Tank commanders

[fsn]

Gentlemen of the Forum,

I have, over the past two years made what are for me significant improvement in my painting and basing techniques. These improvements have been made by watching the good practice of those more able, and sucking upon the teat of sagacity that is this forum. I feel now that I have my style for WWII, and may be gearing up to essay some of the gaudier periods.

However, there is one area into which I have not as yet ventured, and that is adding commanders of vehicles popping out of the turret. So, before I take snips and files to some of Pendraken's finest, I wonder if anyone has any advice on how best to achieve the effect.

I am thinking particularly of what one does with the existing hatch, and what one makes the open hatch out of.

Any help gratefully received.   

[barbarian]

The german pack of Tank commanders have open hatchs modelled.

For the russians, use photo inspirations and a bitoff plastic card.

[fsn]

There's no need for digging out the top of the turret?

[fred.]

I have drilled out the top of the existing hatch, and then stuck in a commander, and made hatch halves from plastic card. This is pretty fiddly.



I've also used the ones with hatches moulded to the commander, with just a quick file down of the hatch lid - this is much easier, and once in place you can't really tell any difference, especially from the normal viewing angle from above

[Techno]

There's no need for digging out the top of the turret?

Personally, I would, Nobby.....But then I've got access to the dear old Dremmel, and lots of suitable burrs for reaming the hatch away/out.
B's idea of a bit of plasticard for the opened hatch sounds a great idea though.

Go on...get the snips out and have a go at a conversion.  

Cheers - Phil.

[fred.]

Brace yourself fsn!!

Not a Pendraken tank.


Are you ready?


Are you sure?




Are you OK now?
This is a commander with cast on hatches, stuck directly to the turret top

[fsn]

Good stuff chaps.

I'm going to have to give it a go.

I am very aware that if I used power tools, then Techno's Troubles would be more than matched.

[Fenton]

I am sure if Pendraken made tank commanders with attached hatches they would be a good seller

[fred.]

.....But then I've got access to the dear old Dremmel, and lots of suitable burrs for reaming the hatch away/out.

Phil which Dremel bit would you use for this (with a photo if possible!)?

I have many Dremel bits, but never really know which are for what job.

[toxicpixie]

I've slipped some crew Into suitable open topped vehicles (either spare riflemen/officers/a whatever, or Peter Pigs nifty 1/144th WW1 pilots & gunners - very handy!), and chopped/filed in on some closed hatches jobs but tbh without a permanent and safe "Dremel bench" it's just a bit of tinkering that I can do with the craft knife

[Fenton]

For the dremel I think I would use the  cutting disc to see if I could slice off all the hatch in one go, would maybe make it easier drilling through it
though I am lucky enough to have one of these so it might be as easy just to go striaght down with a drill bit

[Ithoriel]

The problem with the cast on hatch is different tank hatches are .... different. The split hatch the Pendraken German commander has is fine for my PzIIIs but wrong for my PzIVs, for example.

[toxicpixie]

I guess you want at least three types - swivel hatch, hinged to open to the sides, hinged to open to front?

Then possibly Russian, Yank, Brit, German, then maybe French, Polish, Italian, then perhaps Rumanian, Hungarian etc. and early/late? Or soft hat/beret, leather helmet etc.

I can see a simple "couple of figures" ballooning rapidly

[Techno]

Phil which Dremel bit would you use for this (with a photo if possible!)?
I have many Dremel bits, but never really know which are for what job.

I'll pop some pics over to you a bit later Fred !
Cheers - Phil.

[Techno]

I'll pop some pics over to you a bit later Fred ! Cheers - Phil.

Piccy sent !

I also like Steve's idea....Though I's point is very valid. 
Cheers - Phil