StDs Clutch of 28mm trucks - Bedfords & AECs

[Steve-the-Duck]

Right here's where we're going with the civvie 0853 Matador

So, there's all the ironmongery on the side of the cargo bed
But first I had to carve back the toolboxes

[Mini Me]

Very nice Chris.....I like what you're aiming for. :thumb2:

[Steve-the-Duck]

Okay, so NOW I've noticed there's a 'Completed Group Builds' section in the Military Vehicles area, so I should've posted the finished Bedford pics there rather in their own 'Completed Softskins' thread. They might have been seen then! But, hey ho.

So, here's where we are on the Matadors


Front of the cab before modifications, other than the rebuilt windscreen frame


So, kink in the roof filled and sanded, new headlights, position/ indicator lights and rear view mirror frame added


As is too often the case with me, I have a rethink halfway through, then have to re-jig things. To save myself a little work, I've cut back the Lego piece cab roof on the early military version, and added a section from the one-piece tilt top, which is closer to the actual shape of the roof. Now I just have to Miliput fill the corners

[Steve-the-Duck]

Extensive modifications of the cargo body, so far

Some plastic strip and brass rod for the extensive framing on the outside. Still need to add the tool box behind the fuel tank


Offside completed with extra detailing. I may add a few small strips to the bottom of the frame as the truck has a load of eye rings fitted there, assumingly to tie the tilt to. There are what may be hinges on the frame supports, so the whole side folds down, but it's difficult to tell
Photos of the GS (general service) cargo body are sparse to say the least, most Matadors being built as Artillery tractors. Or cranes. Or workshops. Again with the 'oh, that would look better if I did that', the photo implies there's a gap between the cab and the cargo body, so I COULD shorten it a little.

But not now I've come this far
There tractor has a door at the front of the body and a frame step, but I've removed both of them.

Next will be the tilt frames

[scottie3158]

Chris,
great work rather you than me in this scale.

[Steve-the-Duck]

Chris,
great work rather you than me in this scale.

Well, they could have been 72nd!

[Steve-the-Duck]

so, added the wooden toolbox. It's a 28mm stack of jerrycans, reversed, and a couple of placcy strips added


And finally, the tilt cover frames. Fortunately this angle doesn't show how sos-so they're aligned. That's what comes of, having carefully bent them all tho the same shape, drilling the holes fit one way, them the other, and not QUITE matching up. Oh well

Subsequently, I've added a steering wheel. They're also now undercoated; grey for this one, black for the 853

[Steve-the-Duck]

Last stages of the 853 early version.

Also, in one of my (too many!) references I've found a pic showing the chassis without the cab which places the handbrake and gear stick. They'd both be hidden either side of the driver, so maybe on the civvie

And here's all the parts pushed together before undercoat and painting

The cab roof was finished with Apoxie two-part putty, which I think has turned out rather well. Never used the stuff before, but it sands as easily as most fillers. Unlike my Miliput, which has just gone completely solid!

Replaced the step with brass rod as the moulded on piece is ridiculously fragile, and impossible to clean out without breaking. twice!

So, next is the paint jobs. Just waiting now for some Letraset to turn up

[scottie3158]

Steve.
Lovely job so far.

[Mickc1440]

Great work Steve, I'm wearing my optivisor just to watch :smiling:

[Steve-the-Duck]

The 853 Matador is now complete and finished

As usual, my camera pics up a few needed tweaks. Just when you think you're done!

More oictures will be in the Completed Vehicles / Group Builds thread

[Steve-the-Duck]

Well, I've actually, finally, reached the end of this build, so here's how I've got there

Prompted to try Letraset, this was the initial stage with the gold for the lettering on to the grey primer.
Unfortunately, having shelled out for some Letraset sheets, I couldn't get the lettering on right
Then I found some gold vinyl self-adhesive lettering, so I went with that. Cheaper than the old Letraset by far but I have the sheets for later use
Possibly

[Steve-the-Duck]

So, this is the rear finished, wheels on and painted all over gloss Madder Red (Gunze)

Had to adjust the alignment of one of the frames to get them to line up, and there was still some weathering and lettering to do at this stage

[Steve-the-Duck]

And finally, both Matadors completed together. More pics over in the GB completed thread

Large lettering is the Petts vinyl stick-ons, small stuff and number plates hand done. I tried Letraset for the number plates, but that didn't work out as the letters wouldn't remove
I'm done and happy

[Tim Marlow]

Nice results, especially on the lettering. Not at all easy at that scale.