British Archer tank destroyer (Tamiya

[@Peter-lm3ic]

I recall the Archer whilst serving in BAOR in the early 1950's where it was well respected and known for a fair turn of speed! Good to see the dedication in the buildimg of this model which deserves to be more well known.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Peter :)

[@davidcole8268]

Not a tank fan but I see the charm of this subject. I was sceptical about the underside weathering but you nailed it in the end. Great ‘action’ result all round. If I may say so, you are one of the few KZbinrs who communicates scale modelling as a genuinely grown up pastime. More please!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks David - I appreciate that and I will continue to do my best :)

[@johnberry2877]

When trying to have a no stress, fun, accurate and quality build : Tamiya 👍🏻

[@ModelNerd]

Always :)

[@alanpearson7554]

I'm building the Bronco Bishop, also based on a Valentine chassis, Dear God, the number of parts is mind boggling, I've just bought the Archer for a bit of light relief!

[@ninus17]

i would love to see you build the firefly.

[@ModelNerd]

It's definitely on the 'soon' list. Snow camouflage, do you think? I don't want to do another solid green scheme really but I don't think the Firefly came in anything else.

[@darrenhillman8396]

Lovely job! Very therapeutic to watch you working your magic! Keep up the great work!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it. The Archer was one of my favourite recent builds. I still need to sort out a base for it.

[@scottroberts7875]

love the historical back stories you do, thanks for taking the time, i feel it give the finished articles such gravitas... Once again you have displayed another weathering masterclass, and huge inspiration for all.. ATVB2U Scott Somerset

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Scott, I appreciate that. I love learning about the history of these less commona vehicles as I build them too 🙂

[@crasher303]

Thanks for vids. Trying to make my mind up between this, & Achilles. Looks like I'll be getting both.

[@ModelNerd]

They're both great vehicles and fantastic kits. I really enjoyed both :)

[@howardharaway2259]

I am watching this video for the 1st time. I am normally a car model builder but I have a few Trumpeter Russian military vehicles I bought dirt cheap a few years ago that I'd like to give a shot at but I have no clue on how to weather or what colors I should use. I will say I will bet you have a lot of money wrapped up in paints just for this model. For someone that is just starting out from ZERO ,I'm probably looking at maybe $70 just for paints ? Cars are in opinion, easier cuz you don't have to be historically correct. I'm 59, and worked at a local hobbyshop when I was 25. Every paycheck I would buy kits,which I never built but kept in storage all these years. About 5 years ago I was ready to sell my entire collection. They were taken up wayyyy too much room. However, I came across a utube video that pulled me back into the hobby ,hook,line,and sinker. I had to start from scratch. No paint,brushes,glues, or airbrush. I went on a spending spree and haven't stopped since LOL. I started with military jet aircraft but got frustrated with finding the correct color paints so moved on to American Muscle cars, classics, and race cars. Anyway,after watching this video, I am getting the itch to do military vehicles.Like I said, I bought 2 Trumpeter kits. 1 being a Cold War Era tank and personnel carrier. I can't wait to get started. If this works out, I'm gonna stay with this for awhile. I will say that military modeling requires ALOT of accumulated knowledge and experience. THANKS for sharing your build 👍 . Howard H. -U.S.A.

[@ModelNerd]

Sorry Howard - your comment was "held for review" by KZbin and I only just noticed it. Glad to hear you got back into the hobby. As for the paints, yes, they can be expensive, but I guess they also last for more than one model so it is a case of an initial investment. For this Archer, what did I use - Tamiya Primer, Nato Black (not essential), then the SCC15 top coat. Clear coat, oil paint, Vallejo colours for brushing painting, rust effects....yes, it does add up (especially the primer and the clear coats). But aside from those two items I think you'd get 3-4 kits from the green top coat paint and basically every kit you're ever going to build from the oil paints and the rust effects. When I first got back into the hobby I did end up buying lots of different specialist products for lots of different uses. Recently I've been looking at my shelves and thinking "I need to use that product up and remember not to buy it again because I've never used it since buying it"!

[@t.j.w3561]

Another fantastic build. I really enjoy the whole package: the music, the history of the piece and watching it all come together. Keep up the great work, glad you enjoy it too, it shows!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you T.J. - happy you enjoyed it. Merry Christmas!

[@tonyromano6220]

Figures are a pain in the rear! Vallejo paints with thinner medium seems to work the best for me. Very inspirational, I may have to get this kit.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Tony - I do have some Vallejo skin tones so I'll have to try that.

[@petermerz2704]

Looks awesome! Nice weathering, and the figures look great! Model on!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you very much Peter!

