Just a quick note to let everyone know that we have provided the link to this buildup on the product page HERE

I've also added information noting that scratchbuilding is required and that the transfer sheet does not include detailed instructions for doing this conversion.

Again, thanks to our incredible customers for helping to keep us honest!

Woody Vondracek, owner
ARCHER FINE TRANSFERS

Dave,

I must say that while I thought it was going well, I do admire and respect your desire for attaining accuracy. It took me three tries to get my boxes to where I was happy, even using the 1/48 drawings, so I feel your pain.

As for the hinges, the 'barrel' portion should be visible at the very back/top but a good portion of the hinge was internal. I just used a couple small pieces of rod at the very back to represent them.

Will be looking forward to seeing your update.

As I stated above, this weekend was spent disassembling and then rebuilding the rear deck storage boxes and the baseplate storage rack and shelf. After I took some careful measurements from the diagrams in the Hunnicutt book, I converted them to 1/35th and began my work. First thing was the bumper extenders and supports. Then I built the four boxes from sheet styrene. While those were setting up after being glued, I started a lengthy trial and error fabrication of the baseplate mounting brackets. I tried sheet styrene, but finally settled on sheet brass. It took me about four trys to get these right. I learned alot about cutting folding and working with brass. Once those were finished and mounted, I proceeded to build the folding back shelf. Since I was already doing crazy things like working with sheet brass, I reasoned to myself why not make the shelf work. So I did. It is fully functional as you can see in a photo below. Side tasks this weekend were the radios (not pictured), the antenna mount and the mortar. I can see that Dragon did not provide a sight for the mortar, so that will be a future project. All in all it was a productive and at times frustrating weekend of work, but I am pleased with the outcome

















More next weekend.

Dave

That's the best part.

I think it looks pretty sweet Dave. Those non-standard secondary boxes look so much better with the double doors on the inside, something I didn't mention earlier but now that you've built them I will. The standard boxes look much better as well, in fact the mounting brackets show that you've really done your homework, another thing I didn't mention earlier but now that you've gone through the work, it's certainly due a nod. The long angle iron bracket on the outside and the two smaller brackets on the inside are pretty much right on the money and the way the secondary boxes are attached to them with the scrap piece at the top, seriously good stuff. Especially nice is what appears to be the barrel bolt for locking down the shelf, nice eye.

As an aside, your pictures are also much better in color than the earlier shots as well. Looks like you've really pulled out the stops. Excellent job Dave, looking forward to next weekend.

Thanks for the comments and encouragement Ken. I don't know about pulling out the stops, but I just figured if I was going to put that much time into the rear area, it should be as close to correct as possible.

BTW...I found your build at Camo's Corner (the M4A1 and the other Halftracks, etc.) and I am very impressed with your work as well. It seems we share a love of the odd vehicle design...LOL

Again thanks for the very kind comments.

Dave

Short Update.....

I did not get as much done this weekend as I had planned. Being a holiday weekend, family stuff got in the way.

I did however finish working on the radios and also made some tiedown/footman loops for the back boxes. The rest of the time was spent on small detail like headlights, grill loovers and winch detail. Sorry no pictures this week.

I hope to start base painting the subassemblies this week. Then I will begin individual parts painting as needed.

Till next weekend.

Dave

Hi Dave,

even though I was really looking forward to some pictures, I completely understand. The weekend was pretty hectic for many I'd assume, between family gatherings and getting the boy to the parade to march with the Scouts I didn't get any bench time myself.

As for your earlier comments about my blog, thank you. I'm glad you gave it a look and enjoyed my work, you and I do seem to share at least two common interests, the half track itself and the odd versions there were as well. Every time Dragon releases another kit, the first thing that comes to mind is "what variation can I build using that as a base kit" LOL. I don't know when the last time you looked was, but I recently posted some photos of my latest odd version, a Marine 75mm GMC on and M2/M4 chassis.

I'll be anxiously awaiting your next set of pictures,

Ken

Ken

I did see the 75mm conversion you are working on at present. I am following that because from my reseach, it seems that the version used in Italy by Darby's RANGERS(the decal set by Archer)is also an M2 that was modified. I noticed your name is on the blame line again on the decals for research, so do you know if it is actually an M2 as I suspect?

I think at times we are our own worst enemies when it comes to modeling. We could do an OOB but instead we opt to torture ourselves with odd conversions.

I promise more pictures and updates this coming weekend.

Dave

Dave,

the Ranger half track is an M3, if you look carefully, you can see the full length body in a couple of the pictures on the Archer site.

I just put this picture together quickly you to see what I mean:





I think those short, makeshift racks on the sides and those rear stowage boxes may be what's misleading you, of course they will have to be scratch built if you want to be accurate but shouldn't be too hard. Especially considering your current project, which has much more fiddly work involved.

There's also a make shift machine gun mount attached to the hood of the Ranger half track, looks like a pipe and some welded up angle or something. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself but I'll definitely be watching for that one.

Ken,

You are right. I was being confused by the side racks and the back stowage. I guess with the back stowage, they just covered up the rear door. But at least it will not be as big a project as I had thought. Thanks again for the info and help. I guess that may be the next project, but who knows what will catch my eye between now and then..LOL

BTW. where did you get the pictures? I would like to get copies of some that don't have the Archer emblem blocking detail.

