I likes all the subjects you built Olivier, another good model in the line. I’ll follow your thread.
2 Likes
Thank you Stéphane.
Despite the lesser time I had lately I managed to assemble the cannon.
I hollowed the muzzle, widened the eye-piece and modified the sight by simulating the glass at the front and hollowing the rubber protection. I advised to glue the feed chute with CA glue.
Olivier
16 Likes
Very nice
2 Likes
That is looking really nice.
1 Like
I have applied the camo after the grand-children left the house.
I chose one of the Takom Masster option, the one with the plain green running gear. As Takom do not give you a top view I invented the scheme trying to have it corresponding with the side color patches.
I used XF-78 wooden deck tan for the base color, XF-26 deep green for the green, XF-1 for the black and Prince August Vietnam US Tan for the brown. The running gear and the accessories are painted XF-58 olivier green.
I know this may be far from the manual but from the pictures I have seen of actual vehicles it appears that many crews did not bother too much with the manual.
Olivier
10 Likes
You have no idea how true that statement is!!!
My only comment is that I would say that the green looks a bit too dark. I might also add one or two smaller black “blobs” in the front/top area, particularly the RH vehicle corner.
Looks great!!
2 Likes
Not a paint scheme I have ever tried, but it looks nice. The kits built up really well.
3 Likes
Your build looks great,makes me want to get around and get one to build. Though if I do build one it will likely be a modified El Salvador variant.
3 Likes
Thank you for the comments.
Tom I could try to enlighten the green. Concerning the black patches this should be easy. However for the front I applied the scheme given by Takom.
Olivier
1 Like
I’m in the process of painting the feeding chute. I have applied XF-84 dark iron as a base and intend to highlight the edges with a metallic color or maybe a graphite pencil. Concerning the round cases which are visible which color should I use?
Olivier
1 Like
looks GREAT!
3 Likes
Green shade modified. I mixed some drops of XF-4 yellow green with the XF-26. I omitted to say the camo was painted.with a brush.
When I tried to glue the tracks I noticed I had glued the rear mudflap too far forward. So I had to remove them beforehand. Fortunately I didn’t break anything. The ammo box is not glued yet. The rubber ammo chute is too stiff. So I have glued the cannon supports first. When they are definitely glued, I will glue the box with CA glue.
Olivier
10 Likes
Dull brass, I think. I don’t think American 20 mm cases were lacquered or anything.
2 Likes
Correct. US made 2m ammo was mainly brass.
20mm ammo belt being fed to the M197 20mm cannon on a Turkish T-129 ATAK helicopter.
5 Likes
Really like the cam scheme on this, not one often seen but very unique 
4 Likes
In the feeding chute would the metal links be on top of the belt? If so I’ll have to paint the links black.
This morning I tried to fix the ammo box. The chute appears too long so it doesn’t look realistic at all with very excessive curves. I’ll check my refs to see if Takom goofed.
Olivier
2 Likes
Love these two photos. They clearly show that while the regulation that kicked off the MASSTER program in USAREUR included charts which showed how the pattern was “supposed” to be applied to various vehicles, in actual practice in the field there was a huge variety as these two vehicles demonstrate. Even the wheels are different, with one vehicle left the original OD and the other one painted solid colors. I have actually seen vehicles where the wheels are painted two different colors!
2 Likes
I think the top pic is the restoration at Saumur Tom, which might explain what looks like a spray finish.
2 Likes
Unfortunately the material used by Takom is too stiff. So if you try to glue the chute it makes a nasty angle and not a curve. Not realistic at all.
So I started to cut elements of the chute and try to connect the ammo box and the chute until there is a curve and not an angle anymore. It works but the S shape isn’t enough. I have probably cut one or two too many elements.
Olivier
6 Likes