Landships II

Poniatowski · Major

New Here.

James H · Legend

Magnificent.

diorama1914 · Lieutenant-Colonel

Great! Well done!

baldwin · Hero

UNBELIEVABLE!!! Who is this guy????

elbavaro · Commander in Chief

Deeply impressed. Well done!

Poniatowski · Major

"Baldwin" and everybody, to extrapolate on my earlier and somewhat sudden 'hello'...

I've been looking at this site for about nine months, getting plans and photos ready to build this Mk I. This is a GREAT site and many thanks to ALL who have worked on it.

My name is Ron Poniatowski and I live in Wisconsin, USA, near Devil's Lake State Park. I've been modeling for around 45 years (started when I was about six or seven), have done reviews and articles for FSM magazine, but am now just having fun with the hobby. I'm also a former tanker on M60's and M1's, a former Paladin crew chief and retired from the Guard and Reserve after spending a year in Iraq and Kuwait.

I like larger scale models, because they're easier for me to work on as my eyes get older and this Mk I is the result of my wanting to make a model, rather than assemble one... I enjoy doing both and think it's a great hobby. I just wanted a MkI for the shelf and wanted to make it from around the time of the battle of Arass, just because I don't want the steering tail. That'll come on Little Willie in a couple of years.

I've looked at the wonderful models produced by forum and site members / contributors and really do feel that WWI is an ignored subject matter as far as the ground war goes. Plenty of aircraft, but not much else.

My main modeling site is the "LEM", which is also a lot of fun. You can also find me on facebook and I have a list of vehicles I've driven or crewed on there as well. The only WWI era tanks I've been in are the MkV* and M1916.

Thanks for the compliments and I'll post photos as the project progresses. I've been making and fitting the engine and drive train at the moment, which is fun, but full of glitches.

Regards all!

Ron

Peter T · General

Phenomenal work....

It's great seeing something done in that big scale. Congratulations, very well executed!

Peter T

Michel Boer · Brigadier

Ron,

That's an impressive piece of work! Let me know if you need any custom made decals for this gem.

Michel.

(www.blackliondecals.nl)

-- Edited by Michel Boer on Tuesday 18th of August 2009 09:07:37 PM

chriswanderson · Corporal

Ron: Is it all scratch built? Your project looks great.

Poniatowski · Major

chriswanderson wrote:

Ron: Is it all scratch built? Your project looks great.

Thanks all!

Yes, 100% scratch built.� Of course, Evergreen sheet styrene and Grandt Line bolts / rivets.� The tracks are resin from styrene masters�as are the machine guns.

Yes, I'll let you know if I need some decals, but right now I've been turning out the few I need.� Not much for markings on this thing.

Ron

�

-- Edited by Poniatowski on Thursday 20th of August 2009 12:16:22 AM

Nailcreek · Captain

Wow Ron ... great work! Where'd you find the plans?

Peter Kempf · Field Marshal

Very, very impressive! I feel more and more envious of you largescale guys!

Poniatowski · Major

Nail Creek: I had one good manufacturer plan I downloaded off of the internet (a sectional plan that I'm sure you've all seen). I scaled that up to 1 inch to a foot on a photocopier, then went from there using data in various books; such as the old AFV Profiles, for other dimensions. Plus, a lot of question and answer regarding period photos. I did a complete set of drawings and revised drawings, which sometimes entailed three to five improvements, then reduced them 50% to 1/24 scale.
In spite of all of my effort, I still find scale problems from time to time (for instance, the model is two scale inches too wide and the sponson doors are too close to the hull side), but I can live with those, since I'm doing this for myself, rather than a master for a company.
I had to ask myself what margin of error was acceptable and from time to time, I had to redo entire assemblies.
All in all, it's been a pretty rewarding build, but the sponsons are a real pain in the rear to construct. I can see why they simplified and improved them.
I've also had a LOT of help from David Fletcher who's sent photos as attachments to emails from time to time when he knew I was really stuck or working in the wrong direction with my 'educated guesses'. It's tough modeling from information rather than a prototype vehicle.

Peter Kempf: Large scale works best for me because my eyes get worse every year and I have trouble seeing very small parts, although I can still do 1/76 scale out of the box. But, I do like large scale much better and will buy almost any large scale kit, especially if it's not radio-control and has an interior.

Ron

Nailcreek · Captain

Ron,

Have you thought of posting your drawings for all and sundry to see and use (hint)???

I used to have a set of works drawings for the Mark IV - not blueprints as they had the measurements, but the shapes were off a bit (lost in a basement flood). I did ask Dave for a reprint, but he either wasn't able to find them again, or wasn't sure what I was referring to in my request.

I know Dick Harley did drawings of Mother in Tankette years ago, and knowing Dick, I would suggest they set the standard, as the shape of the hull is very subtle.

Kerry
Wausau ...

-- Edited by Nailcreek on Monday 24th of August 2009 02:29:27 AM

Poniatowski · Major

I don't know that my drawings are good enough. But I agree that the shapes on the MkI are subtle. I noticed they were simplified a bit on the MkIV (the lower curve of the track run was straightened in spots)... However, I'll gladly scan them when I get a chance (probably after I go back to teaching in a few weeks), with the understanding that they're not 100% accurate.

I've a lot of gaps in my knowledge, especially in the area of the driver / commander in the arrangement of the connections for the controls not only to the frame, but the other components of the tank.

Does anybody know if the MkIV manual for sale has drawings / photos of any of these connections and linkages?

Ron

MK1 Nut · Hero

Hi Ron

OMG that's a fab model!!

Thanks for your welcoming comments to me, and I hope we can swap info in the future.

I only hope when I stop fussing over my own set of plans I can do as good a job of the build.

