I finally got fed up with the Tamiya German AA gun. (no I did not throuw it out like the last model)
I put it away in hopes that at a calmer time I could fix the broken pieces and finish the item.
It came with these long hooks. If you notice, the Anti Aircraft gun (no pictures, just look for mobelwagen at tamiya’s website) has these hinged side panels. They came off too easily, so tha was one issue. The other was that these hooks broke very easily. That’s where I threw up my hands and put the darn thing away!
I have three other models in the wings, but I was really not up to completeing them (must be the Dark Side and all).[;)]
So I made a quick run to my local hobby store for another tank; something a lot easier.
But I just can’t get away from funky models.
This one is a modern M981 F.I.S.T.V., it is a forward surveylance tank thing. It will be cool looking after I finish is.
After all this background info, I have two questions.
Has anyone put this together? It is made by Academy.
It has individual track parts which I have to glue together. Trouble? I think I miss the rubber tread of the Tamiya tank.
Ok, 3 three questions…
I want to paint this in all acrylic. Testors is the easiest option, because I don’t have to thin the paint.
The problem is that they do not list a Forest Green or Light Brown. I know I could customize or guesstimate the colors, but I want to know if someone knows of good substitutes.
The store only carries Testors Model Master Acryl. There might be another brand, but I have no clue who it might be.
The M981 FIST-V is an artillery forward observer’s high tech method of calling for fire. Shoot the laser designator at the target, GPS and all sorts of fancy gizmos determine the postion of the bad guys. Crew sends info back to the batteries, then they rain steel on the bad guys.
The Academy kit is a decent one. AFV Club recently put out vinyl tracks for these types of vehicles to replace the single links that some modelers dislike.
Tamiya makes the perfect NATO colors for this, coincidentily enough called NATO Green, NATO Black and NATO Brown. I’m not familiar with MM acryl line, but aim for a medium green and dark brown or chocolate brown. It should be close enough to match the kit.
Good luck. I’ve got the M981’s older brother in my motor pool, the M901 ITV. They are basically the same vehicle except for external fuel tanks on the M981 and the TOW missiles in the M901 ITV’s hammerhead. You can access detail shots through the link in my signature block.
Yeah!Rode one of these when I was “F.O.ing” at company level instead of with my grunt platoon.For some odd reason,I prefered to be down at platoon level.
The Grunts treated “EFF-OH” like one of there own.Great group of people!The FIRE SUPPORT (F.I.S.T.) Platoon had to live with there supported element (4-8 Infantry,in my case).I’ll never forget those guys!
And Rob,you got it right.The M-981 is high tech.Even back in '91.
I wouldn’t worry too much about an exact color match. If you poke around in the forum and find the thread regarding scale effect, I think you’ll see plenty of commentary on exact color matching, scale effect and personal preference. I’m sure if you look at Major Rob’s site and look at the vehicles you’ll see some variations in color if for no other reason, sun fading, repairs, touch ups etc. Weathering can make a difference as well as lighting. I would think that if your close enough to the “perscribed” colors for that vehicle and theatre of ops, you’ll have a close enough match. Check stores like “Crafts and Stuff”. Mine carries a pretty full line of Tamiya acrylics. And with mail order these days, you can order from places like Squadron, MTS or Red Lancer and still get it within a week. For an extra $8 or $9 you can have them 2 day it if you’re in a hurry. (Sounds expensive I know, but if you think what it would cost you in time, gas, hassle to drive around town looking for another hobbyshop its not that bad. Sort of a catch 22. I’m not an advocate of mailorder because thats what I think has killed the LHS, but today seems like the only solution…damn their eyes…)
As for the indy linked tracks…Please don’t take this the wrong way and I’m only thinking of your well being, piece of mind and the future of your kit, but given your propensity to play godzilla with your models…be in a relaxed, good mood when you sit down to do the tracks.[;)] If you’ve never done them before, they can be tedious, daunting and cause one to rush just to get through the project. Leading to frustration and problems. Take your time, big breath, and go easy. Get up and walk away if you have to. The pay-off is big though, because they look great and far outdo the vinyl tracks when done. Sometimes you can make a jig to help with assembly and it makes it a little easier. It keeps them in line, and they don’t go scooting around the table. Once you’ve done them, you’ll never look at the vinyl tracks the same.
Good luck with this build and get us some pics of the finished project. I’m sure you’ll do a great job and have fun.
I just finished building that tamiya gun yesterday! I thought that it was a pretty easy build, i put it in the firing mode however, but i didn’t have any problems with the model, a liitle frustration over mal-fitting pieces of the mount, but nothing major. its nifty when its done.
Ok, the Accademy tank was almost completed when I noticed I had put turret parts on backwards. The FISTV has two “arms” that hold up the guidance system (?). It appears the arms are backwards (right to left). One arm has a significant cylindrical bulge at the top; perhaps this houses some kind of motor. In any case the model has this arm on the right side of the tank. On the web, I see this arm on the left side.
Obviously, like the color, this level of detail is not important. But I was not getting a wide range of movement from the “head” that I thought I should.
Fortunately, the glue had not cured and I was able to take it apart.
One last thing the driver’s hatch has an “open hinge”, such that if it is nudged slightly, it will fall off. Is there a purpose to this? I will probably glue the hatch in place so it really does not matter that much.
First the external fuel tanks are required because they gutted the interior to make room for radios and batteries. so The internal fuel tank and the tow racks are missing. Looking towards the front of the vehicle you have radios on the right and equipment boxes on the left. Also the battery system is back near the back as well. Hammer head is the same externally… Iternally there were several pieces strapped to the turret. Taking up a whole lot of space. Anyone who rode around in the back will tell you they bang thier head on that equipment quite often.
Externally the hammerhead has a opening for the tow missile the 981 didnt have. Also four antennas in the air is a pretty much dead give away… FIST-V
Don’t forget to paint the black “TOW Openings” on the FISTV’s hammerhead… It’s part of the camo… The Army wants the FISTV to be mistaken for an ITV by the bad guys, since it’s not a high-value target like the FOs and the FISTVs are… (Straight from MSG Halfmast’s mouth… Read it in a PS Magazine issue back in the day…)[:D]
I had the same problem with my Mobelwagen, after the hooks broke, I used some brass wire I got at the Hobby Shop, and bent and twisted them to the correct shape. No more problem.
