No not binning any scratch work. Well, maybe just the external bustle bins.

I bought the old Mouse House ASLAV-25 Phase 2 conversions for this build, and now ive read that they are about to release a new Phase 3 kit with turret bar. Im going to wait for that. If the new PC kit is anything to go by, they are miles apart in detail. Plus it means i wont have to scratch new sight heads, exhaust and the turret bar, just the hull bar.

Ill have to remove the old version of the engine deck ive already put onto these two builds, which is slightly incorrect, and replace them with the new one once they are released. Which means i cant join the hull halves together until i get them. Hence putting ithe build on hold.

Ray
I don't know how I missed this build but it is wonderful to see the time and energy you have invested in it. I look forward to watching the next stages unfold.
Anyone interested in Rays ASLAV PC build go here
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/120708&page=1 Best of luck
Bill

Ive been working on the interior some more. It seems whenever i think im almost done on the inside i remember something ive missed. Still have miles of cabling to add, have to put the lid and hinges on the fridge, as well as find something to put into it. Then i have to weather and dust it all. And I have not started on the stowage either, and my first attempt at painting an alice pack in DPCU looked terrible.

Overview


Lots of firsts for me on this build being my first since i got back into the hobby, and my second ever armor build. Made some netting out of masking tape and it should look good when i attach it properly with some PE buckles. Also I have no idea what color to paint the magazine on the F88s. The real ones are a dark transparent plastic that you can see the ammo through. I was thinking maybe a dark brown with a hint of gold leaf?


John at Mouse House was kind enough to send me a gift in the form of bits for the turret, that included this mantlet piece.


Unfortunatly, the way it is cast means it has to be glued in place, rather than be movable, as it has the correct lip and bolts around the edges. I wanted to have the gun able to elevate so you can see the M242 i made when you look into the turret hatches. I have the Lion Roar PE set for LAV-25 that has the lip and bolts as a seperate piece, so i think i will use the kit mantlet and try to use a rubber glove for the mantlet bag in order to cover the gap when elevated. Shame because it looks so much more realistic from the outside.

Compare MH and kit piece.


Rear of MH Mantlet vs kit mantlet with scratch M242 and coax.


The gap visible when elevated. I have done a trial run of the rubber glove (didnt take photos) and it seemed to work well. Will be interesting to see how the rubber/latex takes paint though.


Interior of Turret with the M242 installed. Sorry for the picture quality, it is very difficut to photograph. Its my first try at making custom Decals on my cheap Inkjet and i think they came out ok. All the detail was lost because of its low printing resolution, but to the Mk1 eyeball it looks acceptable. I found that if you move them around too much the ink will bleed around the edges leaving white areas (you can see it around the edges of the decal on the M242). Ill figured i can fix that up after another clear coat to seal them with a small bit of black paint.



I also have a question. Does anybody know what diameter rod i should use for 1/35 softdrink cans? I am going to try to make my own label decal, which should cost a lot less than buying them. Im still deciding if its worth forking out the cash for the AA water bottles. Very expensive but i think they will bring it life a bit more.

Awesome update and excellent work.

IMO...The AA water bottles are worth the money.

I have used Tamiya paints on latex gloves formed as covers and tarps and it adheres pretty well with a couple of coats....use a brush to apply it....and touch ups are easy to do with a brush as well.

Hey Ray

1 word awesome. I don't understand how could have missed a build log like this one.... I would have surely remembered it. Great detailing on that interior what pics did you use as a ref? I'm waiting to see some weahtering on that interior and paint on that beauty.

Keep it up

Roel

Ray
Excellent work, I really like the way you've used the printed material as well. When these are done will you be able to hinge them open to see the work or is this one of those "hide the jewels in the box" things?
I'm anxious to see how you handle the painting.
Keep on with the great work.
Regards
Bill

Wow, great interior! Can't wait to see this build completed.

This is just a brilliant, brilliant build Ray.

I'm looking forward to when you get going again. Hopefully the MH Phase III stuff is not far away for you

Cheers,

Paul

Brilliant mate! Great to see some Aussie armour How did you go with the magazines; colour wise?

Had some time off work so a small update.

I decided to open up the side hatch rather than scribe it. Still have some small details to add.


Also fitted the Coax ready round bin. I cut up two of the MH open 7.62mm liners, glued them together and used thin aluminum to make the chute. Then fitted a PE 7.62mm belt.
Bottom view

Top view


Also started the weathering. I gave the whole thing a wash with grey and used a heavy black wash to simulate the transfer case oil leak. I think im happy with it, so maybe just a light airbrush of a sand color for dust and the weathering will be done.

