A-34 Comet
Revell A-34 Comet Mk.1
The A-34 Comet was probably the best British tank of WWII capable of standing up to the Panzer V Panther. It was a incredibly fast tank and very maneuverable. It was designed from experience in the desert of North Africa. This tank was the last of the cruisers and was armed with a 76.3mm gun known as the 77mm this was not a 17pdr as it looks but a completely redesign gun based on the 17pdr but a little smaller and lighter. Its speed was 47km/h and its secondary armament was two Besa machine guns with its armour as 10cm.
The kit looks fairly good, there are two sprues one containing the wheels, one with the chassis and turret. One thing I was impressed with was the scenic vase which was muddy shelled ground with a couple of broken tank traps and a puddle. The construction starts with the base then move onto the wheels. You have the build 22 wheels each wheel is in two parts that’s 44 parts for those who don’t have a calculator, the good news is they go together easily the bad news is each piece is connected to the sprue by three place so it’s a lot of cutting to do. With the wheels done the tracks are glued, painted and placed on the tank unlike some tracks I have done particularly Airfix the tracks went on with no trouble. Next part of the turret is assembled this is connected to the upper hull and the back upper hull is glued on. Step 12 is the main step the top and the bottom is glued together and the gun movement system is put together this doesn't work. The main gun and machine guns and added and the rear towing hook the complete the build.
There are two choices of camouflage the one I chose is of the of the 11th Armored Division British army North Europe 1945. The green I chose wasn’t the right green I used 86 but I probably would use 117 US Light Green or 150 Forest Green but I wouldn’t be sure. The tank as I said was 86 all over I did two coats of this. Next I painted the details, blackened the muzzle brake and did a dark brown wash which gives a look of build up of dust. I add mud by mixing sand plaster of Paris and brown paint together the putting the mix on the tank and letting it dry.
By Andrew
The A-34 Comet was probably the best British tank of WWII capable of standing up to the Panzer V Panther. It was a incredibly fast tank and very maneuverable. It was designed from experience in the desert of North Africa. This tank was the last of the cruisers and was armed with a 76.3mm gun known as the 77mm this was not a 17pdr as it looks but a completely redesign gun based on the 17pdr but a little smaller and lighter. Its speed was 47km/h and its secondary armament was two Besa machine guns with its armour as 10cm.
The kit looks fairly good, there are two sprues one containing the wheels, one with the chassis and turret. One thing I was impressed with was the scenic vase which was muddy shelled ground with a couple of broken tank traps and a puddle. The construction starts with the base then move onto the wheels. You have the build 22 wheels each wheel is in two parts that’s 44 parts for those who don’t have a calculator, the good news is they go together easily the bad news is each piece is connected to the sprue by three place so it’s a lot of cutting to do. With the wheels done the tracks are glued, painted and placed on the tank unlike some tracks I have done particularly Airfix the tracks went on with no trouble. Next part of the turret is assembled this is connected to the upper hull and the back upper hull is glued on. Step 12 is the main step the top and the bottom is glued together and the gun movement system is put together this doesn't work. The main gun and machine guns and added and the rear towing hook the complete the build.
There are two choices of camouflage the one I chose is of the of the 11th Armored Division British army North Europe 1945. The green I chose wasn’t the right green I used 86 but I probably would use 117 US Light Green or 150 Forest Green but I wouldn’t be sure. The tank as I said was 86 all over I did two coats of this. Next I painted the details, blackened the muzzle brake and did a dark brown wash which gives a look of build up of dust. I add mud by mixing sand plaster of Paris and brown paint together the putting the mix on the tank and letting it dry.
By Andrew