WIP: M992A2 FAASV Conversion

Thanks Marc. Don't worry, there's plenty of time to catch up.

Hey Gino.  Missed the start of this one when I was mia.  Looks good as usual.

Yup, gotta love being a Redleg.  I know I do.

As to the tool rack, lets say they just rolled out of the motor pool and the Ammo Sect. Chief is a real harda$$ when it comes to everything being in its assigned place, neatly strapped down.

Heh... Bein' a Redleg isn't a job...  It's a lifestlye, lol...

There's guys that will argue with me on that, but the best days I ever had in the Army (and I've had a few MOSs and been in all the Combat Arms units plus a couple Combat Support)  were as a Redleg, and best job was bein' a Howitzer Section Chief...

Gino,

That is some fantastic scratch building! Good to know about the services for custom cutting.  Just incase. I'll definitely be following this build.

Mike,

Even though the definition/history of a Red Leg would involve another thread it would most certainly be informative to those of us who aren't familiar with the term, as written by someone who lived it.

Dave

"always digging!!"

Yupper.. The 2nd  "P" (Position Improvement) in TLABSPAP isn't done until "PREPARE TO MARCH!" is heard...

'Course... You have to tell SOME Privates to "STOP" once in a while...

I'll never forget the time that PFC Moe ( he was about 5 ft 3) got so into digging a foxhole one time that he couldn't climb out of it...Then he'd failed to shore it up and it collapsed on his legs, pinning him in it... We didn't even know where he was... He'd wandered off a little too far to find a "good spot" that when he'd dug down so far and then couldn't get out, we couldn't hear him yellin' for help... 

He received the "Gopher Award" that year at the St. Barbara's Day Dine-out...

Tool racks and artillery (especially towed) are only together during inspections. In the field, the tools were always right next to the crew....spades, MG position, powder area, etc, etc....always digging!!

Rounds Complete!!

Pawel

So then the rack would be empty?

Mine were... We used the tools in practically every firing position, and they'd be left out until we got March Order, so they'd get thrown in the tracks anyway, rather than put back in the racks...  Same-same with aiming posts and ramming staff sections...

So then the rack would be empty? Nice oportunity to show it off like that...

Have a nice day

Pawel

The tool rack bothers me a little. Judging on the detail level and the colour of the plastic, it has to be an old Tamiya. And the shovel is not there! Maybe if you add a shovel and replace the "loop" that holds it down, it can really add to the detail, IMO.

FWIW, I never kept anything in the pioneer rack of my FAASV (or the howitzer either)... They got "lost" too easily so I kept my pioneer tools inside the tracks...

Thanks all for the compliments.  I'll keep plugging away at it.

Pawel: I have the shovel, its just not attached yet.  The rest of the tools are molded on.  I have been looing at it too and may replace it.  I just need to find something to replace is with.

Don't worry Mike.  All lots are seperated and powders are being kept in the can until needed for use.  Thanks for checking in on the progress.

Looks pretty good so far.

I can only say that it;s about as good as it gets, Gino. It's shaping up nicely. It looks like an AM conversion kit so far!

Gino - Very nice....making use of all the odds and ends you have saved up. Grills look good.

Ammunition handling is a slow but steady art!!! You are keeping your lots separated and your poder dry

Rounds Complete!!

Gino,

It's coming along great. I like the surface detail on the front bulkhead and on the side doors a lot. I think such surface "thingies" are amongst the hardest to do when scratchbuilding.

The tool rack bothers me a little. Judging on the detail level and the colour of the plastic, it has to be an old Tamiya. And the shovel is not there! Maybe if you add a shovel and replace the "loop" that holds it down, it can really add to the detail, IMO.

I wish you good luck with your project, have a nice day

Pawel

Here is the next update.  I have closed it all up and started adding details.  I have completed the front wall.  The generator grill and exhaust are from an M88 kit, with new PE added to the exhaust.  Everything else is scratch from sheet plastic.  The bolts are all hex-rod salami-sliced into bolts.  The tool rack is left over from some other kit; no idea where it came from.

