Hello. While I am just a contributor to Armorama and have never proposed a campagin before, I would like to suggest doing a Conversions and Scratch Built Challenge. It seems that these classifications always have the least amount of entries at any hobby competition.

Anyone interested????

Here are some past contributions to encourage the thought process:


Horch Cabriolet Kommandeurwagon (Combo of Italeri Horch & much modified Tamiya Kommandeurwagon)


Armored Deuce (Combo of Italeri Scout Car & Deuce and a Half. - One actually built in North Africa!)

A Photobucket file of other conversions, modifications & scratch builds:



Direct link to Photobucket album:

http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/165thspc/library/Conversions?sort=2&page=2

Well I guess that explains why the "Scratch Built & Conversions" competition class is always so small.

Scratch building is a lost art with all the after market sets. I don't have much to spend on those sets so I scratch build as much as I can. I have a built flak panther Coellian in my built collection where I scratch built the entire turret including the gun barrels. A friend of my better half gave me a damaged Panther kit so I used the hull and built the turret. I really do agree that scratch building doesn't get enough recognition for all the effort.

I agree completely. I started scratch building and converting #1. Because the big resin kits were just too expensive. #2. I enjoy the research, design and construction work. #3. I can get models that are just not available any other way.

Please post photos of your conversion models here! I am sure we would all love to see them!

I guess I don't care so much about having a contest. What I do care about is showing other people's work and encouraging everyone in the hobby to occasionally try some model work that is otherwise outside their normal comfort zone.

Cheers

Mike

A combo of the Tamiya Steyr Medium Field Car and the much modified hood and radiator from the Italeri Mercedes 3 ton truck. (Heavily modified frame and engine to match the needs of the Mercedes.)

Hi Mike,

If it's to encourage folks to try and do scratchbuilding then maybe a campaign would be a more acceptable proposition. To me, the words "contest" and "competition" conjures images of rivet counters, judges nitpicking at your build, pitting against the other, etc. For sure competition will drive excellence but at the same time deter some who may feel they don't have the skills to be in a contest.

Cheers,

Tat

Sorry to confess this but my intent/request was for a campaign and not a contest.

So sorry, my bad!

What the Model World needs is a good, inexpensive (reasonable) 4x4 Opel Blitz!

Cargo Truck:




Radio Truck in 4x4:




4x4 Ambulance:




The Italeri CMP Chevy* truck kit provided the driveline parts but the rebuilding of the cab and front bumper plus lowering the front fenders was the real challenge!

*General Motors owned both Chevy of Canada and Opel of Germany before the war so it is reasonable that the parts design would be similar.

I actually enjoy scratching stuff and what ifs more, because you can explain away imperfections, and accuracy issues.

Good idear to do a scratch build challence.

I also started doing conversions and scratch builds to get model that no one else has.

below some of my builds.



















Hope you like them

All the best
Leon

Good to hear that Mike -- I'd sign up for one! Have you checked with folks at the Scratchbuilding forum?

Leon, nice collection you have there. Is that a Chevy, CWT? Sorry not too familiar with Allied stuff. Been thinking about a DAK vehicle using a captured one.

Here's a build I did for a recent campaign. I've converted a Willys into a civilian vehicle, the Philippine jeepney:




Cheers,

Tat

Brilliant!! I no longer have imperfections and inaccurate models, I am simply a great scratch builder. I like it.

Leon - I grew up around Ft. Knox and that funky Chevy bus was still sitting around the Museum boneyard. Loved it. How are you doing those great COE GM cabs? Always wanted to tackle one but never could figure out how??? Also really enjoyed that Ford Island, Navy Chevy!!!!

Tat - Glad you would want to be onboard!

John - I too really enjoy the scratch work as well. The research, the planning and the execution!

Cheers guys - Thanks for participating


Photo found online, Shown here for discussion purposes only.


Photo found online, Shown here for discussion purposes only.

Nice modifications!

I don’t do anything as extensive as you guys — full reconstructive surgery and such, but I often get the urge to scratch that itch — a jerry can rack here, a folded-down vehicle top there, building rubble, etc. Sometimes I just need to interfere with OOB! Could it be an ‘Evergreen’ addiction?

