Good question. I have the kit but haven't opened it so can't say what differences there are. I'm sure that everything I've done with the Verlinden resin parts is going to need to be scratchbuilt as I don't believe it's available. Not certain what's in the Hauler photoetch set so can't say off hand what would translate there. I do know that one of the magazines featured a 1/48 scale build of this and they replaced a lot of the missing detail with parts from a German half-track kit. It looked better but by no means accurate.

Personally, when I get around to my 1/48 version I'm probably going to keep the hatch doors shut and maybe put a tarp over the turret. I don't know if I want to go through this madness again in 1/48. Would probably go as far as the Hauler set and replace the barrels with RB Barrels. This will just be in olive drab but I'd probably do the 1/48 in a winter white with the hairspray method.[/quote]

Greg built one up like that and he also added the resin chained tires, it turned out real nice. Ask him for the link if you like, it was featured on the Track 48 website.

It's amazing how you can spend a lot of time on something and seem to accomplish so little. I've managed to get the pioneer tools mounted. The biggest problem was getting everything positioned to fit properly. As I've mentioned with dimensions, at this scale, if the vehicle is a fraction too short, a tool too long, well, they aren't going to fit right. In this case, I'm thinking the tools might be just a bit oversized. Ultimately, I got all of them to fit properly, positioned the mounting brackets and hold down straps. I also replaced the handles (inside and out) for the upper hatch doors. I'll need to work on the hinge system for one of them (as the other will be closed). I also added the small containers that mount to the side of each headlight guard. Still lots to do.

Dangit! your really makeing me want to build one of these things. seriously, i would like to build one eventually without doing the interior. just a cool build man!

Gary

And then.... I bow to you This is brutality!
And it's contagious.

Props


Phil

Thanks guys. It really took on a life of it's own. Original plan was to just add the Eduard photoetch but watching another guy build his I kind of got carried away. His is almost more insane than mine as he threw a lot more money at his.

Mark: great effort on the M8. I built the 1/48th but have not done this one. The detail in the 1/48th is over simplified and there's very little for the interior as I recall. I built mine closed up at front, but the hatches don't seal well, so new hatches would have helped.

Anyway, your effort is really inspiring.

Happy Modelling, -zon

Just came across this one. Excellent work.

Al

OK. Updates have been pretty slow lately. Got a bit behind with other things going on. Since the last update I've been working primarily on the turret and various guns. The turret was textured using Mr. Surfacer 500. This was also done slightly on the inside of the turret. The inside was also roughed up a bit with my dremel and attachment. By far the most difficult part was the photoetched clips that hold the shells on the side racks. I'm still not totally happy with them and without some kind of form (which I should have made), they are nearly impossible to do. In addition to texturing, I also added Archer resin casting numbers to the turret and mantlet, replaced all barrels with aluminum or brass aftermarket items and as I have been doing, added photoetched details from Eduard and Verlinden. The outside of the turret also had scratchbuilt hold downs attached. I'm getting closer and have about 20 days to finish construction and painting as this is part of a group build that needs to be ready for the AMPS show in April.

HEY, THERE HE IS! Wecome back man. Life has a funny way of throwing a monkey wrench into the modeling flow.

Nice update, looks great. Im looking forward to see some more of this bad boy!

Gary

Some more work last night. Reworked the 50cal a bit. Right now the turret is just sitting on the top and not actually attached to the basket. I'll be painting the turret and basket separately so won't attach them once painted and prior to weathering. Really starting to come together though. Getting excited to see it in paint.

Hey Mark,

Looks great man! I to am ready to see paint! Looking forward to it.

Gary

Hi Mark,
Just came across your build & WOW! I didn't know a Greyhound can look so darn good.
Looking forward to your paint job.
Cheers
Lee

REally nice work on those stowage boxes, turret, and weapons. Is the Tamiya turret basket the right size and angle? Maybe another reason the interior stuff wouldn't fit? Awesome job on this and will look for it painted

I'd say the turret basket is a bit oversized. How do I know this? When I added the pedals for foot control of the guns, they actually hit the sides of the interior. I had to actually move them in pretty close to center for the turret basket to turn 360 degrees.

I may remove the stowage lid that is partially opened and open it up further. I have stowage to add so I may place that temporarily and then open that lid so it would rest against the stowage. It's ok where it is now but would be cool to show off more of the stuff I could put in there.

Well, started throwing down some paint this weekend.

Before I get to that, I did some final detail work in the turret along with making some changes. First, I had a catch bag (captures spent shell casings) attached to the machine gun in the turret. This was a Verlinden item. Looked great but unfortunately it prevented the turret gun from moving and resulted in it actually pointing towards the ground, so I had to remove that. I also added the turret gun ring and added some weld beads along the mounts. Other minor details, etc. were completed and it was ready for paint.

I started off with laying down a coat of Vallejo German Grey primer. From here, I darkened up some Vallejo Olive drab and applied all around the vehicle. This was kind of the dark base for a modulation type technique. From here I lightened the paint with different colors, primarily dark yellow, sand, stencil white, etc. I lightened the final color even further with stencil white and applied this with a brush to various detail items, such as grab handles, bolt heads, etc.

The markings were done using a photo etch set from Lion Roar and painted on. This was all followed up with a coat of Vallejo satin clear in preperation for the weathering.

WOW! Mark you are an ace!

Phil

great job

Haha. Hardly but thanks.

Mark, That is a Damn fine paint job! Well done.

Gary

I really need to get myself one of those photo cubes and a decent lighting setup.......well, and someplace to keep it all and set it up.

The vehicle for the most part is done. I have some final touch ups and it will be complete for the most part. I still have all the stowage to finish and then a base with figure(s). The vehicle was weathered with a variety of AK Interactive products. Some pastels were used as well, primarily on the bottom of the vehicle. Added some little details such as a few leaves and a map. Fairly happy with how it's turned out so far. I think the color variation of the stowage will really help.

Mark,
you have single handedly made me a M8 fan. What a great build you have completed. And its a Damn fine job at that!
Thanks for sharing it with us!

Gary

Mark, superbe work on this m8!
Your build is a motivation for us all.This level of detail and accuracy is one of a master modeler.
Model on.

Philippe.

Looks great. Congrats! It was a fun project to watch

I'm alittle curious, where'd the radio go? Do you use the Verlinden one or just not put it in?
Also when you put the turrent back on with the 37mm shell-casing catch bag installed, do you have problems with fit?
Did the turrent rotate the full 360 with it on also?

I ask these question because those were challenges that came up in my build of the interior using the Verlinden set.

See ya in the funnies.

I actually used the kit radio as it was closer in accuracy than the Verlinden radio. I just added the small capacitor (I believe that's what it is) to the front of the kit radio.

Yeah, that shell bag ended up being an issue. It had full movement when I had initially used it but once I attached the top of the turret to the turret basket the bag would hit against the basket and the guns wound up pointing downwards. Rotation wasn't an issue though but I had to ultimately Dremel the bag off. Was a bit disappointed that I didn't make that discovery until after the fact.