M911 C-HET and M747 Trailer ***FINISHED***

[MRMRL]

Hi All

 

My first venture into the world of group builds, but I'm excited to get involved. Can someone let me know if I need to do more than just creating this thread (I know I post picture(s) in the gallery once it's complete - assuming I manage that). Had this "little" monster sitting in the stash that I'd been meaning to get round to for some time, this gives me the perfect nudge in the posterior to get going with it. If all goes really well and I have time left, I might even build something else that qualifies to sit on the trailer, maybe a Cougar or Maxpro MRAP vehicle if I can find them in the stash.

 

 

I think there's enough plastic in this box alone that I'd need to do some serious carbon offsetting for, if I was that way inclined, here's a bit of a taste of what that looks like....

 

 

I have managed to break it open and make a start already, was pretty excited that a Meng kit would be a pretty straightforward affair, but there's actually a lot of flash and other residue to clear off some of the parts. More worrying for me at this point is that many of the sprues seem somewhat warps, it's visible in the picture above, but this one really highlights it...

 

 

I don't know if this is a flaw in the kit or in how I've stored it (hope not, it's only been in the loft for a while, although it's spent a month or so on it's side - but then the model shops display kits like that so that shouldn't affect it and none of my other kits have had the same issue so far). Fingers crossed it won't cause any long term issues. These two parts seem ok now I've done some work, hopefully it'll carry on that way. I'm going to try and post photos of this build step by step in construction with further updates when I do any painting etc, keeps me focused on taking pictures that way. So there's 42 steps in the instructions, here's numbers 1-3  

 

 

Clear parts circled in the instructions to remind me to come back to them after painting (and to not build so much I can't get to them afterwards). Not much to report here, just the crossmembers for the chassis frame.

 

 

Phew, they've straightened out once I've joined them all up, no twisting either. That gives me hope for the rest.

 

 

Step 3 adds the transmission. Not sure what purpose the positioning jig really adds, I've ignored that to be honest (it's not in a straight form on the sprue anyway so I think it'll do more harm than good).

 

Thanks for looking in, I'll get onto more work over the next few days.

[dnl42]

Wow, that is a lot of plastic! Good start; it looks like the warps are getting resolved. 

 

As for the GB, describe your build progress here and post in the gallery when done.

[JeroenS]

Welcome to the GB! And with something that is just right up my alley too! What a beast. Seems like you've made a good start, chassis came out nice and straight. 

 

Good luck with putting together all that plastic 🙂 

[JeroenS]

Oh and by the way, you will probably notice that the GB area on this forum is like Hotel California...

[MRMRL]

Howdy,

I managed to get a good bit of time last night and got a fair chunk of construction done. Reached a point where I need to start painting what I've got before putting it together and moving on to the next batch of bits. Continuing the theme of a picture per step, rear wheel suspension...

 

 

Followed by drive-train bits and front springs (not in the photo), they'll be visible later...

 

 

Followed by shock absorbers etc for the middle wheel (which I'll be depicting in the lowered position since it needs to be one or the other)...

 

 

Front axle, more drive-train and more suspension for the lowered middle wheels...

 

 

A lot of these steps hardly look like I've done anything, just a gradual build up of stuff really, wheel hubs (middle) and some general linkages etc here...

 

 

Finally, something obvious. The lower engine sections (looks like the top half isn't visible and not modeled either - who wants to waste time on something that won't be seen, I don't mind this)...

 

 

Fuel tanks and mud guards....

 

 

Wheels, lots of wheels (minus tyres, definitely adding those after painting)...

 

 

Winching station, with the cables already masked up ready for painting. The most interesting bit I've built so far....

 

 

And the oil reservoir and a tank of some type, that's all for last night, going to try and get a coat of paint on tonight so I can paint, weather and assemble all these bits before moving on to the cab and other bits and bobs to go on top of the chassis.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by, I guarantee there won't be as many pictures in future posts for a while  

 

[JeroenS]

You got a lot done there! Looking great.

