06/24 Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 I wasn’t sure where to put this, since it’s a thread with both military vehicles and a boat! (And if Kittyhawk ever release their UH-1 in in 1/35 it might end up with a chopper too!) 1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr The Vietnam war was still underway when I was born, and growing up our local library was a source of endless fascination – I don’t remember all the titles but among them there was Air America; another book about a Brit serving in the US army, and many others. The poignancy of many of them was probably lost on me as a kid, bit as I grew older I read other works, Dispatches, Chickenhawk and others, which gave me a different take on what was, then, recent history. Looking back now, I have to wonder if the war was unwinnable, and if the US, and its allies, ever really had a strategic vison, or were they just (as I suspect many saw it) “holding the line”. None of which takes away from the very real suffering of the Vietnamese people and the troops (mainly US, but other allied nations as well) who fought over that land for so many years. If Korea was a continuation of WW2; Vietnam was, by contrast, the first truly modern war. (I’m no historian, so all of this is my personal impression only.) Anyway, enough preamble. I haven’t done any plastic bashing for months, so before I make a start on the main event, I thought it would be a good idea to “get my eye in” on something less expensive or challenging. The Tamiya M151A1 seemed a good place to start – I built this (in the A2 version) when it was first released in the early 1980s (the main sprue mould date is 1982, when I was 12). 1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr I’ve ordered the Legend Productions set (mainly, daft though it sounds, for the pedals, but I felt they were likely to be better than anything I could scratchbuild, but meantime I’ve made a start on the tub. I’m aware that the front suspension is oversimplified so will probably try and do something about that as well. 1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr @Procopius will be pleased to learn that I have already made (and hopefully repaired) the obligatory thumb glue print. He's less likely to approve of the lack of wings, but at least its modelling! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malpaso Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 (edited) @06/24 the M151 does have wings, each side of the engine at least. Though @Procopiusmay call them "fenders" unless he has fully anglicised himself, whereupon he would know that those are the squishy bumpers on boats! Edited August 6, 2019 by malpaso 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share Posted August 6, 2019 An idle moment over lunch saw a Revell UH-1C falling into my Amazon basket. I think I'll split this into three threads, a Vietnam trilogy over the three genres, so going forward this thread will deal with the M151 and then the Sheridan. So, where were we? Suspension bits. Now a disclaimer, none of this is precision, this is bodging. That being understood, here we go: Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Upper suspension arms Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Steering rods 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 Some more progress before work this morning: Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Missing floor added Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr NBW mouldings added to the ends of the suspension loops 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Looks good, I hate those idle moments at lunch, you can get into so much trouble! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 Progress isn't quick. The age of the kit shows, and I'm stopping to fill ejector pin marks every part, or so it feels. Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr I decided to replace the steering column, not strictly necessary but having scratchbuilt the steering box it seemed a shame not to connect it up. Currently waiting for the filler around the dash to set for clean up. Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr The bonnet (hood?) and dash/windscreen aren't fixed in place, to leave room to fit the pedals when the Legend set arrives. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 More filling Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr While that sets, some playing test-fitting... Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 Getting clean joints inside the hood (if Americans call the bonnet the hood, what do they call the hood?) has been tricky but hopefully they'll be barely visible once completed. D1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr D1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Again, just sub assemblies dry fitted for now, this is, I think, about as far as I can take it before the Legend set arrives. So this will be parked and I'll make a start on the PBR. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 9, 2019 Author Share Posted August 9, 2019 Well that didn't end up parked for long. The Legend Productions set turned up today, and it was worth the wait. Although I won't use all the parts, what I have used so far is very nice indeed. The seats are particularly nice. I was surprised (and delighted) to find that the turn signal lever was included, I had expected to have to scratchbuild it (Or ignore it!) D1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr D1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr D1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr D1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 9, 2019 Author Share Posted August 9, 2019 D1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr D1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashlight Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Hi Jon, very nice build so far! Have a nice day Nick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 10, 2019 Author Share Posted August 10, 2019 Thanks Nick. It's usually about this point that I mess it up! This morning I got the cables added to the wiper motors, not entirely convincing but hopefully will look ok once it's all painted: Wiring? by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr The shoogliness is deliberate, based on the photo evidence I've found so far. Maybe a bit overdone, but deliberate. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashlight Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Come on, Jon, this looks great, I'm sure you won't mess it up! Keep up the good modelling! Have a nice day Nick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 16, 2019 Author Share Posted August 16, 2019 Nick may have spoken too soon! The hood sticks have broken on one side. I think it was just clumsiness on my part - I share my work desk with my son's homework, and I think the hood got caught up as I cleared away it may be repairable but I suspect not. At least I can model it open topped if necessary. Ho hum. Meanwhile I have continued to stick fiddly bits on: D1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr D1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 16, 2019 Author Share Posted August 16, 2019 As you will see I have not yet mastered the art of invisible super glue application, but it's (I hope) tolerable. We'll have to see how it looks with paint on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 Thanks to a helping hand from 06/24 jnr, and the magic of Tamiya quick setting green cap (which was bought by accident but has come in handy!) which he applied while I held the broken parts in situ, I think we may have saved it. Repair by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr This was in three pieces, with only one still attached to the hood, so I'm happy with that, and am leaving well alone while the glue sets firmly. It's a bit bent, but nothing I couldn't excuse as these must have got bashed in real life, right? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 With the exceptions of the wing mirror and headlamp lenses, basic construction is, I think, complete. Tamiya only supply solid green plastic headlamp lenses, so I've robbed some which appear to be about the right size from a defunct deuce and a half kit. The steering wheel will be replaced with a spare from a Bronco jeep kit, which isn't exactly right but is much closer than the A2 version supplied. However I've ordered some crew figures (from Australia!) so the steering wheel can wait until their slow boat arrives. The wing mirror I've just left off for now as I'm sure to break it. I'm thinking it will be an MP vehicle (the figures will be the Bravo 6 MPs) so want to try and simulate the slightly bulled up appearance of MP vehicles, which were in some cases, to my eyes, almost glossy dark drab in appearance, so I've used satin black as an undercoat and will add a satin finish once the OD is applied. Pictures to follow when it's out of the low bake oven (airing cupboard!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 Tamiya Ts-5 spray over the Humbrol semi-gloss black undercoat: M151A1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr M151A1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr The observant will note that the filler in one of the shovel holes has shrunk back a little, and will need repaired or disguised. M151A1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr M151A1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Also, despite jacking the rear suspension up with a 20 thou plastikard shim, it retains a distinct tail down attitude. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashlight Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Hi Jon, great work! Have a nice day Nick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 I thought I'd finished adding footery bits, but checking references it became obvious the lights needed wires adding, and the mirror arm was oversimplified - so while I haven't gone the whole hog, I added bolt heads from the trusty Meng pack. 1/35 M151A1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr At the back I've added the fuel can (from the Legend set) and test fitted the spare wheel. I need to work out the correct orientation of the fixing bolts for the spare. 1/35 M151A1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 This morning I’ve sprayed the hood canvas a slightly paler shade of OD to reflect the fabric covering. It’s in the cupboard drying. Wheels are added, headlamp and mirror reflecting surfaces given a dab with an ancient Tamiya paint marker. I don’t know if these are still made but mine, which must be getting on for 20 years old, if not more, still gives the nicest shine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 It turns out the Tamiya Deuce headlight lenses are a perfect fit for the headlight reflectors M151A1 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 The shadow line on the panel underneath the windscreen has shown up on a few photos, but I cannot see it in real life. Must be something that the camera lens can pick up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Found you, eventually! Nice work on this one matey - on to the others! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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