MODELLING THE SOUTH AFRICAN RATEL (ICV) IN 1/48 SCALE

This is were the fun and games start, there is no commercially available kit of the Ratel, one must look to the cottage industry for some help. The only model that I know of is the 1/48 scale resin model made by Aerographics of Centurion, South Africa, this is not a kit but a complete presentation model for businessmen. The owner Steven Henn gave me one of his reject castings to use as a basis. Currently Aerographics are working on a 1/35 scale resin kit which should become available sometime during the latter part of this year. Having obtained a reject casting of the 1/48 kit I was in the fortunate position to have the best reference material available to any modeller.

I had at my disposal 16 Ratel ICV's as instant reference, this being the result of my position as mechanised infantry company commander in the SANDF. Having compared the model with the real thing, one quickly notices that the model is a early Mk1 or 2 represented in the casting. I wanted to depict my own Mk3 vehicle "Red 30", this being a 12,7mm command vehicle. The differences being mainly in the type of turret used and some small cosmetic differences, which I will describe later.

THE BASIC COMPONENTS:

Looking at the model I decided on the following basic components: the hull, the turret and the seven wheels. The hull would be usable if a sanded off all details and replaced them with scratchbuilt items. The turret would also need detailing and the replacement of all items. The wheels were of a poor quality and needed replacing together with the suspension. Once the basic outlay had been decided on I could start with the modelling.  

THE HULL

All details were grinded off, gaps filled and the millions of air bubbles (resin kit) filled and sanded smooth. Now details could be added. All hatches and doors were represented with plastic card glued with superglue to the hull after marking out their position. The main door hinges were made from plastic strip and attached to the hull doors with superglue. Small holes were drilled into the hinges to represent the attachment bolts in their counter sunk holes. A single gunport was made from plastic card and castings in dental acrylic were made and added to the hull. Various foot and hand grips were added from thin copper electrical wire, these were inserted into holes drilled into the hull. The rear engine louvers were made from plastic card and added to the rear of the hull.

The engine exhaust was made from aluminium plate and attached to the rear of the vehicle. The top engine access hatches were made from plastic strip and attached to the hull with superglue. I replaced the front glacis plate with plastic card as I needed to attach the front towing hooks and eyes to the glacis plate, this could then be done with MEK. The rear hull anti-aircraft hatch was scratchbuilt from some circles of plastic card and a piece of clear acrylic rod turned on the lathe to form the dome of the hatch. The front drivers window armoured hatches were scratchbuilt from thin aluminium plate cut to the correct profile and size.