M142 HIMARS - the corrected build

H-H, have you thought about thin flower arranging wire for the loop antenna ?, I will try and make one tonight and put a pic up.

Hi Andreas,
yes printing one might be a solution. But I wonder if it will stand repeated handling on the shelf.

Hi John,
I am not even close about thinking about the antenna. Sure I will make one from some kind of wire, but first I have to make a jig to get both wire identical. the rest of the build is more stressing my nerves. I currently build the cab with doors as it should be on the real vehicle. The Trumpeter kit is unfortunatly far from realistic. I am afraid that this buld will turn into another “white” model or “Evergreen strip orgy”

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everyone will be rooting for you HH :+1:

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It will take a little work, but is totally doable. The Trumpeter model is of an earlier prototype, not the fielded version. Between you and Andreas (Quartercav) we will have some good examples of how to build a current (fielded) version. It will make my eventual build much easier. :+1: :+1:

And when we finished our builds, someone releases a correct M142 HIMARS kit? :grin:

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DVIDS video of the first life firing of 1/77 FA.
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/771278/history-making-1st-bn-77th-field-artillery-regiment-launches-himars
Not much markings but a good amount of Graf dust.

One more HIMARS video from Youtube. From the 7min mark you can see the interior. Take also note of the FMTV reload trucks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1XIfMy4M30

Some small progress today. I combined parts from Trumpeter to make “beefier” seats. Of course Trumpeter forgot the 3rd seat.




Anyway, you won´t see much after the cab is on.

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Nice update HH, and like you say, once it’s all together you’ll hardly see any of the inside.

I knocked up one of those antennas… Took 5 minutes and although rough, you get the idea… I know you’d said you’d do the same sort of thing, but it was super easy…

Used a superglue pot for the oval and that’s the unbent wire on front.

And just used some thin plastic strip cut even thinner to keep it rigid.

:+1:

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@Johnnych01

Good idea, worked very well. Once I’ve figured out how to build the mount for the harris electronics, I’ll tackle the antenna.

For a good comparison I put my photos of the cabin again from another topic.



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Thanks Andreas, it needs tweaking and a bit more care taken but the basics are there.

Fishing line.

What diameter wire did you end up using?

small lol …

Seriously, I have no idea. Its very thin flower arranging wire. I will try and get a measurement somehow later after work but its at least .5mm or under. Will try and confirm later mate ok.

This is a great build and I will follow closely. I finally found a M142 kit available, they seem very much sold out except for EBay and those kits are in China. Other walk arounds? or Books available? Also, I have only seen them in Dk. Green in Ukraine (which I will model). Does anyone know what green is being used? It appears darker than the US Standard NATO green?

Forest Green ? its what I used on my Stryker a while back ?

Sounds about right. FS34079?

Yeap, the AK RC one

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Here’s one

https://www.svsmgallery.com/Top-level/Walkarounds/Missiles/Multiple-Launch-Rocket-Systems/M142-High-Mobility-Artillery-Rocket-System-HIMARS-MCAS

This other one is from Simgapore : http://www.grubbyfingersshop.com/walkaround_galleries/HIMARS_6x6_Rocket_Artillery_System_Singapore_walkaround/content/index.html

But Rob Skipper probably has one available as well :wink:

H.P.

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