[@led5762]

Thanks!, great channel usually build german and russian AFVs but this is the only british i want to make ,great gun,but am suprised how expensive model is,there not new kits been stored somewhere for years probaly,keep up the good work.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. Yes, I like British stuff a lot too (amd I've got more to come). The Archer is a fairly recent release from Tamiya (2017).

[@michaelnaven213]

Have a healthy and plentiful New Year!

[@ModelNerd]

Many thanks, Michael - you too!

[@Jay-yw3nr]

As a Canadian I really enjoyed the staghound video and this one too. Always love your builds. They’re all so crisp!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Jay - I'm glad you like them. Thanks for watching mate.

[@ChristianSchroter-ok4sk]

Hello mr. Nerd!looks2me like a delicious build.with sticky greetings from Brandenburg/germany.your modellmate.christian

[@Phickic]

The archer is the antithesis to every armchair historians warped view of reality. The gun's on backwards on an old hull in an open top configuration and it still kicked ass. Logistics win wars, and this thing is a prime example of such. Also, amazing video. Love your content, and it's only gotten better. I'd love to see more open top vehicles on the channel. My favorite has always been the m56 scorpion and I think it'd make for an interesting build.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for your kind words. Yes, I really like the Archer. A great example of "needs must". I need to get it in a diorama sometime soon.

[@lh-tv280]

I was not expecting this, but great job as always! Tamiya kits are a joy to build and you make painting and weathering look like a breeze. I hope you enjoy the holidays, Model Nerd!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you, Luke! Have a great holiday!

[@lh-tv280]

@@ModelNerd No problem. I'm hoping for an airbrush this year so I can escape the horrors of brush painting 1:35 scale tanks.

[@SteveJonesScaleModellingSite]

Excellent build. Hoping to build the Bronco version next year

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Steve. That Bronco kit looks very detailed - have fun!

[@robbo1068]

Super job on this one and not a bad attempt with the crew. Fully relate to your sentiments re painting figures....they really do need practice and they certainly aren't my forte ( I tend to shy away from them if possible!!). Very enjoyable video, great commentary and a little history to boot...congrats.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Robbo. Yes, hopefully with practice I will get better at them.

[@fotomakr]

Like the background info as you build. I’ve been using Vallejo acrylics and wet palate for my people - still improving - but the wet palate does seem to help with blending.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Bryan. Yes, I think you're right - that is something I should try. Thanks for the tip!

[@markedwards5106]

Excellent, I am glad you are doing the Dorchester as I have built the captured one by the Germans also made by AFV, it is a beautiful kit.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Mark, that's good to know it's a nice kit. I'm really looking forward to building it.

[@JohnSmith-sl1my]

Nice build . I got this kit a few months ago . Still to build it. Yes people painting not so easy .

[@ModelNerd]

Enjoy it when you get around to it, John - it's definitely fun.

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Thank you for giving a history lesson as you build the model. I bet every time the gun was fired the driver prayed the recoil system worked and stopped the breach before it hit him.

[@ModelNerd]

Yeah, I bet! Not a lot of clearance going on there!

[@JohnyG29]

There was actually loads of clearance, the driver was in no danger of getting hit.

[@philRminiatures]

Impressive weathering!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Phil!

[@Emtbtoday]

Notice the floors a British flag haha just away to start mine, I'm just back from shop I picked up an asuka 1C firefly for next build but wanted a metal barrel I had on order before I started my archer and took the radio set out the Bronco parra set so it's got a better radio I wasn't to happy with Tamiyas but after just building that Bordor model's Luchs I need something that'll restore the mojo! What a time I've had with fixing the mistakes in that thing!

[@ModelNerd]

Oh no, the Border kit was no good? Accuracy wise or engineering wise? I have their Panzer IV J somewhere in the stash...

[@Modkits131]

The tank that drive’s backwards! I can’t think of too many tanks that go faster while going in reverse. Beautiful model dude!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. Perfect for shooting and scooting!

[@JohnyG29]

It drives forward, the gun points backwards.

[@Modkits131]

@@JohnyG29 no

[@jamesbednar8625]

Awesome build!!! When this kit came out, passed on it for really was not interested in it, even though I will build just about anything "Tamiya". Have seen multiple videos about building this particular kit, but those seemed to RUSH through the building process and kit to the weathering. You, however, took your time and should way more of the building process and how the parts fit and such. Think you may have piqued my interest in this particular kit and I just may have to give it a try!!!! THANKS!!!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks James - I appreciate the feedback. If you decide to go for it, have fun!

