This is a dry fit - the tracks, the cab, the wheel bogies, the roof, the dozer blade, the interior parts and glazing. all of it is not fixed.

very impressed with this kit and the way it is engineered makes it a very easy build.

nice pics ! WHAOUH ! with the M1 !!!! it's really big !
thanks

It looks awesome!!! At first I didn't think it is so big until I saw it lined up with Abrams.

if it's all dry fit, thats quite impressive!
yeah, this vehicle is HUGE. im 5'9" and hardly make it to the top of the blade

Looks awesome, and a very clean build of a great looking machine. And seeing this, I'm starting mine right now. This just looks way to awesome to keep in a box

Very nice!

Looks like 1 of my 2 will show the platforms in the down position......

Some brass sets will be coming soon I'm sure....

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Rear-D9-0001.jpg

Looks great?

Are the tracks workable?

Yes.. Links are workable and made of three parts each. They also have that kind of a "heavy" look. There are two sets of armored glass, full transparent and a bluish type.

thanks gents - this is my tips for the tracks

Well as anyone who is building the kit at the moment realises, this is one very well thought out and engineered kit.

I think the tracks raise a few peoples eyebrows - mine included. Initially it looks a loathsome task. But I cant see how else Meng could have made them differently without compromising detail.

I found a few things with the tracks --

* use the parts A5 and A6 to finish the track runs.

* Assemble using some liquid cement like Tamiya or Mr Hobby thin cements.

* follow the instructions 43 links per side (42 black pieces S1 and S2, 1 A5/A6 and 43 S3)

* I laid out the entire string of S1 on its side the whole lot in one go then just a tiny bit of cement on end link part S2

* turn the entire run facing upwards and make sure all the parts are equally spaced then cement on the cleats S3 on top.

* complete the entire run using the join parts A5/A6

* by doing the entire run in one go - you can correct any misalignments before the cement fully hardens

* to attach to model I found I had to take off the drive sprocket to have enough slack in the track to allow space to fix it?

hope this makes sense - if not send me a e-mail or pm and I will try and help.

best
Mark

I got mine but I think I will wait for some photo etch stuff or aftermarket things to add to the all ready amazing kit. It needs some metal to add more possibility ideas for dioramas.

Happy modeling
Bill

Is there any reasoning on what model gets which blade lift cylinder protection and lighting option between US and Israeli machines?
At first I thought only the US versions had no cylinder protection, but have seen some IDF units with none and some even painted Cat yellow.
Thanks

The 14 US D9R were bought in Israel! So you can find american dozers with israeli license plates - why not with the original cylinder protection? But I can't find pics of this version - only with yellow Caterpillar spare parts...


Michael

Awesome build up Mark!