Kiwidave4 Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 As an armour builder I usually post in the AFV section but this project, though based on a military vehicle kit, will end up as a civilian crash tender so I guess this is the place for it! The donor kit is the rather dreadful Dragon offering from the 90's that I picked up cheap. It lacks detail, and the entire undercarriage is either inaccurate or non-existent. As this will be a kerbside model I am not too fussed about the undersides. I have added some non-scale torsion bars and will add some extra 'plumbing' later just to fuss up the bits that will be visible between the wheels. So this is what I started with... The chassis had warped in storage so I took the simple route and planked the top rails with some 30 thou sheet. The pannier boxes needed shortening and I added some details to them. The open area between the panniers is being boxed in. Not easy as the kit has no positive location for most parts, and aligning two independent boxes required much fluffing about with props and temporary bracing to get them correct. The crew compartments have virtually no internal details, not important for the right hand one, but something that needed attention on the drivers side. The crew 'pods' now need painting prior to closing them, and as a result of my mistake planning I dont have any paint. Doh! Still have some details to add to the panniers but I am also aware of the risk of knocking bits off so will press on with the main bodywork now which will involve some quite large bits of styrene with the tanker body alone being about 250mm long. So I should have plenty to keep me amused during the winter months! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Looks like a beast of a project! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwidave4 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 Looks like a beast of a project! It is a bit challenging! The size of the thing is already causing problems on my 'workbench' which is a converted writing desk. Should keep me quiet for a while though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Oh I'm liking this, right up my street! Do you have any pictures to post of the real life truck you are converting it into? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwidave4 Posted June 3, 2016 Author Share Posted June 3, 2016 (edited) Oh I'm liking this, right up my street! Do you have any pictures to post of the real life truck you are converting it into? Here you go Paul Edited June 15, 2016 by Kiwidave4 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Interesting project 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Here you go Paul - Awesome. I want one....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Blimey! 😮 Now that's what I call a fire truck! Regards Steve 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Holy crap! That's a lot of truck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foghorn Leghorn Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Holy moly, that's a big 'un! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwidave4 Posted June 7, 2016 Author Share Posted June 7, 2016 Holy crap! That's a lot of truck! Holy moly, that's a big 'un! The finished size is going to be about 350mm long by 85mm wide so its going to take up a bit of shelf space! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 I have got to see this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwidave4 Posted June 15, 2016 Author Share Posted June 15, 2016 (edited) Got the crew compartments painted interanlly so I could finish assembling them and fit them to the chassis. While at it I added some extra detail to the undersides. Once the compartments were fitted I could start on what to me seems the hardest bit, the tank. There must be an easy way to make an object like this but I dont know it! After much deliberation I made a crude jig, and assembled some 1mm formers on a couple of 5mm tubes. Then I tackled the skin. I did not think this one through, but by the time I was in trouble it was too late to go back! I opted for 20 thou sheet as being thin enough to roll around the formers. Of course this also carried the risk of 'sag' between the formers. Somehow managed to get it wrapped then resorted to cable ties to hold it while the glue dried. Currently I am working on the support frame to attach the tank to the chassis. Apologies for the photo quality. I recently acquired a Galaxy that my daughter discarded for the latest iPhone, and I find it easier to use than my camera and usually gives me better pics. Hardly ever use it as a phone. Edited June 15, 2016 by Kiwidave4 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Like it, that is a mean looking beast! Neat job on the tank. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwidave4 Posted June 28, 2016 Author Share Posted June 28, 2016 Progress slowed somewhat over the last couple of weeks as our second grandchild was born and modelling and motorcycling had to take a back seat. I made the tank that goes between the front left hand wheels (engine oil?) and got it fitted with some plumbing which also adds some reinforcing for the bracketry. The main task has been the bodywork. This involved making a cutting jig, which I then adapted to be an assembly jig! So far the 'bodywork' is really the stowage bins, the finished body panels will be a ten thou skin applied over the bits in the photos. The twelve inch steel rule gives an idea of the size. For some light relief from bodybuilding I finished the detailing on the panels in front of the tank, including the louvres which I had been long fingering but they were not to difficult once I got started. Still have handles and wing nuts to add but they will be down the track or they just get knocked off. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukmodeller Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Amazing detail. Enjoying watching this develop. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwidave4 Posted July 16, 2016 Author Share Posted July 16, 2016 In the process of adding the details to the bodywork. The stowage compartment doors are scabbed on with 5 thou sheet. The two small doors on the rear look a bit different;- I ran out of white styrene so used clear, which was actually easier to work with. Small louvres on rear side doors were a challenge but I think they are rough enough! The walkways are from 30 thou square. The tank fillers were a bit tricky. Took me several attempts to get the domed lids made, then it was the fiddly bits with some pieces being sacrificed to the carpet monster along the way. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Good effort, it looks the biz. Are you going for all over red as in the photo, or something more tactical? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwidave4 Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 Good effort, it looks the biz. Are you going for all over red as in the photo, or something more tactical? Thanks. Will paint as the photo, with a pair of white stripes vertically up the rear end. Should stand out from all the NATO green in my model cabinet! Will be a bit of a challenge as I am not very keen on painting, and this will require masking the stripes, and also the glazing - not something I have much experience of. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 What a great beastie this thing is. And a lovely job you are making of it too. If I may, degrease the bodywork and maybe a rub down with worn scotchbrite to give the paint something to cling to. Leave the white to dry thoroughly before masking with Tamiya or Gorilla tape and burnish it down well before applying the red. Unmask slowly after leaving to dry for days! I hope that might help, I learned the hard way! Regards Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwidave4 Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 What a great beastie this thing is. And a lovely job you are making of it too. If I may, degrease the bodywork and maybe a rub down with worn scotchbrite to give the paint something to cling to. Leave the white to dry thoroughly before masking with Tamiya or Gorilla tape and burnish it down well before applying the red. Unmask slowly after leaving to dry for days! I hope that might help, I learned the hard way! Regards Pete Thanks Pete. I have had problems in the past with the masking tape lifting the paint, but maybe the Scotchbrite routine will help with that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Absolutely awesome work so far. I look forward to seeing the next instalment! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 I put a Matt varnish over the paint & allow to dry thoroughly before masking. Works for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arni Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Yes,clear it then do the second colour. I have one of these kits and plan eventually.....To do it as a Paris - Dakar vehicle. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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