Vickers Independant ?

[Dannyboy]

Hi guys looking through the Interwar options I know you have the Vickers Mk 2 and Mk 3, I was wondering if the mighty Vickers Independant might be on or added to the design wish list?

Many thanks and all the best

Jon Rogers

[toxicpixie]

I think some people might use the T-35, with a bit of tinkering?

[Wulf]

The Independant doesn't really bear more resemblance to the T-35 other than general layout. It would fit inside a T-35... The turrets look completely different especially, being domed. Considering only a single prototype ever existed (and still does), it's about as niche a product as you could get.

There's a resin kit of the Indie in 1:144, a built & painted version appears occasionally on eBay.

[toxicpixie]

Ah, fine - I must be thinking of something else then! Or going a bit mad...

Now I look it is indeed considerably smaller than the T-35 (I guess the Russians just scaled up the blueprints ), and almost the same size as a T-28. Maybe a T-28 as the base model and then scratch build a domed turret?! That might be hard work...

[Dannyboy]

I was hoping to use if for inter war what if and Land Ironclads for which I think it would be ideal and round off the Vickers Holy Trinity as it were 😃, good suggestion with the T-28 if it doesn't get off the starting blocks though, many thanks

[Wulf]

I got the resin kit (unassembled) for much the same reason - I imagine it impressed into service on a 1940 Seelowe scenario along with the Vickers mediums & Carden Lloyds. I'll get hold of a painted one when I see them again.

[Wulf]

Here you go
http://tinyurl.com/zfmagdd

Postage is a bit steep for a single item. Assembly of these kits tends to be excellent, likewise resin casting, painting... not so much so. The base coat tends to be far too thick. Combine with the over sized rivets and you may want to do a little touching up...

[Dannyboy]

I was thinking about the possibility of converting, in terms of using the forthcoming T-35, however the layout is different with the turrets being set further back on the T-35, however there may be possibilities. I'm hoping to use these midwar heavies as the basis for an imaginary 6mm alternative WW1 Land Ironclads. I'm looking at using the T-35/ T-28 for The German/ Austro Hungarian contingent, the Char super heavy for the French naturally and hopefully the Vickers MK3 and Independent for the Brits. In 6mm they should look suitably imposing.

T35 Link
http://beutepanzer.ru/Beutepanzer/Museum/T-35/t-35_Nr336-01.html

Interesting comparison for the various designs Link
http://www.ww2f.com/topic/47983-t-35-the-multi-turret-tank-of-the-red-army/

Film footage from Bovington actually showing them moving the Independent prior to restoration, useful for getting a real sense of just how big she really is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx3y0E1xStc

In real life there was only one, but on the table you can never have too much of a good thing, think of all the King Tigers out there....Go on guys you know you want to make one

Cheers

Jon

[Wulf]

The Indie & the Vickers Medium Mk.III certainly fit that bill. The Birch Gun is another good one.

[toxicpixie]

Someone whose site we're on does a very nice Birch Gun

I have one in progress* for my Sutton Coldfield Union of Fascists!

I'd use a T-28 as basis for converting an Independent - the dimensions are almost exactly the same, and it's close enough in looks. I think you might be able to get an extra couple of MG turrets as they look seperate, then the back two MG turrets can be squeezed in behind the side sponsoon/storage box bit (assuming they're seperate and some one has a spare pair/it won't kill Leon/Dave to cast them up ), but the turret would be a sod. Would lopping up something like the capsule Kinder Egg toys come in work for size? The idea of trying to get a smooth/even/same angle dome using milliput or something on the existing turret sides fills me with the fear

Then eother plasticard or filler across the drive wheels/return rollers to get the "Matilda-ish" skirts of the A1 and I think you're good...

See piccy from Albie Bach with red/blue ring to show what I mean for the turrets & filling the drive wheels (red & blue) on the T-28

Unless there's an existing model with a dome somewhere I don't know about? Even for all the faff, I'm not sure I'd pay twenty quid for that Panzer Depot model, easy and accurate as it is!

[Wulf]

Yeah, the resin kits are a bit expensive, but it's postage that kills the deal, and if you buy a few they get to seem more reasonable. There's a Grossetraktor that fits the Steampunk theme, and some armoured trains too.

The Vickers Medium Mk.III might be a decent standin for the Indie if you get a couple of extra turrets - I can't remember if the two it has come separately.

[toxicpixie]

Width and height are close enough on the MkIII but it's a full metre shorter... if you got the extra turrets and sorted the dome it'd probably be close enough, and no need to fiddle with tracks as you might want to do on the T-28 as a base (although a splodge of putty in the gaps should be easy enough?).

Given the exchange rate I just couldn't justify £21 for a 10mm model - that's an army!

[GrumpyOldMan]

Hello Dannyboy

The Independent has been discussed before at http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=10342.0.

There was one available from Fairy Kikaku:-



but I can't find it at my two go-to sites - HLJ or Hobbyland though.

http://hlj.com/search/go?p=Q&srid=S1-3SEAP&lbc=hobbylink&ts=custom&w=fairy%20kikaku&uid=383779708&method=and&af=category%3amil&isort=score&view=grid&srt=72
http://www.hobbyland.jp/shop/shopbrand.html?search=&company1=%A5%D5%A5%A7%A5%A2%A5%EA%A1%BC%B4%EB%B2%E8

If you're keen you could contact HLJ with the above picture and ask if it would be available but be aware that Fairy Kikaku is a hobby/garage manufacturer.

Edit:-

Have also come across a 1/100 version from Shapeways. Maybe you can convince the designer to scale it down to 1/150 and print in WSF (he tends to print 1/144 in FUD which is more expensive).



http://www.shapeways.com/product/A7ZVDTYHR/a1e1-independent-15mm

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan