Look at me mum, I'm building a Churchill. Tamaiya Churchill Mk VII in 1/48.

Tamiya 1/48 Churchill MkVIII crocodile.

From Crusader to Churchill. Get the green paint out again.

Tamaiya Churchill Mk VII in 1/48. Finishing up.

I'm building a Tamaiya Churchill Mk VII in 1/48.

This is the box. Neat isn't it?

This is the Churchill crocodile seen in action before the invention of colour.

Part 1 The wheels and Hull.

This is the diagram.

And this is the plastic.

And the long weight...

I don't know, you have to, don't you?

The weight is a new thing for me, and I must say I like the feel of it.

The hull was divided into several compartments. Towards the front of the tank, there was the driver's compartment, which housed the driver's seat, controls, and vision devices. The driver had access to periscopes and vision slots to maintain situational awareness while operating the tank.

Let's make the front of the tank.

Got to give the driver somewhere to sit, don't we?

Next, the wheels and the back.

The hull was supported by a set of wide tracks and a suspension system, which consisted of multiple bogies with interleaved wheels. This design provided the Churchill Mk VII with excellent traction and maneuverability over various types of terrain, including rough or muddy ground.

'Twenty two wheels on my wagon... and I'm still rolling along...

Track time.

As you can see, there is a set order to follow when you make the tracks up. Worked fine for me.

Starting at the front

Round we go...

Round and round...

All done. Even the Africa corps are impressed.

The upper hull will cover the missing parts.

The Churchill Mk VII was a heavy infantry tank used by the British Army during World War II. It featured a distinctive hull design that was specifically engineered for durability, protection, and the ability to traverse challenging terrains.

The hull of the Churchill Mk VII was characterized by its boxy shape and a low profile, which helped to minimize its silhouette and make it a difficult target to hit. It was constructed using welded steel plates, providing excellent armor protection against enemy fire. The front of the hull featured sloped armor plates, offering enhanced resistance against incoming projectiles.

Is it me or does it make you think of a praying mantis?

Adding the side protection.

Don't forget the front guards...

..and the back...

Behind the driver's compartment was the fighting compartment, where the majority of the crew was stationed. It accommodated the commander, gunner, loader, and radio operator. The fighting compartment had a large turret ring that allowed for the rotation of the turret, enabling the tank to engage targets in different directions. The turret ring also allowed the crew to communicate and coordinate with each other more effectively.

Rear of the year...

A sneak preview of the future.

Looking good from behind.

A tank needs a turret.

The Churchill Mk VII turret was designed to provide protection to the crew and house the tank's main armament, secondary armament, and observation devices. It had a distinctive rounded shape and was heavily armored to withstand enemy fire.

Secondary armament on the Churchill Mk VII turret typically consisted of a machine gun. This machine gun, often a .303 caliber Browning, was used for engaging infantry, anti-tank personnel, and providing close-range defense.

The commander's cupola.

On top of the turret was a cupola that housed the tank commander, providing him with a 360-degree view of the battlefield. The cupola featured periscopes and vision slits, allowing the commander to observe the surroundings and coordinate the tank's actions.

The primary armament of the Churchill Mk VII turret was a 75mm gun, which was mounted in the front. This gun was capable of firing high-explosive rounds and armor-piercing projectiles, enabling the tank to engage both enemy vehicles and fortifications. The turret could traverse horizontally, allowing the gunner to aim at targets in any direction.