discussion Peter's M706 Commando Armoured Car - Hobby Boss - 1:35

[pjgtech]

So this will be my entry for the US Icons GB....

I've never actually seen this model before, the M706 Commando Armoured Car (in Vietnam) by Hobby Boos in 1:35.
The included schemes (x2) both seem to be military Police versions, and as I have also acquired a few US Vietnam figures, (including couple of MP figures), I hope to do some sort of open hatch version with the MP's.

This is effectively a holding thread, as I am off on my jollies for few days imminently and will not be back till end of the week, but I look forward to starting this build and looking at everyone else's entries.....

 

[flyjoe180]

Enjoy your holiday Peter. The armoured car looks like fun.

 

[Geoffers]

Looks good Peter, have you decided which scheme you are going with?

Have a nice holiday

Geoff.

 

[pjgtech]

For no reason other than I like them best, think I'm going with the big side white MP letters decal scheme.

 

[pjgtech]

I have now started this one.
Looks fairly simple build TBH, not a huge part count either, so the lower chassis is now complete.
I think I will paint it up internally as I intend to try and have a few access panels open, so some will be visible.
The instructions seem to only offer the hatches closed, but we'll see what we can do....

 

[pjgtech]

Tried a dry fit of the the main body/chassis and all seems to go together quite well, maybe a bit of a gap at one end, but some laccy bands or a few clamps should sort that out once its glued.




Then it was on to some primer, and then started some sub assemblies, eg: axles, fule drum and holder, etc...

 

[pjgtech]

Was not sure about internal colour, but found a couple of websites which show a light green interior, see photo below.
Anyone know what code this would be for Tamiya XF or Mr Hobby or Vallejo Model Colour paints?
Cheers

 

[flyjoe180]

Looking good Peter. I've no idea about AFV colours, but to me that interior colour looks very close to RAF Sky?

 

[pjgtech]

I had a rummage in my paint stash and Tamiya XF71- Cockpit green, seems fairly close, maybe a tiny tad too dark, but I am going with that....

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Always difficult to match a colour from a photo. I have always struggled with the various greens on offer for cockpits and generally just mix my own.

 

[pjgtech]

Both inside and outside have had first coats now...
Also highlighted some minor details inside, seats, steering wheel, pedals, etc.
Will deffo need at least another coat on both.
Think I'll weather the inside a bit too before sealing it all up with the top chassis/body...

 

[papa 695]

Nice work so far Peter.

 

[pjgtech]

Decided not to weather the internal space as TBH hardly any of it will be on show, even with few hatches open, as I may have figures at the hatches. Proceeded to add the two halves together,



and did a bit of work on the underside, axles, spring leafs, added towing eyes, etc.

 

[pjgtech]

Changed my mind and did do a bit of internal weathering, just scuffing up few areas, wear on the seats, etc.

The top body / chassis definitely needs another coat, its had two coats, but you can still see paint brush strokes, so I think one last thin coat should be an improvement....



The underside seems to look a bit better, its also only had two coats, but they may have been a bit thinner, so laid down the paint a bit better?





Found my .50 cal and built it up, it was part of a US troops kit as part of their equipment, the gun will go in the jungle hut for the guard/lookout.
Also painted the pioneer tools and wheels are ready to be mated with the tyres too.....


Small glass viewing panels are now in, and no misting, which is always a bonus....


More accessories, etc made up, primed and painted ready for adding to the build. I decided to paint the access panel covers internally the same colour as the internal, as this was often done apparently. The little turret has alos been made up, primed and painted and had its little view glass panes added also. When I tried a dry fir of the turret to the main chassis, it would not fit, so I may have to sand down the circular turret bottom edge and/or the opening in the main body....
The kit instructions only show one fuel can used, but it comes with several, so I may use a few in the Vietnam Jungle Dio to add a little detail/interest.


Wheels and tyres now on, had to sand down the wheel hubs as it was a very tight fit, but we got there, one wheel is ever so slightly on the wonk, not sure why TBH, only just noticed it, does not really show up in the photo, and it is only very slight, so not gonna worry about it too much TBH.


Pioneer tools and holding frame and the one fuel can and holding frame now also added to the rear....

 

[pjgtech]

More progress made today, got all the access hatches/doors, etc on today....
Decided to go with most hatches open, just kept a couple closed.
Plus lots of the little details, handles, lifting points/hooks, etc.
The turret simply would not fit, so had to cut off the two little tabs that normally slot into the two cut-outs to enable the turret to rotate.
Then had to sand down the edges of the turret and the edges of the circular cut-out in the upper body, then it eventually did fit.
NB: I know in the photos it looks like it does not fit, and is lifted up on one side, but that's just cos it was resting on the rear rail, and I didn't notice when I took the photos, Doh!
Still have few more bits to add, eg: lights, front headlight cage with PE grill, etc, and then will go round and touch up all the paint which needs it in several places!

 

[pjgtech]

The main build is now done, paint did not come out too bad, not perfect, but considering I paint with a brush its ok, I just accept its never gonna be as good as an airbrush finish and move on, life's too short, etc. Lol...

Next up will be a varnish coat, then on to the decals.... before another varnish coat then on to weathering...
Slowly getting there.....

 

[Geoffers]

Wow! That was quick, last time I looked you had only just started

Looking very good Peter, great job so far

Geoff.

 

[pjgtech]

Well I tried to put the decals on today, and wow...these Hobby Boss decals are cack!
Very unco-operative to come off the backing sheet, and when they do half of them just disintegrated, and once on the model, very hard to move without cracking, breaking up, even though I was using micro sol and micro set.
Luckily they came with quite a few decals, and I managed to scrape together some sort of MP scheme, which is what I wanted, just not the exact scheme that I wanted, so it'll have to do.

I was hoping to get the large MP letters on both sides of the vehicle, but two sets just disintegrated, luckily there was a third large MP set, which, as there was now only one set, I managed to get on the front, so a sort of central position....
Will post up pics later, as I just applied more varnish over the now dry decals to hopefully set them in place.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Thats a shame Peter. In all my years of modeling I dont recall ever having a major issue with decals disintegrating although I know others have. Always handy to have some Decal Film on standby.

 

[pjgtech]

Pics of the decals, as above they were a real pain, but managed to get some sort of scheme on, a couple have bits missing, but once weathered should not notice TBH, plus on real vehicles, markings / paint schemes get damaged and worn anyway, so....
Should have had large MP letters on both sides, but ended up with this....


Now we are on to some final weathering, and final touch ups, bit of chipping, maybe a rust wash, mud on the tyres, etc, then it final matt varnish coat....so almost finished, but not quite....