Here is the completed Nitto Krote conversion previewed earlier. The it is listed as 1/20 but I rescaled it to 1/35 with the addition of various parts and the inclusion of a 1/35 scale figure. The vehicle is now called a R.O.A.S.Ter (Remotely Operated Armored Scout Terracopter.)
Modifications include replacing the Gattling gun with an Israeli 105 with heat shield and a tissue mantlet cover. A twin .30 caliber cupola from an Academy M113 was added to the top. Esci M60 reactive armor was added to the hull. The radio compartment was fill in with spare parts and rocket rails and rockets from a Heller AMX13 were added. A .50 caliber was added as a coaxial machine gun next to the sighting system whose lenses were painted Vallejo gunmetal blue and covered with 5 minute epoxy. Additional antennas were added to the turret back and a second radar was added from a Verlinden M163 kit. Parts of that were also used as gizmos, possibly part of the cooling system. A numer of spot lights and a beacon were added as well. The upper surfaces were painted Model Master Marin Army Desert tan, the lower surfaces sand and the stripes are green drab. Washes of burnt umber and Payne’s gray oils were used to bring out the details. The figure is from Dragon with a modified M16A2 and added straps and communication equipment. The uniform is painted to suggest a digital camo in desert colors. I used a dry brushing brush to add the disruptive patterns. The ground work is railroad ballast over Celluclay with Silfor grass tufts and mats. The hapless shrub if from Military Miniatures Warehouse, dipped in white glue then into Woodland Scenics burnt green turf material.
Just one personal nitpick(not a slight on build). The Kroete is a remote controlled vehicle in 1/20 in 1/35 I would have added a crew-hatch(might have missed it) as it would be rather big for a controlled vehicle.
Check the Dust Vehicles and their sizes for what I mean.
Yep, this started as a 1/20 kit. With the inclusion of multiple 1/35 parts and the presence of a 1/35 scale figure, it has been converted to the smaller scale, shifted from whatever army was listed on the box to US Army (note the star and registration decals). It remains remotely operated with the only hatches being for servicing. I’ve also redubbed it a R.O.A.S.Ter: Remotely Operated Armored Scout Terracopter.
Dreadwing144, the fella that designed these models was really a smart fella. He figured out given the configuration of the vehicle and its balance point, the feet would need to be facing this direction, or else with the thing would just set back on itself.
Nice job on the additional deadly detail and the re-scaling of the Krote! The walker now looks very much like a part of our modern world, something we might see in the next five to ten years…
Definitely could of used one of these growing up back in the Bronx…
