AFV Modeller - Issue 05 - 1 - Magnificent Seven.pdf - afv modeller - gaszek.karol

Magnificent

Seven

Paul Barker describes his Churchill Mk7

Up until the War and Peace rally at Beltring in

2000 my preference had always been to model

German armour, I’d never had much interest in

Allied tanks. However at that event, the sight of

a restored Churchill Mk. 7 Crocodile clattering

into the arena at a stately 12 miles per hour

ignited a passionate interest in this vehicle.

The kit this article is based around is of

course manufactured by Tamiya and has

been around since the 1970’s, being

rereleased a few years ago with new crew

figures and as a nice little touch a jubilant,

presumably recently liberated French

civilian. In addition I utilised the etched

brass detail set produced by Eduard for

this kit, and the white metal Fruilmodel

tracks. While the basic kit has stood the

test of time very well indeed, these extras

add a little bit more and bring everything

up to today’s standards.

As I always include an interior in my

models, the first thing to do was acquire

some information on the Churchill’s

innards, which I was able to thanks to a

modelling colleague who builds mainly

British armour. So armed with photos and

drawings I scratchbuilt a full interior from

plastic sheet, rod and strip.

I marked, drilled and cut the hull sponsons

to build the lockers for the batteries and

the Besa ammo pouches. The large fire

AFV Modeller - Issue 05 - 1 - Magnificent Seven.pdf