Opened this a week ago and found out that it will be the most complicated build for me to date. It was the first time I had to alphabetize sprue as there are 26 not counting the wheels or PE. Small fiddly parts but generally clean and well fitting,so far. I hesitated on a WIP because,well ,sausage tastes good but you don’t necessarily want to see it being made. But I’m in for a long haul and will post major progress and or problems. As always comments,criticisms and suggestions welcome. What follows is a weeks worth of effort.
templar1099 - don’t worry, we’re here to hold your hand and help you with this baby! I always say it’s better to have the model a bit too detailed than a bit too simplified! Lookin’ good so far, thanks for sharing and have a nice day
Managed to cobble together the bottom chasis, drive and suspension. Didn’t break or lose anything,and all the articulating parts actually articulate,but will probably glue all in place and not chance any misfortune with further handling. I find myself using mostly white and tube glue so far,seems to facilitate the placing and adhesion of the smallest parts. That said I am disappointed in the ability to ‘square’ up and orientate integral pieces. On the up side my ability to manipulate with tweezers is rapidly progressing, there’s nothing like repetition for muscle memory.
I did have to remove and replace one of the front springs as, despite being “visually” identical, they had to be orientated in the same direction. A little nail polish and patience resulted in no damage done. At this point I think I’ll have to prime and paint the hull. Looking ahead I think it will make it easier as this is definitely not a build and paint kit.
Next steps are the interior and I plan on finishing it. The choice is buttoned with no view or opened and some interior view, it will at least allow the option,and it’s just plain good practice. With no color call-out and with what I’ve seen on line I’m thinking some sort of gray and green for base colors. Any ideas considered.
You’re absolutely correct Pawel,thanks. I was just pondering that. When I dry fit ( as best I could ) it seemed to follow the contour of the hub it rests on,better. But it certainly appears out of square,ergo;the prior statement of disappointment. Contemplating surgery for both,front and rear, as they both mirror each other in placement. I will bow to your judgement on being repairable.
Thanks Tojo72, yea the slat armor. I’m of two minds on that; one is to see if I can rig it so it’s removable, and two is build it with slat on one side and all the details on the opposite. Long way to go before that decision.
Thanks Gamera, the slats are not PE ,thank God, but they are delicate. The upside is that there appears to be no flash and are relatively well defined. Removing from the sprues without damage will be first hurdle.
Figured I’d update what progress I’ve made in between the last Fall clean up, a final round of golf, holiday prep, a week of mental constipation and the daily b.s. of just living. Cleaned up,primed and stained a little on the undercarriage, could have done a lot more considering the detail there but you’re really not gonna see it unless it’s turned upside down,but it’s there so … I put together the interior but have not cleaned up or detailed yet. Not planning on too much inside as even not buttoned up one won’t see much, we’ll see, I figured with a full complement it still would get pretty messy in there.
I will say that my proudest accomplishment so far is the piece of PE in the first picture, the fact that I removed and de-burred it without losing or breaking it was a quantum leap for me, placing it was the luck of the Irish. I have lost,due to carelessness, 2 PE vents for the dash. So far ,so good. Only 600 more parts to go. Per uaual any comments,critiques or suggestions appreciated.
Update, stopped working on the interior. Just brushed it up some so it at least,hopefully, looks used. I’ve finished the upper cabin and am getting ready to add the hood and side skirts, wheels are finished and the major headache, the 14 part front bumper, and some piddly pieces will be primed and placed today(?). Nothing firmly attached in the last pic but it starting to at least look like a vehicle.
Thanks Pawel, Yea I’m gonna live with fresh as none of it will be visible with the tinted armored windows, but it was a good exercise and there’s still a long way to go. Happy New Year.
I got an hour here so before I go into silent running mode I figured I’d up date where I stand on the Buff. Looking down the road I think the painting process will be akin to painting a porcupine, all the fiddly,diddly parts that need to be attached rendering the handling of the body problematic, improvise,adapt,overcome.Immediately I’ve got some minor clean up to do on the parts to follow in pics and figure out how to prime,paint and attach. This is basically all topside and front.
3 part hood handles
Had to fashion a wiper blade,lucky to salvage the PE.
3 of 6
That’s it for now,we’ll see how it all plays out. The best laid plans of mice and men…
3 part hood handles
Had to fashion a wiper blade,lucky to salvage the PE.
3 of 6
That’s it for now,we’ll see how it all plays out. The best laid plans of mice and men…