—mike

I didn't even think about the few "What if's" I have on the shelf.

How about a Sd. Kfz. m88 - Armored Recovery Vehicle?








There is a corrected Italeri FULL Bergepanther winch hiding inside that Jagdpanther body. Front anchor plow is a modified Tamiya aftermarket set for the Famo. The rear plow is stock Italeri with the crane "haul back" on the back engine plate being a custom "Heir Konig" design!

The large straight leg crane can actually be unpinned and the legs stowed in those travel stirrups seen at the rear of the tank body.

As my old mate Hermon (VonCuda) used to say, you guys have MAD SKILLS!

I am in awe of the vision that you guys have to be able to achieve these results, the builds shown here are brilliant. I would follow this Group Build closely but unfortunately have too many commitments at the moment to take part.

I do have one conversion/scratch build project on the drawing board with the materials in the stash, that is building an airfield "refuel train" diorama in 1/72 based on an image I found of a P-61 on a pacific island.


I have several of the Academy fuel truck kits to scavenge tanks and wheels and frames from to build the trailers, and I have even found the decal set for the exact aircraft!

Cheers, D

Have always liked that photo and that train of fuel trailers! Go for it!

Oh, can I play??

M52 tractor converted from AFV/Club M35 kit


M52 tractor (front) and M932 tractor converted from Italeri M923/5 kit


Another view of the siblings


1941 Ford 1.5 ton truck, from the ICM V3000 kit


CAT 60 tractor converted from the Trumpeter S65 (with heavily modified Mirror Models engine)



Ford AA tandem axle dump truck converted from the horrendous MiniArt Gaz AAA


Another view:


Post-war tractor conversion of the White 666


Post war tractor conversion of the Diamond-T 981


1930 White SA Dispatch rack truck converted from the Alan/Fort and Zveda Zis-5 kits

Doc

I'm sorry but I never made the connection - someone else who likes to build semi-tractors! Cool

Especially the big civilian Diamond T! Boy that cab looks like it is sitting on the deck of a small aircraft carrier.

Damian I have a similar "favorite shot".



I will have at least two trailers in my "train".

F.Y.I. CMK makes the fuel trailers in 1/35th and someone else makes the fuel truck conversion in 1/35th resin but of course if you go for this vehicle in 1/35th then you loose the beautiful aircraft. I believe then your only option would be to fuel the Bronco 1/35 Piper L-4.

Anyone know of a proper set of decals available for the fuel truck and trailers?????


My scratch conversion for the Deuce into a fuel truck. The trailer is a converted water trailer. Just bought the CMK resin fuel trailer so now I will have that second trailer for my "fuel train".

p.s. Thanks to the new CMK kit now in my possession, I have learned that the fuel trailer tank was much larger than the water trailer's tank. I will soon be building a second, larger oval fuel tank so that the two trailers match.

Leon, I am still just totally blown away by your GMC bus!

Doc has already seen this one but while we are on the topic of semi-tractor conversions . . .

HobbyBoss White 666 Cargo truck converted to a Semi-tractor:










I am insane for correct underbody detailing and lots of it!

HOW TO = Shorten frame slightly at rear, build new end beam, add spare tire from original kit and purchase fifth wheel from Custom Factory. (BTW - Be on the lookout for fifth wheels on the kiddie toy trucks, sometimes they are better detailed that the available AM stuff!)


Finished Model:

I would be up for joining this campaign. I have a 1/72 resin Chevy CMP C8A HUP I need to convert into an airfield signal truck:



When do we start?

Gentlemen thanks for your kind words.

Hello Tat Baqui, I am not sure wich model you mean.
the ambulance and the Navy truck are chevy's.
Love your Philippine jeepney.

Hello Michael, The Cab over cabins are made by vacuum forming.
I have a very simple set up to do this, and it works great.
The last picture is a Dodge coe WK60

The GMC bus also has an interior.






And talking about semi tracktors...
Here is a studebaker coverted to a Tasker tracktor with Queen Marie trailer. I could not fit them in one picture.



All the best
Leon