WIP: M992A2 FAASV Conversion

Thanks for the compliments.  It is actually now done and can be seen here. 

Yes, anyone can use the laser-cutting service.  You simply send them your CAD file and tell them what you want (how many copies, thichness and type of material, etc.) and they send you a quote.  Accept the quote and pay them and within the week I had the cut parts.  It was really simple.

Man, getting a FAASV up to 65 must have felt like you were flying.  It probably felt like it was going to shake apart as well.  Gotta love fun with heavy tracked vehicles.

I need to step into the armor section more often, can't believe I missed this thread.  I have my spare 109 kit holding a shelf down waiting to have the 992 treatment done.  I'm at work so don't have time to browse every post, can any of us get the laser cut parts done?  Sure wish my work computer would show the pics, makes me more anxious to get home so I can get a look.  Did I mention the time I ran my FAAVS down the Autobahn at 65mph once?  Long story but was a hoot.

Thanks Pawel, but I'll stick to my standard way of finishing.  I still don't like the look of preshading. 

Mike, thanks.  Yo know I love scratch and detailing too.  I do plan on piling on the gear.

Thanks Tony, as long as you don't want to "Love me long time," we are good.  Just kidding.  Glad you like it.

WOW Gino. As they say "You The Man" "Number One G.I."

Tony Lee

Gino - Ahhhhh...Detail and Scratch Work ...I'm in heaven.  Outstanding....simply outstanding.

Done up for the initial invasion.....you may have to "pack up" a bunch of personal gear on it....that along with weathering would break up the mono tone....either way....you have a winner there

Well...its PRIME TIME.....nothing like the smell of Lacquer Thinner

Rounds Complete!!

Hello Gino!

Nice progress here, I'm glad to see it! I also like the anti-slip coating a lot. If you're going to do the desert scheme, maybe you'd like to try the preshading? It not so hard to do if you have an airbrush, and adds that colour variation which would be very welcome on a baby this big - with a lot of big flat surfaces. Otherwise you risk it looking a bit "dull". I know you have your problems with preshading, but I think it would be worth a try here - doesn't cost you more than 15 minutes time, and you can paint it over even faster if you don't like it. Otherwise, if you definitely say "no-no" to the preshading, you just might be better off with some camo pattern to make the surface more interesting. If you'd like to go with the preshading, I'd be glad to give you any tips you might need. Good luck with your project, have a nice weekend

Pawel

I have made quite a bit of progress since the last update.  All of the basic construction is done.  I built the driver's hatch and its hold-back mechanist, again from a modified M113 part.  The hatch is hinged and detailed on the inside and outside.

I also completed the other details on the front end such as the step,
towing eyes, and lift rings.

I also completed the rear with the addition of mud flaps.

Finally, I added the anti-slip coating on the front deck and top of the hull using my Rustoleum Terra-Cotta spray technique.

There she is so far.  Next up is some paint.  I think I will paint it in sand and do it up as a 3rd ID vehicle in the initial invasion. 

As always, all opinions welcomed.  Let me know what you think.

Thanks Mike.  Hopefully over the weekend I'll get some paint on it.

The work is really coming along...lots of nice details...... Yes, the tool rack looks MUCH better

Won't be long and we will see some paint!!

Rounds Complete!!

Alright, alright, back to modeling now...

Another small update tonight.  I continued working on the roof area and adding the tie downs and attachments for the tools.  That area is now complete.

Next, I moved on to the side storage shelves.  I cut them from sheet styrene and added braces underneath.  I made all the rings for the chains from thin florist wire wrapped around  a straight pin...yes, all 20 of them.  That was fun.  I drilled holes in the attachment plates and super-glued each one in place.  The chain is small railroad chain attached to the loops with the same florist wire.

Lastly, I replaced the tool rack on the front wall with a better one w/out molded on tools.  I think it looks much better now.

Next up are a few details on the front hull and the driver's hatch area.  Then it will be ready for some paint.

