Mike,
with the Real Models engine and Eduards photo etch, I really wouldn't call it "conversion," but more added detail to the original kit. In my mind, "conversion" is changing from one vehicle completely to another vehicle. And as far as "scratch built," I think that is meant for something entirely, if not a majority of the model being scratch built. Again, my thought is that you added missing details and more accurate details. Therefore a contest will have an Out of Box category for of course kits built with out any changes and then the regular class category which has kits with added detail, photo etch, etc.

I usually enter in the regular class category with my builds and I build like you, adding all the missing detail, photo etch and after market stuff and most of the time I all ways place in the top 3.

Bottom line, I would enter you vehicle in the soft skin category.

I hope I didn't sound to winded.

Just as a follow up note; I myself think that the "Scratch Built" and "Conversions" classes should never be combined. While some scratch building may be involved in a conversion, the two are distinctly different and are often combined simply because; #1. The total entries in these two classes are generally small in number and #2. It is simply more convenient for the hobby show managers and judges.

Pete thanks for your quick reply.

Of course I would never consider the HEMTT a "Scratch Built" model. I based my thoughts on past experience and the fact that almost every hobby show that I have participated in combines the two classes and I would have thought this vehicle would qualify as a "Conversion". However your comments are causing me to have second thoughts on that.

On a related note; the contests I participate in rarely have an OOB category. They may have a "Juniors" division which could be considered the same thing. Then too some contests do have an "Advanced" ranking and I would certainly think I would need to place this vehicle there, but otherwise all "Soft Skins" are dumped into one extremely large class.

I agree with you on that Mike.

Yes, I run into that "all soft skins" vehicles in one category no matter the era were as they will quickly split tracked vehicles into 2 catagories, up to WWII and after WWII to present.

Sorry but I have been rather under the weather today - no work accomplished and it does not look like I will be making it to the Dayton show tomorrow.

Another Question?

Have all the LHS HEMTTs adopted the safety railings in the area of the catwalk over the rear of the engine and by the spare tire? Or is this a feature limited only to the CBT units? (Common Bridge Transport)

Italeri might want to offer the CSB (Combat Support Boat) version with the tug as their next option. I think that would turn into a good seller!

http://www.primeportal.net/m1977/m1977_csb_walk.htm

Looks like most newer M1120s have the railings.

Better shot of the now installed windshields:



Also added orange marker lights over the windshields that are not included in the model.

Something new, Finally:

The decking over the transmission.

Work'n on it.

A couple of shots that caught my eye:

Another new direction:





Prime Portal* walk around of the HEMTT M66 ring mount can be viewed at:

http://www.primeportal.net/odds_ends/m66_ring_walk.htm

*In my mind these photos are misfiled on the Prime Portal site. Instead of being cross listed under "HEMTT Miscellaneous" they are filed under "Battlefield - Odds and Ends" with no mention of their HEMTT connection.

It just keeps getting better. The ring mount looks great so far.

Thanks Gino

Nice work on the gun ring frame!

Thanks Taylor - I have built this frame twice. Once it was too tall, this time hopefully, it is just right. We will see.

Rear ring mount bracket:

hi Michael

what did you use for the decking over the transmission?

keith

Wondered if anyone would question that!

After building my mostly scratch Mack NO6 using a Dragon Wagon Recovery vehicle as a starting point I had beaucoup parts left over. That decking is the etched exhaust muffler heat shield from the Tamiya DW. The rest of the deck is scratch built.

Here is the link to the Mack build blog if interested:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/196219&page=1

I know that the HEMTT decking is actually supposed to be an expanded wire mesh but the only other thing I had access to was some Tamiya nylon mesh which just did not look right either. Even the etched mesh that comes with the Trumpeter HEMTT semi-tractor looks like it has (in my opinion) too few webs per inch and looks too large and open compared to the real thing.

Dry fit on the gun ring - still working on those forward ring mount brackets.



I don't feel I can finish the gun ring entirely because I still need to keep the cab roof removable in the hopes that a radio set may yet become available.

Did not care for the near perfect, featureless (and fully loaded) "chock box" that comes with the basic Italeri HEMTT kit. I thought I might be able to do better with some Evergreen and a bit of scratch work.



I made a pattern for the four stamped sides of the box and cut them from a single piece of sheet plastic. I then scored and folded the now cut to shape flat sheet like a piece of AM etch. The two cross bars were then added to the open side of the box and finally, the welded loop tie-downs were glued on.

Original photo was found on the Prime Portal website:


Photo by Dieter Krause - used here for discussion purposes only.





Question: Should there be a similar "chock box" on the other side of the vehicle somewhere? Some vehicles have it on the right others on the left. Do any have them on both sides?

A very productive weekend!

Hard to see but I have since installed the return oil line for the power steering system, return oil line for the LHS system, the transmission oil lines and filter, built and installed the chock box and glued in the rear transmission decking.

This area is just about done!

Looking great! If I may mention, the bottom roundish part of the fuel-water separator should be clearish. It's clear plastic allowing the user to see fuel/water in the bowl.



Cheers

Got it! Thanks

When it is full of fuel it has sort of a golden tone to it but it also usually has a metal shield over it to protect the polycarbonate glass so it is very hard to see or shoot at.

I have been asking myself just how I will represent the golden color as well as building the metal shield.