Hi all
Well, after more than a year of on and off work, I think I can call this diorama done!
This build wasn’t inspired by any particular photos or anything like - tbh the reason for this build is that I really like the Humvee, especially all the SF/GMV variants. I’ve actually built a few of these before but as my skills have (somewhat) improved, new aftermarket has come out and 3D printing has come along, it was time for another build! And also time for the first problem - the Tamiya M1025 and M1046 appear to be out of production. This was a problem because 1) the Legends SF GMV conversion I wanted to use was made for that kit, and 2) most reference pics I have show that the trucks without doors were almost exclusively M1025 based. The door point is important because these trucks are full of comms equipment, crew modifications, weapons, stowage etc and I wanted to be able to see all that.
Alas, I couldn’t find any Tamiya kits for a reasonable price and didn’t have the patience to wait anymore, so I bough the Academy M1151 and the Legends SF GMV conversion kit and grabbed the saws, files and sanding sticks. A small point on accuracy here - there are M1151 (or M1165) based GMVs in use and I have plenty of images showing them. But as far as I can tell they all have their doors on, and most have up-armoured beds and turrets. This makes sense because why use the up-armoured M1151 or M1165 as a base only to remove the doors. So while I’ve tried to keep the diorama as accurate as possible, the starting point is not accurate as far as I know.
The Academy kit and Legends set don’t provide everything I had in mind for this build so I used a lot of aftermarket (new & from the stash) and 3D printed parts myself from various STLs from Cults3D. Here is a (likely incomplete) list:
Base Kits
- Academy M1151 13415
- Legend Productions LF1212 Special Forces GMV conversion
Aftermarket
- Pro Art US Special Forces Vehicle Communication set
- Pro Art US modern Radio and Satellite Communication Set
- MS Productions 3D printed 1/35 SINCGARS Radios
- MS Productions 3D printed 1/35 M18 Smoke Grenade
- MS Productions 3D printed 1/35 Mk 18 Mod 1 Set 3
- MS Productions 3D printed 1/35 Mk 18 Mod 1 set 5
- MS Productions 3D printed 1/35 Tie downs/Footman’s Loops
- 3D MicroCosmos HUMVEE Front Bumper w/ Winch 1/35
- Legend Productions LF3D017 M240 Swing Arm Var.3 set
- Legend Productions LF3D011 FN SCAR MK17 set
- Legend Productions M2A1 HMG on OGPK Shield Mount
- DEF Models Modern U.S. military Equipment set DM35070
- DEF Models M1151 HMMWV MT/R Sagged wheel set DW35152
- DEF Models Modern Portable Coolers DM35013
- DEF Models Modern Ammunition Box decal set DD35002
- RB Models .050 & 0.30 cal spent shells
- Live Resin .050 cal links
- Live Resin LRE35047 M2 Browning .50 Caliber Machine Gun on MK93 Machine Gun Mount
- Live Resin US Army Utility Pouches Set LRE35114
- Dragon/Tamiya MRE boxes
- Accurate Armour 1/35 snacks
- Accurate Armour carbon fibre aerials
- Quinta Studios Humvee interior decals
- LRD35006 US IR Flag patch
- 3D Printed camera, padlock, open 20mm ammo boxes, 7.62mm ammo boxes, jerry cans, sledgehammer, shovel, hi-lift jack, fire extinguisher, cell phones
- Scratchbuilt rear bumper shelf, suspension springs/shock absorbers, tarps and straps
- Several things I have forgotten!
Figures
- Airborne Miniatures 3535 Special Forces Polaris Crew - only used one for the guy sat on the bonnet.
- Live Resin LRM35021 US Special Forces modern ATV rider with Mk18 carbine - converted to sit in the turret
- Live Resin LRM35015 US Army Special Forces gunner in JPC plate carrier - smoker at the back of the truck
- Legends Productions LF0134, US ODA Weapons Sergeant - chap standing at the front
- Hornet heads - various sets
Base
- Insulation foam cut to a circle
- VMS Smart mud for the base ground work
- Rocks, sand and dirt from my garden (inspired by Uncle NightShift of course😄[image])
- Woodland Scenics Ballast
- MiniNatur grass
- MiniNatur paper plants
- Woodland Scenics resin water and still water
Painting was done with a mix of MRP, Tamiya, Vallejo and Abt. 502 paints
Ok that’s enough words - here are the photos!
And some details shots:
Here you can see the Quinta interior set, scratch built pedals and underneath of the dash, and all stowage crammed into the back
The rolled up tarp on the back was made from Magic Sculpt (first time using this - amazing stuff!) and whilst it was soft I pressed in the ratchet strap and other straps for the jack. Also you can just make out the tiny padlock on the chest - this is a 3D printed item from Cults3D.
Here’s a shot of the bed showing the ammo boxes, water and MRE boxes, Igloo cooler, packs and bags and other stuff the crew would need
More details like spent shell casings and links, half filled Coke bottles, and hanging backpacks. Also visible are the 3D printed 7.62 boxes with lifted handles through which the straps have been fed - again I am amazed by 3D printing!
Wouldn’t be Afghanistan without poppies!
Garbage that’s often seen in my references - the chair and bottle are 3D printed and the sandbags are scratch built
All the figures have been painted with Vallejo Acrylics and Abt. 502 oils for the faces
The US flag in the windscreen is an old Archers Transfers item. The wiper blades were also scratchbuilt as the kit parts are poorly detailed
The for not legal reason “Pringles” can is from Accurate Armour
The camera is again a 3D printed item with a lead foil strap - painted up to look like a Nikon!
The MK 18. is a purchased 3D printed item (very impressive detail here!) while the bungee cord is scratchbuilt
After a year of this being on the bench, I am glad to have it done and ready for something else! Thanks for looking!
Still at least I have spares!
