Modelling British World War II Armoured Vehicles E-Book

Tom Cole

• Herausgeber: Crowood
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

This new book will be an essential reference for modellers and wargamers who build and paint World War II British armoured fighting vehicles. It provides extensive information on different types of vehicles, describing when they were used, by whom and for what purpose. In addition, the many modifications made to vehicles during the war are included, with guidance on how to create these for models. The step-by-step building and painting guides illustrate vehicles in 1/35, 1/72 and 1/76 scale. This book features models, often with a comparison of models from different manufacturers, for the following: M3 Grant Mk1, including a North African version; Cromwell Mk IV; Royal Marine Centaur; Cavalier Observation Post; Sherman M4A1 and Crab; Crusader III AA Mk 1; Matilda; Morris and Guy Quads; Bedford QLs; Scammell Pioneer Heavy Artillery tractor conversion; Anti-tank guns, e.g. the 'Pheasant', field guns, anti-aircraft guns, etc and, finally, figures which include uniform painting guides. The author has been a keen military modeller for many years and has a particular passion for British & Commonwealth forces of WWII. It is superbly illustrated with 335 colour photographs.

Leseprobe

MODELLING

British World War IIArmoured Vehicles

Tom Cole

THE CROWOOD PRESS

First published in 2019 by

The Crowood Press Ltd

Ramsbury, Marlborough

Wiltshire SN8 2HR

www.crowood.com

© Tom Cole 2019

All rights reserved. This e-book is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

British library cataloguing-in-Publication data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 1 78500 548 0

Contents

1Model-Making in Small Scales

2Practical Tips to Help Make Better Models

3Building Armoured Fighting Vehicles

4Detailing and Converting Armoured Fighting Vehicles

5Painting and Weathering Armoured Fighting Vehicles

6Building, Detailing and Painting Soft-Skin Vehicles

7Building and Detailing Artillery

8Painting Figures

9Dioramas and Scenic Bases

10Putting it all Together – The Weybourne Diorama

Index

Chapter OneModel-Making in Small Scales

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MILITARY MODELLING

Since the beginning of recorded time man has made copies of real-life items in miniature. The very earliest military models were probably clay models of war chariots dating back almost 5,000 years. Coming forward millennia to 1825, the Mignot Company was founded in Paris making scale model soldiers that are still available today. Pewter and lead were the principal materials for model soldiers of the day. But things would change with the revolution brought about by plastics. In 1872, the Smith and Lock company patented the first injection-moulding machine, but it was not until 1919 that a stable material in the form of cellulose acetate was produced that could be used in this injection-moulding process. The first plastic construction kits that we would recognize today were manufactured at the end of 1936 by FROG in Britain. (The name FROG is derived from ‘Flies Right Off the Ground’, because the pre-plastic model aircraft made by the company did just that.)

As with many advances in technology, World War II would be the catalyst for the development of plastics and injection moulding and by the late 1940s several American companies began to produce plastic models – mainly aircraft. However, in 1949 the name that would become synonymous with plastic kits produced its first construction kit and it was a vehicle. Although not a military vehicle, the Airfix Ferguson Tractor would be the first of a range of scale models that has seen new models introduced almost every year ever since.

The 1970s 1/76 scale Fujimi Valentine. One of the range of small-scale kits from the Japanese manufacturer.

Another kit from the late 1970s. Matchbox was well known for its die-cast toy cars, but also produced an extensive range of aircraft and vehicles. These kits in 1/76 scale did much to supplement the Airfix range. When Matchbox stopped producing plastic kits, the range was taken over by Revell.

In the early years, Airfix concentrated on 1/72 scale aircraft, small-scale historical ships, vintage cars and buildings for model railways. In 1960, the first military vehicle appeared in the Airfix range. In the Bristol Bloodhound Surface to Air Missile kit was to be found a launcher, transport trailer and a Land Rover, as well as a small number of figures and even a guard dog! The first Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) appeared in 1961. These were the Panther, Sherman and Churchill tanks and, although only the Sherman is still in production, these kits are still widely available some fifty-eight years on! The range of Airfix military vehicles expanded in the 1960s and 1970s and small-scale vehicles were produced by other manufacturers such as Japanese Fujimi and Nitto and Italian Esci, as well as a company more famous for its die-cast toy cars – Matchbox.

