Thunder Model 1/35 7,2 inch Howitzer review

[@nogginthenog2227]

Hi Nigel There are two types of air-filter found on Scammell's. The one on the box art has a cast top but not sure if the bottom half is cast or if it has a pressed steel base where the one in the kit is all pressed steel. I've been scratch building all three Pioneer versions in 12th scale for the last 4 years and have lots of photos i've found over the years plus I have a large number of photos I took of "Swampy" which is the recovery vehicle thats in the REME museum at what was RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire. It's not far from Swindon so quite close to you. It's worth a visit. While I was there I was given access to the library so had a look through all the manuals and documents they hold and both types of air filter are shown in those. It gives no indication wether one or the other was the earlier version but I suspect the one with the cast top was probably the earlier version and it got simplified for manufacturing purposes, as far as I remember they were indicated as simply being alternatives to each other. Swampy was the last Scammell in service with REME and was retired in the late 60's or early 70's. Its last posting was in Belize. The story I was told was that Swampy was dumped in a swamp and then recovered later when it was realised it was the last one, hence the name it was given There are a lot of preserved Scammell's in private hands and these seem to have roughly equal numbers of both types of air filter. The IBG Model Kits have incorrect shaped window frames. They should be vertical like the Thunder Models Kit. The reason this happened is one of the documents for the Scammell Explorer (which replaced the Pioneer) had been mis-filed in the Pioneer folder. The Explorer windscreen frames taper outward towards the roof which is what the IBG models kit does. I spotted it and told the librarian who put it into the correct file. All three IBG models have the same error so guessing they used the same REME documents i did but didn't spot the error with the windscreen. Hope that helps a bit, Mike

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks for this great comment Mike. I had forgotten about the IBG screen error, overall i feel the Thunder Model kit is just better in every respect, other than ease of building. I would love to see some pics of your 12th scale models. [e-mail]

[@geoffscammell145]

Hi Nigel. I am currently building the Pioneer R100 with the 7.2 inch gun. My next Scammell is going to be the Scammell 30 ton tank Transporter. Your models of Scammell trucks sounds awesome. They have a bit of a special lace in my heart...

[@ModelkitStuff]

looks like a loverly weekend project, looking forward to the build 👍🏻

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks 👍

[@johnstimitz2629]

Looking forward to your build review. I’ve got this kit in my stash. I can’t wait to see how you take care of the seam in the gun barrel! I could use the pointers.

[@chrispollard6568]

Your tip on small parts is funny because I decided to rake the carpet with a coarse comb and found three parts that all popped out of the tweezers. The rear lamps on the Revel Land Rover are only 2.3mm in diameter

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I put a sock over the vacuum nozzle and get the parts back that way.

[@chrispollard6568]

@@NigelsModellingBench That's clever. thanks. A lot easier than cleaning the whole thing out and then trying to retrieve tiny pieces. I did manage to replicate the seat side frame on my Stirling kit with a 3D printed one and it came out quite well, only to find the original after gluing the replacement on.

[@greybeardmodels]

Nice one Nigel, I have this built, waiting for the Scammell R100 on the go, and the Recovery Tractor on the go. Building 2 similar vehicles at the same time has advantages. The 7.2 is a straight forward kit a really nice to work on. The gun barrel fitted really well, usual seam method to tidy up but nothing major. I'm sure you'll have a great time building this up.

[@uniformmike05]

I started building this when it came out and it’s on hold. The plastic in my kit was a bit brittle and the rivets are very nice but you’ll lose them when you fill and sand the seams. That’s where I’m at now. Might want to try an acrylic filler like Vallejo’s or Milliput, they can both be shaped with water. Or fill, sand the seam, lose the rivets and replace them... Looking forward to your build video! The box in stage 1 is for the powder charges I think. The tray is a loading tray, the shell is put on it, lifted to the open breech and the shell rammed so the driving bands engage the rifling. Then the powder charge is put behind it, the breech closed and the gun fired. The sights are removed for firing because of the recoil, these had massive recoil and used ramps to get the gun back to the same position after each shot. They were used in Heavy Regiments RA for things like counter-bombardment of enemy mortars using air-bursts. I’ve also built Accurate Armour’s resin kit of the 7,2”, that was not too difficult but I had to scratch-build a couple of things.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks buddy. i have built most of it now. Rivets are all in place and seams are lovely, it goes together really well... so far...

[@uniformmike05]

@@NigelsModellingBench Great, looking forward to it. Did your kit have any sink marks? Mine did.

[@darylsuess8990]

Hi Nigel, it sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Looking forward to this build. Cheers mate!!

[@NigelsModellingBench]

You and me both!

