discussion Takom 1/35 SADF G6 Rhino

[Guest]

Yeah, Dutch is the root language of Afrikaans. Though, today some say that Flemmish is closer.

“Flemish” just means “the dialects of Dutch spoken in Flanders” anyway :smiling3: A word like hokkie sounds very Hollandic to a Dutch speaker¹ because up there² they form diminutives with -ie like in Afrikaans, rather than -je or -ke like the rest of the Dutch-speaking world. For a Dutch-speaker, 90% of written Afrikaans is very easy to follow, spoken is a bit harder but it shouldn’t be difficult to have a conversation as long as the Dutch-speaker avoids the past tense :smiling3:

Apparently that vehicle featured on the then South West African and Angolan border.

I didn’t really know vehicles like this were used there as well, I think. The ones in Rhodesia are (relatively) well-known, of course, and you can bet they inspired this one.

The Mamba which is the descendent of the Buffel/Caspir will be a future build, which will be based on a simplified RG-31 kit.

Do you mean you’re going to build the Mamba in future, or the Buffel/Caspir? Either one would be cool to see, of course.

¹ Well, actually, they’d be more likely to think it’s the sport
² Me being from Zeeland, I consider Holland a faraway land up north where strange people live

 

[Snowman]

Listening to the Dutch speak, it's a lot softer than Afrikaans, especially with the throat clearing, hard "g". Down in the Cape, where I'm originally from, you get the "Malmesbury brei" where they roll the "r" in the back of their throat.

Back to the modelling, it's the Mamba that I will look to recreate. Unfortunately there is currently no 1/35 kit available for the Buffel, Caspir and all the Ratel variants. Baxmodels used to do resin kits, but he is now focused on 3D printed 1/72 kits.
I pray that the likes of Trumpeter and Takom do engage with the rest of the SADF military vehicles as they will sell like hot cakes.

 

[Guest]

I’d probably buy a plastic Buffel kit¹ right away, the strange look of the vehicle has always appealed to me. So does the G6, TBH, but not quite enough to buy the kit

¹ Of the South African one, that is — in the Dutch army, “Buffel” is the Leopard 2 ARV, of which there is a plastic kit but it’s not an appealing enough vehicle for me to want to build anytime soon.

 

[Snowman]

After half assembling the hull, I had to chuckle because it reminded me of an early ATAT walker from the clone wars, missing a leg.

Anyway, pleased with my progress so far. Though I need to ponder the headlights which too are different to the variant depicted in the kit.

Till the next update!

 

[Snowman]

My research has paid off and I have imagery of the original headlights fitted to the G6 and contrary to my initial assumption they are protected with an armoured housing.

They look like old school Hella fog lamps stacked on top of each other.

Whilst watching this short video I realised that I had misinterpreted the LH turret copula. This as well as the lights will require some surgery.

Till next time!

 

[Snowman]

It's been a while, doing research and asking questions. It turns out that I needed to rotate the gunner copula by 90 degs and simplify the upper deck.

I'll look to replace all plastic grab holds with wire.
Still chipping away.

Till next time.

 

[A_J_Rimmer]

Just caught up this - what an interesting subject and some nice progress!

 

[Snowman]

Well the wire grab handles look much better and more robust. I had to use a harder wire for the long grab handle above the door as the copper was too soft.

The next tricky task is to remodel the headlights, thankfully I have unearthed some really good photos to base my work on.

Till the next update.

 

[Tworrs]

I never did see this vehicle, it was after my time on the border.

 

[Snowman]

I never did see this vehicle, it was after my time on the border.

Yeah, it was 1987, Ops Modular if I recall correctly.

 

[Snowman]

Now that I have finally dragged the Eland across the finish line, I'm back onto the G6.
I painted the diver, really pleased with the Vallejo acrylics and painted the interior of the cab.

Painted the armoured glass was eventful, 1st attempt looked like something from an Irish convention.....emerald green!
2nd attempt was an improvement.
The driver will be fitted and the hull buttoned up.

Till next time.

​​​​​​

 

[Snowman]

The driver is in.
Now the buttoned up hull looks something like an AT-AT walker...
Now time to mask the windows and add all other bits, then onto the turret.

Till next time.

 

[Steven000]

Nice progress Gavin, the driver fits right in, have fun

 

[Snowman]

After some research ( staring at a bunch of old photo's for hours..) I realised the new variant had extra vents and holes that need plugging.
Also removed some splash shields. Did a dry fit on the revised gun mount, nearly finished!

Oops, double image.

Oh well, till next time.

 

[scottie3158]

Very nice mate. Missed this uptil now but will follow along.

 

[Snowman]

The work continues incrementally, raided my motorbike detailing bits and found some bolts that are easier to apply than the Meng plastic bolt heads.
Marked out revised gun mount.

Dry fitted with the bolts.
started the commander's copula, not really a fan of the clear construction that requires some delicate masking.

Till the next update.

 

[Snowman]

I'm back from Telford, great event, a bit of controversy about the lack of proper commercial vehicle category for trucks and the like, hopefully that get ironed out.
Finally decided to bite the bullet and start building the headlight shrouds.
My first attempt with a cardboard prototype was quite close to the mark.
Then onto prototype 2 in plasticard, just hope it will bend easily.
Till the next update.

 

[papa 695]

Nice to see you back at this one. Some outstanding work so far.

 

[Snowman]

Four prototypes later......
I think I have finally cracked it. The 0.25mm plasticard did the trick, it did not fracture and snap during bending.
Now for the second unit.

Till the next update

 

[Steven000]

Yes you nailed it Snowman the headlight looks great, nice scratching, cheers