Thanks Gamera.  I did enjoy building this one.

That's just fantastic Gino!!! 

Thanks for letting us follow along as you built her up!!! 

Thanks Capt.  It was a fun and rewarding build.

Looking good.  A nice sharp build.

I’m calling this one done.

I painted all the little details (lights, turn signals, etc…). I added the windows from clear styrene sheet using the printed window parts as a guide to cut them to the same size/shape.

I weathered it with a couple washes of a dirt brown color and a sandy color. Then some selective drybrushing here and there to add some depth.

Here it is overall.

Some detail pics. I added bags and stowage under the AC units up front. I used Tamiya Smoke Clear for fuel and hydraulic fluid spills.

Inside the shelter I added a few water and MRE boxes and a couple bags.

Details of the cab interior.

As always, all comments welcomed.

Now back the M983A4 HEMTT Tractor.

Thanks for checking in Gamera.

Wow she's lookin' superb! 

I got some paint and the decals on it over the last few days. I sprayed it with Krylon Ivory Silk from a can. I used the kit basic stencil decals and made bumper numbers and some of the other stencils specific to the vehicle.

I replaced the standard M1083 tires with newer, more aggressive Goodyear tires out of the Trumpeter M142 HIMARS kit. The M142 kit only has 6 tires, no spare. I made the spare by correcting the kit spare wheel, which is missing the outer ring of bolts which hold the two-part rim together. It is also missing the CTIS hoses. I added the bolts from resin ones and the CTIS from extras out of the M142 kit. I added the rim to the new Goodyear tire and made a mold of it, then cast the spare in resin. It came out looking pretty good.

This is how I did the spare on an earlier M1078.

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New spare. I also added an engine blank that can be seen from the rear of the cab overhang.

Here it is so far.

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Next up is detail painting and flatcoat, then on to weathering.

Visible seat belts?

I sense a recent Safety Briefing

Thanks for checking in Gamera.

That looks fantastic! 

Thanks gents.  The cab does look great.  I was able to get some paint on the interior and started detailing it. More pics soon.

Wow, that looks great! Gonna look fantastic with some paint applied. 

Interesting about the clear parts, I'd never thought about it but as the 3D lays down the plastic in layers I guess it would have to have the striations running though it. 

HeavyArty

These are the weakest part of the set.

Yeah, my "clear" resin prints are only transluscent at best. 

Just too many things working against the resin.  Presence of impurities, microbubbles while casting, differential "setting" of the resin, a whole litany of things to "go wrong."

Now, that does not mean a person can't get some outstanding prints out of the clear resin.  But, you need your ducks in a row--it's not just pour-n-print.

But, for light fixtures, especially when planning for LED use, the clear works just fine.  It's just not suitable for glazing, yet, at scales larger than, say 1/150 or so.

Now, making moulds for vacuum or droop forming--there's an untapped market.

My 2¢ spend it as you will.

I was asked on another site to provide some feedback on the 3D printed LTAS cab.

So here it is. The cab is very nice. It comes in about 10 major parts and a few other smaller ones. All the LTAS specific parts are there. You still add a few parts from the kit; steering column and wheel, gas and brake pedals, mirrors, windshield wipers, etc… I had no issues so far with it going together. The printing is exquisite and looks great. Like I said, it only needed sanding in a couple areas to smooth it all out. I highly recommend it.

The fenders and front steps come as separate pieces. They are already installed here.

These are the detailed wire rope steps that I will attach later so they are not broken off. They have a small bolt underneath and look really nice.

The cab itself. The interior has soundproofing details and supports for the gun ring. I added the PE sun visors from the FMTV kit. The grill part is a separate piece.

A very detailed dash board.

Doors detailed in and out. It also includes small parts for the door handles and prop rods, etc.

The seats are very nice and have fine fabric details and open pipe base supports.

Lastly, there are 3D printed window glass. These are the weakest part of the set. They are very thick and not very clear. I plan on using them as templates to cut new windows from clear sheet styrene.

Now back to the truck build…

Thanks Gamera.  It is a ton of work, but will look good in the end.

That looks like a pile o' work Gino! But the extra work speaks for itself! 

Thanks Gamera.  I like how it is all coming along.

Yeah that cab looks so good and great work there on the interior! 

Thanks gents.  It is coming along.  I really like the 3D printed cab.  It looks great.

The detail on that cab is incredible.  And the bent-up grille is perfect, too.

That's going to look so good in paint.

Impressive work, Gino!

I really like the missle launchers, they are just fun to look at and will look great in the LT's office.

And your interior detail work in progress is awesome, too.

Thanks Tojo.

As I said above, I received the 3D printed LTAS cab from @MikeyBugs earlier last week. The cab is awesome. It goes together well and only needed a light sanding in a few areas to achieve a smooth finish.

I am waiting on a couple more printed parts to finish it up.

Here is the truck mocked up and almost ready for paint. I completed the outside of the shelter with a couple stowage bins on both sides , the extendable antenna on the right side, and some resin cast steps and cover plates/access points. I also added the heater and a wire coil holder on the front under the A/C units. I added grab handles to the bed sides, a work platform, and chains to hold the tailgate. The new-style bumper is from the Legend M1078 update set.

More to come once I get the final 3D printed parts.

I love it,that stuff is really cool,love the action.

Thanks Capn.  I guess it is the modern, real life version of Missile Command.

HeavyArty

I made the computer screen images by copying an image of a shelter interior that showed the screens, pasted them into PowerPoint, resized, and printed them on computer decal paper.

An admirable attention to detail.

I would have been sore tempted to use this for graphics on one of the screens

Whichprobably much shows my age, and my irreverence :)

I have completed construction and painting of the shelter interior. I detailed the electronic racks with some aluminum paint and red, black, and yellow buttons. I also added some various placard decals for interest. I made the computer screen images by copying an image of a shelter interior that showed the screens, pasted them into PowerPoint, resized, and printed them on computer decal paper.

Here it is so far.

I will add a couple bags, MRE boxes, and maybe a helmet for personal gear to make it look lived it next. Then it will be complete inside.

I should get the cab parts from @MikeyBugs tomorrow. I can’t wait to see how it comes out.

Thanks Gamera.  Totally accurate, no.  Close enough, for sure.