alexb
Glue slinger 
Posts: 766 
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Post by alexb on Jan 2, 2020 3:51:49 GMT
I'll be jumping in this one in a week or two...or three. I was juggling between kitbashing a Bat Boat into a future sci-fi submersible....or building Tamiya's Universal Carrier. The former was something different. The latter would be a fun, relaxed build. I do love those little UC kits. I still need to order my stuff for the Construction GB (I held off hoping I'd get a civie D9 Bulldozer for Xmas, but no go on that). I think the contractor's truck idea will work out better in the long-run.
Anyway, since I'll be placing my order for the Construction GB stuffs tomorrow, I'll be going with AFV Club's M88a1 ARV for the Carl Tribute GB. Unless I see something and change my mind....because I has the attention span of a 3-year old.
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Post by Snipersmudge on Jan 3, 2020 14:54:51 GMT
An M88 would be a great choice I think.
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Post by Ian H. on Jan 3, 2020 15:03:57 GMT
M88 is a great selection, Alex.
Best wishes,
Ian
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Post by Paul B on Jan 3, 2020 16:26:21 GMT
Agreed on the 88 Alex  |
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Post by Boots on Jan 3, 2020 21:17:27 GMT
Another super choice  |
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Post by Marco on Jan 9, 2020 10:45:10 GMT
M88 is a great choice!
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alexb
Glue slinger
Posts: 766
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Post by alexb on Jan 11, 2020 19:36:01 GMT
Going into this build I debated on which kit to build. As posted above, I was split between something different (kitbash of the Bat Boat), a relaxed build of a specific kit I like (Universal Carrier), or a kit that I always wanted (M88a1). Given that this is a tribute build for a departed brother in styrene, the M88a1 seemed the better fit. You never know when your time is done.
I'll be building the M88a1 as a German version. The AFV Club kit is an older offering. There's a good bit of reviews out there so I have a good idea what to expect.
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Post by Paul B on Jan 11, 2020 19:49:00 GMT
Glad you went with M88 Alex  , and I know that Carl would love the 3 tone German Camo on there  |
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Post by Snipersmudge on Jan 12, 2020 7:43:46 GMT
Superb will look awesome in German camo  |
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Post by JEFF on Jan 12, 2020 10:45:52 GMT
Excellent choice, Alex. |
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Post by Ian H. on Jan 12, 2020 14:56:15 GMT
Looking forward to your M-88, Alex!
Regards,
Ian
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Mence
Plastic connoissuer
Posts: 1,575
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Post by Mence on Jan 12, 2020 19:25:57 GMT
Super cool vehicle, love it.
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alexb
Glue slinger
Posts: 766
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Post by alexb on May 30, 2020 3:05:13 GMT
I sort of lolly-gagged around with this one but did finish it. Started with the wheels and suspension. Nothing really complex here. The only issue I remember was a general looseness of the suspension arms. I had a few pop out during construction. 
The crane boom needed alot of cleanup and the rungs running up the sides are super delicate. Several were bent in the bags. I'm really surprised none were broken during the build.
The upper hull was a bit warped and required a bit of persuading to sit half-way correctly. The boom's lifting cylinders are really delicate and fiddly to get the upper to fit to the lower part mounted inside the lower hull. Placement of some of the parts is vague.
Another thing I would add, the kit has a tie off loop you glue to the floor of the lower hull. You use this to tie the ends of the front winch cable and boom cable. The only way to adjust it is to push the line into the hull openings. I tied a knot on the front winch line so it was less likely to get gobbled up inside the hull...lost to the ages. And it may just be me, but I hate AFV Club's light guards, They are so delicate.
 
Boom extended. I tried to keep this moveable so I might use it in a dio or something later. Oh yeah...the kit comes with string for the winch, boom, and tow cables. It was really stiff and will need some weight/tension to hold if posed with the boom up. Otherwise, it gets all wanky and rises in the block and tackle.
 
This isn't the paint scheme I had planned to go with. If I do a German vehicle I'll do the A3 with hydraulic crane arm....which is what I should have went with. I threaded it up, using an alligator clip for weight tension. I decided to pose it with the boom lowered. Most pics I saw of these were ...well they were cluttered with cables and had a rough look to them. Anyway, markings are the kit supplied ones for a USMC Herc from what I assume was Operation Desert Storm. I did leave the spare road wheels and return roller wheels green just to contrast with the overall sand color.
    
And there she is...all done. Thanks for the build and a tip of the hat to Carl.
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Post by Paul B on May 30, 2020 6:12:24 GMT
Nice one Alex  . That is true with some AFV Club kits, there's a couple out there that I would swear to being Miniart  |
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Post by jabbly on May 30, 2020 7:45:48 GMT
Interesting looking kit and just to show I was paying attention, the problem with the string, I presume you meant wonky!
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Post by Boots on May 30, 2020 15:25:49 GMT
Fabulous job on this one Alex  |
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alexb
Glue slinger
Posts: 766
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Post by alexb on May 30, 2020 16:46:10 GMT
Thanks all.
The kit has some age...it was released in '94...which should really make us appreciate the staying power of some of those older Tamiya kits. Later versions should take care of the issues with the m88 and A1 kits. The A2 has a square tube crane boom. The A3/A3G has a boom arm, different front winch setup, and should have a different upper hull. I should have went with the A3/A3G kit.
Either Wonky or Wanky would apply. I went with wanky more for a general mess usage. Without some sort of tension on the lines they sort of have a mind of their own and become a tangled mess. The rigging cable would get wanky (tangled mess)and cause the crane's block to go wonky (turn almost upside down). Apparently it was an issue with the real M88 as well. I think a softer thread/twine can take care of that.
I've got a M113 based Baby Herc planned but I might hold off on that one for a bit while I recover from its big brother.
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Post by Snipersmudge on May 30, 2020 19:41:57 GMT
Looks good in desert garb |
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Post by Ian H. on May 31, 2020 16:23:05 GMT
That looks great! It's amazing how powerful those vehicles are.
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Post by Marco on Jun 1, 2020 16:35:56 GMT
Amazing work! Awesome result!
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, and I know that Carl would love the 3 tone German Camo on there 
