The M972F (Flatbed)/w Excavator

Thanks för that link Pawel. Like I mentioned in the beginning of this thread, I came to the designation of the name of the flatbed by pure numberal deductive reasoning without doing any deep search. I have been modeling US softskin vehicle for ages now and thought I new all of them( apparently not). Anyhow, as I mentioned, I have no issues with constructive criticism. Only how it is presented.

My first initial idea was to do a commercial variant but came to a conclusion, that I already do commercial 1/24 trucks. So I decided to do a flatbed military variant. Unfortunately I could not find one to base my build on. So it became a 'What-If' instead.

Wikipedia confirms it... There's this useful page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._military_vehicles_by_model_number#M900_to_M999

and it says:

M972 semitrailer, tanker, water, 5.000-Gal.

So we're talking about a trailer here, not a tractor or a stand-alone vehicle, but that's a side-note.

Tiking's model is one thing, and the hard-core US-Army nomenclature is other thing.

Thanks for reading and have a nice day

Paweł

Rob Gronovius

 

 

Rob Gronovius

 

 

Tiking

 

 

Bronto

I would consider changing the designation, since the WAS a REAL vehicle M972.  It is a 5000 gal tanker trailer. Not a made-up vehicle such as this.

 

 

 

 

 

I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know. BTW, a link to this tanker would be nice.

 

 

 

 

This is the prime mover for a 5,000 gallon tanker trailer or container flatbed. As far as I know, the largest tanker we use that is self contained, i.e. not a tractor trailer combination is the 2,500 gallon M978 HEMTT fueler. It's doubtful that this truck base could have a fuel tank twice that size.

Other than line haul, a dump truck and cement mixer version, I am unaware of any other version of this truck like a fueler. However, there's no telling what other nations have done with the truck base.

 

 

 

Bronto

I would consider changing the designation, since the WAS a REAL vehicle M972.  It is a 5000 gal tanker trailer. Not a made-up vehicle such as this.

 

 

 

 

 

I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know. BTW, a link to this tanker would be nice.

 

 

 

 

This is the prime mover for a 5,000 gallon tanker trailer or container flatbed. As far as I know, the largest tanker we use that is self contained, i.e. not a tractor trailer combination is the 2,500 gallon M978 HEMTT fueler. It's doubtful that this truck base could have a fuel tank twice that size.

Other than line haul, a dump truck and cement mixer version, I am unaware of any other version of this truck like a fueler. However, there's no telling what other nations have done with the truck base.

 

armornut

Hey again, I just read a post above by a forum member and it kinda set me off. I went back and looked real close at your pix, NO WHERE and I mean NO WHERE do I see ANY unit or national markings. I know for a fact that military vehicles are auctioned off to civilians after thier service life, and it does APPEAR to be a CIVILIAN excavator on the back. I have also observed that most civilians have ZERO idea what mark or designation a vehicle is just by site, I also have observed logging companies that buy said auctioned vehicles and MODIFY THE #&;%$ OUTTA THEM!

 Tiking your truck is positively amazing , if the above poster ( and you know who you are) doesn't like the forums the way they are then perhaps he should crawl back under the rock he has been under for the last couple years. Enough negative crap in the world without it needind to infiltrate EVERY part of someones life.

My apologies Tiking and my fellow forum members for soapboxing, that one post really irritated me.

 

I went back and could not find ANYTHING built related that was posted by that individual. Keep posting your work Tiking!

Let me help LT since I was the one who heated this thread up. First ya gotta get yer thumb under your heel, the ya need to pull with yer other, or in our case our wives need to say"hey how about a new sink for the bathroom,"? Then we just swallow  said foot until it pops right out the other side. LOL. 

  My apologies to the OP ( Tiking)  for ALMOST causing ALOT of distress here. The majority of us who have commented agree that your work is amazing.PLEASE keep posting your work.

Pawel

Aww, come on littletimmy - anybody can have a bad day once in a while!

Ha !  I have a bad day about every 24 hour's or so. But I try not to dump it onto others.

