SeanM Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 And the next build begins. This is the 1/35 Buffalo by Bronco with Slat or Bar armour, the 2nd of 3 versions of this vehicle they have done. From WikipediaThe Buffalo vehicle was designed based on the successful South African Casspir mine-protected vehicle.[2] While the Casspir is a four wheeled vehicle, the Buffalo has six wheels. Buffalo is also fitted with a large articulated arm, used for ordnance disposal. Both vehicles incorporate a "V" shaped monohull chassis that directs the force of the blast away from the occupants.[3] Buffalo is also now equipped with BAE Systems' LROD cage armor for additional protection against RPG-7 anti-tank rounds.[4] Glass armor is sufficient at 6 inches thickness. Run-flat tires are present in all tires. The Buffalo combines ballistic and blast protection with infrared technology to detect the presence of dangerous ordnance and a robotic arm to disable the explosive ordnance. Personnel operate the Buffalos 30-foot robotic arm and claw from within the armoured hull via a mounted camera and sensory equipment, to safely dispose of mines and IEDs. Inside the box are 13 tan sprues, 4 clear sprues, a large PE fret, 8 wheels, 2 halves of the hull and decals and twine for cables etc. It's also a very big vehicle. A lot longer than the RG-31 and that's not counting the arm! Started on the suspension. This will be a very slow build as there are a lot of tiny parts and while fit is good I think they have over-complicated the construction. The parts are all nicely molded with no flash and minimal seam lines but there are hundreds of parts....even just cleaning off the sprue joins is going to be a slow, delicate and laborious process. So if you're interested in following this build be prepared for a long haul! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawkuk Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 I just got that one a week ago, so I'm following this with great interest... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted August 20, 2015 Author Share Posted August 20, 2015 Welcome on board Dawkuk. I've seen some build logs where incredible detail has been added mostly arount the brake lines and "missing" details. Hard to believe as this looks so detailed as it is. This will mainly be an Out-of-the-box build with some spares and stowage added. The one area I might attempt to enhance is the hydrolic lines on the arm.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawkuk Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Oh, by all means, do that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 Well it's taken a good few evenings just to get the suspension done. It's not perfect but some heavy weathering will hide all the flaws. The front suspension is very complex but should leave the wheels steerable. I fixed it in a turned position...it was easier than trying to leave movable parts moving. The rear suspension was even more complex but managed to get it tilting up & down. I'm not adding break lines as I have seen in some builds. Tomorrow I start on the interior.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share Posted August 25, 2015 Just to show the quality of the moulding: seat belts and the cable inside the headlight housing. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowler0000 Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Not built armour in years, but this looks suitably different. Whats the interior & engine like? I used to love those parts of the build! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 There's no engine Prowler, but interior is nice. Detailed radio rack, control stations for RWS and the arm, very nice dash board....of course always scope for adding extra stowage. Comes with about a dozen clear water bottles and 2 M4s but not much else in terms of personal equipment. Will have interior photos in a day or two 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 All ready to close her up and then I can start on the outside. No real issues with the interior. Went together very well, just added cooler box from the spares box. The M4s, water bottles and GPS all came with the kit. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 Top on and dry fitted the wheels to make sure she's sitting level. Then two days of effort on the bits on the outside: Still lots to do....and will need a new bottle of Tamia Extra Thin soon! So far my only complaint would be the big empty area under the grill on top of the bonnet. Its quite see through. If I do another I'll put a mesh or something behind it. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawkuk Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Interior looks very good. Hope some of it will be visible after final assembly. Good job, mate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman2 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Very nice work, it's looking good. If you need any spacific photos, please let me know as I have thousands of Buffalo Pics. Buffalo Crows Gunner. Net Photo (US DOD) PDP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Thanks MagMan, any photos showing the hydrolic lines on the arm would be appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I'd be very interested in pics of the Buffalo, as I have one in the stash, as well as a general interest in that sort of thing. If you have any personal ones you'd like to share with the membership, I'm sure our Walkaround Coordinator Julien would be pleased to hear from you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman2 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 hydrolic lines on the arm Net Photos 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 I'm pretty impressed. Everything that can move does move. It won't after painting but at least this will allow me to place it on the vehicle and decide what way I want it posed Probably in the stowed position just to avoid breaking it off....need to do some clean-up and filling (not a lot) and try adding the hydraulic lines based on MagMans pics above. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionfish Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 never thought to build one of these but after seeing your WIP i am convinced i have to try one of these... Great work!! Alastair 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman2 Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 N ice work, A few more Photos for you. Net Photos 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted September 9, 2015 Author Share Posted September 9, 2015 Thanks MagMan, although the inside is closed up now. Haven't got much done recently. Need to decide how best to tint the windows and do the piping/lines on the arm before I can proceed. Trying different types/sizes of wire to see which looks best....none so far. Need to get some 0.4mm solder wire. And playing with 7Up bottles to get the windows tinted. Painting clear green by brush on some spare flat transparent bits was too streaky.... Alastair, go for it! I'm loving all these modern MRAPs. Have done the Kinetic Maxx-Pro & RG-31 and have Panda M-ATV waiting it's turn on the bench. And then I'll gave to do a Cougar or 3 also. By then there should be more available to keep me going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted September 17, 2015 Author Share Posted September 17, 2015 After a bit of a hiatus finally got around to adding the hydrolic cables. Looks very messy so far but I'm happy with getting it on. 5 hydrolic rams needing 10 cables. Just need to straighten them up and attach to each end of the sleeves. I used 0.3mm plastic coated wire. I know I'm being lazy but not trying to add any joins to the wire. In the real thing they are not all a single length of pipe.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted September 20, 2015 Author Share Posted September 20, 2015 Hydraulic lines added. Not the neatest job I've seen but I guess they do become a bit messy after a few IEDs have gone off in close proximity. I'm blaming thick fingers and poor eyesight Now to base coat with a rattle can and then start the detail painting 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman2 Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Looking good Sean, and will look great mounted on the Buffalo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted September 20, 2015 Author Share Posted September 20, 2015 Thanks Magman. Getting there.... Electrical cables for camera and spot-light next then weathering 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowler0000 Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Still following, Still impressed! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 Now that the IPMS Ireland nationals are over I've managed to get back to this beauty. Will be starting the detailing this evening. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now