As always, all comments welcomed.

Hummm...lets just say there are no neighbor problems.....none

My M99 1/8 ton tractor and M001  37 1/2mm howitzer works better than garlic with vampires for home defense!!

Thanks....did not mean to hijack the thread...glad you guys liked it.....and now back to modeling

Rounds Complete!!

LMAO Mike... the neighbors must love you!

I need one of those.  Talk about home defense weapon.  Simply awesome.

Gino....you know I was more of the light....air assualt type.....now degraded to lawn assualt

Kevin....you have to understand a redleg......it never leaves your blood.....it makes fire for effect take on a whole new meaning in lawn care!!!

Rounds Complete!!

Why walk when you can ride?  Heavy Mech all the way!

You arty guys... always have a 'ride'. LOL. Us (or at least this) straight-leg infantry types prefer to 'hoof it'. A good hour's workout/sweat mowing just over .5 of the 1.05 acres here... it keeps the old ticker going.

When I had a 'ride', the vibration flattened out the beer real quick. It didn't stay around too long.

I had my yard pebbled !

Yup, I hear ya.  My summer ride. (Same model anyways.  Mine doesn't have all the white paint on it.)

It is about as comfortable as yours sounds.

HeavyArty

Thanks for the support guys.  Summer chores continue; the ever-growing lawn is calling.  AARRGGG!!

OK....here is my summer AFV

After 2 hours it is as comfrtable as driving an M577

Thank god for the real heat.....the grass burns out....I love crunchy grass.....I can skip a week

Rounds Complete!!

Thank is a lot of stunning work you've put forth.  Way to go on the scratch bulding!.  I feel your pain about the lawn.  

Cheers

Dave

Thanks for the support guys.  Summer chores continue; the ever-growing lawn is calling.  AARRGGG!!

Aye, you're doing fine there Gino but ya can't beat summertime and the outdoors etc. We'll be here.

As usual OFS...the top looks excellent...very nice detail

It is always great to see some good old fashioned scratch work!!

Rounds Complete!!

A small update tonight.  With the nice weather, family vacation, and summer in general, it sure is hard to sit at the bench.  I have gotten a little bit done though.  I have completed most of the roof. 

I added the tubular hinge on the upper ammo access doors, the TC's hatch, and the details on the ammo doors.

I used detail pieces for the ends of the rod from Bradley hinges.  I also used small rod and hex rods for all the bolt details. The baggage rods are small blocks of plastic with bolts and a length of 0.020 rod attached to the tops.

On the TC's hatch, I detailed it with a bump stop and lock back mechanism from an M113 kit.  I also added handles and a combat lock from bits and pieces.
 

Lastly, I added the extended towing shackle bars on the rear.

That's it for now.  Next will be finishing the tool tie-downs on the roof, building the side storage shelves, and detailing the front of the hull.

As always, let me know what you think.

Thanks Russ.  Its been fun so far.

I'm liking it a lot, gotta love scratch-building!

Thanks Mike.  The basket wasn't too bad, once I figured out how to make it.  It took a couple trials and errors to get looking right. 

Very nice work. Always love a good scratch model...The basket is an engineering marvel...nice work....looking great!

I know what you mean with the summer and the bench....there never seems to be enough time in the day.

Rounds Complete!!

With the weather being so nice lately, I haven't been very motivated to sit at the bench.  The beach has been more tempting.  I have done a little though.  I have managed to complete the back of the hull.

I made the storage basket by combining 4 of the baskets from an M109.  I cut the angled ends off and mated the square sides.  Then I cut them apart horizontally and stacked two on top of each other to make the elongated basket.  The HALON box on the right is a resin piece copied from the Nimix M992 by a friend.  The tail lights are from the M109 kit and the antenna mount is a modified Tamiya piece.  Everything else is scratch.

I also added the antenna mount and tow cable to the front of the upper hull as well.

Next up is the roof and all its bits and pieces.  Let me know what you think.