I've been building armor, aircraft and tanks since the late 1950's and recently finished the Schneider CA and St. Chamond (attached) 1/35 models. Was excited to see Takom announce
the Mark I but some of their errors are frustrating when there's so much information available on the web today.
I've been reading the forums for a couple of weeks and just received my Takom Mark I Female yesterday from LuckyModels. Since the driver's station is too narrow for the Mark I and I'm reading it allows the kit to be built into a Mark II what other changes should I be doing to build an accurate Mark II. One post mentioned using parts from the Takom Mark IV but I have an old Emhar Mark IV I'd rather use as a donor.
Thanks for any help
Charlie
Omaha, NE
-- Edited by cduckworth on Monday 14th of December 2015 07:36:34 PM
-- Edited by cduckworth on Monday 14th of December 2015 07:37:00 PM
I am also plannig this conversion so what I found is:
1) add the reinforcement lips around front driver and TC hatch holes (look at part D22 to proper shape). 2) use front hatches from Mk IV (part C26 instead of V7); 3) use roof plate D21 instead S13, add exaust end, use PE parts TP3, fill rear holes for sprud basket and exaust cover (parts E17, E18 and E19 on mk IV); 4) you need a new rear observation hatch. In Mk I kit you find only some parts of it (D13 and D15 but not E4, E5). You need also a new plate reinforcement with plate hinges (Mk IV E15 without rail supports) instead of MK I T29; 5) I am not sure of this: use D7 instead of S12 6) change on front hull horns (sprue M) the rounded tensioning bolt housing with squared like Mk IV. Use part C2 instead of V5. 7) on S6 rear plate fill holes for parts T1 and T2, 8) add a basket between the rear horn and its two straps. Refear to pictures from the net or from this thread for their shape and position.
9) erase the rear gear were the tail axel is connected to the hull and fill holes, 10) fill holes were parts T4 and T5 are connected to hull 11) erase the buttom tube for steering tail wire; 12) use track spruds, 13) on steps 10 and 17 change the upper gear model B (light duty) with one of model A (heavy duty), this a common mistake from Takom on all their rhomboid tanks. 14) drill front head light because Takom made them solid.
15) on Female tank: you need to make an adapter for MG on side sponsons since Mk II had Lewis MG instead of Lewis. Note you have all four Lewis on sprues C (parts C6)
-- Edited by Pierantonio on Monday 14th of December 2015 09:01:11 PM