[@epicforger12345]

I got this kit for christmas last year I really enjoyed it It was also one of the first built models I sold too

[@ModelNerd]

Great kit isn't it? Do you have photos of the finished result?

[@epicforger12345]

@@ModelNerd yeah I do you want me to send you some?

[@ModelNerd]

@@epicforger12345 I'd love to see them if you don't mind sharing them.

[@epicforger12345]

@@ModelNerd yeah sure how do you want me to send them you got a Facebook or an email or something?

[@ModelNerd]

Sure - my email address is on the "About" page (kzbin.infoabout). (I didn't type it directly here just to avoid spam).

[@foreverplastickits138]

*So british and so funny ... and quite efficient! Very good build!*

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate :)

[@briankirwan6958]

Nice result on this. Have has my eye on this for a while and your video makes it all the more appealing. Love the paint effect on the barrel. Interesting vehicle and good background info. Some of those photos were taken in Zeeland(NL)by the look of it .

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Brian, I appreciate that. I think you're right about the photo location.

[@michaelnaven213]

Nicely done looks great!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Michael

[@allanrichards3752]

I think this is an interesting subject as you can see a nice interior. I am not a fan of tanks with all the hatches buttoned up. When you paint the figures and tarps keep some of the initial colour that you spray them and then take some and darken it a few shades and also lighten some a few shades. Paint in the creases with the darker colour and use the lighter colour to edge the details on the figures and the "lumps" on tarps. If it appears too stark thin the paints. Finally I still have quite a lot of success with dry brushing artist oil paint but I make sure that I use the least amount of paint on the brush possible. Sometimes it looks as if its not working but the good effect builds up very slowly. I also use this effect to highlight the edges of the tank hulls and all the detail on the tank hull. Its now considered by many to be old hat but I have a lot of success with it.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for the tips Allan. Have a good holiday!

[@tonyromano6220]

Try Vallejo Metal Color 77.723 Exhaust manifold as base for exhaust. Very tight burnt metal looking finish. Weathers down very nice. This color is actually for jets I think……

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Tony, I'll try that. I have a couple of the Vallejo Metal Colors (but not that one) and I was very impressed with them.

[@saxon1376]

Nice job 👍 Great to see British 🇬🇧 vehicles being represented, I’m sure Rommel used a captured Dorchester in the western deserts I think it was named moritz

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate. Yeah, you're right about the Dorchester - AFV Club do a version of that too.

[@Emtbtoday]

Love the archer thinking of the micky mouse camo for mine

[@ModelNerd]

Yeah, I really like the MM paint scheme, and its variants (forest etc)

[@martymcelmurray3427]

Nice job on the modle, looks great! Could you do a streight out of the box build for the younger modelers? Seems like most videos are based on more advanced modelers, not for the new beginners. I'm talking about the eleven to thirteen year olds. The ones that are limited to spray cans, maybe to brushes, one to paint with the other to dry brush. I've been putting modles together off and on now for over thirty years. Not for competitions, just to pass time on bad days. Looking at alot of videos now, they make it seem like you need Airbrush, twenty or thirty bottles of paint, pastels and artist inks to get into modleing. I fear this idea in itself may scare away young modelers. Especially, with the prices on everything these days. Once again, nice job on kit!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Marty - I think that's a very fair point and a good suggestion. Model Minutes does some excellent videos with Airfix Starter Sets, but I take your point. I'll have a think about the kits I have and how I could build one in a more accessible way.

[@calumclark1719]

Looks really really good, I am bias because I love the story of design which when boiled down was just bolt the 17 inch gun on to these old light tank chassis and see how we get on, bit like the de Havilland Mosquito we short of metal... well use wood.... Jesus this thing is quick, Quality quality build wish I had that skill

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Calum. Yes, I love those stories too. Even the Firefly is similar - well, we can just about get that gun in there if we rotate it and alter the Sherman turret a bit. Needs must, I guess.

[@calumclark1719]

@@ModelNerd Absolutely, that is one of the best ways things come ahead especially with limited resources , in both cases it was practical engineers thinking we have both ingredients let find a way to make it work,

[@jamesmcansh3441]

Great always enjoy the history lesson with the build keep up the great work ✌🇨🇦✌☃️

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you James

[@johnwoodside8714]

Nice build, enjoyed this build. Time for a 1/16 full interior build spread over multiple uploads hint hint

[@ModelNerd]

Haha, thanks John. I'm not sure I have room for a 1:16 tank at the moment I'm afraid :)

[@johnwoodside8714]

@@ModelNerd lol make room, they are highly detailed with room for scratch building added detail and would highlight your skills wonderfully. Plus they are great fun and seriously challenging and a tutorial would attract new followers. A thought, I enjoy your content so look forward to seeing whatever you post

[@simongee8928]

Mounting a/t guns on redundant tank chassis was a pretty normal practise for the Germans. Considering the number of obsolete tanks the British had by this time, it's surprising how long it took for them to realise the sense of it.

