Takom 1/35 Mark. IV Male Heavy Battle Tank

[Nev]

World War I began as a clash between nineteenth-century tactics and Twentieth-century technology. While much of the combat involved trench warfare, new developments were to play a key role on the battlefield. The most significant of these were aviation, chemical warfare and the tank.
Introduced by the British as a means of breaking the stalemate of trench warfare, tanks were first deployed in September 1916 during the battle of the Somme. The first tank to engage in battle was designated D1’ (a British MK. I Male’) during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette (part of the wider Somme offensive).

Although of limited efficacy, it paved the way for further developments. However, delays in improvements meant that by the time better tanks appeared, the German army was equipped with armour-piercing ammunition. Nevertheless, the Mark.IV (first used at the battle of Messines Ridge in 1917) was a much more effective weapon, and was protected with between 8 and 14mm armour. It was also easier to transport, and had the advantage of a rear mounted fuel tank.

Figures vary, but is estimated that over 1,200 were manufactured, making the Mk. IV the most produced British tank of World War One. Essentially, there were three versions: the ‘Male’ armed with two 6-pdr QF guns. The ‘Female’ armed with five Lewis guns; and the Tank Tender (an unarmed vehicle used to carry supplies). Later came a hybrid version of the Male and Female tanks called a (‘Hermaphrodite’).
Both Male and Female versions had a crew of eight, and were powered by a 6-cylinder 16-litre petrol engine with an operational range of 56km, maximum speed was a meagre 6.4km/. For all its limitations the tank was to play an important part during the First World War helping to break the stalemate and push through to Victory on the western front.





Takoms 1/35 Mark. IV Male Heavy Battle tank kit no.2008



I intend to build this Mark IV as British Heavy tank Lodestar III 12th Battalion, France 1918. Currently displayed at The Royal Museum of The Armed Forces, Brussels, Belgium.



So I will show a selection of Sprue shots plus extras that came in the box then onto the build:



Nice looking plans




Some nice extras with kit including Photo-etch, 2 turned metal barrels for the 6.pdrs and some chain for the un-ditching beam.













And the tracks oh gawd!!!





I have looked into getting the workable click together variant, which may be more preferable to build! We shall see...

[digger303]

The workable tracks are robust and work very well. I actually put mine on pre painting to see how it would look and found it too hard to remove again. I got worried I was going to break them. So they will be painted on the kit.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Cool design on these rolling monstrosities
Always think of Indiana Jones when I see them
Good luck with the build Nev

[Nev]

So to start the build:



I label all the sprues so I can see where I need to cut from, just makes them stick out a bit more.



I glued the Hull together with TeT. I thought it was going to be more difficult, but Blue tack helped keep the angles of the hull aligned.



Next onto the top of the Hull and rear deck area.

[Kevthemodeller]

looking forward to this one mate

[Gary30]

Good start.

It's mind blowing to me to think that over 100 years ago, these beasts were being manufactured and wars fought using them.

Must have been a technological marvel at the time, and I imagine would've put the fear of God into whoever was on the receiving end of them. Can you imagine seeing one for the first time?!

I'm definitely going to be building a Mk.IV in the future.

[pourquoi61]

I love the blu-tac blobs holding the sides together.

[Nev]

Thanks fellas really enjoying the build so far! Its been such a long time since i got to my bench. The build is going slowly but it's coming back to me

I love the blu-tac blobs holding the sides together.

Ha yes only way I could stop the panels collapsing as I glued them together. bit Heath Robinson but it worked

[Nev]

Ok the top and back of the Hull finished.





I used some Mr Surfacer 1200 on some of the areas to give a different texture when it comes to painting. I do this a lot, I think it gives a nice contrast to the model.

The trick is not to use it too thickly or it will look out of scale. I want it to be in 1/35 hence I didn't use the 500 version.



Next part is the sides and Tracks.

