Slowly slowly we are getting there…
Did a few more bits tonight, the C/S black backing, vision blocks, a few other bits of detailing.
Happy with how it’s all going and will carry on detailing tomorrow night after work.
Next big thing I need is to get down to a localish model railway shop and see if they have any grass matting as the BATUS grass is longer than anything I currently have… 
Looks awesome John!
That red makes this look very interesting. Cant wait to see it with weathering.
Looks amazing John, I like the little personal details liked the strapped down box on the rear, really adds to the reality, 
.
What are the two gloss black elements, left and right, rear hull top…aerial bases, 
?
G, 
The rear box on the back door is the cam net basket, with a sand coloured cam net inside it. I have to run some brown through it to highlight it as the camera didnt really pick it out under the light.
Yes, they are ABA’s, they are actually flat black, but I had only just touched them up with a thin re-coat hence a bit shiny
Will try and give a an AK IEF wash tonight if I get the chance …
John, all looking good as I expected; for grass try “Gaugemaster GM143 Meadow Mat Meadow 12mm” which is actually a Noch product. It might give you the length you’re looking for. I often use it for my models when I need that extra unkempt grass look.
Thanks Brian, will Google that tomorrow, just about to go off shift …
Looking really good Johnny. I’m eager to see the complete scene achieved.
Olivier
Thanks Olivier… I need to order a grass mat or at least get a bag of a decent length grass flock to simulate BATUS prairie grass…and I still have some detailing to do on the Spartan as well correcting some little flaws I keep finding when I look at the pictures I take
I got the C/S’s put on earlier.
And the bridge classification and VRN
Will definitely get the first pin wash on tomorrow and possibly an all over wash.
Getting there slowly
Edit… And looking at the pics I realize I have to do the mudflaps… DOH lol
Mud flaps, not always fitted , did remove my ones from 432s as didn’t want to spend time ordering or repairing them.
Very nice job Range Safety vehicle John, with, or without mudflats, I really like this build as it’s so unusual, and you’ve rendered it superbly, .
G,
Cheers G, it is something a bit different and not a million miles away from possibly being one that was like it…
When I get the grass sorted for the base, I will be having set up like the Chally2 and Warrior safety wagon image you can see online, but I will have the 120mm slewed over to the left, and the Spartan cupola traversed left like he is observing the live fire shoot.
@frank , yeah you are right mate, they were prone to being ripped off a lot of the time or badly torn… I did have 2 spare mudflaps from the AA Striker PE fret, and it was easy enough to make 2 more and the reflectors. Plus they hide some issues with the tracks 
Did the wash on the Spartan.
Used the AK OIF & OEF and I will put a filter over it tomorrow using the AK NATO / dark brown.
And also did the mudflaps and put a base coat of flat black on those .
Now some may think it looks over dirty but that’s the look I wanted. I was after a few days out on the dusty plain in summer then a stormy shower and a few more dusty days following The Battlegroup around…
Next on the to do list is side lights and indicators, touch a few bits around the hull and tracks and finish the mudflaps and paint and attach them, then do some antennas with a small red flag on each one.
Really looking the part now John.
Thanks Peter. Slowly but surely…
I think I will have to get individual bags of grass flock, 4 , 6 and 12mm and mix them up together and build up the prairie grass that way as I can’t find and grass mats in stock… And I was thinking if I buy and mix them, it will give a more uneven and natural look anyway .
If you can find, adding in a few tuffs can help sell the look.
Which places have you tried for the grass, send me the list and I will look to see if I have another supplier
Just loving this! Can’t wait for the next update!
Thanks Raphael @Cut-n-Paste , glad you’re enjoying the thread.
Cheers Ryan and Frank. I just phoned a localish model railway shop and they have a possible restock coming in this week or early next so I will pop down there first and see what bits they have
Whatever you do end up using John may I suggest that you colour it? To my mind if left in the colours it comes in, grass effects, whether mat or static etc, or even those ready-made tufts, never look quite right. I always colour mine and I feel it just looks better. Now, I’m not suggesting any great art here, and I may well be lazy, but I normally give my grass a blast from a rattle can – “Grass Green” from Humbrol for instance, followed by Tamiya Buff via the airbrush. This also seems to tie the vehicle in to the base nicely.
As I say, only a suggestion.
