Hello Gino!

Now this is a surprising action twist! Could you write some more about why you decided to change plans like this?

Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

Looks great Gino.  Interesting subject.  I wonder how the crew feels driving around all that fuel.  Hopefully they operate far behind the lines.

So, I have changed direction on this one again. It will now be an M978A4 Fueler, like this:

I started by cutting all the tractor parts off and cutting the frame just in front of the first rear wheel mount. I then added 30mm to stretch the frame to its full length. Another frame cross member added and a lengthened drive shaft and it is getting there.

Here it is so far with the fuel tank behind it.

Thanks, using a needle is a great idea. 

I generally shut off the paint supply to the airbrush by rocking the needle forward and then blowing the air without paint though the mesh. It cleans some of them but not always all of them. 

Thanks Gamera.  It's not done yet, but will be once I get the new PE.  That is a picture of an M983A2 I did a while ago (2016?). 

I too get clogged openings in PE mesh.  I use a needle to "pop" them before it dries.  It usually works, unless the mesh is very fine, then you try to open as many as possible, but I still get some clogged areas.  You can open small ones once dried using a fine needle too.

That is a 1000% improvement Gino!

BTW: Just curious but on airbrushing mesh parts like that I normally get some of the mesh openings clogged up with paint. I've tried using light coats but I still get the clogging of the meshwork. Do you have any technique on preventing this? 

Yup, I think so too.  I figured if I was doing all that work on the A4 parts, I couldn't cut corners on the work platform.  The PE part looks a thousand times better.

Lookin' good! A decisive improvement over the plastic part!

Thanks Drums.  It is coming along. 

A small update.  I decided that I don't like the solid work platform from the Dragon M983 that I was using.  I have ordered another Trumpeter PE sheet from their M983A2 kit that includes the very nice PE mesh work platform.  So a small delay.  Work continues on the interior details, but the rest of it will have to wait a bit.

Dragon (updated Italeri M977) M983A2 solid-molded rear wok platform from their PATRIOT missile carrier set.

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Trumpeter M983A2 PE work platform - much better.

IMG_1028_zps5omrr2ee692×502 95.1 KB

Sorry for not responding more, but I've been following all four builds. It's one thing to have a first hand resource reference, but it is another to have the vision and skill to compile it all into a beautiful finished product which it appears you have done.

Great build thread and skills here!

Ben and Jarrod

Thanks Pawel and CapnMac.  It does seem like the whole site has slowed down a bit though.  

Hello Gino!

Nah, I'm watching this one too! Just didn't have a good idea what to write you... But I want you to know that I like your HEMMT a lot! Now good luck painting this baby, and have a nice day!

Paweł

HeavyArty

Looks like you are the only one still hanging on.

I suspect that the rest of us are just struck speechless.

Yeah, wish it were busier. And sorry I don't know enough about the vehicle to make any intelligent comments, I just enjoy looking at all the detail you're adding. 

Thanks for sticking in here Gamera.  Looks like you are the only one still hanging on.  Glad you are here and enjoying the build.

She's lookin' sharp Gino! 

I confess I enjoy following other people's streams because I'm getting so little stuff done myself.... 

Another update. I have detailed the cab, inside and out. I used the Eduard interior PE on it. I used pieces as they fit in the redesigned cab. It is a pretty good set and adds quite a bit of detail.

I also added support structures to the rear wall and roof.

On the front, I built the bumper(?) bar from square brass stock, bent to shape. I also added the cages around the lights from sheet and rod styrene.

I used 3D printed gladhands on it too. They look great.

Lastly, I cut down the length on the exhaust and added the upper PE cage around it from the Eduard set.

I am waiting on 3D printed modern marker lights for it and a few other pieces to complete the cab steps. Other than that, construction is done. Now onto painting and detailing the cab interior.

Thanks Gamera.  Always great to have you check in.

Again, you're making great progress on her! 

Thanks Drums01.  Work continues.

Nice modification's and skills shown here keep it going!

Thanks Gamera.

She's coming along beautifully! 

 I bet it was @Rob Gronovius

You're welcome. 

 Really thought it was you. It's been awhile. 

Thanks.  Great tagline, but it was not mine.

Looking good. I was a fan of yours around 20 years ago on here when I was M60A3. I have matured some, lol. I still remember your sigline was something like "I am a land acquisition specialist for the world's only remaining superpower". I always liked that. 

I’ve gotten back to work on the truck. I have completed the suspension. On the front, I added air brakes, shocks and the steering gear boxes and arms. HEMTTs have two front steering gear boxes, one for each axle. The front one is inside the frame rails ahead of the front axle. The rear one is mounted on the outside of the rails between the two axles.

On the rear I added shocks and the air brakes.

Once the suspension was done, I moved to the cab. The A4 cab is longer and has a roof plate where a gun turret can be added. I replicated both of these by adding 1cm to the length and a cut down circle of plastic for the gun ring cover. I also cut down the front of the roof. The A4 doesn’t overhang at the front to make like a brow/sun shield.

I also added details on the inner roof, and details to the dash to make it look more like an A4. I reworked the center tunnel cover as well.

I also detailed the hydraulic fluid reservoir with filters on the side and rear, and lip and frame details.

Next I will move to the side-mounted radiators. I am starting with the louvers from the top intake of a Bradley. I had bought a couple Kinetic M3A3 hulls for the side skirts and other details. I cut the intakes out of them and squared them up. Next I will build up the boxes for them.

More to come later as I continue the build.

CapnMac82

 

 And a Ukrianian company will beat them to the shelves--with a better version  

I doubt it.  Trumpeter's HEMTT A2 kits are great and noone has attemped anything better.

Glad you guys know the details- they all look like a big honkin' truck to me...