Keepers of the Peace GB 2013-14

Stik: you're KIFV is progressing nicely.

Unfortunately, I'm somewhat stuck on the markings for my Aussie M113.

What are you stuck on there PM?

Stik: I need two small squares for the unit markings, one for each side. 31squareB. I also need to finish the tracks and weathering.

what color are the squares? I have tons of spare/old decals...

Stik: they are black and about 3 scale inches.  I'll most likely have to hand paint them or cobble them together with dry-transfers.

Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it.

Ok, I don't think that I have anything quite like that in my bin.

[/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Meng/DSC00285_zps0b3f8ef2.jpg.html][/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Meng/DSC00287_zps5429ed09.jpg.html]

Greg I'm running a little slow but I'll have my AUF1 done under the wire. I've concentrating on some PE and body work and prepping the turret for primer. I meant to add a pic of the way Meng has engineered their tracks. They provide a jig where you lock in the bottom of the track then lay in the inner half. I made a small section to see how it works and I have to say I'm a big fan. They lock in perfectly and if you're careful with the glue they come our very flexible. 

Hey greg the pics arent showing. Do you need a graphic made?

[/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Meng/DSC00283_zps488d6fe7.jpg.html][/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Meng/auta0009_zps166062bc.jpg.html][/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Meng/DSC00276_zps7adf0b7e.jpg.html]

A couple pics of the tracks and the jig. I also had a little trouble finding the color of the interior under the UN Flag but there is one picture with a white interior. 

WHAT????!!!! A track jig? That's cheating!!! ;-)

This thing is really great, I think other manufacturers should consider a similar jig. Other than a little clean up with the individual tracks, thats something we usually do anyway, this track is perfect. Meng's plastic seems to me to be a little soft, so I've been taking a bit more material that usual with a part requiring additional cleanup but I'm really impressed with their kits.

Here is a teaser shot of progress so far...

gotta go to work now...

Stik: that's looking nice.

Thank you sir. It's starting to look busy in there like a good track should.

more progress today, lots of detail painting done on the interior and most of the internal stowage added.

drivers compartment

right side sponson top hull interior

left side sponson hull interior

overall interior

now I have one last little bit to finish tomorrow before washes and drybrushing. I had this radio in my spares bin so I made up the handmic and a folding tape whip antenna. I am gonna have it sitting on the battery box on the left sponson for the RTO when the squad would dismount

thats all for now...

Lots more progress today...

the completed man pack radio

underside of top deck

troop compartment

drivers compartment

view from above

TC figure

I will be taking this to AMPS meeting tomorrow then get the top deck on and other detail items attached.

Stik: you've done a great job on the details.

Thank you sir...

Stik, what a fantastic job on the interior, you really did it right, nice build.

Terry

[/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Meng/DSC00294_zpsb46a913d.jpg.html][/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Meng/DSC00296_zps5d2efd9b.jpg.html]

Almost there on the AUF1, finished up the parts and laid a bed of primer on the vehicle and turret. Still a lot of work to do but I'll have it in under the wire, and I did it again, I spent so much time on the interior and the only line of sight will be through the open man doors. 

Stik, how much of that incredible interior is going to show? Do we really have the same sickness? You spent so much time and put in that much detail, and then cover it up. Somehow I don't think we're the only ones who are afflicted….One of these builds I'm going to experiment with an LED and light up an interior with a very dim and diffused light and try to simulate low light conditions?

Jibber, your SPG is looking real good. Everything is starting to come together to where you see the finish line approaching. I think that we do have the same affliction to some extent. But nearly all of my interior work will be visible here thru either the ramp when it's lowered or the top hatches, which will all be open. Thank goodness is has no engine ;-) Lighting an interior would be really cool to see, especially on a kit with a busy interior. But I have no such aspirations at this time. I look forward to yours though...

Thanks, I've been really slowed down as of late but just starting to get back to the bench. I didn't know you were leaving the ramp down, that'll really work. Thats going to be a cool build, too nice to leave closed. I have some UN flags, thinking about putting one on to give it some of that UN blue, and I also mixed up some Tamiya flat white and a few drops of Buff to take the bite out of the bright white. I took a look at it and it hurt the eyes it was so bright I feel better with a toned down color, just a tad.  

I think my washes will take care of the new white look. I found a nice photo of one of my K-200s in the Bos and it has some nice filed look to it... just like I like!

What washes are you thinking about?  With an all white build I was thinking about a pin wash to show some detail and use a little dusting in spots. I must have pulled 75 shots of UN vehicles and everything I could find on the AUF and with all the white vehicles I couldn't believe the differences btw them, almost anything we do would work. I never realized how many countries have used the AUF looks like we cleaned up a few in Iraq and theres some pics of the carcasses out there in 3 color camo.    

stikpusher

I think my washes will take care of the new white look. I found a nice photo of one of my K-200s in the Bos and it has some nice filed look to it... just like I like!

yes they will. take a look at my UN UNIMOG truck. all the weathering on it is done with artist oil washes.

Wayne what washes did you use, I love the finish you got would that be a Burnt Umber or a Lt Brown?

jibber

Wayne what washes did you use, I love the finish you got would that be a Burnt Umber or a Lt Brown?

let me ponder that. the chassis was painted engine gray and washed with raw umber and some gray and some black. the "dust" was a mixture of mostly raw sienna with some yellow ocher mixed in. for my future builds i will document all this much better since i seem to always be trying something new and can't remember what i did. the white paint i think was MMA over a not very good rattle can white primer. NOTE not a good idea for the primer to be almost the paint color. i did NOT add a clear coat of anything after painting.

the UNIMOG is going to chill con regionals as is a bunch of other builds i have retired from local contests. picked up another hobbyboss cool looking PLA 4x4 with roll bars and an MG. looks similar to JGSDF TYPE 73 LT RCN 4x4. hell looking at my stash i could do my own GB on modern 4x4 HUMVEE type vehicles. and the only HUMVEE i have is an AVENGER ADA

hey stik

sweet interior. what vehicle is this? i need to spend an afternoon in photoshop creating MRE, soda can , water bottle, and various other cases. a case of RAMEN n oodles for any us tank in germany in the mid to late '70s. you couls alwasy tell when an armor unit was going to the field. the small local px would be out of RAMEN as tank crews would by a caes or 2 to mix with C-RATs. tanker stew yum.

Thanks Wayne, I have to tell you that under carriage on your UNIMOG is just awesome. On this build, I primed it using a Tamiya Grey rattle can that Ive always had really good luck with, not so much their primer white. Whats the difference, I have no idea but the grey sprays very smooth. I didn't want a white over white paint.