discussion 1/87 Trident conversion to M984 from ROCO M977

[minitnkr]

Had this in stash & thought I would participate in my first GB here. I've built a few of these ROCO HEMTTs & only tricky part is keeping the crane flexible. Conversion instructions read well & look good so far, calling out model parts to be reused & good measurement detail.
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Critical step 1 shows M939 chassis instead of M977, so right off the bat I see guesstimations called for as M977 chassis rail attachments & the end of chassis detail is different than shown.
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Had to fudge cut (40mm not 44mm) so as not to destroy (fuel tank, tool box) rail attachments. Still took out 8.5mm. Much dry fitting of components (constructed model some & crane assy to assure swing clearance) before 96mm cut. Sloppy crane fit was cured by using additional model crane base part not included in kit instructions. White scabs to strengthen frame cut just visible.
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Instructions offered no help on where to put removed rail attachments, so took best guess & cemented them & subframe/crane assy.
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Parts cleaned up & ready for basic paint. C&Cs encouraged. PaulE

 

[minitnkr]

Progress made.
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Another view.
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C&Cs welcomed. PaulE

 

[Guest]

Looks good Paul, how you manage in that scale to be so precise with your alterations is beyond me. 1/35 is hard enough, but 1/87 is something else.
Dzhon.

so precise

 

[minitnkr]

Thank you gentlemen. Some more progress. They made no provision for outrigger shoes, so I provided those, finished construction & paint, & added some MGs w/mounts. I still have some decal, chain & cable work to do.
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C&Cs encouraged. PaulE

 

[Mini Me]

Nice looking model Paul. Will you be putting a crew onboard?
Rick H.

 

[minitnkr]

Thanks RickH. I thought it would be a static model, but I'll check my figs for something suitable. There is room for only two, but thought if jammed up they could fight the truck w/light MGs. PaulE

 

[minitnkr]

No joy. I only have combat poses left, so I guess it will remain a static model. Thanks for the suggestion. PaulE

 

[scottie3158]

A great build mate some lovely detail.

 

[Mini Me]

No worry Paul, I know you generally man your vehicles and it does lend interest to the build. I wish I had more patience for figs.
Rick H.

 

[Steve Jones]

Nice to see you in your first GB. A cracking build to boot:thumb2:

 

[minitnkr]

Thanks SteveJ. It's good to be seen. Some progress made. Just some Dull-Coat & touch-ups to go.
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That was a little shaky.
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Added flood lights, shovel, MG ammo bunker, & chain rigging.
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Maybe some rear mudflaps. C&Cs encouraged. PaulE

 

[Guest]

Very neat conversion Paul. Certainly looks the part. :thumb2:
Dzhon .

 

[Si Benson]

Fantastic work Paul.....excellent modelling :thumb2:

 

[scottie3158]

Top work Sir.

 

[minitnkr]

Thanks gents, but I just couldn't handle the weapons so far away from crew. I had another HEMTT in the stash so carved up its' cab & semi-scratched an M66 mount to swap out the existing cab. First you have to put a hole in the glazing & then a cleaner one to match in the roof.
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Then add a ring on the roof for the weather seal.
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Then add the mount & swap cabs. Have to decal & touch-up the new cab yet.
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Another view.
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I like this better. C&Cs encouraged. PaulE

 

[Mini Me]

That's awesome. Its always nice to have a little attitude close by in case yvou need it.
Rick H.

 

[PJR]

Thanks gents, but I just couldn't handle the weapons so far away from crew. I had another HEMTT in the stash so carved up its' cab & semi-scratched an M66 mount to swap out the existing cab. First you have to put a hole in the glazing & then a cleaner one to match in the roof.
View attachment 315973
Then add a ring on the roof for the weather seal.
View attachment 315974
Then add the mount & swap cabs. Have to decal & touch-up the new cab yet.
View attachment 315976
Another view.
View attachment 315975
I like this better. C&Cs encouraged. PaulE

Found it!! I like it better too. and the chains!

 

[minitnkr]

Thought I should finish up the M977 I stole the cab from. Almost done.
View attachment 316217
Here I go again. No matter how many of these buggers I build I always put the crane boom on backwards at first. That it is fully articulated at this scale is pretty cool.
View attachment 316218
Crane corrected. All done. You can plainly see the wheelbase difference here. C&Cs encouraged. PaulE
View attachment 316219

 

[Si Benson]

Lovely work Paul:thumb2:

 

[minitnkr]

Thanks for looking in & commenting guys. PaulE