[Robert Stuart]

On 21/03/2023 at 14:05, MRMRL said:

Can someone let me know if I need to do more than just creating this thread (I know I post picture(s) in the gallery once it's complete - assuming I manage that)

You are doing fine, the build looks good, as does your thread; keep on as you are.

[MRMRL]

Right, a slightly late update for work completed last weekend and up to today. Made a fair bit of progress on the cab chassis sections, with some "fun" along the way.

 

Started off easy enough, assembly of a few more sub-sections and bits and pieces...

 

 

Then the airbrush came out, in two batches as I think I need a new compressor. My old internet knock off compressor seems to be on its last legs and is getting really hot while it's operating, so I only have it on for short bursts now. It's lasted 8 years to be fair - not bad for £40, but I think I'm in the market for something superior now. Anyway, here's the outcome...

 

 

 

And a bit of painting later...

 

 

I still use a bit or artistic license to paint things that aren't meant to be painted, for an effect I'm happy with. I used to paint a lot more, but weathering is more effective and looks better, although I still can't help myself doing a little. Tail lights added next...

 

 

Then we come to the fun. More warped parts, these aren't going to iron out so easily...

 

 

After putting them aside in anger for an evening, I've come back to them and found that a combination of pulling and twisting and a bit of CA to keep them in place has done a good enough job, not great if you look at them from the right angle, but from the side where they'll be seen most, they look ok. Also added the fuel tanks and steps and engine base to the chassis...

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I've added detail paint to the winching station...

 

 

And other bits and pieces (more artistic license I'm afraid)...

 

 

 

And that's it for now. I'm going to varnish and weather these bits and put them altogether next. Might start building the cab and/or the trailer chassis while I'm waiting for bits to dry. 

 

See you soon

 

Matt

[JeroenS]

That's progressing nicely... What a beast!

[Trevor L]

Looking great. Lots of nice details to admire.

[MRMRL]

Another load of work completed over the weekend, starting to come together a bit now.

 

First off I had a day where I wanted to do more building, so I switched focus to the trailer....more warped parts, but they straightened up ok when they were stuck together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a photo of the two sections so far next to each other to give an impression of size....

 

 

And then I was in the mood for painting and weathering, plus a little more assembly. I'm going for subtle on this  one, some dirt on the tyres, a wash to take the edge of the factory fresh look but without making it too dirty.

 

 

 

 

And that's all the main bits and pieces I have so far put together, so next up was to start working on the interior of the cab, which I have now completed as well....

 

 

 

 

And that's us for another day - roof and exterior of the cab next, and continue progress on the trailer.

[JeroenS]

Wow, you're making good time with this build. The interior is looking great.

[Trevor L]

Loving that interior. Amazing detail.

Edited April 4, 2023 by Trevor L

[MRMRL]

Been a while since the last update, time lost in the whirlwind of spending time with the miniature human in the house. Managed to steal an hour or so over the Easter weekend to make a bit of progress on this beast....

 

Assembled the exterior of the cab

 

 

And added the big exhaust pipe thingie, which was easier to do than a lot of this kit (considering that I hate making circles and cylinders from photo-etch, maybe that says more about the struggle with this kit than the etched part) - the jig supplied in the kit helped

 

 

Then added all the remaining details to the cab, wing mirrors, horn etc...

 

 

I then switched back to the trailer, adding the outer part of the frame

 

 

And then adding the top plate...

 

 

and some details...

 

 

and the air tanks...

 

 

And a glory shot of it all together as it stands

 

 

So, we are getting there. Probably finish off some construction of the trailer before another round of airbrushing, might even finish it by the end of the month (that would be nice).

 

Thanks for stopping by

[JeroenS]

That's coming together really well. The PE front looks great.