Components of a resin kit – the Milicast Guy Quad Artillery Tractor.

White-metal Achilles SPG from MMS in 1/76 scale.

Alongside the major manufacturers of plastic kits there developed, mainly in the UK, a ‘cottage industry’ that produced, in small numbers, kits of small-scale (mainly 1/76) vehicles in resin. The pioneer of this new devel opment was the Miniature Armoured Fighting Vehicle Association’s Eric Clark. Created by him in the 1970s under the Eric Clark Models (ECM) banner, the range passed to Milicast in 1985. Since then, Milicast has been in the vanguard of progress and innovation in this small scale, being the first to introduce polyurethane resins to AFV reproduction. Other resin manufacturers, both large (like Matador models) and small (like Gramodels, Bull Models, Sgts’ Mess and Friendship Models), have for many years produced numerous models, some complete and some as kits in resin. White-metal kits were also produced by a small number of manufacturers such as MMS and SHQ.

Dragon Churchill Mk IV. Not a cheap kit, but beautifully detailed and, compared to the Airfix version, an easy to assemble model of the iconic Churchill tank.

Small-scale military models in 1/76 and 1/72 scales dominated the 1960s and early 1970s, but in 1962 Tamiya introduced its first large-scale AFV. The 1/35 scale Panther was an instant success, particularly as it included an electric motor and could actually move in a reasonably realistic manner. By 1968, the Panther had been supplemented by a series of German soldiers and tank crew. The range expanded quickly and 1/35 scale became the dominant scale for military modellers. This is still the case today, although the range of small-scale kits is the largest it has ever been.

The Russian manufacturer Zvezda makes some superb artillery in 1/72 scale to go with its ‘Art of Tactic’ wargaming system. Although designed with the wargamer in mind, these kits are highly detailed with some excellent crew figures.

Recently, small-scale models have undergone a revival, with some large-scale model manufacturers producing models in 1/72 scale as well as their 1/35 scale fare. Some 1/72 Dragon models are as complex to build and as realistic looking as their bigger scale versions and new manufacturers are regularly appearing from all parts of the world, particularly Russia, Ukraine and Poland, as well as South Korea and China.

THE SHERMAN AND THE DEAD SOLDIER

Much of the Airfix box artwork is quite rightly heralded as some of the finest painting ever to grace construction kit boxes. The early Sherman tank artwork, however, caused some controversy, as unmissable in the foreground is the body of a dead soldier. As the packaging changed, so less and less of the corpse was seen, until he eventually disappeared altogether. In 1977, Airfix began to repackage many of its kits by sanitizing them to remove all signs of warfare. Bomb blasts and flashing muzzles were airbrushed out, as it was believed that the European Economic Community would soon ban depictions of violence from children’s toys.

The early Sherman artwork with the corpse of a dead soldier just visible in the foreground.

The later artwork for the Airfix Sherman with the background and the foreground, but with the dead soldier removed. The tanks, however, are still firing at impossibly steep angles.

A QUESTION OF SCALE

Perhaps the issue that causes the most discussion amongst small-scale model-makers is the question of which scale to model in. The two most popular are 1/76 scale and 1/72 scale, but although they sound similar the differences can be striking. Most prevalent with UK manufacturers is 1/76 scale, from Airfix and Matchbox (now Revell). Why pioneers at Airfix decided that they would move away from the 1/72 scale they had adopted for their aircraft and change to 1/76 is a matter of debate, but whatever the reason Airfix persisted with its 1/76 range until 2004, when the LCVP landing craft, Willys Jeep and GMC Truck, all in 1/72 and all ex-Heller, joined the range. When Matchbox turned its hand to making small-scale military vehicles, it too produced kits in 1/76 scale.

Apart from Japan’s Fujimi, almost every other injection-moulded military kit manufacturer has produced its kits in 1/72 scale. This was the scale that most model aircraft modellers used and was based on a 1in-high figure representing a 6ft-tall pilot. It is probable that the scale was chosen for building air-recognition models during World War II and meant that it was a convenient size for fighters and many two-engined bomber models that were used for recognition training. Today, the dominant scale is 1/72, with most of the new kits coming from the former Eastern Bloc nations and from the Far East being 1/72, with very few new injection-moulded kits appearing in 1/76 scale.