I also completed the door for the aux generator.  The grills were cut from an M113 radiator grill. 

I have pretty much completed the large side doors and their holders, hinges, etc.  The balls on the pull bars that hold the doors back are bird shot from a shotgun shell.  They fit the scale perfectly.

That's it for now.  Next I will move on to the roof, side stowage racks, and rear.  Its getting there, slowly but surely.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks Hans.  I'll keep you posted. 

You know what they say..."(scratch) Build it and they will come (in kit form)!!"

Outstanding... Been meaning to do this m'self.... I'll be watching this one closely and probably ripping you off, lol..Thanks, Gino!

Thanks for checking in Jeff.  Looks like Mike answered your questions.  Like he said, don't get us started on the longer explanations...we might run out of electrons on that.

Jeff - Yep the M992 has a transfer crane/conveyor which will come out the rear to feed rounds to the M109A6

Now....whats a Redleg???   .....The short answer is an artilleryman. The derivation is from early years of the US army (and other armies) where artillerymen were identified by the Red stripe on their pants and thus...Red Leg or redleg.

Now...you don't want to get Gino or I started with the long answer or any other artillery trivia That could be a thred in itself

Rounds Complete!!

Thats a cool conversion you have going!!!  I always wondered when one of these would be done. Doesn't this track have a conveyor set-up coming from the rear to "load " the rounds to the Paladin?

Ok guys...whats a "redleg"?

Thanks guys.  I've gotten a little more done.  I should have some more pics up soon.

Well, what can I say but that t looks terrific, Gino--and what a seriously cool project and a breath of fresh air!

Be careful that Dragon doesn't steal it!!

nice one heavy. good to see some modern arty pieces (brings back the memories).

Thanks Ralph.  I have seen yours and it came out pretty nicely.  I do not plan on doing an interior in this one.  We drew the CAD so you could open it up if you want.  Also, the laser cutting can not only cut lines for the doors, but had to cut all the way through.  I do have some pics of an interior.  Send me a PM with your email address and I'll shoot them off to you.

Hi Gino

Your build is looking great and it looks easy to asemble with the lazer cut pieces. I see that you made all the doors open, are you going to do an interior for it?

I'm going to follow this build because I want to scratch build this version that you are doing.

I scratch built one from a picture in a book a long time ago with a crane in front of it and I think Canada used it. Did you ever see this version? I made all the doors open to scratch an interior for it but can not find any pictures of the interior. Do you have any that you can share with me?

If you get a chance have a look at it on my web page. http://community.webshots.com/user/scratchbuilder

Cheers,

Ralph

Thanks Dre.  For the recessed areas, I first draw the part on with a pencil and a straight-edge.  Then I scribe it into the plastic using a scribing tool and the straight-edge again.  A little fine sandpaper and some liquid glue to smooth it out and thats about it.

That's a really great idea for scratchbuilding, Heavy.   Did you get any spares made up just in case?

How're you doing the recessed detail work as seen on the fuel access door?  

Thanks guys.  I am enjoying it so far.  I really like the laser-cut parts.  They work really well for flat-surfaced vehicles.

Pawel:  If you want the M109-specific parts from the kit, send me a PM and we'll work something out.  I don't plan on using them.  They will fit onto any of the Italeri M109s (with the exception of the A6 Paladin) to build an original M109 as seen in Vietnam.

Hello Gino!

The subject you chose sure is cool. Dang, I musta been a redleg in my previous life, because I always liked the artillery tractors and resupply vehicles.

On the other hand it feels a little funny to see you cutting up a kit I'm trying so hard to locate. I'm trying for some time now to find the basic variant of the M109 as it served in Vietnam.

Good luck with your build, I'll be watching closely and have a nice day

Pawel