Hi All,

It is the spring of 1960 and the Great War is now entering its 46th year. French, British and American troops are preparing for the summer offensive against the Russo-German forces in central Germany. Since their first use in the mid-1940s, humpback APCs have been used to transport, protect and support infantry in the hellish war-torn ground that has become central Europe.
This year, the humpbacks sport a new weapons station containing an automatic 37 mm gun and anti-tank missile system. It is hoped by the Allied high command that this will be the last offensive and victory will be in sight. The troops have heard this too many times to be hopeful.

This model is based a club sci-fi build at my local club. The base kit is the Italeri SWS with extensive scratchbuilding for the troop compartment. Im using some ancient Esci BMP-1 parts (namely the turret and rear doors, but there may be more before Im done). Im planning on try Micro-Marks new decal rivets for the build. Ill keep you posted on how it turns out. Enough prattle, here are the pics!











All/any comments welcome! Merry Crhistmas!
Regards,
Georg

Looking great so far Georg....I like it....

Looks pretty interesting Georg,
Quite the story behind it.I'm not a scifi person,but I would like to see this finished.

Tom

Hi Guys,
The model is loosely based on the pc game "Iron Storm" which takes place in 1964 under similar circumstances. It's a neat premise. I'm going to be detailing the model with extensive rivets and styrene strip. I'm also thinking of some kind of external biological/chemical protection system and LOTS of pioneer tools. The final model should include a couple of figures and a small base. Stay tuned!
Regards,
Georg

Totally missed this post!
looks like you really got out the saw for this one Georg.
I love the look of the turret it looks Awesome man!!!!
Looking foward to seeing her done up with the figures in a dio.
Happy Plastic cutting my friend.

Horst

Hi Guys,
I thought I had already taken these pics earlier, but this was not the case. Anyway, I ended up tearing out the hood and re-making it, including the front hinge (so it opens forward) and the lapping strips to get it in place. I'm not sure how it's going to be secured yet, but that's for later. I decided on using the kit parts for the vision ports on the cab. Enough gab, here are the pics:









Any/all comments welcome!
Regards & Merry Christmas,
Georg

Very cool looking! Quick question, did you use plastic card/sheet? If so what is the tickness and such? (I am building a scratch built interior currently)

Alex,
I'm using 0.030 sheet for the big stuff and various types of strips from Evergreen. I'm also going to be using 0.005 sheet for some applique armor. HTH.
Regards & Merry Christmas,
Georg

Hi All,
Another day, more building. Anyway, with most of the "heavy lifting" done, now it was time to work on details. I needed some kind of NBC suite, so I used some styrene sheet and strip along with model train detail parts to build the filtration unit.



The tools and headlights were sourced from a Cyberhobby Pz 4 ausf E detail set.



Also, there was a need for splash strips, so these were added from styrene angle in various spots.





Anyway, here are the pics. Any & all comments appreciated.
Regards & Merry Christmas,
Georg

GREAT work Georg, I'm lovin it! Sci-Fi yet sensible.
Don't the Newark PD have orders for a couple of these?

Matt,
The fact that you just told me I'm doing something sensible is kinda funny in and of itself! Thanks for the comments.
Regards & Merry Christmas,
Georg

Hi All,
I had wanted to get some work done on the humpback over the holidays, but this did not come to pass. I was able to get some more work done this week. Since I'm using a BMP-1 turret, I wanted to arm it with some kind of missile. MY LHS had ancient RPM German missile/rocket/pupchen set in the bargain bin, so it came home with me. I messed up the tail, and managed to break off a wing before the picture was taken, so I'm leaving off the tail, but I fixed the wing.



I also used some PE handles on the tools:



I added a couple of more tools, also from the DML set:





Next up will be one of those "moment of truth" parts of the build: the rivets. I'm planning on using the decal-style rivets from Micro-Mark. My next set of pictures will show them and I'll report on how they worked out. Until next time, any questions, comments or ideas are welcome.
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
Success! Every now and again something works out right. I used the Micro-mark decal rivet set on the model and they worked out great! I am, however, going to need to modify the turret mount a little, but that's pretty minor. Here are the pics:











So what do you think? I'm pretty happy with things as they are now. All that really needs adding is the spaced armor to the nose and "hump" portion of the crew compartment. All comments/questions/ideas welcome.
Regards & Happy New Year!
Georg

Hi All,
I saw in the pics that one of the lines of rivets was bent, so I was able to reset it. I'm going to need to repair part of the run, but that's a minor issue.
Regards,
Georg

PS- Am I just talking to myself here?

Thats awesome man. I like to people having fun and using their imagination I wish I had thought of this.

Mike,
Why not? I don't have the monopoly on this subject! How about a tank or something?
Regards & Happy new Year,
Georg

Hey Georg
She looks Fantastic!!!
I think that your drive and commitment to placing all those
rivets is truly inspiring. I would have needed a whole bottle of
Johnny Walkers Black to get through it. and not even come close to your level of expertise
If i may comment on one thing i believe that the headlights are a bit small
are they the ones from the kit? just an observation it could be the pic.
anyway keep the updates comming i cant wait to see whats next.
Respectfully
your friend
Horst

Hi All,
Horst, the rivets were easy. They are on the sheet in long lines. All you have to do is cut them to length. Soak, apply and voila! The headlights are PZ 4 headlights. I just thought they looked cool.

OK, here's tonight's update:

I had a set of Friuli's for the SWS and as this thing is an SWS underneath, it was off to the races. Unfortunately, the holes aren't lining up. Needless to say, the going it slow, but they should look great when complete.



Here's what the vehicle looks like now, with the turret "lift" in place to allow the turret to clear the rivets and reinforcing strips.



More to tomorrow.
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
Not too much t report so far. I've gotten the first coat of primer onto the model (upper hull) and continued to work on the tracks. I'm starting to examine what camo and markings I'm going to use. They'll probably look French. I'm also starting to look at some figures for a small vignette. More soon.
Regards,
Georg

looking great so far, The rivets especially! looking forward to paint.
LPJ

Hi All,
The model got primed with black automotive primer. I used Polly S, Tamiya and Craft Acrylic to do the colors. I wanted something like a dazzle paint scheme. I also used wanted to use some themes from inter-war French patterns, so I included the mauve and blue. I think it looks cool. I'm using Friuli's for the tracks and so far, I've got it mostly done. Unfortunately, while dry-fitting the front wheels, I broke the front suspension on each side. So, I'm going to have to rebuild it. Let me know what you think.
Regards,
Georg

I like this camo Georg...Looks great....

I agree i think its very unique, perfect for a scifi scratch build like this. I think it would look really great with some serious filters and weathering to portray the ongoing conflict where its seen action. nice job so far

Jordan,
You ain't seen nothin' yet!
Regards,
Georg