Mirror Models Bulldozer.

[Steve Jones]

That's great to hear Andy. What do I know about Mirror Models :smiling5: :smiling5: :tears-of-joy: :tears-of-joy: :thumb2:

[scottie3158]

Andy,
Sounds like your having fun. I have built one Mirror Models kit before. They are generally very good apart from some dodgy locations, and the need to use 10 parts to make one

[Jim R]

Hi Andy
These Mirror Models kits build up into good, well detailed models. It just requires a lot of patience and skill and some choice language
Jim

[outrunner]

That's great to hear Andy. What do I know about Mirror Models :smiling5: :smiling5: :tears-of-joy: :tears-of-joy: :thumb2:

I am always open to other peoples opinions about things but at the moment I am getting along quite happily with the kit. Perhaps it's just one of those things, like having a bad day. I was critical of the Italeri HEMTT but others may find it OK, so you pays your money and makes the choice. Of course I could be wrong, it's not unknown. :smiling2:


Andy.

[Lee Drennen]

Andy. I think when Steve sees or here's of Mirror Models it’s a bad day for him. Pay no attention to him right now a night in the “Race Towers” will do him good. lol

[outrunner]

I have spent a happy few hours today working away on the kit, loads of small parts to keep me busy.
these 16 parts are just for the donkey engine.
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There is a lot of work on this models engine, but that is what I like.
The engine has still got a way to go yet.
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Here is a close up of one of the sprues with small parts, well made and no flash but you have to be cautious when cutting off the sprue.
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The 5p is just for size comparison, or it could be an estimation of my wealth.

Andy.

[outrunner]

PS Is it just me or is your workbench really HUGE?

It depends on your definition of huge but it is quite large. I converted the loft in the house many years ago to make a place where I could build and store my RC aircraft as the 8 by 6 shed was less than suitable.
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That is just the bit I work on, there is a similar width of bench down each side.

Andy.

[Gern]

It depends on your definition of huge but it is quite large. I converted the loft in the house many years ago to make a place where I could build and store my RC aircraft as the 8 by 6 shed was less than suitable.
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That is just the bit I work on, there is a similar width of bench down each side.

Andy.

Yeah. That's huge! Mind you, I suppose it helps you've only just got into your stride. Once you've got well into it, your space will be full of tools, sub-assemblies, paints, glues and all the other paraphernalia we use - and you'll be down to the usual 6 square inches at the front that we all seem to manage with!

[outrunner]

A bit more progress today but not as much as I would have liked as I ran out of superglue for the PE. Got on with the chassis and the track frames.
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Put the engine in just to see what it looks like.
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This model is getting big, must be at least four and a half inches long now. :smiling5:
Best get some paint ordered as this model will need to be painted and chipped/weathered befor it gets fully assembled.

Andy.

[Gern]

Looking good Andy. Any build issues so far? I have three versions of this and you're really tempting me to start one!

[scottie3158]

Andy,
That is looking good mate really coming along nicely.

[Tim Marlow]

Fine work on this so far buddy...

[outrunner]

Looking good Andy. Any build issues so far? I have three versions of this and you're really tempting me to start one!

Three versions, how much punishment can a man take? No real problems so far other than some holes not matching the pin size so need to be opened out a bit and there are a few seam lines but most of them will never be seen. The pictures/drawings on the instruction sheets could be a bit clearer and they need to be looked at carefully. I looked on the MM website and there is a page on how to do the tracks so I tried their method with a couple of links which (theoreticaly) should click together, well, they do click together but they also pull apart with little or no effort but I have a plan (beware of men with plans). :smiling3:


Andy.

[Gern]

Three versions, how much punishment can a man take? No real problems so far other than some holes not matching the pin size so need to be opened out a bit and there are a few seam lines but most of them will never be seen. The pictures/drawings on the instruction sheets could be a bit clearer and they need to be looked at carefully. I looked on the MM website and there is a page on how to do the tracks so I tried their method with a couple of links which (theoreticaly) should click together, well, they do click together but they also pull apart with little or no effort but I have a plan (beware of men with plans). :smiling3:


Andy.

I really, really doubt I'll build more than one - but the more you tell me, the more I'm tempted. They're only in my stash to give me choices. Besides, we've been pestering manufacturers for years - at least I have - to produce kits of construction equipment. Now they've made some, somebody better buy them or they won't make any more. There is a company who have done a really nice steam shovel in 1/35 (Andy's Hobby Headquarters have a build review) but it's in resin and I gotta win the lottery before I can afford one.

Just waiting for a JCB or equivalent backhoe in 1/35th. Not holding my breath though. They've been around for years and years everywhere in the world, both civilian and military, and the build/paint/dio options are absolutely endless - and still no-one's made one!! (Apart from the old Airfix/Dapol one in 1/87 and Monogram or AMT made a John Deere backhoe in 1/24 or 1/25). I could maybe understand if JCB were charging too much for copyright or whatever the equivalent is, but other companies make these things - surely they'd want their products advertised in this way.

[papa 695]

It looks very nicely detailed Andy and looking very good so far.