discussion SAS Landy - Pink Panther - Tamiya - 1:35 scale

[pjgtech]

Next project is the Tamiya SAS Land Rover Pink Panther in 1:35 scale.

I do not have the correct pink shade, but Tamiya do helpfully give advice on how to get the pink, eg: mix of white, red and sand/buff.
TBH I'm not precious about paint colours being an exact match, so as long as it looks ok to me, then that'll do....
I have some Vallejo PRU pink that I used on my previous Spitfire build, and although not an exact match, (bit too pale) its not that far off.
So I may just add a tiny dash of red to that and see what it looks like, we'll see...

Box and sprue pics... heres the box art and my previous Spit, the camera makes it look quite different, under the light the Spit looks a bit yellow/buff...but IRL its actually quite a close match and much more pink.


The Vallejo paint, PRU Pink, (71.408) which i will probably end up using....


The box, with the destructions, and the sprues (x3)...


More close up pic of the sprues (x3)....


Although I now have my "proper" AB booth, compressor and brush, etc, I still have a couple of tins (rattle cans) of Citadel Chaos black primer to use up, so its back down to my garage and my "Acme" original spray booth to collect all the overspray, Lol.
Decided to just go for it and spray up everything on the sprue for this one, I mean, whats the wosre that could happen!

And its now all left to dry and harden, probably until tomorrow.... looks a nice detailed kit, so looking forward to it....

 

[pjgtech]

Little bit of history, but I'm sure that most on here will already know....
The Pink Panther was introduced in 1968 and eventually retired around 1984 and used in various theatres, including:
Middle east, Oman, Yemen, Jordan, Kenya and Belize.
Apparently the MOD bought about 70+ Landys (S2A) for the SAS and were adapted for use mainly in the desert.
The SAS had been using smaller Landy's but these later ,longer, versions were better able to meet their needs.
The pink scheme was used as it actually provided good camo in the desert environment, especially at dawn and dusk, learned from the previous LRDG missions.
Fuel tanks were uprated to 100 gallons, giving an approx 1000 mile range and many other components, eg: suspension and chassis upgraded to take the inevitable dune bashing that they would suffer. Also equipped with machine guns, rifles, smoke cannisters and grenades....once they had been fully adapted they weighed a hefty 3 Tons!
Ultimately replaced with Land Rover Defenders, these Landy's gave nearly 20 years of service before being retired.
Apparently only about 20 of the original 70+ still survive, so they are now a very rare vehicle indeed.

 

[flyjoe180]

Looks good Peter, should be lots of fun

 

[pjgtech]

Must say that I am lovin my Dspiae circle cutter, just done some wheel masks, including the little 2mm centre cut out, it works great and so easy to use....

 

[Jim R]

Iconic kit of an iconic vehicle. I agree with not being too concerned about the colour. Harsh conditions soon weathered these LRs to a faded, dented, scratched and chipped look covered in desert dust.
I have one of those circle cutters - certainly quite useful.

 

[pjgtech]

Bah, schoolboy error!
Just painted up the main parts in pink, but was using my new AB, and did not realise it had the 0.5 nozzle in it, so splodged paint all over....
Took me a few minutes to work out why so much paint was coming out!
Will have another go tomorrow with the correct nozzle (0.3).

 

[PaulTRose]

Bah, schoolboy error!

All part of the learning curve..... We've all done it, or worse, so don't stress

 

[flyjoe180]

The circle cutter has done a good job Peter. Look forward to seeing your paint job.

 

[pjgtech]

Little update.....
After leaving the colour from last night, today it looks like a very, very pale pink, but as it would have faded etc, I think I'm gonna leave it as is.
I will be going for a very well worn, well used, weather beaten look, lots of scratches, dents, dirt, sand, oil and grease, etc.
have started some sub assemblies, main chassis, engine, axles, exhaust, machine guns, also started on the driver...


added the mounts to the machine guns, very bloody fiddly!
Tarp and camo net have had a 2nd coat, first cota was patchy, more detail added to the driver, suspension added to the main chassis.

 

[scottie3158]

Looking good mate I built the Italeari offering a while back I will have to have a look to see what pink I used for mine.

 

[pjgtech]

Did a bit more this morning....
Rear wheels on, front end made up, front seats in, various levers, geartsicks, handbrake, etc....


Close up, paint still needs tidying up in places....



Made a schoolboy error yesterday, put all the underside stuff in, but forgot the exhaust! So could not get it in without taking half of it apart, well sod that for a game of soldiers, exhaust cut in half, fitted ok, glued the join back up, Lol.... Exhaust has a first go with some rust coloured paint but needs tidying up... steering wheel and shaft assembled.


Front end now installed..... including front wheels.....now its starting to look like a proper Landy..... compass thingy also installed, might try to paint the needles, but it small and fiddly, we'll see.....

Driver is in, but blimey it was a tight fit! Theres no way you would be able to get him im after assembling the steering wheel, etc



Rear view.... put some little details on the dash, etc


Back end now assembled, tried to do a wood flor, did not turn out as nice as I wanted, but at least its not all one colour, may have another go at it later to blend it in a bit more....its a bit blotchy! Other bits added, bonnet, side mirrors, number plate, etc.


Rear view with back end ready to go on.....


Back end now on, but..... Wow, that was a struggle, it did not fit! I had to get the Dspiae grinder and sander out to cut a smidge off both side of the under chassis, where the front of the rear end drops down behind the seats, took a few attaempts, going slowly, slowly, little by little, bit at atime, etc. Did not wnat to take too much off, but we got there and now it all fits.
Not sure if I did not fit something correctly earlier in the build, (perfectly possible) which then resulted in the back end not fitting or if its was just a dodgy Tamiya fit, but IMHO thats unusual, they usually go together so well and easily?


View of the other side, now fitting well together.... alos most of the other accessories are now ready to be installed, tarp, rear stowage, side gun pods, two main MG's, etc, also added a bit of details to the MG's, highlighting, etc.

 

[PaulTRose]

Coming together nicely

Aaah...... The gimpy.... Loved shooting it, hated carrying it

 

[flyjoe180]

Good progress Peter. It's an older tamiya kit, so there will likely be a few minor fit issues.