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LionMarc Model Designs
WW2 British Antenna w/base
LionMarc Model Designs 1:35 Set #LM60009

Review by Terry Ashley

The Set:

The No.19 radio type B aerial base was often used with 8ft antenna on most British/Commonwealth AFVs during WWII including the Sherman, Cromwell, Churchill etc, as well as armoured cars such as the Staghound giving an almost endless choice for using this set.

Depicting the British No.19 radio type B aerial base convincingly has been like the holy grail for British/Commonwealth modellers over the years with most kit aerials ranging from solid blobs to more intricate attempts that have mostly been over scale in thickness. There have been some respectable B aerials in recent AFV Club, Dragon and Tasca kits that are a vast improvement on earlier efforts but there is still room for improvement.

There has also been some type B aerial base sets produced by aftermarket people in etched brass but these are mostly for the more experienced modeller and some effort is required to get a satisfactory result but now LionMarc Model Designs have released this set with one type B aerial base in formed brass along with a delicate formed brass 8ft antenna.

The set consists of four parts, three for the aerial base and one for the 8ft antenna with the only cleanup needed being some fine brass residue on the inside lip of the top ring, this is easily removed with a #11 blade but take care not to bend the ring out of shape while handling during the cleanup.

The four brass antenna parts included in the set
LionMarc

The 8ft aerial is quite delicate and will bend easily if not careful and if this occurs you can straighten easily by rolling the aerial under a steel ruler on a firm flat surface such as a cutting board available from art shops.

Assembling the aerial base is best done by soldering for a stronger assembly but cyanoacrylate (super glue) will do the job if not confident with soldering.

I will step through the method of assembly I found to be quite quick and easy but take care as the parts are small and can be easily lost if not careful with the tweezers.

Step 1; slightly expand the four base prongs until they are slightly wider than the diameter of the top brass ring.

Step 2; hold the pronged base upside down on a firm surface (hold in place with the tip of a #11 blade or similar) and slip the top ring over the base and carefully ease the ring down level with the surface which in turn will be level with the four prongs, the tension of the expanded prongs will hold the ring in place. 

Step 3; flip the base/ring over (carefully) and check the ring is level with all four prongs and then hold securely with tweezers ready for soldering the ring and base together.

Step 4; cut a very small sliver of strip solder (about 0.5mm) and after applying a small amount of flux with a fine brush, sit the solder on top of the first ring prong join, the flux will help hold this in place. It is important when applying the heated soldering iron tip not to actually touch the solder as it will just jump to the tip, but instead lightly touch the heated tip to the side of the ring and when this heats it will melt the solder between the parts to form the join. Any excess solder can be filed away with a fine needle file, but if you use only the smallest amount of solder the join should be quite clean.

Step 5; repeat the soldering procedure for the other three prong joins, the first is obviously critical to get right with the others simply filling in the spaces.

Assembly sequences as per text above
LionMarc

Step 6; fit the central aerial post into the base opening and apply a small dab of solder using the same melt method to secure in place ensuring it is located centrally inside the base ring. The brass aerial simply fits into the hole in the post but you may not want to attach this until after painting to avoid any damage.

Fitting the assembled aerial base to any kit simply requires a small hole be drilled in the appropriate position for the small locating pin on the bottom of the aerial base, all very simply.

Assembly aerial base and images of the actual Type B aerial base for reference
LionMarcLionMarc

The detail definition on the assembled aerial base is very good with the detail of the central post and the circular guard well done although the four support prongs could be a little thinner for the ultimate appearance, but this is only very minor and you can file these down if you feel this is necessary? The only detail missing being the two small brackets on the side of the guard base (see image above) and these can be added from thin card or a suitable etched bracket from any available set.

The brass aerial and base fitted to the Tasca Sherman turret
LionMarc

Conclusion:

This is relatively simply Type B aerial base set compared to some etched sets available with the pre-formed brass parts only requiring minor cleanup and are basically ready for assembly which is quite straightforward, but care and some previous soldering experience would be beneficial.

The ease of assembly and good detail of the base will see this set a must have for British/Commonwealth modellers as it can be used on many different vehicles from tanks to armoured cars.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Leo from LionMarc Model Designs for the review set.



Page created February 4, 2009