Oil leak

Babes

Great work mate !

Nice babes too

Are those grips on the turret copper wire ?

Cheers

Paul

Ray
Very nice to see this update, I was beginning to go into ASLAV withdrawal.
I look forward to more progress.
Regards
Bill

Im sealing it all up. It is actually quite surprising how much you can see with the rear doors and hatches open. Plus with the turret removed, the only thing not visible is the drivers compartment. I was toying with the idea of installing some smd led's in place of the dome lights, but im not too sure on the wiring and resistors needed so its still a 'maybe'. Since im not doing the engine i do have a nice place to hide a switch and battery though...




Yeah mate. Its different to LAV25 as the commanders one is shorter and slightly further rearward than the gunners. The kit holes were used for the gunners side, but the comanders side holes were filled and new ones drilled. The red squares are where the other blanking plates go, the middle one being where the MAG58 flex is normally mounted.

Another pic. It still gloss coated at the moment, but i actually think it looks pretty realistic like that. I was going to dull coat the entire thing, but i think ill just do some select areas.

Edit: I just noticed how dark the wash looks. Its the lighting and camera, it doesnt look that dirty in the flesh!

Crikey !!

I seem to find something else to change every other day

The interior really is something else. I'm not that brave ! I've done all the tie-downs on mine, including the turret ones (which i forgot about when I did the baskets). Not perfect but they'll do for this project.

I'm toying with ideas of how to do the Phase III Turret hatches & hinges.

What do you need to do to finish the exterior of yours Ray ? Is it the slat armor on the turret ?

Cheers

Paul

I only have the turret hatches, mantlet and sight heads from the new kit so no bar armor just yet. No rush though, the interior is still keeping me busy for now.

Another overview pic of where im at now. Ive up armoured the rear doors and hatches, but still to thin for my liking so ill do that again. You can also see the drivers seat and instrument panel.

It's come a long way since your first posts Ray.

I love the detail - conduits, gun, extinguishers etc.

What Barrel did you use for the 'Bushmaster' ?

Cheers

Paul

Thanks mate appreciate it. The barrel is the Barrel Depot BD35050

Yeah I've got one of those Barrels coming in the Mail

I should have it tomorrow. I'm planning on modifying the mantlet with some surgical glove rubber too.

The PIII hatches and sights have got me in a 'tiz' ATM. I can't finish the turret until I've sorted those out.

While I'm at it Ray, how have you attached those discharge outlets for the spent cartridges to the lower turret ?

I can't work it out. Did you cut some plastic away ? The conversion instructions aren't clear to me (maybe I'm dumb).

Paul

Ah yes that one was not easy to work out. It requires some work to fit it in there.

I ended up scratching the area, then just cut the actual details from the resin piece and glue them on. Im still not happy with mine, so i might do it again.

I guess I'll do the same.

Have you got a GPS Antenna at the back of the Turret ? I have one from the Phase III PC conversion kit which sits on a round hull attachment

How does that Antenna attach to the 25 box ? Do you have pics ?

Looking forward to some more of your pics

Paul

Its getting closer to being sealed up. Did most of the stowage today, I just need to flat coat it all and add some dust to blend it all in. Now im making all the rest of the netting and straps. I would of liked to add a lot more 25mm liners, but as i just guessed the dimensions of them during the building process they dont fit and foul on the turret. So, ill keep them for the next one. I also would of liked to use resin .50 liners rather than the tamiya ones as the detail on these suck. But, once again the resin ones dont fit, so im stuck with these.

Excellent Ray, you did an outstanding job so far. I'm eager to see them finished with some paint on. Do you intend to build some base or a much complete diorama ?

Keep on posting your WIP pictures as they are a real pleasure !
Olivier

Ray
I subscribe to this thread and when I wake up and see yours listed it makes my day. I have to agree with Olivier it is looking very complete and plausible. Your detailing and understanding of the vehicle is a real benchmark for the rest of us to follow, thanks for this update.
Any rumors about the Mouse House 25 phase 3 offering yet?
Regards
Bill

All those details look Super! And I want to now too if it's gonna be on a diorama.

Lars

inpressive build

im liking the "lived in" feel youve given it with all the crews personal equipment

where or how did u make the poasters?

keep it up cant wait to see the finish product