Does anybody know what type of vehicle was hooked up to the statue of Sadaam to take it down? I have been *thinking* of building a diorama of this particular event, but can't figure out what the vehicle is. I *THINK* it is an M88A2 Hercules, but am not sure. I know this is going to be a long one to build, just because i have never scratch built something before (which is what i'll have to do with the spires and the statue), and I haven't even attempted to build a kit in about 10 years.

Also, any suggestions before I begin?

The vehicle was an M-88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle. The crew used the boom with block and chain to pull the Saddam statue down.
Regards,

Welcome aboard tpaxatb! Glad to have you here.

The only thing I could suggest is to maybe start with AFV Club's M88A11 Recovery Vehicle, Kit # 3508, as the basis for your build. I have no idea what would need to be done to convert it into the M88A2 Hercules.
HTH

You could model using the M88A11 without converting. It doesn't necessarily have to be the truth, just believable.

That's what I was thinking, it doesn't have to be the truth, just believable. Besides, the main part of the whole thing is trying to capture the moment.

I'm probably not going to start on this for a while, because I need to get back into the swing of modeling (like I said I haven't done this for 10 years and need to practice). My first project is going to be an M1A1, my favorite tank, and something I have previously built (albiet without painting) ; I've ordered the kit and tools and such from squadron.com and am ANXIOUSLY awaiting its arrival. Who knows, it may end up in the diorama (IIRC, there was a tank parked close by...I'll have to reexamine some photos and/or video of the event). Maybe I'll also get started on the diorama base and some of the spires in the square and stuff, saving the statue and tank for last.

Cheers

Sounds like a neat dio

Welcome to the site tpaxatb.
Seems we're picking up a lot of new people as of late. Great to see.
Good luck with that dio and your Abrams, feel free to ask away. This is a good crew of people.

welcome, sounds like a splendid idea. Please post some pics when ur finnished! Good luck!!

Welcome tpaxatb! And welcome back to the hobby! You and I are among several people who are re-learniing this stuff!

Armorama is THE BEST source of help from a great bunch of people!

You Dio idea sounds great. OIF should be the source of a LOT of great work. Keep us posted with your progress- I'm especially interested in how you will do the statue of Saddam.

Jim/Jaster

The spires and statue base will be made of plaster of paris...I'm making the casts for them within a few days. I am going to have to estimate the size and dimensions for those things. I haven't figured out what the statue is going to be made of, nor the support "pipes." (I want to pose the statue after it "fell"). I don't know if that will be possible; the weight of the statue is going to determine that. Any ideas on how to make the statue???

I need a beer...

TPAXATB,
Welcome aboard.
let me first start of with that Real Models has a conversion kit for the M88A2. It is kit # 35070 . It comes with a whole new upper hull with the armor added to it, a new boom, the lower side skirts, and the winch on the front. AEF Desings also has a conversion for the kit too. As for the statue, Verlinden has a 1/35th statue kit of Lenin, kit# 1280. The reason I say this is because i was thinking the same thing since I had the M88A2 kit. With a little putty and rework, the statue can be made to resemble The BAD MAN FROM BAGDAD.
Hope this info helps you out.

Wow, thanks for the info on the Lenin statue, it looks to be about the right size even...i found a picture at http://model-hobby.7p.com/js-2c.htm which shows a 1/35 scale tank and figures next to it. The base needs to be reworked and so does the arm and face...but i'm willing to wager that the scultper of Sadaam's statue took his inspiration from the Lenin statue.

Easiest way to do it i'm thinking is just put a scale size Iraqi flag over the head when i start on it lol...

Drink up

tpaxatb

Welcome to the site. Sounds like a great dio, keep us posted as to the progress. Best of luck for the M1 build.

TPAX,
Im glad you looked at the statue. I didnt even think about just putting the flag around the face to hide it. Cant wait to see what it looks like when its done. I decided to work on something els. I am working on a dio for my unit. It is based from a picture I took when we where out in the filed down in Ft. Hood. It is going to have a M1037 w/shelter, a 4 seat Hummer, a M2 Bradley, a "Expando Van" 5 ton, and a 5 ton with a shelter on the back.

Well good luck on the dio and cant wait to see some pictures.

TPAXATB,

Sounds like a good idea for a dio, I was thinking the same thing about the Lenin statue. But I couldn't figure out what to do with the head, put the flag over it! Outstanding idea! And also historically correct as well.

I too am working on an OIF dio, and have recieved more than my fair share of help from all of the members here! I am up to two M2A2's, an M1A1 and an M113a2. Whew, thats a lot of Model Master Army/Marine Tan!

Good luck on your project,
Chris

SNIFF SNIFF. My M1A1 kit came yesterday...I went through it today and what do you know but the PE detail set I ordered with it was Out Of Stock delays delays....