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WW1 Armour, Artillery, Vehicles, Ships => WW1 Armour, Artillery, Vehicles, dioramas, associated figures and Ships => Topic started by: gedmundson on October 26, 2020, 03:25:13 AM

Title: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: gedmundson on October 26, 2020, 03:25:13 AM
Last year I completed a model of the Takom 1/35 scale Mark IV female tank which was found by archeologists and is now displayed in the town of Flesquières near Cambrai, France. Based on conflicting references, I had added the D-51 tank number to both sides, and also added the tank's factory number "2620" to the aft part of the hull.  I was recently in touch with the author of the book "Deborah And The War Of The Tanks 1917", John A. Taylor. Although he liked the photos of the model I shared with him, he pointed out that the markings were incorrect for "Deborah" although they showed the classic example of how most of those vehicles were marked. Careful study of photos had shown the only marking to be added to the sides of Deborah was a red triangle outlined in white (still barely visible on the museum artifact - purpose unknown to John). Although I'd  made note of the triangle, I chose to ignore it and go with the classic markings.

Based on my correspondence with John, I made an effort to correct my model, and spent about 2 hours of time with my airbrush removing the previous markings and adding the triangles - so here are a couple of photos of my corrected model. It's not often one goes back to modify a finished model based on new information (in my case the evidence was staring me in the face) but I thought in this case it was worth it.

(https://i.imgur.com/PB3OTWP.jpg)
The real Deborah in Flesquières Tank Museum

(https://i.imgur.com/1AYL3bP.jpg)
This is the model originally as I'd finished it

(https://i.imgur.com/y5Bzi0J.jpg)
Old marking removed and triangles added.

(https://i.imgur.com/QMfA77y.jpg)

Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: gcn on October 26, 2020, 05:51:54 AM
Very nice as usual.

Your postings of ww1 armour and vehicles is inspiring me to have a go at something other than aircraft. There are some good value kits out there with more planned.

Gary
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: gbrivio on October 26, 2020, 06:01:15 AM
Great correction, having the chance to see the original thing is really uncommon when speaking of a hundred years old iron lady, well done!
Ciao
Giuseppe
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: lcarroll on October 26, 2020, 11:04:58 AM
    Great research and follow through Gary, and that 100 year old archeological artifact is a real gem! Impressive work which lends great credibility to what you do for the Hobby!
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: Edo on October 26, 2020, 04:00:26 PM
very beautiful indeed!
you acheived a great result goth with icorrect and correct markings.
the removal of the decals tourned out perfect.
did you paint the triangle?
ciao
edo
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: gedmundson on October 27, 2020, 06:19:47 AM
Gary, Giuseppi, Lance and Edo - Thank you for your kind comments which are very much appreciated.

Edo - you asked about the triangles - After painting out the original markings, I masked the triangles using Tamiya tape, and airbrushed on a red-ish brown colour. I then took a light khaki mix of thinned Vallejo acrylic, and carefully painted the outline with a fine 000 brush.

Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: Gisbod on October 27, 2020, 06:39:43 AM
I like that a lot Gary!


Guy
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: Edo on October 27, 2020, 04:13:56 PM
thank you Gary, you did wonders!
ciao
edo
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: bobs_buckles on October 27, 2020, 08:31:37 PM
Great re-work Gary.
Thanks for sharing.  ;)

vB
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: rhwinter on October 27, 2020, 10:32:27 PM
Impressive artifact (need to know more about it!) and absolutely beautiful build, Gary!
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: gedmundson on October 29, 2020, 06:58:43 AM
Guy, Edo, Bob and Richard - thanks indeed for your comments!

Richard - the book that John A. Taylor wrote covers a great deal on Deborah in addition to more about tank warfare leading up to the Nov. 1917 battles. I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: ModelCellar on November 01, 2020, 08:24:04 AM
Really nice either way.

Paul
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: Dave Brewer on November 01, 2020, 12:16:16 PM
It's nice to get the opportunity to use definitive information in our area of interest for once, kudos for making the effort to correct a lovely model;I would have been very nervous to make a change like that on a finished model.
Cheers,
Dave.
Title: Re: Mk. IV tank D-51 Deborah - revisited
Post by: gedmundson on November 03, 2020, 08:21:50 AM
Paul and Dave - thanks for your comments! It was a worry to have to remove the fascine and make the corrections to the markings, but I've found that with model tanks especially - repairs and modifications are a bit easier than with model aircraft.
Cheers,
Gary