The Calculus Affair (Bordurian Tank)

I do like a new box. It's like the beginning of an adventure. 

Wow... it's... smaller than I expected. I don't usually build tanks, so I must just used to seeing 1/35 on display. 

First thing to do... move and remove those hatches! 

Did I mention the Bordurian tank only has 4 wheels? Some surgery required. 

A quick dry-fit to make sure the new spacing is correct. 

Spacing looks ok. Now to fill in the gaps. 

Also, the back of the turret needs to be heightened and filled. 

I didn't like how the turret hatch looked, so I called in reinforcements... even though it's 1/76, the hatch is exactly the same size as on the 1/72. Go Firgure. 

Here's the sprues... look at that base... hmmm... 

Yeah, new turret hatch is much better. Now to take care of those side supports... 

So i decided to just sand off the end ones and re-space the centre ones. Seemed like the least amount of work for an acceptable outcome. 🙂 

Turret, check! Side wall, check! Now for the back end... luckily the donor M26 scheduled for my Tintin Moon Tank project doesn't need those grates. 

Ok, got the new grates in place. 

Also, cut open the driver's view hatch. 

Hmmm... something's not quite right... 

After checking the comics, I noticed the tank is supposed to be larger around the rear of the turret. 

So added some bulk to the turret, the wheel skirts, and started sanding. 

Primer test. Not bad, but still a few little touch ups needed 

I can start adding the extra details. 

Added on some scratchbuilt lamps and guns. 

Also added some of the vent tubes and armour plating on the back. 

Now for the external mufflers. Just a bit of squashed tubing. 

Maybe I can use some wire for the turret fence...? 

Nope... styrene tubes work better... but something's still not quite right... 

That's better. Trimmed the anchors a bit more and used thinner tubing around the perimeter. 

Ok... looking good. Still that stubborn gap on the back corner of the turret to deal with. 

Red circles masked and painted. 

Hmm... a bit of overspray. That will need to be corrected. 

Added a few tank tracks to some angel clay “mud” and painted it brown. Now we have a base. 

And... we're done! 

Ta-dah!