I have started working on a 1/35 Jeep diorama. First things first though, I need a Jeep.

I chose the new(ish) Tamiya Jeep because of its great reviews. For my idea I wouldn't need the 50. cal because I want to depict a medic Jeep. I found a picture on a website a while ago, but cannot for the life of me remember the site, anybody???









I have adapted the Tamiya kit to represent the Jeep in the picture. If there are any clearer pictures out there, please let me know. I can see a frame built to accomodate a number of stretchers. I also like the flag on the front. The frame was built from 1.00mm syrene rod with corner brackets made from thin sheet.

The Plus Models pannier finishes the kit off nicely, though a number of of parts were damaged in transit, though they weren't great to start with. I have excavated half of the casting block. The dust went everywhere!!



I will be working on the stretcher next and then it's time to prime.

Thanks for reading, more to come.

Stuart

Hi Stuart. Italeri released a version of the ambulance jeep complete with, frame, stretchers and decals. Could almost be worth buying for these parts alone, although I dont see it around very much now.
The frame is slightly different to the one you´ve modelled ... strectching out over the bonnet on the passenger side, and over the rear on the drivers side. I sold this a few years ago, am regretting that now!

Never enough Jeeps Stuart.

Thanks Frank

This is the one I think:



Stretcher is taking shape:



I really didn't like to kit supplied light guard, so used some spare PE to make a better one.



I have experienced a bit of a problem with the bonnet though. The paint went on very grainy and as such the decals didn't apply very well. I tried tamiya Clear to cover the decals, but that went on very streaky. Next I applied Revell matt clear to try and combat this. This has worked better, though the problem is obvious. Any ideas. i haven't used any oil washes or filters yet.



More to come soon.

Hi Stuart,

You needed to spray on a coat of clear gloss before applying the decals, this would have prevented the 'silvering' effect. Another coat on top would have then sealed them in nicely. This should also be sprayed to prevent the streaking you mention, caused by brushing.
Applying clear matt to cover up glossy areas should be a last resort as it can have the effect you mention. Usually the glossy finish is covered when you add filters/washes (providing you use matt paint of course).

As to how to correct this, i'm a bit stumped. I'd say you have three options.
1. get out the mr. muscle, strip the paint and start again using the method described above.
2. add the clear matt to the rest of the model to blend it in, though this probably won't look very good.
3. Ignore it and pretend the troops re-painted the bonnet, though the silvering on the decals wouldn't be fixed.

Hope that is of some use. Feel free to PM me if you want any help with the method described above.

Cheers,

James

P.S. The pannier rack has a US helmet on it and it looks like you are trying to portray a British jeep, cover it with a tarp or some other stowage.

Hi James

I noticed the US helmet when I opened the box. Nevermind, I will just have to portray a US Jeep. Well spoted though!



I have observed refrence pictures carefully to reproduce the medic plate on the front of the Jeep and the flag, which I may anchor to the stretcher poles.

I am really enjoying this build so far and the diorama is really taking shape in my mind. the reason i have't set any of the diorama out yet is because I have changed my mind about the direction of this build about four times already, so by the time I finish, i should be sure what I am doing.

I overcame the problem with the bonnet by taking the easy way out and covering other parts of the Jeep with the Revell matt clear. i am quite happy with the results, though I have learnt from my mistakes.

i will as always keep you posted. More to come tomorrow.

Stuart

Got some work done tonight because the old lady is in London.

This is a mock-up of the Jeep. I have constructed a rolled up tarp to cover the folded down windshield. One issue I identified was the backs of the wipers need to be painted before glueing the clear parts in. If you don't, you can see bare plastic, not good.



You can see where the stretcher will go.



I am working on the figures now. One british, one American, sat side by side. All will become clear when I finish them.

thanks

Staurt

I have started to form the base, this is where the whole diorama will start taking shape.

It is simply a picture frame on its back. This works great for me because they are very easy to find; I get mine from charity shops, and they look fairly tidy.



The figures have also taken shape and are looking like they belong to the Jeep. I know it's not likely that a U.S. and British soldier would share a ride, but under certain circumstances, it must have occured.



Your thoughts on this would really be appreciated. I am not very experienced with figure painting and am kind of feeling my way around them.

Thanks for watching

Stuart

Man that is a cool picture frame! Should make a nice base!
lookin great by the way,

James

I have mixed sand with a considerable amount of PVA glue and applied it to the base. The sand has taken an age to dry, it seems to me that the bigger the grains, the quicker it dries, thoughts n that anyone?



Now to paint and decorate it.

Stuart

Now you should be able to see what I was aiming for with the piece. I am not sure if I should write this up for Military Modeling or not. I have a schwimmwagen project in mind next that is shaping up to be just as interesting to build.



This is where I got my initial inspiration from, I converted it into a medic Jeep simply because i didn't want to do an OOB kit.



Only a few finishing touches go go now; stearing wheel and patch up the stowage on the windscreen. Any advise on the figures would be well recieved.

Thanks for watching

Stuart

Nice little Vingette Stuart, that picture of the jeep in the air is awesome!

However, seems to me that the driver and passenger are both a little casual considering they're about 4ft in the air! Any driver attempting such a drop would surely have both hands on the steering wheel for starters? Otherwise theres no way he'd be able to control the jeep when it landed.
Also why are there wheel ruts underneath the jeep? Ithasn't landed yet and I doubt many drivers would have attempted this 'feat' previously.
Doesn't dectract from the fact you've put together a nice kit with some excellent personal touches though.

Good work,

James

Your model, your build...do what you want with it. I think it looks great.

Turned out nice Stuart, although I do agree with James, on the stiffness of the figures, it is an interesting idea, and nicely done. Nice choice on the frame.