PMMS

Universal Carrier Mk.II
1/35th Scale By Alistair Morton

The Tamiya Universal Carrier (#35175), despite its age is still a reasonable kit. The main problems (in my opinion at least) being the thickness of the front plate and the tracks which bear no resemblance to Universal Carrier tracks whatsoever. There is also a truck load of rivet detail to be added (why didn't I make a welded version?).
There are two alternatives to fix the front plate, either scratch build a new one or sand down the kit part (I have seen the Resicast update part and this also appears too thick). I took the easy option and introduced the kit part to the wet and dry paper. This means losing all the detail on the inside plate but it is fairly basic and needs replacing anyway. The side and rear plates were also sanded down.
Frame work and rivet details were added to the interior together with the Eduard etched brass (No.35-086). Jerry cans and their racks were added to the rear. The Jerry cans coming from Tamiya's Allied Vehicles Accessory Set (#35229). The interior stowage was added mainly because I was working to a deadline (I had to have it finished for the club contest, it's the only way I ever finish anything) and the figures weren't finished (and strangely the still aren't!).
The tracks are from the excellent Model Kasten set and are a must for this kit, it also includes white metal drive sprockets. The tracks are quite time consuming to assemble but this is nothing compared to getting the damn things off the sprue. There are a few left over but you wouldn't want to break too many (the carpet also claimed a couple, there must be a complete kit in that carpet by now!).
The model was finished using Tamiya acrylics the green being a mixture of Japanese Army Green and Khaki. The 49th (Polar Bears) divisional markings are from the Accurate Armour set (DE13 - Infantry Divisions and Corp Markings NW Europe '44-45).
Hopefully I will eventually complete the figures and put the carrier in a diorama - one day ЕЕ

Click for larger view

References:

Universal Carrier Mk.I/II Military Vehicle Workshop Series MV-12.
Published by Allied Command Publications

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