AFV M1128 MGS Stryker *WIP*Pg 5, 01-19-09 Finished w Figs

Cool beans, Mike!

For some reason, this model just makes me want to "brap!"--it looks fffast! 

Looking good--can't wait to see that big gun topping it off!

Karl - Thanks for looking and your comments. Yep....looks fast and I can't wait for the gun myself

PS....You always ask so this time I have some Verlinden figs for the driver and TC. I'm going to give them a go. But first have to finish the vehicle.

Thanks again

Rounds Complete!!

My kit, the M1130, calls for the rings on all wheels.  What are they for?

Well not to be outdone by all the holiday building, here is what I have completed.

First was the complete assembly of the major components. After assembly I finished up all the minor grab handles everywhere. For the most part the assembly was smooth except the fit of the gun to the turret. The mounting was tight and some work with the sanding stick and #11 blade was required to get everything to fit  Here is the overall views of the current state of the build

After assembly I began assembly and mounting of details. Here you can see the smoke launches painted for smoke (Tamiya NATO Black) and WP (Model Master Pale Green FS34227) mix. Ammo cans mounted on the gun side for the M2 50cal (Model Master Dark Green FS34049). Also shown is the gun revolving sight in the rear, with the optics glass done using the same decal method as the armor glass.

Here is the tool rack (I know the picture stinks). These tools are done similar to what Bill described in his WIP. The steel heads are painted with Alclad Steel then are dry brushed weathered with Humbrol Gunmetal, the shovel is Tamiya Flat Black with graphite for scratches. The wood is painted with Model Master Wood then washed with Burnt Sienna oil to give the reddish wood grain.

Here is a view of the drivers hatch. You can see the armor glass under the top cover.

Here is a view of the gunner's sight again done with the same decal method for the glass. Also you can see the gunner's armor glass and another view of the smoke launchers.

This is a view of the rear. The tail lights were painted inside the lens with Alclad Chrome and the lens with Tamiya Clear Red. The BO markers are Alclad Jet Exhaust. The tow hooks are Alclad Aluminum and the bolts Tamiya Flat Red.

This front view shows the front light with Alclad Chrome inside, turn and side signal Tamiya Clear Orange. The folded in mirror was painted with Poly Scale OD Green 505370

Well that is the current state. The remaining kit items are the M2 50 cal and about 12 PE straps. I will also have to add some other straps such as the tools and some for the rear. I'll give you a quick update then and prior to decals and weathering. With the long holiday and time off, I looking to finish this up before the new year.

All comments are welcome, thanks for looking.

Rounds Complete!!

Redleg, Your MGS is looking great.  It is really coming together.  Makes me want to buy one even more.  I will book mark this just for the nonskid info alone.  I have a build in the future that will require it.

Keep up the awsome work.

Everytime I see this beast it looks mean! You're doing a great job with it Mike, glad to see the holidays are allowing for lots of bench time.

Mike, this is an outstanding looking build! What a cool vehicle!
Nice detail work, and the way you did that anti-slip coating is clever--and it looks great!

Hmm...when I get around to building an Abrams for my collection, I might need one of these to keep it company! Very cool, Mike!

Redleg, when you used the terracotta paint, did you first spray it in a airbrush bottle or straight from the can?

I have a MGS ordered for Christmas and am following your build.

Moose - Thanks for looking and for your comments. Glad you like the anti-slip. Good luck with yours.

Bill - It has that look Thanks for the peek.

Karl - You could get rid of the bike and strap on of these on. Thanks for looking and your comments.

Mechtech - Sprayed straight from the can. I suggest if you have a spray cow, try it on that first. Nice even stroke. If you are normally using a AB you have to readjust your stroke and speed when you use a rattle can.

The paint take seconds...the masking is hours. Ventalate well as it is kind of stinky.

Thanks for looking and your comments

Rounds Complete!!

Looking good, redleg. Your lenses, optics, tools and smoke grenades really stand out.

Ranger Joe, Defender of Bunnies

cameraflage wrote:

Looking good, redleg. Your lenses, optics, tools and smoke grenades really stand out. Ranger Joe, Defender of Bunnies

 DITTO!!!! (excepting the "Defender of bunnies" thing LOL!!)  Awesome work!

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Cameraflage & M60 - Thanks for looking and you comments. It's nice to hear the details are "poping"!!

Rounds Complete!!

Redleg, it is awesome (and I am from a generation that doesn't use that word a lot). The detail is amazing. 

Are the tow hooks PE?  Mine are palstic and snap onto the posts.  The move but do not have the same look as yours of actually having a bolt all the way through.

excellent finish and a really cool looking vehicle.

