Has anyone who has built this kit found the need to go with resin wheels? The rubber tires do have a seam running down the center but I was able to sand it off on one; they actually look very good to me.
I just started building it today- a million pieces but it’s going together fine so far. I finished step one- just 40 to go!
Yes I remember this build, it came excellent Gino.
I’ll probably stick with the kit tires, the detail and tread looks pretty good.
Please post your work, I would be interested in following the build.
So far the parts fit is very good, little to no flash. As with any truck frame, just be careful to get it straight- Trumpeter did a good job of making all the elements inside the frame fit perfectly with solid attachment points.
I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but what color did you paint the cab interior Gino?
The same color as the exterior. I forget exactly which maker/color, but it is all the same. I probably used NATO Green.
I did a build review of it on the old site, but the link no longer works. Too bad since I outlined the extra details I did on the interior. I no longer have the files either.
it’s a bit alarming that there isn’t much armour on that door.
There is no armor on the door or any other part of the truck, just thin sheet metal. The basic truck, as with most US softskins, has no armor. There are armor kits that get added to it if needed.
There is an up armor kit for the truck which includes the doors. That’s the Trumpeter kit I’m building.
What’s the alarming is how badly they botched that door.
I have stopped sanding the seam lines on rubber tires. Instead I melt them with a soldering iron.
Good luck with the million parts.
Olivier
That’s a good idea Olivier-I don’t have a soldering iron but could try something else.
I was surprised at how easy the seam came off after I ran a sanding stick over it. I was checking to see if I could sand them, otherwise I’d have to buy resin replacements and I don’t want to if I can clean these tires up.
Wow yeah lol
I actually added most of the details on the door. Trumpeter molded it mostly flat with just the cutouts (too shallow, but there) on the inside. I added the upper and lower handles from left over PE fret and the window crank from styrene rod. The example I was using as reference did not have the rifle mount on the door.
I also detailed the passenger seat by scribing a line to delineate the cushion, added clips at the front since it opens upward. I also swapped the hooks around on the uprights at the rear of the seat so that it could fold down into the gunners platform. I also added ribs and details to the back of the seat for the gunner’s platform.
You can see some of the changes here.
Oddly enough. I can still find some pictures from the review in an image search, but I cannot access the review. Too bad as it showed in-progess and how I did what I describe above.
Thanks Gino and everyone, this will help as I move along with the build.
They really made that door very shallow didn’t they.
Sand it flat. Add inner skin from brass shim. I’ll try to find a photo of the one I did. The hardest part is the oval, which with a punch set isn’t that hard. You don’t get the same depth but it’s a huge improvement. The instructions also should show the correct placement of the placards. (since I sent them straight on shots of each one) As they are riveted, their placement is not optional.
This guy added the gun rack:
If you need any other detail shots I may have a few here and there.