[@ModelNerd]

You're totally right - especially with all that captured equipment the Germans had after the fall of France.

[@jamesnix729]

Like others have commented, the background information is excellent and much appreciated. One question...any chance of additional dioramas in the coming year? I’d really like to start creating some myself so watching and hearing from an expert is extremely helpful. Regardless, great channel.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you James. I have lots of diorama ideas, for sure :) At the moment I am a bit pressed for space and the models I want to include in dioramas are still all boxed up after my move (no space to unpack!). However, I do have a couple of projects in mind, yes :)

[@Mrtwowongs]

Just moved the likes past 666 . Good job on the model.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks John :)

[@thecanadianchurchill4080]

Good to see you posteing Again 🙂

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate :)

[@stuartmiller8053]

Another nice result. Regarding the jerry cans, do you have a photo reference with them having two top handles as I have only ever seen them with three? As my spares box contains a lot of cans from older kits I remedy this with a small bit of card to represent the middle handle and if its a U.S. one I slightly drill out the fuel cap to give it a formed appearance. Cheers Stu

[@ModelNerd]

I don't have any references (but then I haven't really looked for any). I think (although I could just be making this up) that earlier cans have two handles and thus the German ones were often preferred even by Allied crews?

[@andysvehiclehistorychannel]

Always wondered were the driver sat

[@ModelNerd]

Yeah - not a lot of space for him (maybe that's why Tamiya didn't include him - they couldn't fit a figure in there given that the interior will be slightly smaller than real life due to the increased wall thickness)

[@andysvehiclehistorychannel]

@@ModelNerd I can't say I'm a fan of the shape of the Archer can't say I'm a big fan of self-propelled guns but saying that I do like the look of the Sexton and M7 Priest but after seeing your video and with the the development in the description I really want to do a video on this so Ta for idea when I start making kits in May I think I'll be picking this one up can't wait for your QL and Dorchester video as I wanted to have a look in one of them for over 10 years

[@MASTOMOKUCRUSH]

Love it. Awesome

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks!

[@patrickhruby5349]

Great build ! I really like the mud effect. I was wondering what you think about the AK 3rd gen. paints for airbrushing, what thinner and at what ratio did you use ??? THANKS and keep up the good work !

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Patrick. I've only tried airbrushing the AK 3rd gen paints once and I didn't get on well with them - though that is more than likely entirely my own fault, not theirs. I'm just too used to the flexibility that Tamiya acrylics and AK Real Colours give you - they're very forgiving of different thinning ratios and airbrush pressures.

[@tonyromano6220]

Works the same in World of Tanks Blitz. Kind of a trick driving backwards most of the time!

[@ModelNerd]

I need to get back into that game

[@thecanadianchurchill4080]

I think the Canadian armor corps use the arther in ww2 as a Canadian i could be Wong it is 1 of my favorite spg so far.

[@ModelNerd]

They sure did - this one is in Canadian markings :)

[@thecanadianchurchill4080]

Ah cool 😁😊 to bad the tank is rare

[@statoilbensin2190]

I wanna build one of these with allied star markings on the side. I am building a 2008 Italeri cruiser tank with AA 40 mm bofors at the moment and it has interior on the top like this one. Do you recomend me to paint the boxes and backpacks before I glue them on or try to get in there with a brush afterwards even do its quite tight in there. Also what AK real color did you use I only got two versions of olivedrab but I guess this is a much darker british green?

[@ModelNerd]

Sounds like a good kit. I used AK Real Colours RC037 (S.C.C 15 Olive drab), which is the late war colour. For the stowage, I found leaving it out easier, personally.

[@statoilbensin2190]

@@ModelNerd ok so painting it seperately?

[@ModelNerd]

Defo

[@statoilbensin2190]

@@ModelNerd Thanks

[@BrushQuill]

A nice looking model, and an interesting tank. Can't imagine it was fun for the drivers spine mind you! Were any of the trucks used by NAAFI etc?

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you! That's a good question about the trucks - I'm not sure, to be honest.

[@BrushQuill]

@@ModelNerd would be a good alternative scheme maybe.

