robgizlu Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 I'm taking a short break from Ship-modelling to build this. There's still a Centurion AVRE that sit's forlorn; more of that soon. I bought this on impulse after seeing Pete Smith of Stonhenge Modellers display his in British Army green at IPMS Avon last year. Gecko are releasing some interesting kits, certainly for British vehicles and I've followed @APA's Beford builds with interest. The Supacat ATMP was primarily designed with air mobility in mind and served with airborne forces as a load carrier, with it's introduction coming after lessons learned in the Falklands conflict. It served up to 2010 and then was withdrawn without a really obvious successor. In truth the Quad bike and trailer have taken over it's role though how successfully is not entirely clear. Anyway on with the show - the instructions are full colour Bronco-type There are a couple of correction sheets and a spare sprue that covers parts for other variants that Gecko have released, 4 to date including a WMIK A driver figure is included and I'll wait to build it to judge how good it is. I might use this Accurate Armour figure instead There are some L85 rifles, handguns and body pouches And here are some pics of the original The web is certainly not awash with pics of the machine in action These are 2 useful references for history and appearance: https://www.mafva.org/walk-around-supacat-atmp/?v=79cba1185463 https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/supacat-terrain-mobility-platform-atmp/ The central tub is well moulded Construction begins with the transmission And the deck is cleaned and attached The Diamond pattern plate is really effective As is the etch for the engine compartment The pallet containing 105mm shell boxes builds cleanly and the wood grain on the wooden pa;et is nicely done The wheel build up in 2 halves - they do need some filing to reduce the width so that the tyres "fit" The hub rims are added separately This is meant to be a quick build so more soon (hopefully!) Thanks for looking Rob 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APA Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 Hi Rob Interesting little subject. I've seen their range of these vehicles and if I ever get into modern armour I'll definitely consider one of these. Gecko, along with a few other manufacturers are definitely expanding the range of UK vehicles which is a breath of fresh air. We might even stop moaning about it one day 😉. I'll keep an eye on this build. It looks a bit simpler than the MW range and hopefully everything fits ok!! Crack on with your Banana Buggy 😁 or should that be a Space 1999 Moonbuggy 😁 Andrew 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 On 4/11/2022 at 10:40 PM, robgizlu said: I bought this on impulse after seeing Pete Smith of Stonhenge Modellers display his in British Army green at IPMS Avon last year. Pete's displays (and his mate Brian) have long been the cause of impulse buys for me at such shows! I saw him again at Yeovil on 10th April (long before I tested positive I hasten to add!). I think I saw his rendition of this one there. Very inspirational displays. This one is a real neat little job Rob, and I particularly like the look of the picture of the one towing what I believe is a Lightweight M777 155mm howitzer. I'm a bit partial to artillery models! Will follow along with interest. Terry 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 Interesting subject I know what you mean about just a quick build because ships can be so involved looking forward to more. 👍 stay Safe beefy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted May 9, 2022 Author Share Posted May 9, 2022 On 4/16/2022 at 9:47 AM, APA said: Hi Rob Interesting little subject. I've seen their range of these vehicles and if I ever get into modern armour I'll definitely consider one of these. Gecko, along with a few other manufacturers are definitely expanding the range of UK vehicles which is a breath of fresh air. We might even stop moaning about it one day 😉. I'll keep an eye on this build. It looks a bit simpler than the MW range and hopefully everything fits ok!! Crack on with your Banana Buggy 😁 or should that be a Space 1999 Moonbuggy 😁 Andrew La, la la....la,la,la....Hadn't thought of that before That's certainly reduced the gravitas The light units are fiddly.... I had second thoughts and might use the seated figure, though there is a large unsightly sink mark on the right leg That was filled with putty The Diamond tread plates sit very accurately The steering gear is well represented though il lbe completely hidden The roll cage bars are cleaned up And sequentially assembled Fitting the seat belt wihc comes as a single piece of PE was not easy and super glue got spilled in abundance I tried Super Glue remover - for the first time - apply wait a few minutes and thenremove with a wettened brush or cocktail stick - the "treated" super Glue goes sticky and can be "rolled" off. hey Presto - it works More soon - Thanks for looking Rob 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 I keep looking at these kits and thinking of a diorama with me and a Supacat instructor stacked into a bush on a bend on their test track. I was driving........... until I wasn't 😁 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 It's so tiny. I have the WMIK one and have been misled by the box size! Looks very good so far though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted May 12, 2022 Author Share Posted May 12, 2022 On 5/9/2022 at 12:54 PM, Das Abteilung said: I keep looking at these kits and thinking of a diorama with me and a Supacat instructor stacked into a bush on a bend on their test track. I was driving........... until I wasn't 😁 It's got