Tires: Vallejo Dark Rubber (70.306)
Undercarriage & belly pan: Vallejo Black Primer (73.602)
First time using the AB in about four months. Got tired of faffing about and just went at it freehand, hence the overspray.
I’ve got a base color in mind. But since I’m not ordering new paint anytime soon, I’ll need to experiment with whatever undried-up bottles I have in the stash — maybe some mixology is in order. We’ll see. …
I attached the rooftop to the body structure. After which, I filled the gaps with VMS Flexy 5K Black Thin CA (VMS.CM11). Filing and sanding were done after curing.
The kit includes nicely detailed burlap and potato bags. These are glued-together halves (extras included). Note the concave stacking indent on the burlap bag. Nice touch, Gecko!
Hello!
At last I’m starting a new Vietnam project that I can enter here. and maybe I’ll even start another one, but more on that later.
Let me kick the first one off with this photo:
We had a discussion about this photo and it’s in this thread:
Thing is I finally started building exactly this truck. First the frame rails:
I replaced the grabhandles on the frame to match the photos of a “gasser” that I got from a collector owning a similar truck.
When assembling the axles it’s good to put the whole thing on an even surface, to prevent some of the wheels from hanging in the air later:
As you can see I have scratchbuilt a new frame crossmember under the cab (the mounting of the transfer case will be a little different). I’m also building a different front engine mount crossmember for the gas engine.
The engine itself is simplified in the kit and I think I’ll stick with this solution, but I’ll have to rework it a little, to show the gas engine. Now it looks like this:
I don’t expect this project to go very fast, because it needs some scratchbuilding, maybe even 3D printed prats and custom decals - let’s see how fast I can crank it out.
Looks like you’re off to a good start @Pawel, being as you’ve chosen a truck from the 11th ACR I’m more than a little interested in your build, speaking of that, maybe you could elaborate on the cross members you’ve fabbed up, what inspired your decision to do this? Why is the transfer case location changing, will the output shaft location have to be moved? Are you adding shift linkages and brake lines as well?
Hello! @agincajun - thanks a lot for your comment! It would probably be better to lead the detailed discussion in the other thread… Modelling systems that have been in service very long (like 50 years in this case) is always a little problematic. I got good info from a collector, you can see it here: Curious old M49 fuel truck | SteelSoldiers What I’m trying to do is basically follow his photos as accurate as I can. So one crossmember was simplified by AFV Club - depicted as a flat part, when it should be stamped or drop forged. And the engine crossmember would be OK for a multifuel engine, but it turns out the gas engine used other crossmember with a peculiar looks to it, so I’m trying to show that as well. The transfer case stays where it should be, I just want the mounts to look more like in the photos. I thought about adding the brake lines, but I’m not so sure about it right now… Let’s see!
Thanks again and have a nice day!
Paweł
Inside there are three options - one is a bench, the next is some kind of spool that it indicates to be painted silver, and then something that looks like boards laid across the width of the inside on a shallow ‘rack’ on the floor - stretchers?
Turns out it’s an easy build. Fit is good. I just had to fill the holes in the hulls for where the weapon racks would be mounted. Once that’s taken care of, it will be ready for inside paint!
ok, so I’m slow to start on this campaign and vietnam is my thing but this year (2024) i have lost my will to make models. this isn’t just a case of the lost mojo and I’m coming up to the first anniversary of my dad dying (4th January 2024, which by a remarkable coincidence is the same day my grandfather died 51 years before him).
I’ve started reading books on my favourite subjects but I’m not finishing them as well so I’m not sure if i will finish this project but here goes anyhoo.
so I’m doing these ARVN figures that hobbyfan make only these are cheap copies from aliexpress that i can practice so painting techniques. so here is a picture of the figures assembled and primed
Not being an aircraft modeler, I have a question. Does anyone make a decent UH-1 D or H model? I’d like to build a model of one that flew us from Cambodia to Dau Tieng in June 1970. (Snapped a photo as it was landing, 25th ID, “Little Bears”). But all I seem to see are short cabin B or C models, which were very rare when I was there. I recall Revell made one 40 years ago, has there been nothing since?
This is kind of a one-off build for me for this campaign - I’m no expert by any means. I don’t know about 1/72, but Kitty Hawk makes one in 1/48. It seems from various online build reviews that it requires some care (instructions and fit) but gives a nice result.
Thanks for quick reply, I should have specified, looking for 1/35th scale Huey. Some very talented builders on this site may have swayed me away from Shermans and Panzer IV’s to “my war”. I appreciate you getting back to me.
Hello, from what I have seen on the web and in some stores a UH-1D in 1/35 scale seems a rare find. I have only seen a Dragon UH-1D in 1/35 scale online, but I have seen Multiple 1/48 Scale Huey’s mostly D models with some B, C, N versions as well. That said I have a 1/48 Scale Revell UH-1D Slick/Gunship packed away somewhere that I enjoyed building mine it was done up as a 1st Cav Slick from 229th BN, again that’s what I have come across there are probably many that I have failed to mention and there may be more 1/35 scale and some 1/72 scale as well I just haven’t ran across them. There are a lot of more Knowledgeable folks on here than I and they may have come across a whole lot more than I have.
I agree that it is odd that one of the greatest and most prolific aircraft in history isn’t better represented. I could start a whole new thread on my frustration with the thousands of Panzer kits. In fact, I think I’ve seen a thread on that.
Regardless, I’m sending you a PM. I might be able to assist you.
Hello!
+1 on the 1:72 Huey - I’d say it’s about time for a new issue UH-1D. For now you actually have two options - take the Italeri UH-1D and try to update this, or (for the ballsy ones) tahe the Hasegawa or Revell UH-1D and transplant a nose from an Italeri or Hobby Boss UH-1B on that - this can also result in a good looking UH-1D. Like I said, only good if you’re looking for thrills…
And like I wrote before, I’m starting another Vietnam-themed WIP - a Rome plow!
Here’s a photo:
And more details in a detailed build thread:
Good luck with your modelling projects and have a nice day
Sorry to hear about the rut. I’m glad to see someone tackling an ARVN subject. I was on the fence on whether to do the Dragon ARVN Rangers set with an advisor. I hope you can get it done.
Here’s to the men who end up being the largely forgotten side of the war. I had a friend who was a 25th ARVN Division infantryman. He lost his father and brother fighting the communists. He fought to the last bullet when Saigon fell and endured several years in “re-education” before making his way to the U.S.
most of these guys fit onto a M113 and there is a campaign starting in a few days on that subject so i plan to merge them when they are both done.
i have a book about an ARVN soldier and his escape to america, it has a weird title, something like “where the orange blossom grows” something like that, i haven’t had a chance to read it yet but thier story is largely forgotten about, which is a shame.