Helen xx

Mark1 Nut

Yes my secret is out I'm a tank girl !

elbavaro · Commander in Chief

Wel ... tank girls are mostly welcome! ;o)

Paratus23 · Sergeant

Hi Ron,

the Mark IV maintenance manual doesn't include any diagrams of the tank interior, although not all of the figures in the orginal appear in the reproduction.

I have attached a couple of photos I took of the interior cab of the female Mark IV in the Australian War Memorial, as well as two that are available online showing the interior of a Mark V in Russia.� Hope these help.

cheers,

Dave

Poniatowski · Major

Lots of 'tank girls' on facebook. To include my wife! (She's driven some tanks with me at Knox as a volunteer.) Look us up folks.. always glad to add 'tank friends!

And, Thanks Helen. Feel free to contact me at any time with either info or questions. However, I must say that my knowledge pales in comparrison to what I've found in these forums. You are truly amongst experts here (myself excluded!)

Cheers!

Ron

Poniatowski · Major

Dave,

Thanks much! Those are great. I received a photo from David Fletcher the other day of their MkI when it came in. The shifter mount is different... I'll have to see if I can post the photo... Otherwise, there are clues in these photos that are of a great help to me right now.

Thanks again!

Ron

MK1 Nut · Hero

Hi Ron

Just noticed this picture in Phil's fantastic photo collection on Flickr, I guess you may already have it, but it's always worth a look.

I hope it helps!

Hows the Model going, and when are we going to see some more pictures?

Helen xx

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/937579580/

Poniatowski · Major

Helen,

No, I haven't seen those yet. Thanks for the link! I'm still working on the 'frame' with the engine, etc. on it. I'll post some photos when I get more that are worth looking at.
Also, we have a guest coming from Germany for three weeks starting Monday, so I think my building will be on hold for almost a month!

Ron

Poniatowski · Major

Latest:

I know there are some 'inaccuracies', but I'm pretty happy with it so far.

Cheers!

Ron

MK1 Nut · Hero

Hi Ron

Umm ... er ... I think my eye balls just fell out!!! inaccuracies ??? All I see is a fantastic piece of modelling!!

You should be very very VERY proud of what you have achieved so far.

Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to see more.

Helen xx

Poniatowski · Major

Thanks Helen!

It's been a fun project.

Ron

Poniatowski · Major

Latest as of 11/1/09

Sub-assemblies for the engine frame.� In leiu of good photos / references some of the linkages had to be fudged, but after it's all assembled it looks pretty good.

All put together.� A few linkages, cables to put in, then weathering and next it goes into the hull.

Cheers,

Ron

MK1 Nut · Hero

Hi Ron

Looks like you've been busy ... Loving it lots!

I've just been working on the underside, and your model has given me some idea as to what the bolts underneath actually correlate to on the inside of the Tank. I throw bolts here and there on the plans and it's nice to know what some of them do.� confuse

Anyhow keep it up and you can have an extra helping of Christmas pudding at Xmas!

Helen xx

-- Edited by MK1 Nut on Saturday 14th of November 2009 12:55:03 AM

Poniatowski · Major

Here's the latest. According to David Fletcher, field drab was applied to the tanks prior to the battle of Arras, so I did the same ot mine. The only photo of a MkI after the battle seems to show a little camouflage showing through in places, but it might be MY imagination. However, I liked the idea of it, so went with it. Now it's time to finish up the interior and start weathering and stowing the vehicle.

Thanks Helen, I'll have some extra pudding!

Ron

Ironsides · Legend

Hi Terrific stuff, great interior too....

Cheers smile

hans · Lieutenant-Colonel

Looks beautifull !!

Greetings,Hans.

Poniatowski · Major

Thanks "Ironsides" and Hans!

Ron

Rhomboid · Field Marshal

Great model, Ron! Here are a couple of photos of MkI 1917 Arras wrecks�(716 and 531, probably taken in the spring or summer of 1918) which show how the brown drab finish has washed off of the underlying Solomon camo.�

MK1 Nut · Hero

Hi Ron

I like the new look to the model ... I can't wait to see some mud!!� smile

If you want to wear through the field drab a little more in places, then I have used a green plastic scouring pad in the past. Well you know how it is, you're doing the washing up, again!!!! and your mind wonders.� smile

Helen xx

Poniatowski · Major

Hey 'Rhomboid',

Thanks! So... a few months later the paint mostly washed off, so I think with some of the camo showing through I'm doing okay so far. Maybe scrub some off in some areas....

Hi Helen,

Still finishing up the interior before adding mud. Almost done, just a few details to add...

Ron

elbavaro · Commander in Chief

Wow!

Looking at the last two pictures, I feel like a Mk I tanker.

-- Edited by elbavaro on Saturday 28th of November 2009 01:52:53 PM

Poniatowski · Major

Thanks 'elbavaro'.... it's nice to see light at the end of an 11 month build.

Cheers!

Ron

MK1 Nut · Hero

Hi Ron

Those interior pics look fantastic, maybe when it's done do a piece on it's construction with photos in the model section of the forum.

Helen xx

Ironsides · Legend

Hi looks dead convincing to me...Just How Big is this thing..... smile

Cheers biggrin

Brennan · Lieutenant-Colonel

I have seen the inside of a restored (well mostly restored at the time) Mark I & if I did not know the photos of the interior above were of a model I would swear they wear of an actual restoration - staggering!

Me I am just a fumble fingered wargames converter but at least I can recognise & admire brilliant work!

Poniatowski · Major

Weathering today. A long way to go, but I thought I'd post some pix while the mud is drying:

I'll post more once it's done, then take up the suggestion to do a start to finish photo 'essay' over on models.

Cheers all and happy holidays!

Ron