What I’ve been piddling along with lately, a build of Trump’s Cr2 with the Pearson dozer. The kit itself is old Trumpeter: rough, lousy fit but an attempt at a more accurate depiction of the Cr2 suspension than Tamiya’s effort, and it can be built without additional armor. That being said, it’s rough, blobs for bolts, goofy depictions of small details, uinusable tracks and flat out incorrect shapes and details throughout. So what I did was to use Tamiya parts where Trump parts were just plain junk, from a Tamiya Cr2 Desertized kit. I wanted to build the tank with the short “normal” side skirts which would expose the lower hull sides and suspension which Tamiya does “old school”, okay if the full skirts cover it up. I also wanted to use the dozer, and after a ton of detailing, is nearly ready as well. I made it removable in case I decide to skip it. I also need to add hydraulic lines if I can find a pic or two that shows them. Anti-slip is molded on to the hull, but not the turret. So far I’ve enhanced the texture on the hull, removed it from the engine cover and still have to add it to the turret. If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t, I’d just pony up for the RFM Cr2 and build it OOB.
So to the pics: green is Trump, tan is Tamiya and white is scratched. Some detail parts still to be added, such as tow cables, antennae and wheel center caps.
Thanks G! I’m thinking that since I have two M60 models in the case with blades, this one would look good with them. What I’m really hoping for is that with the new M48 kits coming from Takom and ILK, someone will do the M8 dozer kit. I’d love to do a Vietnam-era M48 with that on it, just thinking of how it would sit, heavily nose-down with the blade raised, and beat up fenders and road wheels and piles of stowage makes me all verklempt.
Thanks! I’m just pulling stuff off pics in a couple of books, no biggie. [:D]
I now have the decals and a wash on, all sealed up with clear and ready to weather. The fuel drums will be added later so I can get the rear appropriately dirty. I’m also doing the dozer blade separately, along with tow cables and a couple of water cans.
Just about done now, still needs antenna masts and to finish the loader’s hatch and headlights. Side skirts will be hung too. I made this one dirty since it’s a dozer tank.
Thanks G! Practice is key. I once got accused of making “pastel bombs” since I weathered so heavily, but I learned moderation is an acquired skill. That and I’ve found that if I build a model with the intention of taking it to a show, primarily IPMS, it either needs to be “clean” or if it’s dirty, on a base that shows “how” it got dirty if I want to place. Weird, but in my case true. I’ve had clean models I considered good do well in judging, and models I thought were better than good but dirty not place at all. Off topic but weird.
IMG_3708 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3706 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3704 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3703 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3705 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