Airfix and the Future of 1/76 Scale

Why Airfix chose to model its vehicles in 1/76, rather than the 1/72 used for its extensive aircraft range, is a subject of much debate on the Internet. Airfix released most of its Lineside range of buildings and accessories for model railways in OO scale in the late 1950s and its figures, including ‘Civilians’ and ‘Farm Stock’, were released in HO/OO. (Early model railways were built to a scale of 1/43.5, known as O gauge. HO stands for Half O scale, so is 1/87. OO gauge is a purely British invention that runs models scaled to 4mm to the foot on HO gauge track.) So the rest of the iconic plastic soldiers made by Airfix were to HO/OO scale. (Generally they were much nearer to OO than HO scales.) It is likely that when Airfix released its first tanks in 1961 (Sherman, Panther and Churchill), they were built in 1/76 scale to fit in with the range of OO scale soldiers.

Side by side comparison of 1/76 and 1/72 scale Cromwells. The Armourfast 1/72 scale Cromwell is on the left and the Airfix 1/76 scale Cromwell is on the right. Although the Armourfast kit is only slightly bigger, it is noticeable.

The publication of the 2018 Airfix catalogue confirmed the rumours that Airfix was slashing its range of military vehicles. The catalogue shows that the 1/76 range of military vehicles has been decimated. The only remnants from the range of kits that populated many childhoods are the Sherman from 1961 and the Tiger from 1964.

Whilst many of the older kits date back to the 1960s and 1970s, and most of the Airfix vehicles have been replaced by much better kits in 1/72 scale, many modellers in small scales will mourn the passing of Airfix kits like the iconic Scammell Tank Transporter as well as the new Bedford QL trucks, whose loss is a great disappointment to those who model soft-skin vehicles in small scale. As well as Airfix stopping production of 1/76 scale models, Revell, who re-released the Matchbox range of superb models in 1/76 from the 1970s, has also significantly reduced its range of 1/76 scale models. It is sad to note that there are now very few injection-moulded kits available in 1/76 scale.

Military models in 1/72 have been in the ascend-ency over 1/76 scale in recent years. (Although many will happily mix and match the two small scales of 1/76 and 1/72, there is a difference of around 5 per cent and it does show, particularly with larger vehicles.) Models from Dragon, based in Hong Kong, and more recently from Poland’s IBG and Mirage, as well as Revell in Germany, have set the standard high. They have lifted small-scale modelling from the toy end of the market to kits that rival the best from manufacturers who feed the dominant 1/35 scale market. Airfix has always concentrated on its aircraft ranges and the release of the Cromwell was its first new AFV in 1/76 scale for nearly forty years (if you ignore the ex-JB Models Vickers Light Tank that was re-released by Airfix), so clearly military models were not at the forefront of the minds of the Airfix marketing team. But the decision not to develop the military vehicle range is due to market forces and there can be little doubt that these same markets have been used by Airfix to decide to cull its military models range.

Airfix military kits were always favoured by the wargames market. They were cheap and generally (apart from the Churchill with all those bogies!) simple to assemble. Today, the wargames market can find simpler and cheaper models from the likes of the Plastic Soldier Company and Armourfast. Mainstream companies like Italeri and Revell also produce simplified versions of all the major AFVs, which literally ‘snap together’. One of the more intriguing trends is headed up by Russia-based Zvezda, whose models are marketed as part of a wargaming system – ‘Art of Tactic’ – but the quality of the figures and artillery (such as the 2pounder anti-tank gun and 40mm Bofors) is superb built straight out of the box.

So what is the future for 1/76 scale military modelling? If we look further than injection-moulded kits, 1/76 scale military modelling is alive and well in the form of numerous British resin and white-metal manufacturers. Leading the charge are Milicast, Early War Miniatures and Matador Models, but others such as Bull Models, Friendship Models, Gramodels, Kingfisher, Sgts’ Mess and W^D Models all make superb models in resin and white metal in 1/76 scale. (Geisber Models in the Netherlands is one of the few companies outside of the UK to produce models in 1/76 scale and its small range covers some of the more unusual British AFVs of the interwar period.) Further support to the 1/76 market comes from Dan Taylor Modelworks, who produce some excellent aftermarket parts for 1/76 scale, also cleverly repeating some of the sets in 1/72 scale.

