This is the ex-BK Modelcraft, now Matador Models resin and metal kit of the Holt caterpillar tractor, for me one of the most recogniseable vehicles of WW1 and a favourite of mine. Finally getting somewhere with this model - had it a couple of years or so and it's rather fiddly, frustrated me beyond belief at times and had to walk away from it to attempt again a few months later. Today I completed the second track unit, added what I think is a tool box and managed to get two lengths to support the radiator (ended up one being brass, the other metal) and get it to stay in position with the radiator fan behind it, which involved cutting another tiny brass wire section to prop it together, involving lots of tiny sections flying across the room through a portal into another dimension presumably, and the carpet monster stealing most of the rest of them. Here it is with the track unit dry fitted and still slightly damp from a first coat of paint on some areas. I've lost one of the roof supports annoyingly but shouldn't be too much of a problem to scratch build if I can't find it.
Now just needs the engine exhaust, roof supports and roof adding, as well as the track units fixing into place, although may add a figure or two such as a driver
It's the only game in town for a Holt that i'm aware of and it now looks like it will have been worth the effort and frustration once done
I know this is your thread but I remembered I had taken these ages ago. It is the original B&K one with some alterations.So I thought I would share them.
-- Edited by baldwin on Wednesday 31st of October 2012 03:50:03 PM
No problem with me Barry, they make the thread better! What did you do it? From the look of it, apart from additional figures and petrol tins - new tracks and new or modified roof supports?
This was a long time ago !!!!! But I used some thin N/S for the tread and cut the tracks supplied and glued them on. When the glue had set I then fixed it to the chassis. The roof suports were made of N/S which I slodered together and then glued on to the chassis side. It was very much trail and error.
The one thing that did help was a set of Lacey plans. The one thing I didn't have was a lot pictures of the real thing. If I was doing it again there are far more references,images in particular. At the time (as now) it was the only kit available. I must be honest that when I heard that Matador had got the masters I was hoping they would have upgraded the kit. Unfortunatley they haven't which is a pity as it is an iconic vehicle.
If time and money permit I will definitley be adding one to the W^D range.
Barry, that would be fantastic! I'm struggling to decide whether the roof has excess resin on the side or it's a bad representation of rolled-up curtain sides. The photos online are very useful to have when i'm working on it and have my iPhone next to me for a quick google, but it is confusing when some parts and areas don't match up to the real thing! Here's an update of it taken about half an hour ago, tracks and most of the body repainted, still struggling to find the final roof support....
Fully agree, such an iconic, great looking vehicle. And so vital to the war effort too, not just hauling artillery pieces but also in pulling trains of tracked trailers across the desert
Here's an original postcard in my collection, based on the well-used photograph which I believe is the same geod-LA posted a cropped version of - think i'll get one of the Strelets 1/72 heavy artillery pieces to tow it with, there's images showing them without using limbers and hopefully the difference in scale won't matter too much
-- Edited by Rob on Thursday 1st of November 2012 07:21:00 PM
That's been re-issued too, no mention of it having the limber though;
http://matadormodels.co.uk/gw/lists%20GWA.htm
May have to treat myself to it in that case, as much as the thought of trying to buy something from Matador makes me want to lie down in a darkened room! I did once have the ex-BK Modelcraft Krupp 21cm Howitzer which was entirely in metal and very nice
-- Edited by Rob on Thursday 1st of November 2012 07:59:01 PM
Apologies,N/S is the shortened term for nickel silver.You can get it in sheet,wire and in the case of the roof support for the Holt in thin strips. I always use it for sratch building NG locos as it is great for soldering.
B&K did one of those with the limber. I have one somewhere bought it when I got the Holt. Since Matador got the Holt I wonder what happened to the gun.???????
Here it is with roof supports - as Baldwin says they're not spot on, and fit awkwardly - also, when the roof is put on even as far forward as it goes, the exhaust still doesn't match up on the roof to were it will go on from the engine underneath. Still, it's the only game in town, and has the look of the Holt so i'll be happy when completed