Yes this IS the feel good forum. We share and learn from on another. I build model's I like and if I mess up I would hope somebody would "share their insite" with me. Maybe it's something I can fix, or maybe it's something I meant to do. Either way pointing out flaws in someones work, while acceptable, does require a certain "tact".

It's the "attitude" of the aforementiond post that "Cheeses me off". I have a pretty thick skin so had this been directed at me I would have responded with some sort of tounge- in - cheek quip and gone on my merry way. But not all on this forum have that ability.

Which is why a few of us jumped in to defend the original poster. ( not that he needed our help. )

Perhap's this "knee-jerk" response was a bit " over the top"  so I will Apologize to all concerned and go back into my cave and try to get my foot out of my mouth. 

Aww, come on littletimmy - anybody can have a bad day once in a while!

Bronto

So i not only have to let you know that there is a vehicle with that designation but I have to do the research on it for you too?  Oh wait, I forgot this is the "feel good" site of the modeling world and I can only post "great job" posts.

 WOW !  Took the wrong med's this morning?

Please let us know when you post you're next WIP Bronto.......

I'm going to count EVERY RIVIT!

Yeah, that was really annoying. While I don't quite agree with Tiking's artistic choices, I respect him and his work, and see no reason why anybody would want to be so rude to him.

About that "feel good" site - some people like it like that. But there's no problem criticising anybody's work here, it just has to be done with style and a little backbone.

Thanks for reading and have a nice day

Paweł

Hey again, I just read a post above by a forum member and it kinda set me off. I went back and looked real close at your pix, NO WHERE and I mean NO WHERE do I see ANY unit or national markings. I know for a fact that military vehicles are auctioned off to civilians after thier service life, and it does APPEAR to be a CIVILIAN excavator on the back. I have also observed that most civilians have ZERO idea what mark or designation a vehicle is just by site, I also have observed logging companies that buy said auctioned vehicles and MODIFY THE #&;%$ OUTTA THEM!

 Tiking your truck is positively amazing , if the above poster ( and you know who you are) doesn't like the forums the way they are then perhaps he should crawl back under the rock he has been under for the last couple years. Enough negative crap in the world without it needind to infiltrate EVERY part of someones life.

My apologies Tiking and my fellow forum members for soapboxing, that one post really irritated me.

Rob Gronovius

 

 

Tiking

 

 

Bronto

I would consider changing the designation, since the WAS a REAL vehicle M972.  It is a 5000 gal tanker trailer. Not a made-up vehicle such as this.

 

 

 

 

 

I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know. BTW, a link to this tanker would be nice.

 

 

 

 

This is the prime mover for a 5,000 gallon tanker trailer or container flatbed. As far as I know, the largest tanker we use that is self contained, i.e. not a tractor trailer combination is the 2,500 gallon M978 HEMTT fueler. It's doubtful that this truck base could have a fuel tank twice that size.

Other than line haul, a dump truck and cement mixer version, I am unaware of any other version of this truck like a fueler. However, there's no telling what other nations have done with the truck base.

 

Appreciate the added info from you. 

ManCityFan

 

 

Hunter

Real or not....your creation is well built, and the weathering is excellent. Very nice work sir, keep posting.

 

 

 

 

  I am looking forward to seeing your next build!

 

 

Thank you.

Other than line haul, a dump truck and cement mixer version, I am unaware of any other version of this truck like a fueler. However, there's no telling what other nations have done with the truck base.

Hunter

Real or not....your creation is well built, and the weathering is excellent. Very nice work sir, keep posting.

 

Tiking

Bronto.

 

OK. I do not know if that was a tongue-in-cheek or a joke. But considering your attitude, I'll take it as a smack in the face. OK. Fine. I did a search but came up with nothing. That's why I asked. I'm sorry you think I am a complete idiot. What the hell is wrong with people here. 

What is your issue? I post something here that you do not like and I am an idiot! I appreciate you letting me know that the M972 exist but what have I done to you to deserve your smirk attitude?!

And what the hell you mean by "Oh wait, I forgot this is the "feel good" site of the modeling world and I can only post "great job" posts"?

So, by me posting a designation of a vehicle that I did not know existed, I am a total idiot, now?! Wow!!! Thanks for that. You know what - Never mind. Your stinky attitude as just detered me. Thanks.

