diases

Ahh, the old days with no internet, page 3, and stealing your dad's mags. But I think something to scale, as no one will be looking at the truck

Cheers guys. I was going to take out the drivers hand controls and fit it out as a toilet, but thought it was tò much.😄 Going to try and add some posters/maps to the walls, if I can source something appropriate. Will crack on with it though, and try to get it presentable. But I need to remember the panther GB starting soon. Cheers Paul

Cant Believe that it's been 4 weeks since I've posted about this one. The UH-34 must have got my interest in aircraft going, after many, many years. Anyway, Here's the update as it stands now. Most of the work has revolved around the inside. I decided to have the troop seats folded away, but that made the interior look really empty. Looking for Inspiration, I found some old german ammo crates from the stash, and was really lucky finding a set of tamiya paper ration boxes. So made them up (fiddly, but nice when complete). Think it makes a bit more interesting interior, especially as all the roof hatches are going to be open. Rear end mocked up, but this is how the final version will be. While contemplating the final scene, I thought how high up these things are, for loading ammo, etc. So Scratched up a set of steps Needs a little refining, but the basic structure seems OK Finally a mock up of rear end. Next will be the top plate, which has quite a lot of detail, both inside and out, then the gun positions. Ill then be able to place a couple of Figures on the rear, as I'm not certain yet of their positioning due to hatches etc. Guess I had better make a effort at a base as well. So lots to do Cheers for looking and all the nice comments Paul

Not a lot has been done recently. Started the horror of Decals (remember why I like Tanks now) But Its progressing. only messed a couple up so far, and they were not majorly important ones. A lot more to go, and then some weathering. Been working on the Gun Truck as well, and should have a update tonight about that. Cheers for Looking Paul

Yes please. I have the Tamiya kit, and also Academys Glacier Girl. I would really love to do the discovery of GG, but will need to see if my abilities are up to it. Paul

This might Help: Courtesy of ZM US weapon2 set. BLU-10/B seem to be the napalm

Bit of Update on this. Construction is complete, well, apart from a M60 for the main door. Everything was straight forward, lots of small bits and pieces, and extra PE armour on nose. Painted in Tamiya Olive Green (XF-58) as it's a bit lighter than Olive drab, Tried clear coating (50/50 mix of Tamiya clear/Thinners), Brushed on. Never normally do this, and Think I need to get airbrushing for a more refined result. Got many Decals to place, and then weathering. Wish Me Luck Paul

Thought it was something about Stinking Apes Ill get me coat🐒

Hi Guys. Need some advice from the aircraft experts in here. I've purchased the AK Interactive True metal set, Tried a quick test, and really happy about the finish I can achieve from just a very small dab on finger tip then rub in and light polish with Kitchen towel. Test Pictures are from a Deceased tamiya Tomcat wing, with a hand painted Tamiya Olive green paint coat underneath. The Gun Metal picture shows how important a good undercoat is😗 I Know I'll be able to refine the results for future projects. The real question is which colour is the best for a Mig-21 (or other) bare metal finish types. First Picture is Dark Aluminium, Second is Aluminium, and Third is a comparison side-by-side shot. Picture 4 is Steel, 5 is Gun metal, 6 comparison side-by-side. I'm leaning towards the Aluminium or super shiny steel. But advice from all you aircraft guru's would be most appreciated. I will also try Fixing decals directly onto the finish, and a bit of light weathering. If anyone has other tests they want tried, I can try to oblige Cheers Paul

Done a bit more. As the weather was nice and the wife had cut the grass, just had to try a few shots outside. As you can see, Vietnam has a massive problem with enormous dogs wandering around. Need to work on smoothing the nose area a bit more, and theres still another armour plate to fit on the nose. A few more bits (steps, aerials, etc) and basic body will be complete, and I've already made a start on the rotors. It's all hand painted, as I have zero skills with airbrush ATM. I think AC modelling will force my abilities. On a side note, picked up the 1/48 eduard Mig-21 today, But dont know what to build next, after finishing Gun Truck. Choices are: 1/32 ZM Skyraider OR 1/32 Kittyhawk Bronco (with Big Ed set), OR 1/48 Mig-21 I think Bronco would be nice, but would probably miss deadline, so not really certain. Cheers for looking Paul

That's the one I was looking for, but couldn't find anywhere. As for 50 quad, hopefully there will be something soon, as fav club M16 has been a success. Paul

My italera kit has the a frame gear etc. I can't take close ups of anything you need for scratch building Hope it helps Paul