Terry.

Padakr - The tow hooks are the kit tow hooks. This is an AFV kit. I don't know what Trumpter did. The kit hooks have the bolt detail molded in. The hooks are off a common sprue which AFV uses in all the Stryker kits.

These also snap onto the posts. Part of the look is painting the bolt red. I makes it much more noticable.

Thanks for looking and thanks for your comments.

Terry - I thank you for looking and for your comments.

Will have an update hopefully by Saturday.

Rounds Complete!!

No, thank you , Im after saving your pic's and am going to read this a lot closer during the week. I will be starting a trumpy Centauro and need to replicate the anti-slip coating on the upper surfaces, yours look stunning. Again thanks for sharing those really wonderful shots, I'm thinking of going close to your colours as well.

Thanks again.

Terry.

Hi Mike

man let me tell ya, you are doing a beauty of a job on this kit!--I have been reading alot about the AFV stryker kit --nothing but huge praise for it--- beautifully detailed, adaptable to different varients, BEAUTIFUL P.E available, great fit, accurate, etc,etc, etc---not only that, but it is a cool vehichle and of historical importance!---I think if I ever do a 1/35 scale vehicle again, this might very well be my choice.  your rendition is excellent-------------------tread

Terry - You are more than welcome. This site is for sharing, learning and teaching. I am always glad when I can help someone. I you have any questions feel free to ask or PM.

Tread - My man you are just way tooooooo kind. As always I thank you for looking in and for your comments.

Rounds Complete!!

Post Xmas update, with the holiday it was difficult to get bench time. Once I did I worked on the dozen or so PE handles for the rear. These are EXCEPTIONALY a pain. As you can see by their size

The two holes at either end have to be lined up and pressed onto pins on the model. It was fun playing PE tidily winks. After a few times on the floor searching for the handle that just flew off and a period of #%*&)+, I finally finished the handles.

Lastly, I work on the M2. I added some rounds from the Academy MG kit to give it the locked and loaded look. You see it above from one side and below from the other after a black pin wash.

That completes the OOB portion of the build. I still will be adding some stowage, antennas, straps and attempt figs. First up will be a few minor touch ups and then the decals. There are loads of little warning decals all over to be put on. Here is what we look like at this point

All comments are welcome, thanks for looking.

Rounds Complete!!

Bill - Shhhhhh.....I'm praying to the great god of PE

Thanks for the peek.

Rounds Complete!!

Very, very nice. I'm grateful for the tip on how to do the anti-skid surfacing. Lenses look very good too. An excellent W.I.P. all around.

Hey! Sorry to come in on this one late but WOW! I'm glad I caught it! It's really looking nice. I think you made the right choice steering clear from the slat armor, this can definitly hold it's own with that huge cannon on top, great job on that anitslip too Looking forward to seeing your finishing phases for sure.

 Your Stryker is too sexy for words.

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Cosmic J - Glad to have been of help. Thanks for the comments.

Psstoff995 - Different people have ask about the slat armor and the M1128. It is configured different than the slat armor on the M1126/1130. The slat armor which is out from Eduard and others match those models and not the 1128. Also they are improving the slat armor with protection for the wheels

Original M1128 slat armor

New type

Either way there is not a correct AM of slat to match the M1128. Also not the ballistic sheild for the M2 on the slat versions.

Lastly, like you I thought this Stryker with the "big gun" could hold it's own. Thanks for looking and the comments.

M60 - Have I got a bore evacuator for you!!! Thanks for looking and thanks for the comments.

Rounds Complete!!

Looks  Awesome!!!!

Jeff

redleg12 wrote:

Bill - Shhhhhh.....I'm praying to the great god of PE Thanks for the peek. Rounds Complete!!

You need to build a small altar and and make an obsidian blade about 1/4 " long and sacrifice all the plastic parts that were repalced.

Great looking Stryker. I can already hear the jingle of medals from CT

Marc - Thanks....it will be in CT if I don't go to Aberdeen in April. Otherwise it may just be there for viewing.

Manny - Thanks for your comments. It is the newest in the Stryker series for the US Army. It was deployed in 2006. The gun is a 105 mm. The "same" gun as on the original M1 Abrams tank. When the Army upgunned the Abrams to 120 mm the had all these 105 mm guns and ammo left. Good use of leftovers.

The vehicle gives some punch to light scout units they did not have before.

Rounds Complete!!

redleg12 wrote:

When the Army upgunned the Abrams to 120 mm the had all these 105 mm guns and ammo left. Good use of leftovers. The vehicle gives some punch to light scout units they did not have before.

Is it utilized as a direct or an in-direct fire system?