Vajra 1/35 M-ATV WIP .... Started NOV2011

modelchasm

Member since
March 2008
From: East TX

Vajra 1/35 M-ATV WIP .... Started NOV2011

Posted by modelchasm on Monday, November 21, 2011 2:08 PM

I received this kit a little while back, but have been very busy and haven't had the chance to start it until recently. Even now, the pace is going to be pretty slow. I'm currently deployed and do not have all my tools and I'm not going to even attempt to paint it here due to all the dust. I'm planning on simply building things up into sub-assemblies, getting it ready for paint when I return home.

The following pics are from the Vajra site and a couple from the internet. I guess I forgot to take some pictures of the pieces as they came out of the box. Anyway here's the kit...

I also have the new Panda M-ATV kit on the way. Should be here in a couple of days, so we'll see how they compare.

First looks at the kit shows Vajra's typical attention to detail. The pieces are very nicely, and finely, cast. There is some flash to clean up, but that's nothing new to the hobby. The only thing that really caught my attention, especailly since I have the real thing to look at, is the ... well let's just call the interior a "clean canvas" in which to scratch-build to my heart's content.

The first thing that I noticed when I started in on the kit was that the rear cargo area "bed" was warped. I was fingering the pieces before I left home, so I was able to boil some water and get things straightened up.

Fast forward to now ... I decide to start in on the suspension first. The springs that come in the kit are nice, but there's some flash btwn the coils and it would be a real pain to try and clean out. Plus, the coils are hollow on the inside, so I decided to make my own. I also don't like to use kit pieces for the shocks, driveshafts, etc .... IMO, I think they just look better when you use brass or alum rod ... so again, I made my own.

I'm almost done with the suspension for all four wheels. The biggest problem that I've noticed thus far is that its going to be very hard to model this one on a flat surface. Good thing this is an awesome off-road vehicle ... guess I know what my base is going to look like.

Stay tuned for more. I'll update as often as I can ... but I already know that I'm going to be out of pocket for about a week here pretty soon. Thanks for taking a look.

As always .... All crits are welcome.

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!" -Scott

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Klik

Member since
January 2010

Posted by Klik on Monday, November 21, 2011 3:46 PM

Neat build! I will definitely follow you on this.

How much do you know about these series of vehicles? All I know is that they've come out of the over-usage of IEDs against Coalition troops in Afghanistan. Would be interested in knowing more.

Love the suspension! Keep up the great building!

Klik

oneyearwar1

The hardest part of flying isn't flying...it's landing.

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modelchasm

Member since
March 2008
From: East TX

Posted by modelchasm on Monday, November 21, 2011 9:44 PM

Thanks for the comments, Klik. The M-ATV is pretty neat vehicle. I attribute it more to an up-armored HMMWV on some serious steroids. The V-hull/ MRAP type vehicles have been around for years in other countries.

Thanks for following ... I'll try to update when I can.

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!" -Scott

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modelchasm

Member since
March 2008
From: East TX

Posted by modelchasm on Friday, December 2, 2011 8:07 AM

So I've gotten a little more work done this week, but realized that I've run into a little trouble. After looking at the kit and some of it's parts and then doing a little measuring, I'm figuring some inaccuracies. The model in the kit, for the most part is of the base model M-ATV. However, the turet cover is that typically found on a model with more armor upgrades. And since I'm a glutten for scratch-building punishment, I'm choosing to upgrade everything else.

Here are the kits tires. Great casts and nice detail. The side walls are a little more emphasized than the real thing, but they can be sanded down a little. The problem with these is that the upgraded wheels/ tires are much bigger. They are the same size as those found on HEMMTs and HETs ... 16.000X20R. So, I ordered replacement, AM, HEMMT tires. The kit hubs will be used and in theroy, should fit just fine. I'm waiting on them to get here IOT find out.

Did a little more work on the rear suspension, running brake lines, as well as adding some detail to the exhaust pipe. I'm planning on running more brake/ hydraulic lines around the suspension, but I'm waiting on some supplies to get to me.