Been working away at this. Fuselage has been closed up. Nice and easy really with no fit problems. I particularly like that the cabin floor is really flush with door sill, as doors gonna be fully open. I Left the cabin seats in stowed position, and placed a pile of building materials (can just see them), onto cabin floor. Couple of ropes securing them and its done. Now the awkward bit. The nose is made up separately, and to be honest is not too bad. Instrument panel is decal behind PE and does the job. There's two left sides of the nose, so you can make different exhaust positions, which is nice. The PE grills are a good fit But DON'T bend the large one as per instructions. As the whole grill bends around the nose its easier to carefully place one end and glue it stages around the nose. It's a good fit and will give a better finish than I achieved. Then we come to Fitting the assembled nose to Fuselage. It's really Tight and took a couple of attempts to secure. I think I have it now, and will see later today how its gone. The undercarriage has the option to have bent leg or tripod set up. I believe that the version I'm doing had Tripod gear, So that's what I had used. I will remove the locating boss for the bent leg gear(by Forward bottom Strut), and Fill. That It for the moment. But more later, when I'll hopefully have Underside armour fitted(another one to ignore the instructions, as Its multiple angles/bends). and plenty of small exterior details to add. cheers for looking Paul

Buy, buy, buy It's only a matter of time, and your resistance will crumble

Hi there. Well, the model is started. Cockpit area, no main instrument panel yet, as it's attached to the engine firewall. Main cabin, not alot to say really, Apart from the seats. The lower portion legs are to short, and quite a poor representation. So I've butc.. modified them to be in the stowed position. I'm thinking of putting a small load in the rear of the cabin. The access to the tail boom (I spent to long inside that black hole when I worked on Wessex), needs something. I'll try scratching a net to fill it. So this is the main internals built. As you can see the pilots are really high up compared to the cabin (made them easy targets). Enjoying so far. Next are the fuselage sides, cheers for looking Paul

Hi Guys, thought I'd split my time between Gun Truck and this Beasty Kit comes with the markings for US marines UH-34D, HMM-364, S/n 148762. Unfortunately, the aircraft was shot down near Tam Ky on 3rd December 1965 A few selected Sprue shots Moulded detail looks nice Looks Like multiple Landing gear choice, although I need to check Instructions Nice PE Detail Even the Blades have a moulded in Sag. As a Ex Wessex Liney it looks about right. Looking Forward to this as it's first aircraft model since late 80's. Let battle commence Cheers Paul

Truck Build is Complete. Mirrors were fun, very delicate clean up required, and a guess on actual placement of one mount point Tailgate has real chain and a PE hook. very fiddly, but looks OK. But now onto the M113. Made a quick start on it, but now need to start sorting internal colours and decals before continuing. Couple of picks for a taster. M113 sprues need a lot of flash removed, so progress will be slower. But If I get it finished quickly, I picked up a 1/32 Cobra Gunship and a 1/48 UH-34D today, so may try another build. Thanks for looking Paul

It's mig African earth PO38. It is less vivid than most Vietnam earth pigments I've seen, and I personally like the colour better Paul

Update time. Beavering away at this kit, trying to avoid starting something else, as my GB completion rate is woeful. So the truck is just about complete, some mirrors for cab, and underside mudflaps on flatbed. Still need to work on weathering the beast, but starting to look the part. Not happy with the yellow on the grill/bonnet, so will need to find a solution. But its a good solid kit, and looks the part. Cheers for looking Paul

Hi. Out of interest, what ordinance is supplied as standard with kit? I have the 1/32 ZM skyraider, and then had to buy the weapon pack (think I found last one in the world). Not a nice feeling after splashing out. I believe the latest offerings (of the raider) include the weapon pack for free. Wonder if they may have learnt a lesson Paul

To be honest, you could buy the M54 for £40, and a tamiya M113 ACAV for £14. Then pick the decals of choice. TADA.. a gun truck model for about £65, a bargain. AND if you look at some of the pics on the web, truck and scratch building could be even cheaper. Food for thought Cheers Paul

Latest update. Been working on the cab. Nothing to Taxing and quite a good fit. Only awkward bit was getting the 4 sides and base aligned and straight, but it seems to be good. I'll let you judge for yourself. Simple and basic, but as you will see in a later picture, not really seen Result of needing 4 hands. First bit of PE (4 clamps for cable to secure M113 to flatbed) The built up cab. The extra armoured doors and windscreen really limit the view inside, so only limited weathering and no extra details added inside. I'll get the bonnet built up and see what it looks like before any filling/sanding. Thanks for looking Paul

Another Update. Chassis is complete. Wheels are on. Flat bed is Built, but requires paint, hopefully a few pic's later. A quick dust wash over the semi gloss black has given these results. Plenty of weathering still to do. As these trucks are mostly for convoy escort duties, theres not going to be much mud, more dusty effects for accuracy. Next up is the Cab, and it will basically be finished, then onto the M113 Cheers for looking Paul

Watching with interest. And spotting the differences between the 2.5T and 5T😀 Paul

Lo There. Well, Chassis basic structure is complete. No major problems and looks suitably robust. First coat of semi-gloss black applied, missed a few (well, lots) bits getting into all the small places. But I may over paint a few Items with standard olive Drab indicating repairs. These pic's are the front end as it stands atm. Also have the wheels built, hubs painted, and working on painting the tyres. So tomorrow will be detail painting, assembling the tanks/stowage boxes, and ancillary bits and pieces. And hopefully a start on weathering. So far a nice kit (the M54) with so many customisation options and configurations. Cheers for looking Paul