 

If I'm wrong by your reply, then I apologies.

 

Real or not....your creation is well built, and the weathering is excellent. Very nice work sir, keep posting.

Bronto.

OK. I do not know if that was a tongue-in-cheek or a joke. But considering your attitude, I'll take it as a smack in the face. OK. Fine. I did a search but came up with nothing. That's why I asked. I'm sorry you think I am a complete idiot. What the hell is wrong with people here. 

What is your issue? I post something here that you do not like and I am an idiot! I appreciate you letting me know that the M972 exist but what have I done to you to deserve your smirk attitude?!

And what the hell you mean by "Oh wait, I forgot this is the "feel good" site of the modeling world and I can only post "great job" posts"?

So, by me posting a designation of a vehicle that I did not know existed, I am a total idiot, now?! Wow!!! Thanks for that. You know what - Never mind. Your stinky attitude as just detered me. Thanks.

If I'm wrong by your reply, then I apologies.

Tiking

 

 

 

 

 

I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know. BTW, a link to this tanker would be nice.

 

So i not only have to let you know that there is a vehicle with that designation but I have to do the research on it for you too?  Oh wait, I forgot this is the "feel good" site of the modeling world and I can only post "great job" posts.

Bronto

I would consider changing the designation, since the WAS a REAL vehicle M972.  It is a 5000 gal tanker trailer. Not a made-up vehicle such as this.

 

I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know. BTW, a link to this tanker would be nice.

I would consider changing the designation, since the WAS a REAL vehicle M972.  It is a 5000 gal tanker trailer. Not a made-up vehicle such as this.

ManCityFan

 

 

Tiking

 

 

route62

Thank you for the links and description of your process.  If this is what you can achieve without an airbrush your next purchase should be an airbrush.  It will be a game changer for you and i would love to see what you can accomplish once you master an airbrush.

 

 

 

 

  If/when you decide to get an airbrush, please check out Don's website below.  Full of good information regarding different AB's, and how to care for them.  Well worth some time.  It was very helpful when I decided to get a double action AB.  I personally own a Badger Patriot 105, and love it.  I bought it based on the Badger fanbase on the forum.  There are devoted fans of Iwata, Grex, Harder and Steebeck, etc. as well.  

 

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home

Don also talks about compressors, which is also very important.  A solid air supply is essential for good results.

Hope that helps.  Oh, and I agree with route62.  What you are able to do without an airbrush is simply outstanding.  

 

Thank you för the extra info.

Tiking

 

 

route62

Thank you for the links and description of your process.  If this is what you can achieve without an airbrush your next purchase should be an airbrush.  It will be a game changer for you and i would love to see what you can accomplish once you master an airbrush.

 

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home

Don also talks about compressors, which is also very important.  A solid air supply is essential for good results.

Hope that helps.  Oh, and I agree with route62.  What you are able to do without an airbrush is simply outstanding.  

route62

Thank you for the links and description of your process.  If this is what you can achieve without an airbrush your next purchase should be an airbrush.  It will be a game changer for you and i would love to see what you can accomplish once you master an airbrush.

Might I suggest a grex tritium ts3 for your airbrush.  I have one and it is amazing.  It is very easy to learn to use, it can grow with you as you get better and better so you do not need to buy a new airbrush as you get better.  It can do super fine detail with it's smallest tip/needle combo all the way to full on spray gun for larger coats and primer coats with a fan spray attachment.

I bought the one that came with the .3 needle and then later got the .3 fan spray attachment and also the .2 needle and a larger cup.  I use this airbrush 90% of the time now and I have 3 other airbrushes to chose from.

 

I really appreciate the tip. Thank you kindly. I will definitely check that brand out. Thank you again.

Thank you for the links and description of your process.  If this is what you can achieve without an airbrush your next purchase should be an airbrush.  It will be a game changer for you and i would love to see what you can accomplish once you master an airbrush.

Might I suggest a grex tritium ts3 for your airbrush.  I have one and it is amazing.  It is very easy to learn to use, it can grow with you as you get better and better so you do not need to buy a new airbrush as you get better.  It can do super fine detail with it's smallest tip/needle combo all the way to full on spray gun for larger coats and primer coats with a fan spray attachment.

