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Built Review
135
HobbyFan Churchill Accessories
Hobby Fan British Churchill Tank Accessories
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by: Ted Hayward [ TED_HAYWARD ]

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Introduction


Since the release of its superb and long-awaited Churchill kits (Mk.III and AVRE), AFV Club/Hobby Fan continue to produce various accessory and figure kits specifically for the Churchill. Those unfamiliar with Hobby Fan, the resin division of AFV Club, will be pleasantly surprised by the ease of working with these resin parts. This is my first experience working with resin and I had no difficulty at all. Hobby Fan contracts its work to an internationally-renowned sculptor who produces each figure or accessory kit to exactly fit the AFV Club product it is intended for.

contents


The sturdy box contains a ziplock bag of resin parts still attached to their pour stubs. Included in the set is a dust apron peculiar to early British Churchills employed in the African theatre. It seems poor visibility due to clouds of dust being drawn up from the bottom of the tank was constantly an issue, so these large canvas screens were mounted between the front horns of Churchills. You also get 2 large duffel bags, a pair of knapsacks, a ground sheet and sleeping roll, and one large assortment of of knapsacks, ground sheet, tool box and sleeping roll all lumped together as a single part. Also, a pair of large bags and one large bedroll/ground sheet are included but not shown on the box.

construction


The only "construction" involves snapping the parts from their pour stubs, or 'sprues', as one more familiar with plastic kits would say. Holes are graciously positioned and the stubs are helpfully engineered to make this step a snap -literally. (see photo, RIGHT) No need to be armed with a razor saw as with other resin kits! I'm lazy, so I used a Dremel tool to quickly clean-up the parts. I could have easily used a file or a sanding stick. You'll need to cement the parts to the model using CA cement (super glue). I first used blue "Sticky -Tac" to position the pieces on the tank.

conclusion


Excellent detail and ease of assembly makes this set suitable for even a beginner. Each piece is moulded to perfectly match its location on the AFV Club Churchill. This set fits both the AFV Club Churchill Mk. III and Churchill AVRE kits. Stay tuned to Armorama for reviews of both of these new kits.

SUMMARY
Highs: Excellent detail and ease of use make this set suitable for even a beginner. Each part is moulded to perfectly match its location on the AFV Club Churchill.
Lows: I would have liked some spare track links included, but those are available as a separate set anyways.
Verdict: A welcome addition to the line of Churchill products released by AFV Club.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: HF064
  Suggested Retail: tba
  PUBLISHED: Mar 10, 2009
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 92.73%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.86%

Our Thanks to Hobby Fan!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Ted Hayward (ted_hayward)
FROM: TAIPEI, TAIWAN / 台灣

From B.C., Canada. Living in Taiwan for past several years. I've been building kits for as long as memory serves -armor, aircraft, cars. Big fan of 1/16th scale armor kits. Currently serving as poster boy for working with CA adhesives in a well-ventilated area. My first kit was the positively awful ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Ted Hayward [ TED_HAYWARD ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

That is one GREAT looking set! Thanks for the review, Ted.
MAR 09, 2009 - 09:20 PM
Just a note: When using that front dust screen the front fenders need to be attached (unlike my model, above, which is missing its fenders!)
MAR 11, 2009 - 11:49 AM
Looks like a nice stowage set. Tedd, you mention about the sand skirt being only used in North Africa, this is true, and unfortunately means your churchill carries the wrong markings/colour in order to have it fitted. It should be in the Kingforce markings and camouflage of black and sand. Never mind, I don't want to take anything away from your build which looks great. Just thought others may find the information useful. Thanks, James
MAR 11, 2009 - 11:37 PM
No, Churchills were also used in Tunisia -well, that IS North Africa, but the photos you're thinking of were of the few "King Force" Churchills painted in that camo scheme. See "Mr. Churchill's Tank", by David Fletcher -it's excellent! Normally the majority of Churchills were the standard green. Of course, being B&W photos, we don't know if those King Force tanks were black/sand or green/sand. If you have more references, please share.
MAR 12, 2009 - 03:31 PM
   
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