The build is finally complete after 7 months of relentless work. The painting is next. I haven't used an airbrush in 8 months - I hope it all goes well . . .

You can look for a complete building & painting article in the next coming months.

Now what paint job . . .

Terrific job Paul. Tell me they're not scratchbuilt tracks

Hi Paul. Its builds like this I find so inspiring. Great work with all the rivets. Cant wait for the build article! Not a vehicle Ive really been interested in, but seeing it like this, really makes me want one.

Pat & Frank:

Thanks for all the kind words. Nope, those tracks aren't scratchbuilt - they're RPM's individual track links. They were a real pain in the butt to work with cause the fit a molding was horrible! The tracks took about 2 months to complete - & problem solving took about 3 weeks to figure out . . .

But those tracks are only ones on the block. Take 'em or leave 'em.

Very nice work on this one Paul, looking forward to seeing it painted although it's a shame to cover all that hard work up!

Paul, that turned out excellent.
Hopefully the article will cover the pitfalls and solving the track problems.

Simply amazing work Paul! Every day I'm impressed with the work seen here...very nice work. Looking forward to your build and paint article as well!

Cheers!

Tim

Well, actually, Model Kasten makes an amazing set of snap together link to link styrene tracks for the 1/35th scale RPM FT-17, just two parts per link, and no pins. Friul also makes metal track links. That said, the finished assembly looks very good, indeed.

That is a heck of a build.

I too thought scratch built track links Good God Miss Molly.

Paint I think will bring it around even more.

A light touch on the Dry Brushing {Dry Brushing} is that what he said.

A real winner.

your pic isnt opening for me ..its a pity as I love a well done FT-17.
I have this kit and picked up the fruil tracks for it ..theyre typically high quality Fruil -worth every rupee!
Also have the photo etch set from Aber. This set has alot of exterior armour plating you can use ,assorted condiments and a detailed intirior..actually a bit daunting.
you can pick up from BLAST a couple of sets from ARMO...an engine set and an intirior set.

AWESOME!....may I ask how you did the rivets?
I have a true love affair with this little tincan,cant wait to build mine..

Jim,

Cool, I'm glad you enjoy it.

I bought the rivets from www.scalehardware.com A bag of 100 rivets costs $7.50 (at least when I ordered them). They offer both brass & stainless steel rivets - brass ones are cheaper. Costly - but your buying time & convenience. Which comes in handy if you need to drill & glue 400 some rivets!

I also used Calibre35 resin rivets. Which are only good for small applications.

Keep me posted on your own bucket. I wish I new about those other aftermarket tracks you spoke of. Those would have help out ALOT.

I will for sure ....Iv got a few projects current right now:
AVRE Churchill 1:35
Albatros DV 1:48
Strutter 1:72
Autoblinda Railcar 1:35
Mark IV male 1:35
but once this frees up a bit ,,,ill be starting and sure to post pics(need to buy a camera(lol)
Youre right ,,,,,I added up the rivets needed and yes ...400 is about right ....very expensive ..
Iv seen guys pushmold rivets using a milliput female mold and hot sprue ,but this seems a bit .....tedious.....or mabe its just me doing my typical whine before I jump feet first into a project
I know what you mean about the tracks....I found the ARMO stuff AFTER I had bought the photo etch set ,and honestly I cant justify spending more $ on the build...so Im thinking of using the photos I have and scratching in an engine front to be seen when you look into the drivers compartment..I have a pic of that and found a perfect spare part to use as a start...