to be done!!! On 5/9/2022 at 10:12 PM, Bertie Psmith said: It's so tiny. I have the WMIK one and have been misled by the box size! Looks very good so far though. Bertie - you aren't joking, the box is blooming huge! Tools are added I have quite a few of these bargain cheap MDF bases. The finish is very rough but comes up beatutifully with some Liquitex Gloss medium and varnish Which is then sanded gently and sprayed up. And onto primer, using my "Go-to" - Mig Ammo One shot and after drying for 24 hours - the top coat comprising Mig Ammo 0030 to Mig ammo IDF Sand Grey 73, 2 : 1 Building up slowly in very light coats. I'm aware of the debate about UK Light Stone and the exact colour. To my mind these Supacats looked more yellow though it may just be the light intensity. For The Cent AVRE I'll be using Soveereign Colourcoats but I wanted some variety, so It's Mig Ammo here Thanks to @Dads203 for his confirmation that Brit Ammo boxes are still a chocolate colour And the figure is prepared with some Scalpel "undercutting" and "Scraping". The arms do seem to fit the control bars and finally, I couldn't resist staining the pallet despite fact it won't realy be seen Thanks for looking Rob 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Looking great Rob. Where did you get the MDF bases from please? George 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APA Posted May 15, 2022 Share Posted May 15, 2022 Nice work Rob. It looks pretty PE heavy but it seems to be appropriate. Adds lots of scale detail. Andrew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted May 23, 2022 Author Share Posted May 23, 2022 On 5/13/2022 at 7:42 AM, Geo1966 said: Looking great Rob. Where did you get the MDF bases from please? George Hi George - I've picked them up from bargain nins at shows. Just bases now defunct also used to sell them. On 5/15/2022 at 8:10 PM, APA said: Nice work Rob. It looks pretty PE heavy but it seems to be appropriate. Adds lots of scale detail. Andrew Andrew the PE was very well behaved, and a kit this size does need it. After finishing a ship over on maritime I've been adding paint details to this today Pin wash followed Current plan is to fit the seated driver. Camo wil lbe Desert DPM as befits the time period these vehicles were used. Painting such a fine pattern at this scale is difficult IMO and I followed @Dads203 figure build on his FV 423 build with interest. I've used camo decaals before such as this ACU figure that went withh an NBC Stryker. So the plan is to use FFSMC DPM decals They recommend spraying a gloss cream base though on previous occasions I've laid decals directly onto the figure plastic. More soon thanks for looking Rob 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whofan Posted May 23, 2022 Share Posted May 23, 2022 I have this kit too, not quite ready to get started on it, but I'm picking up some useful tips from yourself. I wonder though if you provide a link to suppliers of the DPM decals you mention? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted May 23, 2022 Author Share Posted May 23, 2022 Hi, https://ffsmc-productions.com/product-category/decals-militaire/figurines/pays/uk/ HTH Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whofan Posted May 24, 2022 Share Posted May 24, 2022 8 hours ago, robgizlu said: Hi, https://ffsmc-productions.com/product-category/decals-militaire/figurines/pays/uk/ HTH Rob Many thanks Rob, will check it out asap! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted May 26, 2022 Share Posted May 26, 2022 Decals for 1/35 figures, seen it all now! Stuart 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted May 28, 2022 Author Share Posted May 28, 2022 On 5/26/2022 at 8:12 PM, Courageous said: Decals for 1/35 figures, seen it all now! Stuart Thanks Stuart I presume this is said in an "Uncle Bryn"voice 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milan Mynar Posted May 28, 2022 Share Posted May 28, 2022 Nice building of the interesting vehicle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted May 31, 2022 Author Share Posted May 31, 2022 So to decalling time.... Verdict - The base colour ends up too dark. I sprayed Cremeweiss for the trousers and then sprayed white for the jacket. Decals work but in this instance I think the colour is too dark. It's far easier to apply the decals to a standing figure. In fact I stripped the decals off the Accurate Armour standing figure. I think I can do better hand painting. In the last pic you'll ee that the wheels have been attached after being coated with a slurry of wter/dust pigment which is then rubbed off. Thanks for looking Rob 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted June 3, 2022 Share Posted June 3, 2022 Lovely attention to detail here Rob Stay safe Kev 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 Thanks Kev The final act was to attach ratchet straps to the load using Acuurtae Armour's set Fiddly but effective It was a job to "glue" the palstic tape supplied that seemed resistant to CA glue. Some ration boxes came from FC Model trends that are doing some interesting stuff. And so RFI now available: I really enjoyed this model and Gecko are doing some interesting releases - not the least of which is a "Landing Craft Assault" in 1/35 just announced yesterday. I also took possession of the new Scimitar Mk2 with slat armour, last week and very nice it looks too. however that will have to wait for a few more ships yet. Thanks for looking Rob 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edjbartos Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Fabulous work going on here, so much good detail and very interesting to read through... Ed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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