About a month ago I started the ARVN M41 project. I have kept a pretty detailed build log and would like to share it with you guys. End result will hopefully yield a reasonable representation of an ARVN M411 knocked out during the Tet Offensive fighting in Hue.
The M41 is the old Tamiya version embellished with some scratchbuilding, AFV Club track and Eduard PE.


Once I started cuttin' on the Bulldog it became apparent that there was sure gonna be some modifying done to this little jewel. Cut and repositioned the suspension in two spots on the starboard side, you'll see why when the diorama is complete.



Several (if not most) ARVN M41's had the front fenders (and rear) cut on about a 45 degree angle - as to why, I am unsure.



Several (if not most) ARVN M41's had the Commander's MG mount repositioned to the right (his right) of the cupola.



I have never used the flexible individual track links before - they are NICE! These were from AFV club and went together really well. Added a few more pieces of PE here and there - also removed a couple of pieces too. I don't think I'll need a great deal of detail for the diorama setting I've got in mind so hopefully I can pull it off using a minimal amount of PE without making the overall appearance suffer too badly.



Big difference in the original and the aftermarket track -

Moving along slowly with the detail work on the M41, lots of PE! Got the .50 cal. "tricked out" along with the the sledgehammer attachment points and lots of other handles, straps, etc..




The mantlet canvas cover was made from kleenex (most toilet paper is too porous), coated and set with a mixture of white glue and water.




At this point all of the PE I'm going to use has been attached and the base coat of Olive Drab has been sprayed on. Detail painting, shading and weathering will be done this weekend or next.





I finished putting the figures together last weekend, next will be the de-seaming, sanding and filling if necessary (don't think it will be) and painting. Left to right are - "Number Three", "RPG Man" and "Head Honcho".


razorboy

Superb work Dave!,

Where have i seen this before .

It looks superb mate I really like what you've done wit the suspention, I'll upload a photo of my M41 tomorow .

Hi Dave,

Great to see, nice work. The mudguards (fenders) were cut back to reduce damage, it seems to be a standard mod with most users.

Just a couple of small points:
1. The strengthening ribs on the side bins were raised, and
2. The tow rope stowage brackets were only on the lefthand side



cheers
David

Well I guess my research wasn't up to snuff on this project...... the hooks can be fixed but the rib issue ..................... another one goes off to the scrapbox I guess.
Thanks

Not so fast. Just lay some plastic rod in the depressions, then blend it in with some putty and finish it off with a light sand with some steel wool.

cheers
David

plastsrut half rounds should do the trick nicly.

Sending this nice build to the scrapbox is quite a waste,please don't do it! I like your build and solutions to change the depressions are already comming in.



Jelger

Hi Dave,

Please keep going! There are a couple of suggestions above to help out, but I would really like to see more of this.

Cheers,
Ian

Really nice work mae, Looks great!

This is probably the single best set of injected plastic tracks ever made. The look beautiful and go together like a dream. Dont add the pads until after painting. They do not glue using normal cement, so super glue or white glue is needed. Paint the metal parts first and weather ... then glue in the pads un-painted. Spray some very thinned filters over the tracks, for an easy finish and they´ll look great ... painting made easy.


As mentioned above ... set in some round rod in the depression and problem solved. This build is too nice to stop now.

Dave,
Don't know if this will help you but these two photos were taken by me in Vietnam back in 1994, I can't remember where it was exactly though.
David

Thanks for the photos David. It's amazing to me how well the paint has held up in that climate for nearly twenty some years. Amazing.

Thanks again,
razoboy

Nice photos Dave have you got anymore?

James,
If you follow this link I have just got 186 slide photos converted to jpeg and uploaded to photobucket they are all from a battlefield tour of Vietnam in 1994. I still have a load more normal photos I want to scan and upload when I get time.
David