I’m thinking of doing some scratch building on a kit but don’t have a clue where to start.

I’ve started working on Tamiyas M3 Lee and planed on fixing up the errors on the rear of the tank. The problem is it looks like I’ll need to basically rebuild the whole back of it to do that.

Now in the past I’ve added a few small pieces to things and drilled or cut out holes and the like but never did anything like this on a model before and as I said I really have no idea where to start.

I’m hoping you guys will be able to help me out some with this.

If it's for the practice on scratchbuilding, go ahead, but with the more accurate Academy M3 Lee, is it worth it?

Should of pointed out its mostly for practice as I don’t really care if it turns out perfectly accurate.
I was planing on fixing some of the minor things up and practicing painting technics on it but ended up coming to this.

Of course I still hope fore it to come out somewhat decent. That is assuming I don’t mess up along the way.

Any one?

I don’t mean with just this project but where to start with any somewhat large scratch building project.

Have a word with Steve (Barv)

first, take a look at this beastie he is building.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/84663&page=1

Hey Steve! We have another one... Get him quick! :-)

Hi Jacob
What is it you really want to do .?........the ""Dark Side""is vast ....give me an where you want to go.armour --soft skin..a complete scratchbuild ..a conversion build on a kit ???
I only do recovery and engineering vehicles...so all my plans are of these vehicles
I Will be doing another "BARV" soon (next month --or so)---on here-- if you want to try that ....if not ----I'm allways around if you require a hand with any thing you may want to ask about starting your own "beastie"
aye
BARV
(GOSMG)

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f329/BARV/BARV-BUILD/ " TARGET="_blank"> http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f329/BARV/BARV-BUILD/

Thanks guys.

Barv You models are fantastic and that trench diggers coming along great.


I hope to someday be able to scratch build entire models (I build all kinds of models) but for now its just the back of a tank.

I have Tamiyas old M3 Lee kit that has an extremely inaccurate rear and I’m hoping to scratch build a new back on it.

This is what I have so far from the kit. (The top and bottoms halves aren’t glued yet so don’t mint the unevenness)



And this it what I hope to make.



As I said above my main problem is I don’t know where to start.

Also for most of my parts I have an old plastic housing off a VCR. I’m assuming that will work for cutting parts out of?

Gotcha ----give me a day or so to work out some sketches for you ---think got 1 in the Stash ---may be easier to anotate
aye
BARV
(GOSMG)

Thanks Barv I would really appreciate it.

Another question.

I have to “move” the vision port in the front down some. (Its angled to high) It’s the circled grove in the below picture. (I know it’s a bad picture)



I’m thinking of simply cutting it down farther and then puttying the top shut but don’t know how to cut it.

Should I try carving it out or would it be easier to punch a hole in it and cut it all the way through and then add plastic to the back?
And what would be the best tool for cutting it?