This weekend was mostly a painting and assembling weekend. I started out by painting the entire model with a base coat of Poly Scale US Olive Drab. Once this was done, I began to paint all the other parts. I did the tires and track in Floquil Old Rubber. Then highlighted the metal parts of the track by rubbing with a silver pencil. The chains on the tires were done in a Tamiya Flat Brown and highlighted again with the silver pencil.





I assembled the dashboard and then highlighted the various instuments and data cards.



Once all this was done, I assembled the running gear, front compartment and rear compartment.







Next will be the continued placement of stowage (the stowage front and back is just temporary for ideas.) Also the mortar needs to be mounted in the vehicle and the front winch assembly will be fitted.

I'm not sure just how much stowage I will be putting on the vehicle. The photos of the real vehicle don't show that much, but they are pictures before the vehicle actually went into action. So I think I will be taking a "Modeler's Artistice License" and show the vehicle in combat. I will just have to wait and see where I go.

Dave

Progress has slowed on this project. It seems that I am now in the phase where there is more time waiting for paint to dry than time used to actually do the painting. I am doing some small assembly, but mostly painting the various accessories and stowage.

I did manage to completely destroy the Archer decals this weekend, so I have had to order a new set. Seems I need a lot more practice working with their product. This is not a criticism of the Archer decals, but an admittance of my lack of talent...LOL Hopefully the new decals will arrive soon and I can continue the work. Any hints or advice for working with them would be appreciated. BTW, I tried both dry and wet application with not much luck.

I also attempted to create my own tarp and tent rolls using "Magic Sculp," so I will see how that goes.

I will add pictures of the progress next weekend.

Dave

Hi Dave,

build is looking good, nice to see everything coming together. As for your earlier question about the pictures, most of them came from the LIFE website, one came from the old 'The Italian Campaign' book from TIME/LIFE books. PM me your email addy and I may be able to help you out.

I've messed up my share of dry transfers as well, depending on the surface you are applying them to, they can be a little difficult at first. The benefit of no carrier paper when installed properly is worth the learning curve in the end, no silvering, no raised edges etc.

If the surface is large and flat, I will simply burnish it as per the instructions, however if it is a tricky surface with lots of raised detail, I will actually apply them to blank decal paper and trim tight to the markings and then install them like normal decals. While this may seem to negate their whole purpose, they are still markings not available in supplied decal sheets and that is usually my reason for using them.

Dave it's coming along nicely, and a very interesting thread with you both in it. Ken, I had a look at your homepage and you've got some great stuff on there. Time to get one of the 7 halftracks out of my stash and finally get it going. So many things, so little time...

Looking forward to your experiences with the tarp!

Cheers!
Stefan

Thanks for the comments Ken and Stefan. It's nice to know others are enjoying the build.

It's starting to take shape

This weekend was spent applying the decals. I learned a lot doing this as it was my first try at using Archer products. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier. Still some swaring involved, but much less than last weekend...LOL

I have also started to locate some of the stowage and extra gear on the vehicle. Once I complete the add-ons, I will do a wash on the entire vehicle and then start the weathering process.

Here are some updated pictures of the project.











I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel....Just hope it's not a westbound freight..

Dave

Impressive build!

I love all the small details and stuff you added

Agreed. Very clean build as well. Nice one Dave.

Thanks Thomas and Frank. I appreciate your kind comments.

Dave

This build is drawing to a close

It has taken me the last two weeks to actually get to this point. I hate it when life gets in the way of modeling

The halftrack is now assembled and weathered. The next step will be to determine what type of base to mount it on and if I want to add figures, etc.

For those of you that might be interested, all painting was done with Tamiya, Polly S, and Vallejo Acrylic paints. The added gear is from various sets and the parts box. The fine decals, as mentioned before, are Archer. Weathering was done with a thinned down solution of Mig Dark Wash and Mig pigments. The mud and built-up dirt is a mixture of Mig pigments, Liquitex Texture Gel, fine sand and static grass.

Here are some pictures of the finished vehicle.

















I would like to thank Ken Abrams for all his help and input with the subject. I would also like to thank all of the members that commented and encouraged me.

After I decide on the base and figures, I will post those continuations to this project.

Comments are always welcome.

Dave

Wonderful outcome Dave, sharp looking build all around.

Some of the standout features for me are the coiled handset cord, the wiring of the aerial base and especially the aiming stake and white line up the hood, something that is often missed. Good eye!

Best rendition of Lord Eppie I've seen to date, glad I could help.

very sweet looking build with a nice paint job too! It's begging to be part of a diorama!
great job Dave.
Terry

Dave, your M4 turned out beautiful! I like all the little details and the stowage looks great. A little nitpick, or a question rather, why are there so many .30 cal. ammo cans when there's no .30 cal. machine gun?

Cheers!
Stefan

Thanks for your comments Ken, Terry and Stefan.

Ken - Your praise means a lot to me, based on what I have seen of your work.

Terry - I plan to put it into some kind of dio. I'm just not sure size or type. Still working that in my mind.

Stefan - There is a 30 cal. It is just not mounted on the gun rail. For some reason they have it stowed behind the mortar mount. Even though it is not mounted, I figured they might still use it if they kept it. So that's why I included some 30 cal boxes. Might be easier to see in this picture.



Dave