guardsmen22 wrote:

I think the leg idea would be really cool.  looks good so far, I've been interested in this kit for a while so I'll be watching this with great interest.

Thank you. If you have any questions about the kit, please feel free to ask.

John31388 wrote:

Looking good so far

Thank you. So far, so good...

smeagol the vile wrote:

the thing about photoetched, and mecha metal AM parts... is its such a crime to paint them, they look so cool unpainted. Have you thought of a scheme yet?

I think you mean the hex bolts? Yeah, they do look pretty good all shiny like that.

Its going to be Israeli Armor Sand (actually a greenish kind of color) w/ Olive Drab parts and dark grey rubber bumpers on the engine housings. IDF markings all over. Lots of dust weathering.

I was going to display it "in flight", but unforeseen difficulties have me rethinking the decision. I'll try to get it done first, and then decide.

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When you open your mouth, you allow others to see into your mind.

I'm sure you can work your way around the problems and finx a way to do it. 

As far as that Mg goes, praticly speaking, for that vehichle, its most likley not meant to be aimed forward, more for shooting at things higher up then it.

That being said, you could probably easily mod it forward. 

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The Acguy is the Tiny Tim of the Gundam Universe, they need the most love of all.

Great modding work

Thank you gentlemen, you are all very kind.

I'm torn on the weathering. On the one hand, I prefer a clean model w/ minimal weathering, and as an Israeli Defense Force vehicle, it probably wouldn't get too beat up w/ normal use.

On the other hand, if those hoverfans are strong enough to actually lift this thing, they're going to throw a lot of mud and dust into the air and onto the hull.

Suggestions and tips always welcome.

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When you open your mouth, you allow others to see into your mind.

if those hoverfans are strong enough to actually lift this thing, they're going to throw a lot of mud and dust into the air and onto the hull.

Q. will this model be displayed "in a scene"?....which brings up Q2, will the scene be wet, or dry? In other words, what exactly will the fans be throwing ?(I was going to ask what would be hitting the fans, but perhaps that is territory that shouldn't be explored) . In a wet environment there will be mud, that dries into thick buildups of material, the same color as.....dust! that would evenly coat surfaces when operating in the same environment, during the dry season.

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Lead me not into temptation ..................I can find it myself

PatlaborUnit1 wrote:

J I am in the same exact situation with my hovetcraft recovery vehicle.  As a recovery vehicle it will not be slogging through the mud and crashing through the trees, but it will be throwing dust everywhere plus going over the occassional bush. I plan a trop paint job with plenty of Mig pigments in the corners and on the air cushion skirt.  The final decideing factor for you will be the actual operating terrain and how often your HT gets washed.   Looks GREAT so far by the way, I have never sen one of these finished!

Thank you, I appreciate that.

I saw a finished one at Wonderfest USA back in 07, I think, the year it came out. Other than that one, I'm surprised not to have seen more of them too. I think it gives the impression of easy modding/kit-bashing, so maybe folks are thinking of changing it up when they build it, which slows down the process. That's what happened to me.

sumpter250 wrote:

if those hoverfans are strong enough to actually lift this thing, they're going to throw a lot of mud and dust into the air and onto the hull. Q. will this model be displayed "in a scene"?....which brings up Q2, will the scene be wet, or dry? In other words, what exactly will the fans be throwing ?(I was going to ask what would be hitting the fans, but perhaps that is territory that shouldn't be explored) . In a wet environment there will be mud, that dries into thick buildups of material, the same color as.....dust! that would evenly coat surfaces when operating in the same environment, during the dry season.

It won't be "in scene" at first. It's part of an IDF group build that I joined late, and it has to be done by the 20^th to get the badge so... I'm just gonna finish it first, then see what I can do about building a dio for it afterwards.

It's an (conjectural) IDF vehicle, so Israel would be its primary terrain. I got some pictures from White_R34 of the area, hung them below.

psstoff995 wrote:

Don't forget small rocks dinging up the paint!! Looks really nice so far

You know, I had honestly not thought of that. Don't know why, but now that you mention it it's obvious. Those rocks would be moving at a very high speed too. Looks like I'm gonna be beating this little guy up a bit...

As I said, White_R34 sent me some recent images to help me out. Here are some of them:

White_R34 wrote:

Here's some new photos from the region, of the Active sevice and Reservis units.

White_R34 wrote:

Here's a Mk II on patrol at the Israel border., It's call the Mk. IID for the armor added to the turret and sides of the upper hull. An one last thing I wan to show you all the IDF D9 an D9R Catt, this thing is truly a beast. They use thing to help push there way over built up hills and man made obstacles.

White_R34 wrote:

You know your hovercraft would be a great Idea! No more MUD holes!!

I'm struck by how little damage the vehicles have on them, especially the combat bulldozer. You would think that they would at least have more chipped paint or scratches. Dirty as hell though...

It may be ironic, but I think to be "realistic" my model will have to be more beat up than the real thing.

Thanks for the support guys, I appreciate it.

Post shaded the hull today (would have done it sooner, but I came down w/ a bout of the flu...). Came out a little garish. Toning it down tomorrow, then maybe pixs.

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When you open your mouth, you allow others to see into your mind.

  Cosmic J said, "When you open your mouth, you allow others to see into your mind.".............So, CJ, stop posting those photos that make my jaw drop.....my mind is not a pretty sight! :) :)

  Sweet work!, and you definitely should be able to accurately weather, using those photos of real armor, in the real environment. The small rock damage..........I would think that would be mostly on the bottom of the vehicle.....the rocks that could cause serious "dinging" would be too heavy to lift to sufficient altitude to come down on the upper surfaces with enough force to "ding" armor plate......chip paint? maybe, but make noticeable dents in armor plate, I think not.

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Lead me not into temptation ..................I can find it myself