Since releasing the 2018 catalogue, Airfix seems to have had something of a change of heart, as the company has announced the introduction of the ‘Airfix Vintage Classics’, which has brought back into production vehicle kits like the 40mm Bofors Gun and Tractor and the AEC Matador and 5.5inch gun. So perhaps there is still an interest in 1/76 scale injection-moulded kits to influence the market. However, it is undeniable that 1/72 is the scale in ascendency and probably will be for the future.

WARGAMING TO SUPER-DETAILED

The biggest range of military models is injection-moulded kits. Although the initial outlay for the moulds can be high (these can cost several hundred thousand pounds each), the raw materials are cheap and production costs relatively low. Small-scale injection-moulded kits fall into two major categories: simple kits for wargamers; and highly detailed kits for the more serious model-maker. The prices of the kits tend to reflect the amount of detail, so a wargaming AFV can be bought for around £6, whereas kits for the serious modeller on the same subject can set the enthusiast back £15 to £20 each. (There are some kits that fall in-between the two classes and these tend to cost around £10 each.) However, the rules are not hard and fast and some wargaming models can be made into very realistic replicas, with some of the more detailed kits finding their way on to the tabletop battlefields.

A recent trend has been for some major kit manufacturers (notably Italeri, Revell and Pegasus) to produce 1/72 scale kits specifically for wargaming. There are normally two models in each box and the kits are easy assembly (some are even ‘snap together’ and need little or no glue). The number of parts is deliberately low, meaning that a number of tanks can be assembled in an evening. Some manufacturers (such as the Plastic Soldier Company and Armourfast) have built up an impressive range of kits that are purely for wargamers. Detail is low compared to the more expensive kits, but they are designed for handling on the wargames table, so are suitably robust with the finer details missing or moulded on directly.

At the other end of the price range, the highly detailed injection-moulded kits have more parts and are far more detailed than their wargaming equivalent. Good examples of kits at the high end of the market are those from Dragon and Mirge Models. The first 1/72 scale Dragon kits hit the market in 2003. Upon opening the glossy box, you find the sprues all individually wrapped in sealed polythene. The instruction sheets are clear, glossy and in colour, while first inspection of the sprues reveals crisp detail and no flash. Dragon was the first to introduce slide moulding for small-scale armour. This is a complex process that allows box structures to be produced by injection moulding. The big advantage is that hulls and turrets are provided as a single piece, which means there is no issue with these items not being square. Dragon also introduced the patented ‘DS’ tracks. These are made out of a flexible plastic that is semi-rigid and so can be moulded realistically around sprockets and idlers, as well as positioned to give realistic track sag. Of course, all this comes at a price, with most Dragon kits being two or three times the price of a typical wargaming kit.

Armourfast Cromwell built straight out of the box. Whilst the detail is not fine, the model is easy to build and robust. Ideal for the junior model-maker and sufficiently detailed for the wargamer.

THE AIRFIX CHURCHILL AND THE BOGIES

The Airfix Churchill was one of the company’s first AFVs, appearing in 1961. Military modellers who have ever built one will know of the horror that awaits in that particular box. The problem is the bogie wheels. The Churchill had eleven pairs each side and Airfix decided to model this accurately, with each bogie pair being made up of two wheels and a spring assembly – so a total of sixty-six tiny parts per tank. Once all of these sub-assemblies have been put together, they have to be carefully balanced inside one half of the track guard and then the second half placed carefully on top, sandwiching all those bogies with the tiny spigots on the bogie springs fitting in the hole on the track guards. It’s not quite as simple as it sounds … one bogie out of place and you have to start again. Once I got to my fourth Churchill, I found a trick to help assembly – the bogie wheels left on the sprue align exactly with the bogie springs also left on the sprue. This cuts down the assembly time, but it is still quite a challenge to get everything together. Other manufacturers render the bogies as part of the track guard, thereby making this particular challenge disap pear.

Airfix Churchill undergoing conversion to a Mk I with 2-pounder gun in a Hasegawa turret and 3in gun in the hull. The multipart bogies are in evidence.

THE TYPES OF KIT

New small-scale injection-moulded kits seem to appear on a weekly basis and the commercial modelling magazines feature a bewildering array of new kits and detailing parts, mainly from Eastern Europe and the Far East. Further details can be found on the ‘Henk of Holland’ website. Henk keeps his site bang up to date and includes numerous links to reviews.