[@brucemitchell417]

I built this kit - Great little project. If you do a build video, suggest focusing on how to keep the carriage flat. It’s harder than it appears and my results were less than perfect! Build sequence is very important because painting is harder than it looks! You suggestions will be valuable.

[@pilarmorin4405]

This howitzer and the R-100 would make a sweet little diorama perhaps? Nice...

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Possibly!

[@johnnyhollis9977]

Nice review Nigel. My kit came with a curious perfect split ring of metal wire in the Decal bag? I cant see anywhere in the instruction sheet where it may be needed! It looks possibly the same width as the gun barrel......probably nothing to worry about!! Hope you found your Scammell's PE instrument panel which went AWOL ! Regards JH ;-)

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Hi John, thats probably the brass for the grab handles I mentioned. Good spot!!

[@johnnyhollis9977]

@@NigelsModellingBench Oh yeah, that solves that mystery then! Titanic hull slowly being butchered but the shoulders are going already. I am on video 3 !!!!! Many thanks for taking the trouble to sort this out, you are a star! Regards JH ;-)

[@NigelsModellingBench]

@@johnnyhollis9977 glad you're brave enough to challenge it. Dont forget to keep those decks fitted.

[@joffreyiii4024]

Thanks for the review, it looks like a nice combination and will follow you building and painting it. Enjoy your weekend, cheers :-)

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks 👍

[@carlbethard6714]

Nice looking kit, thanks for the review 👌

[@NigelsModellingBench]

No problem 👍

[@wigglesend]

Nice review Nigel. One part build eh? We’ll see. I seem to recall the U9 was going to be a two parter 😂😂😂

[@NigelsModellingBench]

We shall see

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Nice review Nigel !!!!!!!!!!!

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@71Roadking]

Looks like there is a second air filter on the other side of the hood.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

No, that's a radiator header tank you can see.

[@olivercooney6645]

My god you've got a very busy bench hope your takin time or for yourself fella

[@rickdisabato5430]

Nigel, not sure if you have Pinterest in the uk. If you do type scammel and you find a lot of photo of real one also kit people have built. Happy modelling 👍😷

[@garymurphy5133]

Nigel.i tend not to ask these sort of Q`s now BUT regards the purchase of this kit and paying fees upfront,did you pay any handling fees? was it RM or Courier? thanks

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Hi Gary mate. When I bought it on ebay the price page said "Ebay had charged me for the VAT". It came via Royal Mail via the postman and there were no charges. it was worth the gamble because it cost little more than half the others on Ebay.

[@doctorobscure6568]

Hi Nigel... love the channel, even though not a boat./ship guy, your tips/techniques are invaluable in my opinion.. :) and you do get around to doing enough armor to keep me happy :) On a separate note, you seem to have contact with the owner here (Jakub Zachoval?) and I need to get in contact with him myself.. Seems I received a mirror models diamond T952 dump and its missing the sprue for the dump bed, sigh.. I have sent emails to the listed contacts on the LZ/mirror/thunder models sites with absolutely no response.. sigh.. the distributor here in the us is also not making much progress (seems their entire of stock is also missing the sprue).. so any suggestions on how to get hold on anyone would be greatly appreciated.. thanks in advance.. I really don't want to fabricate a bed.. perhaps a flat bed.. :)

[@doctorobscure6568]

the kit is their 35806 Diamond T972 Dump Truck (sorry for the fat fingers above)

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Hi. Sorry, I cannot help with contacting Mirror Models. He used to respond to my mails, but that suddenly stopped many years ago. The guy I used to speak to was called Libor.

[@doctorobscure6568]

@@NigelsModellingBench thanks for the reply... guess it looks like a flat bed T972 :)

[@krakke3188]

About the so called "loading mekanism" it is just that. Four guys will lift the shell on that thing, I think a fifth guy will then push the shell in. I always thought it looked so top heavy on images and videos :)

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks for the info

[@jaysmith6836]

Nice work Nige, I only buy from sellers who have upfront charges, stops them pesky RM guys from charging overtime on doing what they should....Nice vid as always :) (what;s happened to the stack kit, I can't see it anymore???) :) Hope you're well!

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I sold it for £25 at a boot sale. Just joking, I still have it!!

[@akhalif68]

Hi Nigel - Was this Howitzer designed & built for the US or UK Army???

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Hmmmmmmmm I'm sure it was British though?

[@johnnyhollis9977]

It was a British design and used by the British army. Some of them were lost during WW2 and replaced with American 155 mm Long Tom artillery pieces. However, some were built in the USA to the original British design from WW1. These were 8 inch howitzer's with the barrels re sleeved to 7.2 inch. They were purchased by the Brits in the early 40's.

[@akhalif68]

@@johnnyhollis9977 Many Thx!

[@TheMidwestModelShop]

It says “British” on the box.