Thread copied from old forums
This is going to be a build log of the Rochev by AFV CLub plus some RIICH tracks and Legends stowage set. I will try to depict a vehicle during the 1982 operations in Lebanon.
Some photos of the period:
I started by following the first 4 steps of the instructions and then procceeded to step 8 and added the engine deck parts and the rear upper hull (part F1) in order to get a rigid assembly and ease parts alignment. I will not add the big engine deck grille yet, in order to assemble the suspensions and thus have easier access to the hull interior.
The wheels of the kit proved to be a huge PITA. Each wheel is in two parts with three sprue gates on every part. Also the inner side of the outer wheel has 4 pinmarks that have to be removed. All wheels need sanding.
The idles/tensioners also consist of two halves and require some sanding.
The sprockets are easily assembled without any problems.
The suspension is positionable, but not workable, since the first and last wheel do not have a wroking suspension arm. There are torsion bars supplied and are easily aligned and secured to place. Since I am putting the model on a display base I glued everything securely in place.
The tensioner arms might prove difficult to align correctly, so I glued in place the tensioner wheels and the last road wheel on each side.
The Riich tracks proved to be way more time consuming and required lots of work in order to put them together. It took me almost 10 hours for both sides. It might have taken even longer had I not thought the Italeri jig I had. It helped a lot.
After the tracks were done I returned to the instructions.
On step 2 of the instructions you are advised to drill some holes to the side of the hull, parts E4 and E5. The size of the holes should be about 1.5 mm. You are also advised to drill some holes in order to use part D10s = bolts. It would be a lot easier not to drill holes and glue the bolt part of D10 straight onto the hull sides. You can do the same for part D15.
On step 9 of the instructions you add the hinges on the engine deck. If you are planning to use the Legend stowage set find the rolles canvas piece Legend supplies and do some dry fits before gluing the hinges in place, since you need to leave some of them out. I personally think that this stowage part is not neccessary nor nice, since there is really no point in adding that on the engine deck.
On Step 11 I decided not to add the photoetch grille (G4) to the exhaust, since it is he wrong type and most potos do not show a grille on the exhaust at the time period I am interested in.
On step 12 do not use parts G2 and G3. They are later additions.
On steps 19 and 20 do not use part G18.
The hull is almost done, only some stowage left to be added and a couple more details like straps and tie downs. Remember to check your references for specific details on the time frame of your model.
