SimonL Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 (edited) You would think I would have learnt my lesson with the recently completed Staghound - but while picking up supplies at the local hobby shop I saw this going for a very reasonable price: Having never heard of the Otter, I was intrigued and grabbed it. On viewing the contents though - so many tiny pieces!!!! So taking stock I did some reading around to find out about the Otter, discovering it was a Canadian built equivalent of the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otter_Light_Reconnaissance_Car). I also found some useful builds of the 1:35 scale version of this kit, which will help with the painting of the interior (as there is no information given with the instructions). It does look that even though you get a fairly detailed interior, all the doors and vision ports are shown as closed (rather odd). I can’t see why I can’t open them up though. As for the exterior, I’m going to go with the second of the two options, a Canadian vehicle in Normandy 1944: At the end of an afternoon, listening to the Test match from Melbourne here is where I am at: It’s so tiny! It wasn’t so much of hard slog in the end, although removing the little pieces from the sprue was challenging with the attachments being a bit chunky. The plastic is quite soft, not quite as soft as Airfix, and not too brittle which made life a bit easier. It also responded well to Tamiya extra thin cement, which also allowed some adjustment as it cured to ensure the wheels all touch the ground (at the same time). They are just blu-tacked on at the moment. Not the nearest job, but the underneath is going to be hidden anyway. Now to move onto the building the interior. I gather the insides are probably white, and I will use those 1:35 builds to guide me as to how to paint details. Edited December 31, 2020 by SimonL 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 28, 2020 Author Share Posted December 28, 2020 Made some progress on the interior today. Construction was easy enough, everything fitted well. I brush painted a primer coat of Tamiya Acrylic Flat white and the several thin coats of Italeri Acryl Flat White. Details were painted with various Tamiya Acrylics. It looks a bit stark now, but will be toned down with some oil washes and dry brushing. I painted the chassis and engine as well (although it won’t actually be visible). I also drilled out the smoke grenade launcher as well. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 I'm enjoying this Simon, it is one I have on my list to do in RAF Armoured Car Company markings. You've made a good start on it, enough to persuade me there is a need. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Peculiar looking thing, but it seems a nice kit (yup, I actually don't have this one). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 7 minutes ago, Sgt.Squarehead said: Peculiar looking thing, but it seems a nice kit (yup, I actually don't have this one). It seems it in the box (I haven't built mine yet either), although I've swopped out the wheels for some nicer resin ones from CMK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 28, 2020 Author Share Posted December 28, 2020 2 hours ago, stevehnz said: I'm enjoying this Simon, it is one I have on my list to do in RAF Armoured Car Company markings. You've made a good start on it, enough to persuade me there is a need. Steve. If I do another that would be my choice 🙂 Where are you sourcing the markings from - spares box? 57 minutes ago, Sgt.Squarehead said: Peculiar looking thing, but it seems a nice kit (yup, I actually don't have this one). Yes, a little off-kilter. It’s a great kit, everything lined up really well. 50 minutes ago, badger said: It seems it in the box (I haven't built mine yet either), although I've swopped out the wheels for some nicer resin ones from CMK Might do that if I do a second one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 2 hours ago, SimonL said: Where are you sourcing the markings from - spares box? Not sure yet Simon, I haven't got that far. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 29, 2020 Author Share Posted December 29, 2020 Progress today. First finishing off the interior with a wash with essentially dirty white spirit followed by a brushed on coat of Italeri Acryl Clear Flat and a bit of dry brush with some Tamiya XF-84 Dark Iron, and white on the radio. Gave me the used look I was after. I then carefully constructed the main cabin, trying to take my time. I added some small fishing weights to the back to give some heft. Here is where I am at, at the end of the day. I also worked on painting the wheels and attaching them to the chassis. Some small gaps needed some filler (Mr Surfacer 500), nothing major. Sigh, that interior is next to invisible. It really is an odd looking beastie. I’m going to leave the wing mirrors off as I can’t see them in the photo of the actual vehicle I am modelling - two less things to break off by accident. I’ve also used the option of the headlights with covers, I assume that would be more likely in Normandy at this particular time period. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 Always a nice idea to have a hatch or two open and add a little detail, nice work. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 30, 2020 Author Share Posted December 30, 2020 1 hour ago, Courageous said: Always a nice idea to have a hatch or two open and add a little detail, nice work. Stuart Thanks Stuart. It seemed a shame not to. Managed to get the painting done today, although it was a bit touch and go with it being so warm here in Perth. The paint dried awfully fast. Glad it was just a small model! I used my home brew of Tamiya acrylic SCC 15, brushed on carefully and quickly! Then on with the decals, which went on very well. Deviated slightly from instructions as the photograph I have seen of the actual vehicle has the white star a little higher on the side of the vehicle. Then a gloss coat of brushed on floor polish. So close to finishing! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 3 hours ago, SimonL said: So close to finishing! Nah, still got weathering and a base... Stuart 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 31, 2020 Author Share Posted December 31, 2020 Oh ye of little faith Stuart! Managed to finish it off today with a variety of oil and acrylic washes and some light dry brushing. Ok, so the varnish is still drying... I attached the mudflaps only to the front wheel arches as it appears this vehicle only has them fitted that way. More photos in RFI shortly (when it’s dry!) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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