I bought the one that came with the .3 needle and then later got the .3 fan spray attachment and also the .2 needle and a larger cup.  I use this airbrush 90% of the time now and I have 3 other airbrushes to chose from.

route62

I can't stop looking at the pics.  I see more amazing work the longer I look.  I would love to know how you did the paint and weathing on the bucket of the excavator and the tires.  Can I twist your arm into creating a tutorial?

Also how did you do the ash in the cab of the excavator?

 

Hi there. I do apprecaite your kind words. The paintand weather work on the bucket was done using sevaral technics. Nothging complicated just simple. There are many tutorials out there but this is what I did. BTW, I do not use an air brush. Never have but will in the near future, god willing. :)

Here is a copy of method I wrote oh how I did the boom arm and bucket on my other 1/24 scale truck. That thread is on this forum too. But here is the method I used and it can be applied here, although I jumped over a procedure with this one. But it is pretty much the same:

For those who have asked or wondered how I did the weathering on the boom. Here it is:

The color used on the boom is Automotive yellow spray paint. I do not own an AB. The brown used as an underlying color is also an Automotive color. I chose a brown that looked right. They had a few to choose from. I started off;
For those who have asked or wondered how I did the weathering on the boom. Here it is:

The color used on the boom is Automotive orange spray paint. I do not own an AB. The brown used as an underlying color is also an Automotive color. I chose a brown that looked right. They had a few to choose from. I started off;

1. Spraying the boom with Citadel Chaos black paint

2. Then sprayed the second layer with a brown automotive color

3. Then sprayed a coat of Winsor & Newton Matt varnish(fantastic matt varnish in  a can)

4. Then sprayed the base color with a orange automotive color. 

5. For the rust/paint faded away weathering, I chose the easy way. I used the sponge technique. I assume you know the sponge technique right? If you don't let me know. I used Citadel Dark earth. A brownish dull grayish color. I do not remember the name. I am not at home so I cannot check the name of it.

6. Then I when over almost every brownish patch with Citadel shade to blend in everything and to give it depth and to accentuate the rust better.

7. I high-lighted the edge of the bucket by dry-brushing Citadel leadblencher as well as using a pencil. It's a type of metal color. I love Citadel range of colors. It gives the discolored areas the metal finish or look.

8. Last but not the least I took so, real dust and MIG weathering powders and brushed them in every nit and cranny on the boom.

9. Them I took some real dust and brushed it all inside the bucket until I got the look looked I wanted. Make sure you get some reference pics. I always have one nearby for comparison. Like I mention, I use many layers to build up the different texture. 

That's it! Simple! 

Here are some Youtube examples that can give you an idea:

1. https://youtu.be/E0f1MVUb5TA

2. https://youtu.be/yDMtTIQCgBY

3. https://youtu.be/aNBeRdi_cf8

4. https://youtu.be/VAxegdRdebk

5. This is one of the best: https://youtu.be/y0r2v0odqu4

As for the tyres, I simply used a matt varnish from Winsor & Newton. This matt varnish is the best I have ever used in a can. It is a bit expensive but the quality is top notch. I just sprayed a light coat and it gave me this effect. You can probably have ago with other brands but I am not 100% sure how the effect would be but I think the better the quality the better the effect.

As for the ashes in the cab. It is the real deal. I took some from my fire place and used a pincett to lightly springle some on the interior portion of the cab. Then I used Winsor & Newton Matt Varnish to hold it place. I sprayed lightly and carefully at a distance as to not blow the ashes away.

I can't stop looking at the pics.  I see more amazing work the longer I look.  I would love to know how you did the paint and weathing on the bucket of the excavator and the tires.  Can I twist your arm into creating a tutorial?

Also how did you do the ash in the cab of the excavator?

Thank you.

Rob Gronovius

Excellent build, looks convincing to me. There are small, random details on the flatbed that add to the overall realism of the model. Many casual observers would never guess that this is not an actual vehicle. Very creative both in subject and in finishing.

 

Yep, pretty much. The small details are outstanding.