[Nev]

Slow going on the sides. And they want me to put a lot of the moving parts in without glue! Going to be fun when I try and join it up

[Quax]

amazing detail on these Takom Mk 4's, at least when you're photographing things you know the work you put in even when its invisible later

Paul

[Gary30]

Slow going on the sides. And they want me to put a lot of the moving parts in without glue! Going to be fun when I try and join it up

Shall we play top trumps?

I just did a count on my Whippet, 23 items in each 'sponson', 5 guide rollers, 1 return roller, 1 drive sprocket, and 16 road wheels, all unglued

I feel your pain!

[Tomcat64]

Very tidy work so far mate.

I really like the trick with the Mr Surfacer on the exhaust system - that's one filed away for future use.

[Kevthemodeller]

amazing detail on these Takom Mk 4's, at least when you're photographing things you know the work you put in even when its invisible later

Paul

There is a lot of detail in this kit, way more than I was expecting I'm going to have to get one of these for the stash

[Nev]

Thanks guys for your support

Finished the side running gears. The wheels were a real pain in the butt! In the end I clamped one end together and slotted in each wheel going along & glueing the sides together as I went. The instructions say to dry fit and stick each half together with all the wheels loose... Good luck with that



I think what I would do different next time is do the wheel assemblies first then build the central part around them. Using them as a guide as you like.

Because the instructions ask you to join multiple facets together any slight deviation can cause a misalignment. My personal judgement of the kit so far it’s over engineered and some parts could have been done as one piece. However the detail is to die for and will be a dream to paint.

Thank God for clamps

[digger303]

Your going well, it builds up nicely.
I did my wheels a little different. I glued the axles in one side to hold them vertical and then put the other side on. A slight wriggle and the two sides popped together.

[Nev]

Your going well, it builds up nicely.
I did my wheels a little different. I glued the axles in one side to hold them vertical and then put the other side on. A slight wriggle and the two sides popped together.

Cheers fella yea I think glue has to be involved at some point on the running gear, no matter what the plan tells you to do. I have heard the sponsons can be a pain, so going to stick them in a slightly wet state.

Hopefully can move the plates about a bit to avoid gaps

[Tomcat64]

Great work Nev - I can see trying to juggle all those wheels into place could have been a real nightmare with the carpet monster lurking to take advantage of any strays that got separated from the herd.

[pourquoi61]

Looking mighty fine so far, you have got a winner there.

[Nev]

Looking mighty fine so far, you have got a winner there.

Thanks mate I’m moving on but slow with the build so far.

[pourquoi61]

Tis a steam punk dream me thinks!
Love it.

[Nev]

Hi guys sorry but ill health has stopped me in my tracks... excuse the pun. On the mend but slow going so my building has stopped, probably until next year

Apologies for letting the group build down...

Nev

[Kevthemodeller]

Hi guys sorry but ill health has stopped me in my tracks... excuse the pun. On the mend but slow going so my building has stopped, probably until next year

Apologies for letting the group build down...

Nev

Nev there's absolutely no need to apologise mate and I'm sure I can speak for all those in this build group

I wish you a very speedy recovery mate

[digger303]

Hi guys sorry but ill health has stopped me in my tracks... excuse the pun. On the mend but slow going so my building has stopped, probably until next year

Apologies for letting the group build down...

Nev

You let no one down, unfortunately the human body is amazing yet a frail thing. Look forward to when you do build again.

[Nev]

Thanks lads it’s appreciated

[Tomcat64]

Sorry to hear you've been in the wars Nev

Don't worry about the build, just focus on getting yourself back to full health again - the bench will be waiting for you when you're ready.

Very best wishes for a full recovery as soon as possible

[Timplastic]

Great work so far Nev. So you can carry this build on to the end would you like this thread moved in to the military in progress section and leave a shadow topic in place here ,so you can finish it at your liesure ?

[Nev]

Hi Tim yes please mate, that’s very kind