Small-scale manufacturer Milicast makes an extensive range of vehicles in 1/76 scale.

Resin Kits

The small-scale market is mainly injection-moulded kits, but it would be wrong to ignore other media and top of this list is resin. Whilst not as prolific as the major injection-moulded kit manufacturers, resin kit manufacturers like Geisbers Models, Milicast and Matador Models each have an enormous range of small-scale vehicles – mainly in 1/76 scale. Resin kits come in a variety of styles. Some are cast as a single AFV mainly for the wargames market, whilst others have as many parts as the more complex injection-moulded kits. Quality of the more modern resin kits is high and although many are aimed at the wargames market, just as many have more than enough detail to keep the serious model-maker happy. Comparable in price to the medium- to high-end construction kits, the resin ranges often fill the gaps currently left by the major manufacturers.

Bull Models is a small resin manufacturer that produces an excellent range of vehicles in 1/76 scale. The BEF Dragon artillery tower and 6-inch heavy gun are shown above.

Die-Cast Models

Ready assembled die-cast models have often in the past been dismissed by serious model-makers as nothing more than toys. However, some of the recent offerings from Oxford Die-casts, Panzerstahl and Hobby Master, as well as models from kit manufacturers such as Dragon, are of a very high stand both in construction and in finish.

Die-cast models have come a long way since the days of Matchbox, with some of the latest rivalling the best available model kits. This is an excellent early Crusader from Altaya.

Unusual for an injection-moulded kit, the Hobby Master Bedford Refueller has a die-cast cab and chassis. Whether this will sell has yet to be seen, but it is good to see such innovation in small-scale models.

White-Metal Kits

At one time, there were numerous kit manufacturers providing models in white metal (a soft alloy that is easy to cast), but now there are only two manufacturers that have large ranges of models – MMS and SHQ. BW Models used to have an extensive range, particularly of British soft-skins that are still available from Mid Devon Models.

Scratch-builders use a variety of materials, but these beautifully detailed modern soft-skins are made from wood – even the windscreens! This model was made by Joaquim Pascoal Duarte and his work is that of a true artist rather than a model-maker.

Multi-Media

Some high-end models come complete with etched-brass detailing parts and perhaps a turned-brass gun barrel. One departure from the norm is for the major components to be provided as die-cast and the rest of the kit as injection-moulded plastic. The Hobby Master Bedford QL Refueller is an example of this. The metal chassis certainly produces a rigid structure on which the rest of the vehicle fits, but whether this becomes an accepted standard is yet to be seen. The kit combines die-cast and injection-moulded techniques in a single model. Is this the future? Whilst the die-cast chassis is rigid, the detail of the die-cast parts is poor compared to the injection-moulded parts.

Airfix Cromwell with turned-brass gun barrel. Note the tracks that are produced in injection-moulded plastic are a huge leap forwards compared to the traditional ‘rubber band’ tracks.

SCRATCH-BUILDING

In the 1970s, the range of available models of all media types was limited, so to supplement this meagre number of models the early model-makers had to scratch-build or convert available models. Today, with virtually every subject covered, scratch-building and even converting is not so widespread. Taking model-making to new levels, a very small number of model-makers have chosen to use wood as their medium and the photograph shows some of the stunning results and the understanding of the materials that these artists can achieve.

Wee Friends of Friendship Models produces a range of conversion kits. The Sherman hull and turret are shown above.

DETAILING PARTS – PHOTO-ETCH, RESIN AND BRASS BARRELS

Modellers who prefer the smaller scales are the poor relations compared to those who model in the larger scales when it comes to detailing sets. It seems that almost every kit in the large scale has at least one accompanying photo-etch and/or resin detailing set and for every gun barrel in 1/35 there seems to be a turned-brass replacement. In the small scales, there are detailing sets and gun barrels available, but these are the exception rather than the rule. Companies like Hauler, ARMO, Extratech, Dan Taylor Modelworks and PART produce a variety of detailing and conversion parts and Aber produces some splendid turned-brass barrels in small scale, but not in the diversity that are produced for 1/35 scale.

Canadian-based Thachweave produces some wonderful woven bumpers, as seen here attached to an Airfix DUKW. These are individually handwoven, so add a unique quality to small-scale models.

