Hello fellow modelers,

Despite I have not finished all my recent subjects, I decided to start a new project since I really adore this vehicle and I can´t wait to have it done. Also all the aftermarket stuff has arrived so as I gathered up enough reference materials.

I would like to turn the Master Production´s 1/35 VLRA into the French Commandos truck used in Afghanistan. Yes, mostly it´s the long "SAS" version you can see on the A-stan pictures, but there are also few showing the short version deployed. Whatever, the less photos the more space for fantasy and ideas

In this tread I´d like to go through the construction process from A-Z. It´s not only to show you my work or to inform what is the kit like, but especially to take advantage of your great knowledge. I am sure there will be many questions coming during the build so please check the topic regularly and do not hesitate to send comments.

For the moment please see two pictures of how the kit might look when finished and another with bunch of items I found absolutely necessary.






To avoid any copyright issues, one of the pics was found at www.france-airsoft.com and the other scanned from czech ATM magazine.

The construction pictures to come soon...

Thanks

Jiri

GREAT!
i'm french soldier and i want see this building !
bye...

Hi there,
finally I finished first part of the kit, the cabin. There were just a few details added to the MP kit. The front grill which looks much better from PE, some nuts and bolts and especially the commander´s MG carriage which is a must for SF vehicle.

In general the MP´s VLRA is a very nice kit. There are some things to fix like bubbles here and there, a few broken and bent parts but overall the mouldings are clear with very fine details. I haven´t built that many resin kits to compare with, but among those I have used this one´s really on the top.





I will now continue with the chassis and cargo bed which will be the biggest challenge as I need to do a brand new one with foldable side walls.

Thanks for watching

Jiri

Now this is an interesting and different build, good luck with it I will be watching this one Jiri.

Great!

If you need more information or pics, please email me.

Very interesting build Jiri, i will follow your build. Nice start, details are amazing!

I'll be watching this one skarik. if for no other reason that to decide if I want to delve into modern French afvs.

It's great to see offbeat subjects like this. Looking forward to this one.

Nice subject Jiri. Keep up the great work too!

Great SF truck Jiri
I am happy that you tackled this one

I gonna watch closely that one.

Keep up the good work
Cheers
Seb

Very unique project.
This will be very interesting,cant wait for another update.
subscribed....

Sven.

Dear all,

thanks a lot for your support and kind words.

Now when the construction goes forward I start to think of the details and especially the radio/comm. set of which I have almost no reference.

Do you know what type of radion/comm. might have been used by the French special forces and where would be mounted in such vehicle? A picture would be great, but I highly appreciate any help...

I saw just one photo clearly showing the comm. set was mounted in the cargo bay in the front right corner, just behind the commander´s seat. Unfortunately this was taken from distance so no clue about the type or details.

Please help

Thanks a lot

Jiri

Hi Jiri

I believe your VLRA should be fitted with at least two PRG4 series radio sets (built by Thales, formerly known as Thomson CSF)....But the series includes several models as you can see here :

http://www.armee.lu/materiel/transmission.php

Here's one fitted to a Panhard PVP (looks like a TRC-9500) :


Here's a better view of the TRC-9500 :



HTH

Frenchy

Great job Jiri !
That's turning a nice idea into a great build.
Keep us posted on your updates !

I hope Praha is still great city to visit, I was there in 2006.. I miss those vacations.. great beer too

Dear Frenchy,
thanks a lot for your reply. This is actually very helpful. Now just to find out where to place them exactly

Jiri

A plea to all VLRA specialists...

I am wondering how the cargo bay´s side folding walls are kept in horizontal position Is there some kind of lock system or is the chain a must?



Thanks for any answer

Jiri

Hi Jiri

I'm no VLRA expert, but judging by this picture :

http://maquettegarden.free.fr/Vehicules%20Modernes/VLRA%20Sable/files/photo_frames.html?38

I think that the chain is just a secure way to keep the sidewall horizontal, preventing the hinges from being damaged by the added weight. As far as I can see how these hinges are built, it's apparently impossible to fold the sidewall down completely...



Frenchy

I think this chain is like the ones used on early pick up trucks to hold the rear tail gates from going beyond 90 degrees. If you removed the chain the tail gate would continue to open and lay on the bumper, same here with the side gates unless as Frenchy says the hinges prevent that from happening. The problem with this system is that there is no way to stop the gate from folding upwards towards the closed position when you hit a bump but here they have enough weight on the gate to minimize that effect but I bet they still had that happen when they hit a big bump.
My 2 cents.

Thanks a lot Fenchy. I am still not sure...



But may be there is some kind of lock that holds the opened side wall in the horizontal position

Jiri

I stand corrected Jiri ! I've just given a loser look to the picture I was refering to and find out that I was wrong about the way the hinges are built... The part of the hinge that is bolted to the side wall has a "J" -shaped profile and there's in fact nothing to prevent the sidewall to be folded down completely as per the picture you've posted.
I still believe the chain is the only way to keep the side wall horizontal when used for storage...

Frenchy

Hi Jiri

Regarding the radio setup, I've found this picture (from the manufacturer's material) :



on this website :
http://www.vehicules-hors-serie.fr/Site_hors_serie/Dossier_Acmat/page_Acmat_menu.htm

The radio is apparently mounted between the seats...So maybe you could do the same ?

Frenchy

Thanks for the info Frenchy. Unfortunately I don´t have any picture showing clearly the radio mount in the SF vehicles, however some of the available pics show the radio kit located in the front right corner of the cargo bay. This is where I´ll place mine as well.

I will post some WIP photos soon.

Jiri

Frenchy,

there is really not much information about the PRG4 system on the web I finally decided to go for the TRC-9300 system as one of the links stated this set is widely used in french recon vehicles. Thanks again for the hint.

To all: Should you please have a picture or drawing of the PRG4/TRC-9300 kit I´d highly appreciate if you could share it with me. I especially seek the info where is what attached (headset, antenna, power unit etc)
Also is there some necessary equipment that goes together with this kit? Maybe some power convertors etc.?

Thanks for any help.

Jiri

Hi Jiri

This reminds me of this picture, showing a LWB VLRA used by the French Army in Ivory Coast :


(from this build log )

No radio in the picture but the rack may be similar to the one you're talking about

Frenchy

Ok guys,
some reference has been collected, now it´s time to turn this blog back to WIP...

The construction work is almost done now. Only some minor details (but incl. a brand new radiator grill ) need to be added.

I always try to have the kit in one piece before starting the paint job, simply don´t like sub-assemblies. Unfortunately with this one it is not possible as it would be really impossible to reach some parts with a brush. Therefore the radio rack, rear mud flaps, GPS device and most of the driver´s compartment parts will only be glued when painted.

Thanks for looking and I highly welcome any comment or advice for improvement.

Jiri