Hey guys, Had to take a break from those little 1/72 scale tanks (tweezer trash) lol. Had a 1/35 M41 Tamiya kit so I decided to try it…well its one of those kits that came motorized in the 70’s so I had to fill in the slots where the drive axle came thru the hull sides. I used one of the bases for the figures to fill the slot and a bit of evergreen plastic sheet to complete the flange. Next I’ll have to fill the holes in the bottom of the hull. The figures are pretty nice for a kit from 1973 so I suspect a diorama will be in order. Still trying to figure out the mantlet cover as described in the directions, thread and plastic bags??? anyone have a better idea?
The thread and plastic bag technique is BS. It doesn’t work and is hard to get looking good. A better option is some tissue paper, like you wrap inside a present box. Cut it to the rough shape of the mantlet cover. Place it on the tank, then drench it in diluted white glue, Elmer’s School glue thinned with water to about the consistency of milk. Once dry, the tissue paper will shrink up and look just like heavy canvas. Paint it how you like and it is done.
If you’re adventurous you could try 2 part epoxy like Aves Apoxie Sculpt or Milliput, and then mold the canvas into shape. I’ve never tried it myself, but author/modelers like Steven Zaloga use it all the time, and it looks great!
BTW, the M41 is a great little kit to get started on or back into 1/35 armor! I built one in 48 hrs for last years Weekend Madness GB. All I did to improve the kit was to fill in the holes like you did, and replace the tracks, main gun barrel and 50 cal MG. The kit parts are fine, but the replacements actually speeded up assembly (I barely made the 48 hr deadline!)
Thanks Ernest, I’ve seen that technique used for canvas covers on stowage. Sounds a little less messy than the glue trick, think I’ll try both on some scrap, see which one looks better.
You may also wish to add the elongated “X” shaped strengthening ribs to the stowage boxes on the fenders. A couple of bits of half-round stock will do the trick.
