Hi all,

First of all let me start by saying that I have actually been building 1/35 scale AFVs before turning to the dark side of the figure painting... I think the last vehicle I've built was about 15 years ago and this is going to be my first "serious" AFV project log since those times.

It all started when I decided to get Legend's IDF Machbet conversion for M163 on sale from Lucky Models. I've always had a soft spot for IDF armor and I just loved how mean the M163 looks with 20mm Vulcan rotary cannon and 4-tube Stinger rocket launcher.
Some details on IDF Machbet can be found here and here is the PMMS review of Legend's converision set.



Then I decided it would be cool to open up the belly of the beast and got me a HobbyFan's Vulcan conversion. The conversion looks amazing with complete interior, turret and metal barrels... about 120 parts all together. Here's how the set should look once finished:




And here is the PMMS review.

As if this wasn't enough, I got Verlinden's IDF Vulcan conversion, Eduard's PE, Friul tracks and some other small bits and pieces... quite a handful for a first project after 15 years.

I just need to sort out the pictures I took and I'll be ready to show you the progress I made so far.

Mario

I forgot to mention this is the first time I'm using the airbrush... I have two local modeling friends helping me out and it seems I've been pretty much in the dark regarding most of the techniques on painting AFVs today. The last stuff I remember from all those years ago were washes and drybrushing... and now the whole new world of modeling is opening up in front of me. Thanks guys!

Anyway, here are the first pictures.

Couple of interior pieces (ammo drum and turret interior) with custom made decals:







Then most of the turet assembly put together:









I did the wiring as well, so those pics are to follow soon.

Mario

Upon reading the first post, I thought if your figure painting is anything to go by this will be awesome, as I scrolled down my thoughts were confirmed! The work so far is incredible, absolutely superb looking. I really cant wait to see more, and welcome back to the world of armor modelling!

Really beautiful work. Gonna be watching this one very close. Love the IDF hardware too and all those bits and bobs (did my best Hagrid impersonation there) will make it scream! Kudos!!!!! And PUSSAW!!!!

Holy rapid fire, Batman!
I'll be watching, too.

Thanks guys, glad you like it so far.

Here are some more... wiring in progress:



And I just managed to finish the turret interior:







This is it for now. I got the M113 donor kit yesterday so I can start with the rest of the interior.

Mario

We prefer the term indigenous personnel Great start and I would expect nothing less from you

Great start Maki, looks very impressive

Wow great start! ill be watching this

Thanks guys. Hope to have some more updates to show soon...

Mario

Great Start Mario
Congrats
Cheers
Seb

Here's some progress on Machbet interior after quite a long time. I managed to get hold of M163 Operator Manual and some more documents (thanks guys!) just to find out there are several things in HobbyFan conversion which could use a make-over and a lot of things which are not even included.

On the right hand side, along HobbyFan parts, I added the bilge pump, wiring and some small details as well. The air heater from Academy kit received a bit touched of a touch up and hebrew decals added:







The remainder of radio set and some stowage was added. Wirings to the radio set, fire extinguisher and commander's seat...





Some more stowage and stuff on the right-hand side:





There's a lot more work needed on this, but I lost interest and started working on left-hand side. That area is not covered by Hobby Fan set:



Finally, I started playing around with the driver's compartment. The interior in Academy set is pretty much simplified, so with Eduard PE and some scrathbuilding... here's the progress so far:





Mario

Mario,

This is an excellent build. Your attention to detail and subtle painting skills are something to be admired. The details on that 524 radio just pop right out! The stowage looks natural and detailed. Very, very good.

If you wanted to, you could paint the hand loops on the 524 and 77 radios steel or metal colour. I can’t speak for what they look like in Israeli service but in Australia that would be right.

Keep up the good work. I’m very interested in this one.

One request. Post some unpainted pics. I’d love to see what you have scratch built and how it went together.

Cheers

W

Thanks for the comments Wayne!

Will do on the radio hand loops. There's still some wiring to the radios to finish up... can't seem to find interest at this moment, but I'll definitely do that eventually. As for the stowage; I'm not completely satisfied in that department and hope to improve it over the next couple of weeks.

I'm sorry about the lack of unpainted pics. The interior is pretty complex to build and I'm painting most of the stuff I'm scratchbuilding without them being attached to the model... The two pics I posted are the first unpainted pics I took of the entire model so far.

Cheers,
Mario

Lookin good Mario

holy cow thats very nice think i'll keep an eye this too.
cheers,
Graham

Hello Mario,
let me also say it looks GREAT so far. I am looking forward to the kit done.

Regards

Jiri

Thanks guys, I'm glad you like it. Will keep you posted on the updates.

Mario

I've been wanting to do this very same conversion for years now...I have all the stuff in my closet, but never broke it out to start on it! LOL

Some more work around the drivers compartment:



Mario

Really impressive Mario. Your attention to details is excellent as are your skills !

It's a real pleasure to llok at this thread.

Stunning work - my hat is off to you sir. The HobbyFan kit is a real gem. I also like your custom decal work - impressive! Model on Dude.....

Chris

It's coming along great. Wonderful attention to detail.

TC

All the fittings look great and especially the corrections to the driver's seat.

Paul