Well, Its that time of year again, time for the annual So.Cal AMPS Online 12 Hour Build challenge- complete a kit in three separate four hour Online Zoom Meeting build sessions. This year my kit that the guys chose for me via vote is the Hobbyboss 1/35 Ranger Special Operations Vehicle w/Mk.19. Due to the time constraints I am building this straight out of box with zero changes to the model or aftermarket items added during the GB Zoom meetings.
Today’s session went very smoothly aside from some ambiguity as to exact placement of the engine, and the transfer case… I will add that Hobbyboss has you add the exhaust pipe at one point, but it would probably go in more easily in the previous step at the same time as the engine and transmission. Anyways, by the end of today’s four hours, I had gotten much further along than I had hoped for, with most of the major sub assemblies completed.
and all fitted together for a photo
Next month I should complete the rest of assembly and get a base coat of primer on.
One reason that I selected this kit as a candidate was a nice simple paint scheme… overall flat black!
The next update will be after the next Zoom session on the fourth Saturday in April
12 Likes
Then you don’t want something like this?
Ken
2 Likes
Nope, not for this GB. If I can get the other RSOV kit with the .50 up top, that might be a candidate then. But for the 12 hour time limit in three sessions, I am sticking with what comes in the box.
Nice photos by the way! Where is that?
3 Likes
Looks to be a much easier build than the last one they stuck you with. 
3 Likes
Right?! It’s a night and day difference all the way around! I really can’t say enough about how nice of a kit that this one is…
3 Likes
Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, early 1990s. Rangers, and other special types, used to do a lot of desert training out there.
Ken
3 Likes
Yes, IIRC, Dugway was one of three locations used for Desert Phase of Ranger School, along with Ft Bliss in El Paso and Yuma Proving Grounds in AZ. Of course the RSOVs were used by Ranger Battalions and to my knowledge were not part of the school curriculum… the whole tab vs scroll thing…
2 Likes
Besides the school training, various units used to come out and do training. What that training was and what it was for they didn’t say. They would just show up, go out in the desert for a while, then leave.
Ken
2 Likes
ARRRRRRRRRRRMY TRAINING SIR! 
4 Likes
This past Saturday we had session 2 of our 12 hour build challenge. I finished building all sub assemblies, stowage items & weapons, then was able to get them all primed in black using Mig Ammo One Shot Primer.
And of course I had to test fit everything…
Next month is the final 4 hour session to wrap this project up.
8 Likes
Yesterday was the final 4 hour Zoom session for this 12 Hour build challenge and I was able to get this kit completed at around the 3 1/2 hour mark…
I will get a full multi view series of photos up in awhile…
10 Likes
Nice! But now the zoom builds will be 11.5 hour builds 
2 Likes
Thanks!
I completed this build yesterday afternoon. Built in three monthly four hour Here are the all angle views of my RSOV… built OOB, aside from swapping out the shovel and water cans for US types instead of the British types that came in the kit. I used Tamiya Rubber Black over a Tamiya lacquer flat black base, and Vallejo color for detail items such as seat cushions, weapons, and stowage. Weathering is AK Pigments, Middle Eastern Soil
Thanks for looking. Comments and critters are welcome.
13 Likes
Nicely done Carlos. I like the minimal weathering-it lets the details shine through.
2 Likes
Thank you Karl. The few photos of these things that I could find show them to be well maintained… just quite dusty with field usage.
2 Likes
Carlos, I don’t know how the hell you did that in only 12 hours. My hat’s off to you. Outstanding model!
3 Likes
What is old is new. Seeing the finished kit reminds me of the LRDG.
4 Likes
Nice work Carlos. These rovers are nice little builds, and you get a few decent versions as well. I am looking for the Defender hard top soon.
2 Likes
@SSGToms, @Johnnych01, @TopSmith
Thanks guys! This was one of the most enjoyable builds that I’ve had in quite some time. Not 100% trouble free, but nothing that couldn’t be finessed easily enough.
Johnny, I’m certainly looking forward to getting at the two Brit WMIK Defenders in my stash, and would not m ind getting the other RSOV kit as well as the hard top utility one as well.
Top, you’re quite correct! And you gave me an idea for a group photo of some builds of mine…
2 Likes
