M1088A1 5-ton Tractor Conversion

I don’t know about the details but what you’ve got looks great! Looking forward to more. [Y]

Thanks gents. It has been fun so far.

It definitely looks fun!

Thanks. I hope to have another update soon.

I pretty much have completed initial construction and the conversion.

Here is the overall frame with scratched work platform made out of 45 degree angle and sheet styrene for the frame and PE from the M983 HEMTT tractor kit. I also used some of the fittings and lights from that kit as well.
IMG_2148
IMG_2149

I made the step ladder and hand holds from styrene rod.
IMG_2150
IMG_2155

I repurposed a truck transmission from something as an engine blank since you can see the emptiness from the rear. I also added the air intake tube from the air cleaner into the engine compartment. I will add some more hoses and wires later to fill it up more as well.
IMG_2151

I added the steering gearbox and linkages on the driver’s side, along with air brakes front and rear. The front were on a sprue ordered from Trumpeter out of the M983 kit. The rear are ones that were 3D printed from Shapeways.
IMG_2152

The 5th wheel is from the M915 kit, with a scratch base. It was left over from my M920 build where I used the larger M983 5th wheel. The ramps are from the M983 kit.
IMG_2153

I found a better picture showing the rear lights and mud flap setup. I modified them using lights from an Italeri M923 load bed and the boxes from the kit lights. The mud flaps are from a Trumpeter M1120 sprue that will be used in a future M987 HEMTT Fueler build.
IMG_2154

On the cab I added the grab handles inside and out from copper wire supplied in the Legend update set.
IMG_2156
IMG_2157

I hope to get some paint on it and the M1062 trailer this weekend. More then.

Thats looking very impressive HeavyArty.

Oh wow Gino, she looks fantastic!!! [ht]

Thanks gents. Still plodding along. I have already made a couple changes/corrections since the last set of pics. I hope to get some paint on it this weekend and have another update.

Love. Every. Detail.

Next level stuff, Gino. Absolutely wonderful to watch.

Thanks Mike. Work continues.

I was able to get the cab interior done. I used Tamiya NATO Green spray for the overall green and OD for the seats. I picked out other details with other colors as needed.
IMG_2161

The instrument decals are out of the kit, cut apart and placed individually. All the warning and placard decals are either left over from other kits, or made by me. The fire extinguisher is from the kit, with a custom decal added.
IMG_2158
IMG_2159
IMG_2160

Here is the interior and doors with serial numbers added and details picked out with black.
IMG_2163
IMG_2162

This is how it will look overall. I am thinking about doing the cab in NATO camo and the M1062 trailer in sand.
IMG_2166
IMG_2164
IMG_2165

Next up is some weathering, sealing it up, and on to the outside painting.

Your work is, as usual, first rate and looks outstanding[Y]

Thanks Steve. I am having fun with it.

It sure shows, Gino! The machine looks impeccably clean right now! Good luck with your build and have a nice day!

Paweł

Thanks Pawel.

Thats looking great.

Thanks lurch.

That interior is spot on.

Although, not seeing any split fabric with yellow foam exposed does give a felling of “very new” (and, there’s not really an elegant way to model split open seats at 1/35).

That’s going to look good with your usual collection of “GI junk” in the cab, too.

Thanks CaptMac.

Looks great to me Gino!!!