REFERENCE SOURCES

Traditionally, books were the main reference sources used by model-makers. For many, these are still the best sources and there is no lack of new military reference books being published. Although it is just over a hundred years since armoured vehicles first appeared on the battlefield, books with new, previously unpublished, photographs are regularly appearing. The other source of information is, of course, the Internet. New websites related to military modelling seem to appear on a daily basis. Discussion groups like Missing Lynx and the Airfix Tribute Forum enable modellers to share their latest creations and discuss the hobby in general. There are a number of other sites available that give advice and tips.

MODEL-MAKING SOCIETIES

The International Plastic Modellers’ Society (IPMS) was founded in Great Britain in 1963. With over 3,000 members in the UK, IPMS caters for a wide range of modelling interests, skills and knowledge. Slightly younger is the Miniature Armoured Fighting Vehicle Association (MAFVA), which, with around 500 members worldwide, specializes in military model-making in all scales. Both organizations provide a bimonthly magazine to subscribers and both organize major model shows. IPMS holds ‘Scale ModelWorld’ in Telford in November and MAFVA holds the ‘MAFVA National Competition’ in June in St Ives (Cambridgeshire). Both are always seeking new members of all ages and abilities and are great for promoting the hobby.

Tankette is the in-house magazine for MAFVA, available by subscription only.

THE FUTURE – 3D PRINTING?

Just as the home PC and smartphones have revolutionized all of our lives, so the 3D printer is thought by some to be the next big thing. At this time, for model-makers, the quality of the finished item is generally poor and the cost of a good 3D printer is prohibitively high. There are a few 3D printed models available from a variety of sources, but generally the best quality models are expensive compared to resin or plastic alternatives. However, this may all change with improvements in technology and prices eventually falling to meet those of resin and plastic. Will 3D printing revolutionize the market? Not yet. But if you look at the enormous changes that have resulted from the home PC and smartphones, the revolution may be just around the corner.

Chapter TwoPractical Tips to Help Make Better Models

Model-making is a very personal hobby and, as with most things, the more you practise, the better the results. But there are techniques and practical tips that you can follow to improve your model-making.

TOOLS

Collecting a set of good tools need not be expensive, but it is worth investing in some good tools right from the beginning. The basic tools you will need are as follows:

Cutters Two pairs of cutters are all you will ever need – a heavy duty pair for cutting large parts off the sprue, or for cutting materials like resin or soft metal that would damage more delicate cutters, plus a light pair for cutting the majority of parts accurately from the sprue. Cutting close to the item means that cleaning is kept to a minimum.

Cutters and pliers come in a variety of sizes. A sharp pair of cutters is useful for cutting parts off the sprue and pliers have a variety of uses.

Craft knife It is important that you have a good, sturdy handle, but of course it is the sharp edge of the blade that is the most important element. Sharp blades are essential, but fortunately they are very cheap. I tend to fit a new blade for each model that I build. Given that the blade costs about 10 per cent of a jar of paint, this is not a great expense. I use a couple of scalpels, one fitted with a stout, curved blade, and the second with a thinner, pointed blade.

Possibly the most useful craft tool for scale modelling. A good, sharp blade is essential, but not expensive.

Razor saw A fine-toothed blade is essential for cutting fine and delicate items off the sprue. A more heavy duty blade is used for cutting through large and thick parts.

Files and sanding sticks Cleaning parts is an essential part of the model-building process. Fine metal files give a good, smooth finish and round ‘rat tails’ are good for expanding drilled holes. Sanding sticks are abrasive strips fixed to a soft foam material. They come in a variety of grades, from coarse to polishing smooth. Fine grade (400–600) wet and dry paper sheets are useful for cleaning large surfaces.

Sanding sticks come in a variety of grades and are used as well as fine sandpaper and files to smooth off bumps and blemishes.

Tweezers These are essential for holding and fitting small parts. Reverse-action tweezers are useful, but sometimes the effort required to open the jaws knocks the small part out of the location where it has just been delicately placed! A small blob of reusable putty (Blu-Tack) on the end of the tweezers can be used to hold very small parts, or special purpose sticky pick-up tools are available that have a small blob of a tacky substance on the end, which gently and temporarily adheres to a small component.

Tweezers are essential for picking up small parts and reverse-action tweezers can be used as mini-clamps.

Pliers These are useful for bending metal parts to the required shape and for holding large parts.