M142 HIMARS Build

[HeavyArty]

As I said above, I received the Kelik 3D printed interior decals a few days ago and started working with them. They are very nicely printed and look great. They are on decal paper and you soak them like regular water-slide decals to remove them from the paper. After they are off, you glue them on with white glue (PVA) or super glue. I did find one problem with them though. The color is too light, sort of an interior green. The inside of an M142 HIMARS cab is NATO green.

Kelik pieces color.

Actual M142

To fix them, I carefully hand painted the IP and smaller pieces with Tamiya lacquer NATO Green. The larger piece for the roof I applied to the roof and taped off the areas not colored NATO Green, then sprayed it with the roof/front wall part.

Here is the front and IP.

Here is the seats and back wall. The seat belts are also from Kelik. I added the SINCGARS radio and 3 J-boxes (one on the roof) to connect the CVC helmets, along with one helmet connected.

Lastly, the door interiors with the Kelik handle mechanism decals.

I may add a couple stowage items inside, then close it up and proceed to the exterior. More to come later.

[Trisaw]

That looks insanely realistic for a scale model, Gino! The decals sure make a huge difference. Great job!

[Dan]

Great addition

[Karl187]

The decals look awesome- they really bring a nice touch to cockpits and cab interiors etc.

[HeavyArty]

Thanks gents. I too like how they look and they were pretty easy to apply.

[taylorrl]

Nicely done interior!

Rick

[HeavyArty]

Thanks Rick. I really like how it is coming out as well. Also looking forward to seeing your M1 howitzer too.

[18bravo]

The placards are indeed nice. Unfortunately one is upside down.

[mech]

Wow that looks realistic.

Cheers,
Ralph

[HeavyArty]

Thanks, Ralph. I should have another update tonight. It is almost done.

[HeavyArty]

As promised, this week’s update.

I added a couple items to the cab interior before closing it up. I placed an AK-74 on the seat and a CamelBack on the center hump so it looks lived in.

After closing up the cab, I painted the truck/launcher NATO Green. The MLRS pod is a slightly different green (Tamiya OD #2) for some variety. The markings are a combination of kit stencils and placards and the Kelik Ukraine Army markings and mouth. I think it came out pretty nicely. I really like the grin.

There is also the engine blank up under the cab. It is hard to see, but is there, a bit of CAT yellow just peeking out the right side.

I also painted the underside of the engine and transmission CAT yellow with an orange Fram oil filter.

Next up is some weathering so it looks a little used.

[SSGToms]

This looks tremendous Gino. Nice work and excellent detailing.

[Karl187]

Interior is nice- plenty of details can be seen with the doors open. The grin sure looks good too, as you said!

[GulfWarrior]

That looks great, Gino!

[HeavyArty]

Thanks gents. I am very satisfied with how it is turning out.

[justjohn]

Awesome job!

[HeavyArty]

Thanks John. I really like how it looks too.

[HeavyArty]

I am calling this one done.

First, I finished up some detail painting like the front and rear gladhands and a couple other small things I missed.

Then I started weathering it with a dirty brown wash. Next I drybrushed selectively with a lighter brown for mud, bringing it up the sides as well. Lastly, I lightly drybrushed it with an armor sand.

Here it is overall.

Climbing into the cab.

I also added burn marks to the front of the launcher using successive layers of rust, black, and a couple shades of gray to show the burnt paint from firing the rockets.

Lastly, I weathered the underside to tone down and blend in the bright yellow CAT engine.

I really like how it turned out and am very satisfied with it. Another example of how you can turn Trumpeter’s FMTVs into great models. I really like them and have the other M1083 w/M777 to do too…sometime in the future…

[metalhead85]

Excellent job Gino, great detailing on the cab!

[Dan]

Nice job