I've now fixed the wheels and side armour to the hull but have left the sprockets off at this stage as there is just enough room to fit them later on. The turret has gone together well although the parts do need some careful clean up and test fitting. I've also drilled out the gunners optic sight and will add some suitable lenses later on.
The gun needs a canvas cover which is very noticable in references so I'll use some magic sculpt or similar to make that.
Yesterday was a track day and it took a good afternoon's work to assemble the tracks. Most of that time was spent on cleanup but the finished tracks look very good and are workable. I drilled out the last link and used some brass wire which makes life easier when painting & fitting them.
With the final look I have in mind and the fact almost bugger all can be seen I'm leaning towards this choice. With a good coat of black primer and NATO green sprayed on the wheel, sprocket & idler faces followed by some detail painting this should save a bit of faffing about. The tracks can be cut to two half lengths and then fitted to the sprocket and idler wheels at the end of the build.
Next on the bench is this rather smashing Schutzenpanzer Puma from rye field models. Cast in a nice tan plastic it's got great detail including some very fine anti slip on the hull. So far I've deviated from the instructions which start construction with the turret. I wanted to get the hull, wheels and tracks sorted first so jumped a few stages.
The wheels need clamping whilst gluing as the fit is quite tight and clamping is also needed when fitting the two suspension assemblies to the hull. A quick test fit of the upper hull and rear section shows a nice fit with no issues. This is certainly going to be a big wide beast once finished.
Finally finished off the base making up some kerbing then adding some groundwork and assorted coffee cups and drinks cans & a bottle. Final weathering was with pigments and here I used Wilder river sand GP29 on the base and model before fixing into place. I really enjoyed this build, the kit is excellent and the small additions that I have added make for a nice replica of the real thing.
Working on the M1117 base first and here I started by adding a very thin layer of AK terrains concrete to the base followed by tarmac over the top. This was then picked at to add some potholes. I'll add perhaps some kerbing or a barrier next.
The pucara is coming along well with more parts and small sub assemblies now built up. I've glued the landing gear together at this stage but not fixed them in place which will make painting easier. Next will be cockpit painting.
Starting to build up the parts now and a quick test fitting of the fuselage and wing assembly shows it's a good fit with only a minimum of filling needed once it's glued. Very close to starting the cockpit painting now.
Next on the bench and being built as part of a Falklands GB over on Modellers Haven Online is this cracking kit of the Pucara from Kinetic. I've always been fascinated by this aircraft and have long wanted to build one so when Kinetic announced this kit I was very happy indeed.
Starting off with the cockpit and here things look nice and crisp. Etch seat belts are also provided but strangely no lap belts so I've added some using lead foil. There are some smashing etch sets out there by Eduard for the seats and instrument panels but I don't think much will be seen anyway so have not bothered.
Just made up a small base for the model using a picture frame and some foam board while I wait for the matt coat to cure on the guardian. Finish wise it will probably be a tarmac surface so nothing too taxing.
Matt varnish has now gone on then all the glazing, lights and the wiper blades. Just the mirrors to add now before final weathering which for a change will be done with pigments.
