Yep, well it says Photo Etch on the bottle, so seems to be, but as I said further up the thread, I reckon its just CA glue personally.
Peters British ATMP Gekko models 1/35
- Thread starter pjgtech
- Start date
Ok, so feel better today, so did a couple of hours in the studio of dreams, Lol.....
Have got to the bit that I've been dreading, the top frame that sits on the chassis, the instructions are ok, but there's no reference to how far apart things needs to be, or what exact angles things need to be, etc?
So I went ahead anyway, slowly and carefully, from the main frame elements....
To the final assembled frame, just had to keep referring back to the pics and the actual model chassis to see if it looked right, we'll see...
Its now drying with my Acme frame support structure....
Then on to make the little jerry cans and the driver. I'm not looking forward to the jerry can frames/holders either! Bloody PE.... Bah!
Have got to the bit that I've been dreading, the top frame that sits on the chassis, the instructions are ok, but there's no reference to how far apart things needs to be, or what exact angles things need to be, etc?
So I went ahead anyway, slowly and carefully, from the main frame elements....
To the final assembled frame, just had to keep referring back to the pics and the actual model chassis to see if it looked right, we'll see...
Its now drying with my Acme frame support structure....
Then on to make the little jerry cans and the driver. I'm not looking forward to the jerry can frames/holders either! Bloody PE.... Bah!
Coming along very nicely.
FYI when I make framework like that such as car roll cages or exotic car chassis space frames I build them in situ using TET minimally and when dry apply more poly cement.
FYI when I make framework like that such as car roll cages or exotic car chassis space frames I build them in situ using TET minimally and when dry apply more poly cement.
Sorry mate I have completely missed this but just had a good catch up and your doing a cracking job.
Ta, what is TET?
Nice little build great progress
Ta, what is TET?
Tamiya Extra Thin.
Tamiya Extra Thin.
Ah yes, of course, should have guessed! Cheers...
Damn, damn and blast! 
I did not realise that this kit comes with two different drivers seats, Doh!
NB: Does not mention it anywhere in the instructions!
I have already fitted the "standard" drivers seat, and primed it, and fitted the seat belts, etc.
Only got the driver out of the kit yesterday and did not realise it comes with a lower, shaped, sunken seat cushion, to use if placing the driver in the drivers seat. If you try to seat the driver on the "standard" seat, (eg: much flatter and thicker), he sits too high and his head hits the upper frame.
Maybe shave some material off his bum, etc?
So, I may not be fitting the driver, or I may alter his arms and have him sitting on the rear, or will figure out something else.
But, as above, Damn, damn and blast!!!
Anyway, little bit more progress generally, I let the upper frame dry, etc for a good few hours as its so small, thin and highly liable to breaking if moving it around too much. I then managed to get it to fit the main chassis, and actually its quite a nice fit, looks reasonably level, square, etc, so pleased with how it turned out, despite being very fiddly.
Have now also given it a coat of primer, and the main chassis, has had two coats of primer. I will prolly give the frame another coat before starting painting....
So its starting to come together.... then, it was on to those bloody tiny photo etch fuel can frames.....
After much swearing and faffing about I managed to get them sort of looking ok, not perfect by any means, but I was losing the will to live in the end, so they will have to do....
I do have an AK photo etch bender, which is great for simple, small bends, but I found that for very, very small things like this a simple small pair of flat surfaced pliers, eg: like jewellers pliers, work much better, being easier to get into small places and make really small bends.
But bloody hell its fiddly!!!!
Have also primed the two fuel cans, so progress...
I did not realise that this kit comes with two different drivers seats, Doh!
NB: Does not mention it anywhere in the instructions!
I have already fitted the "standard" drivers seat, and primed it, and fitted the seat belts, etc.
Only got the driver out of the kit yesterday and did not realise it comes with a lower, shaped, sunken seat cushion, to use if placing the driver in the drivers seat. If you try to seat the driver on the "standard" seat, (eg: much flatter and thicker), he sits too high and his head hits the upper frame.
Maybe shave some material off his bum, etc?
So, I may not be fitting the driver, or I may alter his arms and have him sitting on the rear, or will figure out something else.
But, as above, Damn, damn and blast!!!
Anyway, little bit more progress generally, I let the upper frame dry, etc for a good few hours as its so small, thin and highly liable to breaking if moving it around too much. I then managed to get it to fit the main chassis, and actually its quite a nice fit, looks reasonably level, square, etc, so pleased with how it turned out, despite being very fiddly.
Have now also given it a coat of primer, and the main chassis, has had two coats of primer. I will prolly give the frame another coat before starting painting....
So its starting to come together.... then, it was on to those bloody tiny photo etch fuel can frames.....
After much swearing and faffing about I managed to get them sort of looking ok, not perfect by any means, but I was losing the will to live in the end, so they will have to do....
I do have an AK photo etch bender, which is great for simple, small bends, but I found that for very, very small things like this a simple small pair of flat surfaced pliers, eg: like jewellers pliers, work much better, being easier to get into small places and make really small bends.
But bloody hell its fiddly!!!!
Have also primed the two fuel cans, so progress...
Wile E. Coyote's barrister would be interested.
Looking good.
I'd forgotten about the seat cushion, but I'll never forget those can holders
I'd forgotten about the seat cushion, but I'll never forget those can holders
Todays update...
