Hi
I recently bought the AFV club scimitar and decided to update it, here are a few shots of it so far





However it has all come to a halt as I can not find anything to represent the anti RPG amour as seen just above the wheels in this photo.


Also I need to get some new sights for it and so if anyone could tell me how I can scratch build the head lamp guards, the sights and where to get something to represent the RPG armour I would be very grateful. Please bear in mind that this is my first scratch build. Thanks. Nick

Hi Nick first suggestion is try lookin´ at few photo etch possibilities. I dont know what shape the holes are in the mesh but i have seen some where mesh of all scales & shapes .A good while back I got my hands on some superfine diamond mesh & I think it was by skytrex but I´m not sure,anyway I do know that the stuff is out there, so try skytrex or eduard but also check the sizes of the pieces you´ll need,so that you know just how much to order. By looking at the mesh it looks fine enough to offer consideration to its scale just as an afterthought.

Aber and Eduard offer generic photoetch screen in a variety of sizes with several hole shapes. Cut to size and add a fine rim with wire or strip styrene.

The holes in the mesh are circular and also there is a lot of composite armour add on panels that cover the turret and hull. Also the engine and transmission decks are completely different to the ones featured in the kit to allow for the new diesel engine and uprated transmission. The front indicaters are horizontal now as opposed to the vertical type. There are a few pics attached below that will show what I mean. These I took in our camp in the U.K. in Canada and also in Iraq whilst there.

Iraq 2003






Iraq 2005




Scimitar UK


Canada 2001


Salisbury Plain 2004 didn't take this one but it is one of our wagons with an AAC Apache callsign "Carnage 1"


Hope they are helpful.
Max

I hope the hull halves are test fitted as you've got a heck of gap.

If you are going to put the work into the applique armor then you might as well redo the intake grills and put together a SPIRE sight.


There is a build posted on Missing Lynx:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/message/1121694945/

http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/message/1120669313/

Paul

Hi Guys. Thanks very much
@ everyone, how should I go about constructing parts that are not right angled out of plastic (ie head lamp guards etc.)? (probably a very stupid question but this is my first scratchbuild)
@ maximus8425, thanks for the pics, hope your tour went ok.
Nick

Do you have any brass stock? I could scan the pattern of a PE headlight cover and you could attempt to duplicate if you have some detail snips.

Paul

I dont have any at home but i could buy some, please could you scan the pattern, however I will not be able to do anything for a while as I am away at school. Nick

From the Airwaves Scimitar PE set:


Paul

Thanks Paul, what are the sort of 'h' shaped bits at either end of the sprue? Cheers, Nick

They are mudflap supports. Underneath the rubber flap there is a H shaped pressed steel plate that holds the flap off the track, makes them last a little longer.

Max

Nick,

For slightly less work you could try a Scimitar with a SPIRE sight but without the LEP upgrades.

Here are some pictures from the British Army Picture Library:






Paul

Hi Paul, I'll see how it goes! Is there anywhere/kit I can get a spire site from or will I have to sratch it? Cheers, Nick

It would be nice if Castoff released a generic LEP upgrade with the front bins, headlights and the new intake plus the SPIRE since most of these upgrades are common to the CVR(t) range but no luck so far.

Given a bit of time I could probably build a styrene copy of the SPIRE sight.

Paul

Nick, I'm off to camp this week and may be able to get some closeups of the parts you need, ie. E-SPIRE sight cowl, TNTLS compass antenna, GPS antenna etc. If I do I'll PM you and then send them by mail ok.

Max

Max,

I'd like to see the placement of the TNTLS compass antenna on the turret top if you don't mind.

Thanks,
Paul

Hi Max
that would be great if you could do that. Cheers. Nick
PS Sorry for such a late reply!


Please forgive me for my ignorance but what is this?? Cheers. Nick

Its the Tactical Navigation and Target Locating System. It's compass antenna is on the rear left of the vehicle while it's GPS antenna is on the turret roof between the commanders and gunners hatches.

Max

Ok, thanks, Nick

As promised I got some pics off a PC in camp that I took a while back and went up the hangers and took some more.




Vision Cupola

E-SPIRE Sight Head



http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/maximus8425/TNTLSDigitalcompasssensorantenna1.jpg" BORDER="0">
[Spartans ready for Afghanistan



Max

Sorry mate, basically it's the laser, GPS, angle of sight and bearing indicator and the radios all wired into one. When you lase the target as well as getting range info you also get the grid of the target because the vehicle knows where it is, it knows the gun bearing and so it can work out the third side of the triangle and give you target grid. The radio then sends this out as data and all other vehicles get the grid. All commanders know where to look basically.

Max

Hi max
thanks for the pictures, very useful and also the info on the TNTLS! Nick

Great pictures Max. Especially the unexpected uparmored Spartan.

Paul