Heller 1/35 VBCI WIP

[Dave Ward]

I've been persevering over this for a while. The Model itself isn't too bad, but the netting armour is a real pig - the material provided by Heller is not usable, and the supports are fragile - it's got to the stage where it's difficult to pick up....................[ATTACH]298000[/ATTACH][ATTACH]298001[/ATTACH]
Still not sure about whether this will be finished - it's got to the stage where I'm losing interest...........
Dave

[Lee Drennen]

Looks great Dave! Glad to see you here

[Guest]

Nice build!
I like your work on the camo.
Thought only need a pin wash and you have it!!!! :smiling:

[Dave Ward]

Looks are deceptive! The mesh armour keeps on coming away from the supports ( Tried CA, PVA......), and there should be an edging strip around the bottom of the side skirts. The problem is that every time I repair one bit, another two pop out, and handling it makes it all worse! I think I'm going to give it an overall dusty spray, and call it a day, before I juggle with it, and drop it!!
[ATTACH]298212[/ATTACH]
This is what the box looks like, not that you can build the model from the bits inside! The mesh supplied is pentagonal, not square, and far too small - I'm not surprised I haven't seen this finished on any modelling sites!!

[RM6239]

Dave

It looks pretty good though, pity it's so fragile, probably a good call to dust it up a bit and call it a day.

cheers
Ross

[papa 695]

Like the rest say Dave it does look good. pity about it being so fragile.

[Guest]

Going by the box art, the real netting seems to be attached by sand-coloured straps. Maybe you could emulate that? Put, say, a thin metal strip around the frame and through the net, like on the box art. The metal can be glued to the plastic and should hold the net in place.

[Dave Ward]

Jakko,
If I was going to attempt this model again, I'd replace the supports & frames with metal rods, and attach the netting the way you say, but it's too far down the line now. Even using the airbrush to do a dust coat, the net is flapping. I'm afraid this has reached it's conclusion - I'll put up a few final pictures tomorrow
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Well, that's it - I can't do any more to this it's soooo fragile
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The Heller VBCI isn't a bad kit - the fit is good. The net armour, though...........................!!!!!
I've run out of patience with it! As I've said before, I'm not surprised I haven't seen any completed models around. The VBCI isn't a standout vehicle - only the Q-Net mesh armour raises it out of the ordinary, and that is very difficult. I'm now going to have to find a place to put this!
Dave

[scottie3158]

Dave,
Given the problems you have had that is a great result mate.
Paul

[papa 695]

I agree with Paul, Dave. It's a great result even if it's very fragile.

[Guest]

Dave,
The damage to the nets are to be expected when in service, some of these drivers, well..........
You have done a great job there, persevered and overcome, take a bow, dust it up and put it on the display shelf - well done.
Cheers,
MikeC.

[Jim R]

Hi Dave
To be honest I think the damaged nets make the model more realistic. The nets must have been regularly damaged in real life. Well done for sticking with it and getting a nice result. Now put it somewhere safe out of harms way!!
Jim

[col68]

Hi Dave I agree with the last 3 posts the damage to the netting adds to the realism of a good build

[Jon Heptonstall]

Looks a really good model.Glad to see it finished.I think all the hard work has really paid off.
Jon.