Main structure is pretty much done, just a few little bits to add.
Its fully primed now too and the seats, inner cockpit floor and side plates have all had a coat of flat black.
Primed and started to paint up some of the little weapon accessories.
Initially put an olive drab on the large ammo crate, but it was way too dark, so changed it to a lighter brown which matches the box art.
Painted the fuel can frames and cans.
Made the first wheel, this is the spare, the others will go on the vehicle.
Also started to paint up the wooden pallet.
Will weather the pallet a bit more and the crate will also get some panel line, oil wash, etc. The vehicle will get a general dirt and sand type wash to suit the proposed terrain (Afghanistan).
Also added some filler to the driver figure, as I have lowered his arms, as due to the seat issue (see post above) he will either be in the passenger seat, or somewhere else, or I may not use him as I have a couple of other figures for the diorama this will be in. NB: his arms were originally in the raised position to grip the handlebar type steering arrangement on this vehicle.
Talking of figures, here are the couple of figures I am thinking of using in the diorama, they are British SF's troops from a tour of Afghanistan, They have been primed and had their first top coats, but will prolly need another coat and still lots of tidying and small details to add, but its a start....
And lastly, I mentioned the flat nosed pliers I had used to bend the little PE fuel can frames, here is a picture of the ones I used, one is slighter larger and wider than the other, but they are very useful for small parts.
Main structure is pretty much done, just a few little bits to add.
Its fully primed now too and the seats, inner cockpit floor and side plates have all had a coat of flat black.
Primed and started to paint up some of the little weapon accessories.
Initially put an olive drab on the large ammo crate, but it was way too dark, so changed it to a lighter brown which matches the box art.
Painted the fuel can frames and cans.
Made the first wheel, this is the spare, the others will go on the vehicle.
Also started to paint up the wooden pallet.
Will weather the pallet a bit more and the crate will also get some panel line, oil wash, etc. The vehicle will get a general dirt and sand type wash to suit the proposed terrain (Afghanistan).
Also added some filler to the driver figure, as I have lowered his arms, as due to the seat issue (see post above) he will either be in the passenger seat, or somewhere else, or I may not use him as I have a couple of other figures for the diorama this will be in. NB: his arms were originally in the raised position to grip the handlebar type steering arrangement on this vehicle.
Talking of figures, here are the couple of figures I am thinking of using in the diorama, they are British SF's troops from a tour of Afghanistan, They have been primed and had their first top coats, but will prolly need another coat and still lots of tidying and small details to add, but its a start....
And lastly, I mentioned the flat nosed pliers I had used to bend the little PE fuel can frames, here is a picture of the ones I used, one is slighter larger and wider than the other, but they are very useful for small parts.
some good progress there buddy,
glad you came up with a solution for the driver.
glad you came up with a solution for the driver.
Great progress Peter.
coming on nicely
Looking good Peter
Good work Peter it’s coming together very nicely 
Geoff.
Geoff.
Nuther little update....
First top coats have gone onto the main bodywork.
Will need at least one more, maybe two...
Bit more detail added to the figures.
Spare wheel primed, might assemble the other (six) wheels today and prime them up too.
Fuel cans and frames painted up, turned out quite well, just need to attach them, probably after I've finished painting the main bodywork.
The two side checkerplates were just primed black and then sort of dry brushed with the main chassis colour, this is first coat, I think I will go over them again though with another dry brush to try to get a more even coverage....
Driver figure was sanded down (filler around joints) and ammo pouches and pistol with holster added to his front and then primed. I think I will have him holding a rifle across his lap...
First top coats have gone onto the main bodywork.
Will need at least one more, maybe two...
Bit more detail added to the figures.
Spare wheel primed, might assemble the other (six) wheels today and prime them up too.
Fuel cans and frames painted up, turned out quite well, just need to attach them, probably after I've finished painting the main bodywork.
The two side checkerplates were just primed black and then sort of dry brushed with the main chassis colour, this is first coat, I think I will go over them again though with another dry brush to try to get a more even coverage....
Driver figure was sanded down (filler around joints) and ammo pouches and pistol with holster added to his front and then primed. I think I will have him holding a rifle across his lap...
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Actually thinking about it, I think I'll paint the whole of the side checker plates with the main chassis colour, "desert yellow", and then once its dry, go ahead and dry brush it with a metallic silver/chrome to simulate the worn top edges, rather the way I'm doing it now (the opposite), Doh!
Did a bit more....
First top coat on the mirrors and then chrome silver added, when its dry will then add the see through cover.
Have now put a full top coat on the side checker plates, once they are dry I will then go over with a dry brush to bring out the checker plate details, maybe with a metallic grey or similar.
Have added radio headset and knee pads to the driver, he will get a first top coat later or tomorrow.
And lastly have assembled the wheels, only four have brake discs, the two rears do not.
Will need gaps filling and sanding down before priming....
First top coat on the mirrors and then chrome silver added, when its dry will then add the see through cover.
Have now put a full top coat on the side checker plates, once they are dry I will then go over with a dry brush to bring out the checker plate details, maybe with a metallic grey or similar.
Have added radio headset and knee pads to the driver, he will get a first top coat later or tomorrow.
And lastly have assembled the wheels, only four have brake discs, the two rears do not.
Will need gaps filling and sanding down before priming....
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