Red Gambit 1946 - Aardvark Tank Destroyer

[buzzbomb]

Big fan of the Red Gambit Alternate WW2 series http://www.redgambitseries.com/ where the Russians invade further into Germany in July 1945. One of the nicest concepts is the whiffieness of it all. I have done other models based on this inspiration and here is another one.

<Backstory>
During the desperate times holding the line after the treacherous Soviet attack, the New German Federation and their "SS colleagues" now in the French Foreign Legion worked hard to get vehicles up and running. Any vehicles. Often this involved lots of modifications to match together, often mismatched components.
One of these was the Aardvark, which comprised using tried and true Panzer IV hull with the Achilles Tank destroyer turret with its formidable and still effective 17 Pounder weapon. Of course not a perfect union, but, it did enable quite a number of similar vehicles to outfit the Cameroon Brigade of the Legion with a Tank Destroyer battalion.
</backstory>





Time to get cracking on this

[Old Wombat]

I'm liking it!

[Scotaidh]

Cool conversion.     Are you planning any more? I think that turret might also go well on a Panther or Tiger chassis 

[Leading Observer]

Good work! I'm also a big fan of the series

[Dizzyfugu]

Neat combo. Reminds me of my Chaffee tank hunter with a Sherman Firefly turret and a 17pounder on board, too.

Makes me wonder about a Ünezer IV chassis with a Bishop turret as artillery support vehicle, kind of a mini KV-2?

[buzzbomb]

thanks guys

so we continue
As far as kits go, this is the rather ordinary 1/35 Italeri Panzer IV of dubious mark and the remainder of the Academy Achilles I did not use in some other build

Pretty much together


With last of the bits and then some primer




Of course now I realize putting the ready ammo in was not such a clever idea. Have to do some deft paintwork to get those done

[Old Wombat]

I was wondering about that but assumed you simply had a superior skill set to this mere mortal.

[Vorcha]

"Often this involved lots of modifications to match together, often mismatched components."

I think the turret and hull look pretty natural together 
Does the gun pivot or is it glued in place?

[Dizzyfugu]

I think the turret and hull look pretty natural together 

I think so, too!

[buzzbomb]

Digiti Extractum.

Got down and hammered on with the Aardvark.

First up painted the Interior


Painting is one of those tasks where you are into it or not.

Got on a roll and away we went





No particular scheme and went for non-discript markings to sort of get in the get the Foreign Legion but not really French feel. Although I may go back and put some Tri-colours on if I can find a few

Pix are not quite working for me, breaking in a new SLR and getting the white balance right is not quite there. Plus using LED lights makes a difference.

[NARSES2]

Oh my, that is looking good 

I think she would suit a couple of small tricolours.

[Old Wombat]

This is why I know my painting skills are cr@p.

Great job, Brian!

[NARSES2]

This is why I know my painting skills are cr@p.

Believe me they are not mate 

[zenrat]

Not sure about the whole French Nazi thing but the model is looking suburb.



<edit> suburb?  Bloody auto correct.  Supurb.

[Old Wombat]

This is why I know my painting skills are cr@p.

Believe me they are not mate 

I don't get enough practice with my airbrush (maybe once or twice a year, three if I'm lucky) & my wear-&-tear techniques are ... basic ... as are the tools I use for them.

It's all part of the learning process & I'm actually quite happy with what I do, it's just that I know Brian does much better.

It's my aim to get somewhere near his skill level sometime before I shuffle off this mortal coil.




PS: Oh, & the M41 was, in fact, the first model I ever painted with an airbrush.