A new suit of armour - LAV-25 style.

[Isitme]

So taking another break from the Scud build while waiting for paint and brass, I dug out a wreck that was given to me a few years ago by a modeller who bit off a bit more than his skills. The resin conversion had been sanded and looked like a ducks beak at one end and had been attacked with a hacksaw. As this was the first time I had really looked into the box it was clear that there was potential as all the brass was still attached to the frets but as for the rest it was a no go. I already had a LAV-25 in the stash and so comparisons were made, references checked and what started out as 'just a look' has now turned into a blog.

So this is the lower hull of the Trumpeter offering, sorry it is a bit blurred (I blame Jack Daniels). The rear end opening will be removed as this is for the propellers for the wading option which are not on the version I am building.

As you can see the whole hull has been sanded down ready for the armour plates and luckily the engine grills were salvaged from the resin hull.
And so the work begins.

[Isitme]

Update,
As there is no interior the top and bottom of the hull were joined together and the new shape of the area at the rear of the hull top was forned.

[Isitme]

Update,
So now it is time to start adding brass - those of you with a nervous disposition can look away at this point - it gets dirty.....


Here you see the new armour plates added to the lower hull inner sides..... And the drive shaft opening at the rear has been removed.

And this is the front left side. The marked out circles are where the 'washers and bolt heads' will be fitted.


Progress has been made and here you can see the side armour is starting to be fitted along with some more brass. This work was completed to this stage over a week at the bench.


Here you see the front panel has been marked out and is in place for a test fit before it is 'textured' with non slip material.

[Isitme]

Update,
The lower front plates are now attached...

...and like the last image in the previous update are treated to the 'washer/bolt head' parts. which comprise of 10thou plasic discs punched out and .85mm bolt heads from the same material.

And that is where I am today.... A few detail images below.



Cheers, Mike.

[Jim R]

Hi Mike
You do like a challenge. That will teach you to go ferreting around in the bottom of your stash.
Wonderful work as always. I suppose the usual issues when trying to match up parts which were not intended to go together.
Jim

[adt70hk]

Nice start Mike.....joining Jim in the front row.

ATB.

Andrew

[Steven000]

Nice progress Mike :thumb2:

[Isitme]

Hi Mike
You do like a challenge. That will teach you to go ferreting around in the bottom of your stash.
Wonderful work as always. I suppose the usual issues when trying to match up parts which were not intended to go together.
Jim

Hello Jim,
Actually there were some measurment discrepancies, but that was between the resin offering and the Trumpeter hull, but nothing that a bit of artists licence could not overcome, but then again I did not get the full resin hull to examine, only what was left after the mad sander had done his work.
Mike

[Isitme]

Nice start Mike.....joining Jim in the front row.

ATB.

Andrew

Welcome.

[Tarps]

Nice work Mike.:thumb2:

[minitnkr]

Some great detail work on display here. Excellent silkpursery.

[scottie3158]

Mike,
Outstanding mate. What did you use for the non slip coating?

[JR]

Mike I'm going to sit near the door and keep an eye out for men wearing pointy shoes.
Expecting your usual high standard of build, if the brass is anything to go by we're in for a treat .

[Isitme]

Kevin, Paul(minitnkr),
Many thanks for your support.
Mike.

[Tim Marlow]

Lovely recovery work Mike. Detail modelling is exemplary.