Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (Dragon 1:72)

[SimonL]

I was intending to start a different kit, but saw a pile of these appear  in my local hobby shop and just had to have one. 
 

 

 

 

 

It looks like a straightforward build (hope that’s not deceptive). The paint job on the other hand is going to be interesting. I’m going to finish it straight out of the box as a vehicle used in Iraq in 2005/6.

 

 

[neilspen]

A great looking vehicle. I am very interested to see how it builds. Cheers Neil

[SimonL]

Made a start today - and construction is pretty much done. Really not much to it, but what there is fits really well. Next to no interior detail, although probably difficult to see much through the smallish, thick, windows, so I think I’ll just paint it black on the inside. The top part of the cabin fits really well, so I intend to paint it and weather it unglued to the base and then stick in the transparencies - anything to avoid masking.

 

 

 

 

We’ve got a long weekend coming up, so I reckon this will an excellent quick build candidate.

 

In terms of paint I think I will just stick with what I have in stock. The instructions suggest flesh (!) olive drab and black. In reality it should be the Auscam colours, which are a sort of pinkish Tan (well to my eye anyway), Olive drab and black. 
 

I think I will use some Tamiya NATO Black for the black, and have some Italeri Olive Drab that will do for the OD. For the Tan I will have a bash at mixing up something approximate.

[stevehnz]

I like the look of this as a kit Simon, a real ruffty tuffty brute of a thing. Looking forward to seeing it done.

Steve.

[SimonL]

Yeah, Steve, it’s a bit brutal looking.

Started painting today. First mixed up the tan colour from a mixture of Tamiya Acrylics including XF59 Desert yellow,  XF15 Flesh, some XF 57 Buff, a dab of X7 Red and a bit of XF2 White. Don’t know the proportions - pretty much did it by eye. On consideration the Italeri Olive Drab is not green enough compared to the photos I’ve seen on the web, so instead going with Tamiya XF58 Olive Green.

 

Here is a quick test of the three colours on the inside of the cabin roof.

 

 

And here is where I am at the end of the day, with the tan all sorted. The inside back cabin had been painted XF1 Matt black, while the front bit is in XF69 NATO black. 
 

 

 

[SimonL]

Today was mostly spent blocking in the camouflage colours. I also tinted the transparencies with some Tamiya clear green diluted with their acrylic thinners to give the appearance of thick armoured glass. Couldn’t resist a dry fit of the wheels as well.

 

 

Only bit I am not totally happy with is the cover on the spare wheel. In reality it’s a geometric design, really it cries out for a decal but I’ve gone with some splotches. After weathering it hopefully won’t look so obvious.

 

Bit of cleaning up of the paintwork to do but I reckon it will be on to the decals tomorrow.

[SimonL]

I painted on some floor polish in the places where decals were to go. They went on very easily, and were sealed in with a brush on coat of Italeri Flat Clear. The vinyl tyres were painted with Vallejo Panzer Aces Dark Rubber, which went on very nicely. Couldn’t resist a dry fit with some blu-tak. Still some tough spots on the paint job to clean up and then on to weathering.
 

 

[SoftScience]

Really nice work, Simon. Nice tight, hand painted camo. A dusty patina will really go a long way with this.

[stevehnz]

That looks super Simon, a neat wee truck. 

Steve.

[SimonL]

8 hours ago, SoftScience said:

Really nice work, Simon. Nice tight, hand painted camo. A dusty patina will really go a long way with this.

Thanks - and that’s the plan!

 

3 hours ago, stevehnz said:

That looks super Simon, a neat wee truck. 

Steve.

thanks - although not that small. It’s almost the same size as a Airfix MWD truck in 1:48 scale!

[fatfingers]

Very nicely done. Wasn't aware Dragon had kitted this. Surprised likes of Hobby Boss have not done one in 35th scale! 

 

Regards,

 

Steve

[thorfinn]

1/72 is my chosen scale for armor and vehicles, and this little dazzler is one I haven't seen before. Excellent build and stunning paint job, really inspiring.

I want one!

[SimonL]

23 hours ago, fatfingers said:

Very nicely done. Wasn't aware Dragon had kitted this. Surprised likes of Hobby Boss have not done one in 35th scale! 

 

Regards,

 

Steve

It’s a very new release Steve, just the last month or so. An Australian company made a limited run kit of this vehicle in 1:35, but I think it’s been out of production a fair while. Would be a pretty big beast in that scale. 

 

21 hours ago, thorfinn said:

1/72 is my chosen scale for armor and vehicles, and this little dazzler is one I haven't seen before. Excellent build and stunning paint job, really inspiring.

I want one!

Thanks!

[SimonL]

Today was spent weathering, using a combination of Army Painter Quickshade washes and a sandy coloured mix of Italeri Acrylics diluted with water and floor polish. Finished with a brushed on coat of Italeri flat clear.
 

 

[SimonL]

Today was all about finishing this one off. First the transparencies, which after minor fettling to fit had their edges made black using a permanent marker, so stop any internal reflections.

 

 

These were secured in place by careful application of Tamiya Extra Thin cement.

Here are all the main components ready for final assembly.

 

Once that was done, just needed to add the breakable bits like the side mirrors, the photo etch windscreen wipers and then a final couple of dusty washes and a final flat coat. Last thing to do was to paint in the lights, and this one is done.

 

 

More photos to follow in an RFI.