[MRMRL]

Well, it seems I'm making some headway now, albeit that it's still a wrestle of a kit. I think I've broken off nearly as many parts as I've put on along the way, plus all the warping has really made this a bit of a pig of a kit. Still, the end is in sight and it should come together pretty quickly over the weekend I hope.

 

So I'm going with the finish most the building approach, which means more trailer shots...and more warped rubber bits, which I'm hoping the bogeys will straighten out - we'll see later I guess

 

 

The two rear axles and all the brakes...

 

 

and the other two

 

 

Followed by wheel hubs and tail lights

 

 

Legs...

 

 

and ramps

 

 

More bits an bobs around the end...

 

 

Stoppers and a few loose bits and pieces

 

 

And to finish off for today - a session with the airbrush. Or as it turned out, three short sessions to let the old compressor cool down inbetween. I've got a new one ordered that should be here in time for the next thing I paint, which won't be this monster, but still very much needed.

 

 

Detail painting, weathering and sticking it all together to come next

 

Thanks for stopping by

 

Matt

[JeroenS]

Wow, that looks very good. From up here, the trouble you're having with this kit doesn't show at all, nice work. It's got some good detail on there as well. 

[Stickframe]

Despite the kit problems, your build is looking good, and from here it's hard to see anything but good results.  Seeing all of this reminds me of building the Hobby Boss M1070/M1000 combo, especially the trailer!  Many steps, close tolerances, some warped or oddly molded parts, and the need to make several parts (suspension modules) multiple times   🤦‍♂️  It was driving me crazy!  😄  

 

Cheers

Nick 

 

[MRMRL]

Thanks @JeroenS and @Stickframe, appreciate the support.

 

2 hours ago, Stickframe said:

reminds me of building the Hobby Boss M1070/M1000 combo

Oh dear, I have that hidden away in the stash somewhere as well, maybe I'll take a break for a few years before digging it out 😱

[Stickframe]

Ha - regarding the M1000 trailer - yes, take break from assembling tedious bits for a while.  The suspension under it....no fun to build,  as it involves building several multipart assemblies, in fairness, they basically go together as intended.  But, it is slow going and not the ideal task for a one session build - ask me how I came to that conclusion?? 😁 🤪  

[MRMRL]

Well, that was a productive weekend. Firstly, can someone tell me how I change the title of the thread to add the ***FINSHED*** to it?

 

So let's get on with how we've got to where we are, first up after airbrushing - adding all the remaining parts (lights etc) to the cab and trailer...

 

 

And then putting the cab together finally - involved a bit more than planned as I broke a few more bits in the process that had to be re-attached - it's very flimsy for such a big thing....

 

 

 

And then I got on to detail painting on the trailer (artistic license in places as always, although less than I would have used in the past)...

 

 

 

A wash and some wheels added later and we're nearly there...

 

 

 

Adding the remaining bits and bobs - sorry, I have no idea what these things are...

 

 

Attach the cables...

 

 

And we are DONE - woohoo

 

 

I'll take some better photos later to add to the gallery and create a RFI post for it. This has been the hardest armour build I've ever done. I think I've found it more frustrating than building a ship - they are hard because of the size and level of detail, whereas this was just hard. Still it looks good now we've got there, at least I know I can wrestle decent results from a kit that isn't what it should be.

 

Thanks for watching with me, see you in the gallery. I'd like to build something else for the GB to add to the trailer, but I need a break from armour for a bit, so might not have the time. We'll see...

 

Matt

[JeroenS]

That came out really nice Matt, a good result despite the kit's issues like you said.

 

If you click on the title and hold it, the title will become editable. 

[MRMRL]

4 hours ago, JeroenS said:

If you click on the title and hold it, the title will become editable.

Thanks Jeroen, I wouldn't have worked that out quickly  

[dnl42]

Wow! That looks excellent! 

 

And HUGE! How big is that beast? Will it fit in your garage?

[Trevor L]

Great job. A big model,with lots of nice little details.