I’m brand new to the site, and what I have seen so far is great! The reason I’m writing is I need help in locating reference photos of an m-24 Chaffee in French service towards the end of the Indochina war. Also, does anyone know of a company that makes French figs from this period? Thank you in advance for any help
Hi Harry and welcome. I put this in a google search ( M24 Chaffes Indo-China War) I came up with 11 sites. The figures could be tough. No luck with that search. I think there are some Foreign Legion sets out there that maybe could be modified. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Not really my time period. Good luck and have fun. Mike
Mike
Thanks for the idea of the google search it was the one search engine I didn’t check. As far as the figs go I may have to do some converting. thanks again.
Harry
Hello again Harry I found some Legionnaires Indo-China for you. I’m hoping you’re talking 1/35. They are warrior resin figs. The first one I found at discountmodels.com #35291 just says French Foreign Legionairre Indo-China. The next one I found at brookhursthobbies.com #wa35291 French Foreign Legionairre Machine Gunner. I don’t know if you are familar with this companies figs, but I think they are very nice sculpts. Happy Modeling Mike
Mike, Ive heard of the company, but just in passing. I don’t have any experience with resin figures, How hard are they to work with ? I have not had a chance to check google yet, but I plan on it. Thanks again. Harry
Hi Harry Resin is more brittle then plastic. The pieces are usually attached to the pour stubs. You have to carefully cut them from these attachment points with a razor saw. Regular model cement will not work on resin. I use a slower setting super glue to position the parts. Then when the figure is complete I wash it in soap and water. I prime my figures with black paint. Then paint as usual. Resin figures are more brittle its true but the detailing is usually outstanding. Just be a little careful with the thinner parts and you should be fine. I hope I’ve helped you Harry, and good luck with your project. It sounds very interesting. And don’t be afraid to come back with any questions you might have. There are some very excellent builders here who like to help. Hope to hear from you soon Mike
Mike
Thanks again for the help. I am going to be looking for the figures.
Jim
I have never had a problem like you discribed. The only thing I can think of is that you might be using to much thinner. Try using a different thinner, or a little less. I hope it helps, good luck.
Harry D
P.S. Jim, if you are new to the hobby allow me to suggest some of the “how to” books offered in the back of FSM.
Here’s a good place to find pics of French stuff, including M24s…
http://www.chars-francais.net/archives/m24.htm
That M24 with the AMX13 turret is quite… different!
If you need help with the language, just ask.
Domi
Welcome to FSM Jim.
Please check the type of thinner you are using. Lacquer thinners eat plastic and paints. Enamel thinners and acrylic thinners are safer to use with plastics and moderate amounts don’t eat into the paint once the paint is fully cured or dried.
Domi
I checked out the sites you gave me, some great shots of the Chaffee. If you don’t mind to much I could use some help with the translation. Just the captions under the photos is find. thanks in advance
Harry D
Hi Harry;
Another method is to use a “clipped” #11 blade in your hobby knife. I break (with pliers) about 1/64 to 1/32 of an inch off the tip of a blade. Then draw it BACKWARDS across, and nearly perpendicular to, the pour stub near the part and it will seperate them. Be patient too much pressure and you risk breaking the part, let the blade do the cutting. you can use the same method for scribing with out the cost of a scribing tool.