[@sos_legio_primus]

How about The FireFly in an ad hoc, poorly applied whitewash over the green, winter-camo, with snow and dark winter mud effects

[@ModelNerd]

I think that's a great idea. You don't see too many British vehicles in winter camo and I would also like to do some really dark, black mud effects too. Maybe even do the winter camo using white bed sheets, which I've seen images of some crews doing?

[@sos_legio_primus]

@@ModelNerd Sounds awesome, I have seen pictures where they use fancy embroidered drape curtains tied on, as with bedsheets. I will look forward to the video; if you do it.

[@markfergerson2145]

Nice neat build, more evidence of Tamiya's build quality. I felt the lighter mud tones on the undercarriage "showing through" was a more convincing simulation of drying mud changing color rather more randomly as in real life as opposed to he "artistic" fashion a lot of modelers seem to go for. I'm glad you didn't go overboard on the rusted muffler. The finished model seems a little too neat and clean in the upper parts, though; as I understand it the vehicle was often used from tree and brush cover so there should be leaves, twigs, and bits of grass and whatnot in various recesses. Did the British ever use found camouflage (vegetation) or netting to break up vehicle silhouettes? You're not the only one with less than satisfying figure skills. Fabric is my bane along with getting skin to not look like a mannequin with clown makeup. You're far ahead of me on that. (If you're taking votes, I'd love to see the Dorchester or the Centaur. The Dorchester because it's a non-combat subject that begs for great detailing and would make an outstanding part of a dramatic multi-vehicle diorama, the Centaur primarily because the brown color scheme breaks the olive drab blandness (plus it has an appealing sort of Brutalist Steampunk vibe). More of a challenge to get the color not looking like rust but a change is always nice.)

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Mark. Yes, I agree about the upper parts - I think partly because I left those off for most of the build and when it came to add them at the end, they suddenly looked really clean in comparison. I think an oil dot filter in addition to what you suggest would be useful.

[@CurvedSlightly]

Why does no one ever show how they paint the rubber of the wheels? They just appear!

[@ModelNerd]

I often do - typically I just paint them the base colour and then add the rubber colour with a brush.

[@salameragazzo]

Love the subject - all the implementations of the 17pdr on British armoured vehicles are fascinating. Check out my channel for some footage of the Firefly Vc at a museum here in Australia. There's an Archer there as well, I'll take some video next time.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate, I'll do that. Sorry for my slow reply - for some reason your comment was held for review.

[@洗碗天后]

Bronco also has a 1/35 ARCHER（CB35074），it has more better details than Tamiya, but very difficult to built, Maybe you can try

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - yes, I saw that one recently. I think it is quite rare and relatively expensive too (I got the Tamiya kit in Asia where they are cheap :) )

[@athps_soju3439]

That's why the angry connor from wot blitz has ridiculous reverse speed

[@ModelNerd]

Haha, yep!

[@bp8339]

Holst...great choice in background music, MN.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks!

[@ahmadesa6475]

Netx build tank destroyer Germany nashorn by dragon 1/35

[@ModelNerd]

I've built a Nashorn in 1:72 and a Hummel in 1:35 (though the Hummel was before I started my channel), so I might look for some other open top fighting vehicles first :)

[@michaelnaven213]

Not a bad solution to shoot and scoot.

[@ModelNerd]

Definitely! Thanks for watching :)

[@sos_legio_primus]

Well @ 2m/6'6" and 1.2m/4' across the shoulders, I guess I wouldn't have crewed one of these. Probably would have had to have been a stoker in The RN like my 6'4" maternal GrandFather

[@ModelNerd]

Yeah, I don't think you'd need a periscope if you were in one of these! ;)

[@sos_legio_primus]

@@ModelNerd LoL my head and upper torso would be a sniper bullet-trap ;-)))

[@rattussapiens2854]

Nice work, but your jerrycan game could be stronger.

[@sos_legio_primus]

Plastic springs, molded joined hinges, snap-joined parts that do not need glue nor filler, and multi colour on 1 sprue. Is there nothing that, Japanese toolings, and model manufacturing technology can not achieve? ;-)))

[@ModelNerd]

Haha, quite!

[@andyd27]

The crew should have armoured corps helmets, not the mk 2 helmets that are shown

[@ModelNerd]

I think archive photos show a variety of helmets being used

[@lesbattersby91]

The archer modelled here was part of the Royal Canadian Artillery. These guys wore mk 2 helmets.

[@Serenityindailylife]

Very British thing to do... they are targeting our 17pdr 's. Let's give them a unique paintjob, that should fix it...

[@ModelNerd]

Definitely! Must have been very nerve-wracking knowing that if your column was attacked you'd be the first target.