Crusader XVI: my armour attempt

[Spey_Phantom]

this one im going to make up in Flemish Army markings.

its a upgraded "never retired" version of the WW2 Crusader tank.
the crusader never was a succes in world war 2 so i decided that since im bonna be building a modernday upgraded version of it, i should add some new features.

already fitted is a new 120mm gun, replacing the way to light 56mm (made from a length of old sprue).
other features planned to be fitted is an engine upgrade, modular armour plating arround the tracks and turret, a periscope with IR camera, grenade launchers or remote control .50 gun,....

the kit im using is an Armourfast 1/72 Crusader II.
im not an armour builder, but my hobbyshop shopkeep told me that these were easy and fast to make (a requirement for wargamers), not to mention that the tracks are already moulded on the threads (witch was always my weakspot as i could never get them to fit right without coming loose) so basicly, its armour modeling for dummies 

pic:

[mkhulu]

Doen zo voort  (keep going !) 

Vriendelike groete vanuit Zuid-Afrika 

[Spey_Phantom]

a little later:

[NARSES2]

Now I don't want to go all JMN on you Nils but fire that gun and the turret goes backwards ?  You could say it's a low pressure gun maybe.

The builds looking good and I like these "Armourfast" type of kits. he Pegasus ones are good as well, especially some of the German projects

[pyro-manic]

120mm breech-loading mortar. Firing HEAT or HE-fragmentation rounds depending on the target. Problem solved.

Looking good, Nils - I reckon you want some extra armour on the glacis as well.

[Spey_Phantom]

and, Finished

[mkhulu]

well done  Anybody that builds in 1/72 is a hero -  1/72 and especially 1/144 is way too small for me to build ..

[NARSES2]

Has a sci-fi look about it, nice one Nils

[pyro-manic]

Nice! I like the optics turret - off a helicopter?

[Spey_Phantom]

Nice! I like the optics turret - off a helicopter?

no, it was something that was stuck on the sprue of a 1/85ish revell Fokker F-27.
kept it on the side for years, until now

[Weaver]

Nice one Nils - whatever it's other failings, the Crusader was certainly a looker, and it's suspension and skirts are very modernist, so good choice.

Got me thinking now......