M983 HEMTT Tractor WIP

HeavyArty

Member since
December 2002
From: Valrico, FL

Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 3:09 PM

After a break over the holidays and the new semester starting at work, I have finally gotten back to working on this. I painted it using Testors Model Master Sand (FS33531). It best represents modern US CARC Tan in my opinion. I also started final assembly and have added the tires, engine, etc. I still have to do the decals and final details on the cab before adding it. After that, it will be lightly weathered as most of these tractors are kept in pretty good shape.

Here it is so far.

More to follow soon.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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HeavyArty

Member since
December 2002
From: Valrico, FL

Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, November 6, 2016 4:40 PM

Thanks Gamera. The engine does look great. All I addded were the dipsticks. The rest is all Real Model. They did a great job on it.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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Gamera

Member since
November 2009
From: SW Virginia

Posted by Gamera on Sunday, November 6, 2016 8:09 AM

Wow, love that engine!

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

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HeavyArty

Member since
December 2002
From: Valrico, FL

Posted by HeavyArty on Saturday, November 5, 2016 1:51 PM

The HEMTT assembly line continues. I have completed the interior painting and decals on the cab. All the decals are either left-overs from other kits or home made by me on computer decal paper. I like the way they turned out and think they look pretty good. The instrument gauges are from the Eduard sheet and came out well too. I added a radio setup with a SINCGARS ICOM, handset, and speakerbox from the now-OOP Pro Art set. I am glad I have a few of these since no one else makes just a SINCGARS set.

I also assembled and painted the Real Model engine. I really like how the engine turned out. It is going to look great under the hood.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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HeavyArty

Member since
December 2002
From: Valrico, FL

Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 1:23 PM

Thanks Gamera. The Real Model engine is pretty awesome. They do great work.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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Gamera

Member since
November 2009
From: SW Virginia

Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 11:27 AM

Really nice work there and that's a beautiful aftermarket engine.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

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Pawel

Member since
May 2009
From: Poland

Posted by Pawel on Monday, October 31, 2016 7:03 PM

Hello!

Lookin' good, Gino! Now that there IS a good HEMTT at last, why not go at it? That walking beam/Hendrickson axle is looking interesting on that truck. Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

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HeavyArty

Member since
December 2002
From: Valrico, FL

M983 HEMTT Tractor WIP

Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, October 31, 2016 6:34 PM

I guess I am a gluten for HEMTT punishment. While I am waiting for some more parts to come in for my ongoing M1074 PLS build, I decided to build the M983 HEMTT tractor. I am using the left-over parts from my M1074 build: Trumpeter M983 tractor parts, the left-over Italeri HEMTT from the M1120 kit, and some extra parts out of the Dragon PATRIOT PAC-3 launcher I recently reviewed.

This is what the end result will look like.

I started by cutting the frame just behind the transfer case and removing about 15mm to shorten the frame. I then added the Trumpeter tractor parts including the fifth wheel, ramps, work platform on the back, and PE screen on the frame, among other small items. I also scratched up some gladhands at the rear and a added a winch and cable guides from the Dragon kit.

I am also using the Eduard M977 PE set for the interior. The Italeri interior is really bare and this set dresses it up nicely. Also, I cut the rear wall apart to correctly represent the opening for airflow to the radiator. I spliced the center rear wall section from the Trumpeter kit in place to complete the rear wall. This part has a very nice inner sound dampener/insulation layer that I wanted to use.

I am adding the Real Model engine set to it too. This engine is really nice. It adds a lot to the old Italeri truck. I will display it with one side of the hood open and the left side engine panel removed.

In the Dragon PATRIOT PAC-3 kit, there was a whole sprue from the truck, along with other truck parts sprinkled about the other sprues. Most notable are a nice steering gear box, rear brake cylinders, and the aforementioned winch. I added all these parts and scratched up the steering linkages. With the winch and guides from the Dragon kit, and the winch guides from the Trumpeter kit, I had enough guides to do a complete set down the right side of the frame. Both the Dragon and Trumpeter kits only include the guides to the rear, when the truck also has guides that go forward to be used in either direction. The Dragon winch was actually nicer than the Trumpeter one too.