everyone who has contributed, either by taking the trouble to comment or just looking, thanks. It's been a big factor in my keeping going. In June 2012, I had no idea how long the build would take, just that in deference to 064's Vietnam crews and the current owner, I'd better "get it right". It's been a fantastic voyage of discovery along the way, both in researching the original and in learning or developing new modelling techniques. That's not to include the techniques I stole from those who've also posted their builds here. To all, thanks.

It will be finished, when it's finished........

Stephen

[Adrian Harris]

Well done Stephen

It's eclipsed your Panzer II thread, and we all thought that was unbeatable.

So, what's your target for the Chieftain thread - 300,000

Adrian.

[Robert E Morey]

Well done Steven, Your build logs are more like sagas or on-line books than build threads! Thanks for all your efforts to research and share - it makes this forum what it is - an interesting, informative and useful community!

I'm glad I'm not the only one that takes 6 years (or more) to get something "close to completion".

I look forward to more progress and inspiration,
cheers,
Bob

[Steve Stuart]

Congratulations!
Steve

[Dennis Jones]

Perhaps the Comet after the move !!!

[Greg Stephens]

Stephen,
Your work has been an inspiration. Thanks for taking the time to make these posts.

[Liam Mahoney]

Yes, I must agree very inspirationally, and the photo at the top of this page, with the dry grass and blue sky looks like it was the real thing parked somewhere in Australia.

Thank you
Liam

[Stephen White]

On the 9th June, 1969, Trooper David Hay and the crew of 22B, ARN 169064, were caught in a vicious urban fight in the village of Binh Ba, Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. That day the crew fired virtually a full bomb load of ammunition (which they had only loaded the day before when they took over the newly issued tank). The tank was hit and penetrated by RPG-7 and the crew suffered varying degrees of wounding. The battle resulted in defeat for the 33rd NVA Regiment opposition.

Tanks and infantry assault the village

As loader, David had bombed up 22B the day before with this ammunition.

The Binh Ba ammunition load

Recently, the current owner of 22B, Paul Scott, found empty .30 and .50 cases under the turret floor. By comparing the lot numbers on the photo above with the markings on the base of the rounds, he and David were able to establish that the rounds had been fired at Binh Ba. David now has some of the cases, a very poignant reminder of the battle.

22B/064 served a long tour in Vietnam:

David Hay prepares 22B for battle

and survives in private hands:

22B/064 survives in private hands

The RPG penetration which wounded David is still visible:

David inspects the RPG strike

Earlier this year, David was able to visit Binh Ba and has told me something of his feelings returning to the battlefield after 49 years. Vietnam is of course now unified and the NVA casualties are commemorated with a frieze and memorial stone in the village. There are about 60 names on the tablet but it is likely the NVA suffered over 100 dead. Some of their relatives apparently now live in the village.

Vietnamese memorial to the battle

NVA casualties

David said he was met with friendly respect. His visit included seeing the spot where 22B was hit by RPG.

Site of 22B's RPG strike

I wanted to share this for two reasons, to illustrate that remembrance of war dead has universal meaning and to share a personal reflection. This week, David and his wife Leigh have been with us and David spent some time with "son of 22B"

Son of 22B

Armortek models are just that, a model to be enjoyed as a hobby. David and I were reflecting though that in this case a fifty ton tank built over sixty years ago to deliver lethal force and an Armortek model built as a hobby have brought together people in Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, USA, Germany and UK. That is surely an appropriate thought for Remembrance Sunday.

[Stephen White]

I asked David Hay about the equipment crews carried on their tanks, extra to the issued kit. This is the sort of detail I like, to bring a model to life. In addition to the issued 9mm Browning pistols and SMGs, crews in Vietnam needed a close-in defence weapon, kept ready for action on the turret roof. I'd already added an M-79 grenade launcher, as seen in this photo, taken of another crew before Binh Ba:

Four Tp Crew anticipating action at Binh Ba

So much for detail. David revealed that he'd actually equipped himself with an M16-A1 (commonly known as an Armalite), although he was less forthcoming about how he'd come by it:

Australian M16-A1

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He then commented on the stylish mug I'd provided, half full of coffee, but told me he had nothing so grand, just an issue canteen mug, known in Army speak as the "Cup, canteen, M1910":

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When I need one sixth scale bits, my preferred provider is the French company Machinegun-figures. They keep one of the biggest ranges of kit in Europe and are fearsomely efficient. Their prices are good too, generally half those of companies in the States. I found everything I needed in one hit:

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How could I have forgotten the "must-have" 1960s transistor radio and some individual C rations?

Anyone need a full metal M79 grenade launcher and spare rounds?

As Kent has been known to say "it's all in the details".

My new workshop will soon be complete and then it'll be back to finishing the weathering.

Stephen

[Stephen White]

One of the things which can let down an otherwise outstanding model is figures. Unless, you know what you're doing, they can look toy-like and spoil the realism of the model. Dave Dibb does know what he's doing and his 1/6th figures command a premium price. I wanted to avoid just plonking the crew into the Cent and Dave very kindly showed me some of his techniques at Bovington at the weekend. It'll take me a long time to achieve his mastery but I've had a first stab at it. Dave did the figure with the beret. I took a number of lessons away from Dave, especially that less is more and that you can always go back and add but taking away is almost impossible. Thanks Dave. I hesitate to show these photos to the original crew in Australia but had better confess to them in due course.

S

[simon_manning]

As i know stephen you are a fan of premier league football, and have a great knowledge of the beautiful game, one of your crew members looks like Cesc Fabregas, who! some mistake surely get your chelsea shirt on, regards simon. p.s. very nice.

[Stephen White]

I decided the searchlight needed more reliable electronics and the power increasing. I've now fitted a 3W LED.

The power draw of an LED varies with temperature and it's a good idea with the higher powered ones to run them with an LED power driver, like this one from Component Shop:

The LED is switched via a receiver controlled switch, this one being from Turnigy:

Turnigy failed to mention that if you're using separate power sources for the LED and the receiver, you need to add a common ground. (I saw today on Steen's FPV post that they've now included mention of it).


This is the modified circuit with common ground:

and this is the installation:

The Turnigy switch can draw residual power and so it's a good idea to fit a battery isolator switch. I've got a separate 12V turret services battery which powers servo gun elevation, barrel smoke and the searchlight.


Here's the final result, which is a great improvement on the previous low power LED setup:

Now I just need a night-time show.......


Stephen

[Stephen Mason]

A superb job Stephen and it certainly looks the part on the tank. Another one of your great ongoing modifications.

[Adrian Harris]

That looks amazing Stephen. Glad you got it sorted out OK.

> Now I just need a night-time show.......

Maybe we can sneak back into Bovington one evening during TankFest, on the way back from the pub.

Or maybe not

Adrian.

[Stephen White]

Adrian, it was only your spotting the bit about common ground on the Hobbyking website and suggesting an isolator switch that got me there. Thanks again. Stephen