Hello everybody!
I’ve had a vacation break, but now that it’s over I’m moving on with this build. I’ve finally equipped the upper hull - there was mainly the AN/VIC-1 interkom, a first aid kit, a flashlight and some more minor details there. Here’s how it looks like now:
Now I will close up the hull and try to fill and sand all the joints smooth, then I’ll add some more details to the interior and move on to the suspension.
Thanks for looking and have a nice day
Paweł
Hello everybody!
I have closed up the hull. Wanted to show you how much of the interior will be visible:
I have cut off a piece of hull because it prevented me from installing the radios. Now I have to glue it back and smooth out everything, I also want to add some missing welds.
I also have the benches left to be installed. As per tip from ikar01 (Bob) the benches will be folded up, to make a room for a place to sleep (on top of the ammo boxes on the floor).
I also filled and sanded the undeside. Sonn I will be able to start all the fun with the suspension!
Thanks for reading and have a nice day!
Paweł
Outstanding work, so far, Pawel, really nice interior.
Thanks a lot for your comment, I’m glad you like it!
Impeccable work and really phenomenal detailing on the interior. Extremely authentic. Exceptional work all around. Keep it up. I’m enjoying this build very much.
Another Pawel magic act!
I built this kit after it was first released. I also added more detail to the interior, but not to Pawel’s degree!
My largest issue with this kit had to do with the fit of the lower front hull against the adjoining side plates. There seemed to be a 1 to 1.5 difference in length of the lower hull, which the lower hull front is a part of. I tried putty, bulking the panel out, but determined that this wasn’t the fix I needed.
I ended up cutting a new plate that, with supporting strips beneath, fleshed-out the panel to more accurately meet the hull sides. I completed the kit afterwards.
Sure would be nice to have another manufacturer take a go at the V-100 series, with accurate lines, full interior (including the turret basket!) and, heck, how about that V8 gasser!
Hello!
Thanks a lot for your comments!
@SSGToms - thanks a lot for your kind words, I’ll keep you posted!
@GlennRH - good to have you on my thread here!
@m75 - I noticed it too, after I have printed it in 3D. Thing is if the lower front plate was correct size, the fit would be too tight for installing the chassis in the hull like the instructions tell you to - sliding it in all the way from the rear. My solution to the problem was cutting off the winch rollers - then the front is completely flat - and then filling it with good putty (2 component) abd block sanding it:
I also glued in a strip of white styrene to help fix the front in place better.
I like your idea of that V8 as an add on - that might make an interesting model!
Thanks again and have a nice day!
Paweł
Hello everybody!
I have everything nice and smooth now:
As you can see I added some lugs on the rear - where the fuel can holder and pioneer tool rack would bolt to, but USAF didn’t seem to use them - I guess on the airbase they would only add weight here. I have also added some missing welds on the sides. And now I can start working on the suspension.
So first I had to work on the springs. OOB they look like this:
And here are my tweaks:
Now I have to build new shock absorbers and their mounts, and also the bolts attaching the axles to the springs. FUN!
Thanks for looking and have a nice day
Paweł
Hello everybody!
I have the rear suspension done:
The resin wheels are from a company called MMK, the axle is my 3D print with a hole through for a reinforcement made out of brass wire to keep the axle from bending under load when it gets hot, and the shock absorbers are scratchbuilt.
And here’s how the subassembly fits into the chassis:
Now more fun to come - the front suspension and the steering system!
Thanks for looking and have a nice day!
Paweł
Nice job on the suspension. It’s coming along great.
Scary good.
Thats some pretty WOW detailing !!
Gino, Rob, Johnny - thanks a lot for your comments and for your kind words - they mean a lot to me!
I hope I can have another update soon, with the front suspension!
Have a nice day!
Paweł
Pawel,
Love the work. Only thing I can offer is not of your doing, but the aftermarket side of the hobby. The Commando tires that are three-D printed or resin from the “usual suspects” AM all seem to follow the tire profile of being essentially squared-off, rather than rounded. I’ve looked at many images from VN-era use of the Commando, and the Goodyear “Commando” tires were rounded in the shoulder. This observation also applies to most of the 5-ton truck AM tires offered to replace the plastic kit items. I have had to do a lot of sanding on both the plastic, and aftermarket, tires to arrive at a proper profile.
@m75 - thanks a lot for your comment and for your kind words! I looked at the wheels again and I think you’re right, I’ll try to sand them a liitle so they are more round.
And currently I’m havin’ fun with the front suspension. I’ve assembled most of it:
The axle is my 3D design, reworked kit springs and scratchbuilt shock absorbers. I still have to cut some wires to correct length.
I’ve also scratchbuilt the power steering cylinder and I also have the drag link built, but it is not on the photo yet. The wheels will be shown “steered” to one side for a cooler look.
I hope to show you the photos of ready built underside soon. Thanks for looking and have a nice day
Paweł
Wow, great work! 
@JJohnson59 - thanks a lot for your comment and for your kind words!
And I have my chassis almost done. I added the last parts of the steering system, including a sheet metal cover for the power steering cylinder:
Having that, I was able to put the machine on its wheels - only temporarily now:
The rims on the front wheels were a little cracked, so I repaired them with copper wire. Looking up the chassis would look like that:
I plan to add some shading and weathering later, for now I’m building the details on the top. I got a hint from “the real thing guys” that I need a better grille over the exhaust on the “duck bill”. I’m trying to draw something up in 3D.
Thanks for looking and have a nice day!
Paweł
Tire tread looks much better!
Your detailing is immaculate. It looks outstanding.