Explorers on the Moon (Moon Tank)

Well, I've never built a tank before... 

Of course the box. There might be a "better" kit to use, but I think the Merkava was a combination of the cheapest/closest option for a donor kit. 

Here's look at the sprues. 

First, the easy part... glueing together the wheels. 

Oh, look! I DID find a "better" kit... for the same price! 

And another set of sprues. 

Ok, do-over! Wheels glued, main body detached. 

Ok, this will work better I think. More symmetrical. 

This time for sure! I’ve seen a successful conversion of a M26 Pershing into the Tintin Lunar tank. 

Only need some of these sprues. The back grating was already used for the Tintin Bordurian tank project. That’s okay, we won’t be needing it. 

Wheels... wheels and more wheels. Tanks sure have a lot of these... 

Top trimmed and placement of viewing bubbles figured out. 

Back end boxed in and side skirts elongated. 

Boxes on top of boxes, cut out and glued from sheet polystyrene. Holes for the view bubbles cut out. 

Putty and sanding... sanding... sanding... along the seams. 

Adding a few panels as well as the tread skirts. 

First coat of paint reveals... more sanding! Also added some details using a bit of wire (and the hatch cover). 

Need a few bits and pieces for the lamp/radar array... some leftover ratlines from a Cutty Sark kit oughta do nicely. 

Yep. All cut up and glued together, it looks fine. 

A coat of bright blue paint seals the deal. 

I attached the viewing domes using Future seeped under the edges. Worked like a charm - no cloudiness or fingerprints! 

Final accessories paint and added, so just the base left. I used tinfoil to make sure the "clay" (paper fibre) didn't stick directly to the wood. It's easier to paint that way.