Hello folks, I decided to jump on a major scratch modification of the old Italeri LAV-25 into one of the versions (6x6 troop carrier) used by the Chilean Army. Since I´m only basing my work using the old MK1 eyeball the conversion isn´t 100% accurate, but I think it looks like the real one.

Most of the work was done using a Dremel motor tool and a great amount of courage as I cut the kit in many different places. Didn´t change that awful wheels for a set of resin ones just because I wasn´´t sure of how it would become (was afraid to loose the kit during the conversion process).

The most tedious part of all was the putty application and the following sanding, also adding all the kitbashed parts.

Still a lot of work to be done, more tweaks all around but I think the basis it´s done. Let me know what you think, all comments much welcome as usual.

The pics:
























Best Regards

Looks great Klaus, well done so far and very courageous of you!!

What are you using for research/source material?



Bob

Thanks for your comments Bob, just using a bunch of photographs taken by some fellow modellers and Army Officers friends

Forgot to say that this pictures are a little outdated, since I added a rail for the rear MG.

Since I have another one waiting on the stash, for that I´ll take a different approach for cutting the kit, Also some measurements of the real one.

Best Regards

Klaus,

Excellent work! Keep us posted!

very nice work. You might wqnt to consider Maple Leaf Models resin wheels. Assuming the Chilean Army used the Michelin tires, MLMs have a more accurate tread pattern.

Thanks guys!

Paul, for the next conversion I´ll use the wheels you mention, I think they are of the same type used by your Coyote´s. As I mentioned before, I didn´t bought any because I was scared of how it wold become after all the cut´s I did

Now, with the experience on this one and my newly discovered confidence, I can put a little more moneyon the next one

Best Regards and thanks for your attention

Looks pretty good, Klaus! What color scheme will it be in (I don't know if the Chilean military has several different ones or not)?

Thanks Lucas, I don´t know yet. This vehicles are painted in at least 5 different schemes (dark tan, dark tan and brown, 3 colour similar to MERDC in style, desert yellow, dark green and UN White).

I´m trying to decide between the dark tan and the UN white, as used by the vehicles currently deployed in Haiti.

Best Regards

Here´s a selection of photos from different sources (mostly web) of the various models and paint schemes of the chilean mowags:










maybe you can help me to decide which one to choose

Cheers

Klaus looks great man. What to paint it...well if I were doing this I'd do it in the UN white colors. Looking at the photos the UN vehicle looks more interesting. Keep us posted.

Joe

Thanks Joe, one vote for UN white then

Cheers

I have to agree the UN white would look really sharp. So I guess make it two votes

Thanks kevin, 2 votes for the white then

Cheers

Hi Klaus,

Great model so far.

I really like viewing your models - is the only place I ever see anything done in the Chilean colours. So for that reason I quite like the colours/style of the one below the UN pic.

CB

UN white

Looks good. I can see all the extra work you put into this build. How many weeks have you put into sanding The extra effort has paid off.

Iforgot, make it three for UN white. Keep us posted.

Klaus,
this is a smart model you got there. My only point is the size of the smoke dischargers which looks a bit too large.

Congratulations for you courage !
Olivier

The conversion looks great. Is the next one going to be the turrented version with the 60mm HVMS? I've started work on a Chilian Sherman with the 60mm HVMS.
Scott

Klaus
put the knife down a back away from a coyote scratchbuild. Earlier this spring I sent Maple leaf models the coyote conversion master. So there is a conversion coming it's just in JP's line up of things to do.
Seeya Shane

Thanks for the support guys! And all the feedback and time to look this rather "exotic" model for many of you here.

Now the answers, not in any paticular order:

Chris: Thanks, I really enjoy the time spend building chilean models, not only because it´s my own Motherland, but for the challenge to my skills to get a more or less accurate rendition.

Koen: Counted your vote, thanks for your time. 3 to UN white, 1 to 3 colour then...

Carl: Thanks buddy, 4 to UN white, 1 to 3 colour scheme... I thinks all the sanding took about 4 days (1 hour per day) to get a smooth surface....

Olivier: thanks mate, your opinion it´s of great value (as are the one of everybody here), but yours it´s important since your level of model building (as Mother). You´re right, but I wasn´t able to get the right ones with the plastic rods I had here...my nearest LHS didn´t have any of the right diameter in stock, and didn´t want to put it on hold till I get the right ones....don´t like to see unfinished kits you know

Scott: Thanks for your words, yet to figure how to do the new 60mm gun before to go into it. And, more important, I don´t have the old Dragon M-50 kit to do it, and cannot afford to buy all the different Shermans from Dragon to get appropiete parts for only 1 final model...since I´m not into WWII kits, all the leftover parts will be of no use to me.

But any feedback of your current build would be helpful (on the kit building technical side, since I have a bunch of pictures of that particular tank. If you want some I can help you, send me a PM)

Thanks for your time and feedback mates, really appreciate your opinions

Cheers

Jeez Shane, why did you have to say that! Oh well Murphy´s Law applied to modelling I guess....

Thanks for the heads up mate, I´ll try your design when it´s available....but good ol´ scratch it´s fun you know?

Thanks for you time

Cheers

Good work, great ot see some of the unique MOWAG vehicles.




Paul was refering to the same type of tire that you have on your Piranha as made by MLM. The Coyote uses the wider Michelin XML tires. MLM makes both types.

The Coyote conversion will be worth the wait...I have seen it.

Klaus, you're the man!!! Great work so far. Looking very good. I'm liking what I'm seeing. Will be keeping an eye on this one.

Thanks Jason for your support, now I´m clear about the wheels. The wider ones are the same used in chilean Mowag 8x8. The 6x6 version it´s using "old style" pattern. I think I´ll buy both sets in the future for my Mowag projects

It seems the upcoming Coyote conversion it´s gonna be great alternative to the expensive Hobbyfan kit. I´ll buy one once it´s released. Hope that new tires would be included too...

Thanks Ti, being you one of the most gifted scratchbuilders here (along with Barv) your words are a big encouragement to keep trying to fall to the "dark side"

Best Regards