Hi Mike,

Have you given any thought about using rare earth magnets to hold the rear compartment in place. Shame to hide all work you put into the undercarriage. The 4mm x 1mm examples are inexpensive, fit the width of the frame rails and hold very well. The War Store among others have them.

Tony

Buddy of mine builds antique carriages to Breyer-Horse scale and uses small cut out pieces of flexible magnet sheet like that used to turn a business card into a refrigerator magnet.

He uses them for door locks, hold-downs and to hold a roof on to make it removable to view interior details.

It works like a charm!

Stellar Michael!
I have been watching your posts as inspiration as I build mine.

Guys , thanks for the kind words .

I like the idea of the magnets although if I'm going to travel with this baby I do not want anything moving in transit , ie, I cannot afford the chance of the decking or the cab moving whilst travelling within Australia and if I can afford it , out of Australia .Once built this baby is on the timber board by way of 1mm pins in the wheels with a combination of white glue and super glue used on the famo tracks.

Here is a progress shot of where I'm at



First time for me using acrylics on 1/35th figures as I have mainly used Humbrol enamels .Brush painted Humbrol flesh on the heads and arms and the rest is all Vallejo .The humbrol flesh is an excellent base coat for the skin tones before commencing with the oil paints.

There is a ton of work needed on the figures to make them acceptable to fit into the Famo.

Again, more to follow

Michael

Slow progress,

figures gloss coated with Testers gloss coat and a black pinwash used around the figures clothing.
Been awhile doing a face since the trailer driver and its a slow learning curve to get the colours right.Using oil paints for the the face and hands .

Here is 1 figures face done


Michael

Hello again,

Spent some time doing the faces and figures and at the end was not happy with the way they looked so back to the drawing board and stripped them back to start again


So we start again , I may need an optisor to get the fine work done .

Michael

a little bit of detail painting on the engine , changed the rocker covers from silver to black






Michael

Hi Michael,

I use an OptiVisor over cheater glasses and sometimes combine those with a Helping Hands magnifier and I still can't paint as well as you.

Your updates look great. Keep up the great work!

—mike

Great Work! I miss military armor and the lot

Thanks guys ,

here we are with the next installment of images.
I have been working on the photo etch to dress the tray and rear end up , this is a test fit with smaller accesories placed around the main load to break it up along with a figure in the rear deck .




Optivisors to arrive this week so back into the figure painting .

Michael

Hello again , ok so here we are with the next installment

Much more work to do before glueing into position with chipping ,wear and tear.


Michael

I haven't checked in for a while so I have to say how much I like the new work! Lookin good! I would also say buying the optivisor is a very very wise choice as it has helped me a lot!!
J

Thanks Jerry
here is the next installment of images .

Working on the inside of the drivers compartment to show the dirt build up from the shoes and boots .
During this I'm going to start playing around with the Archer placards to go on the instruments panel , the challenge begins




Michael

I've only just noticed this build and can only repeat what others have said - this is excellent work!

The Famo was one of my first 'real' kits (I remember the excitement at the size of the box) so I admit I have a real liking for it.

The painting, weathering etc you've done is brilliant and I love that wooden deck on the trailer.

Thanks Jim .
The box is quite intimidating if you build standard AFV's Once the lid comes off and there are so many sprues it can be quite a daunting task .

The trick is small sections at a time and you achieve the results.
It's like the 1/35th pt boats , same thing ,big projects but built in sections the results come together .

I love a challenge and this beast is it

Michael

Hello again
quick update,
Lower famo gear worked on with weathering and detailing, still more work to do
Placed the tractor beside the trailer and still cannot get over the immense size of this beast .







More to follow

Michael

That is certainly a sizable build! And very well done. You may need an addition to your house though
J

Ha ha ,thanks Jerry
Getting transport box built for Famo now and will be able to place somewhere in one of the crowded corners of hobby room dust free.

Shall post some photo's of transport box when completed

Michael

small update so to speak
Instrument panel painted in Ammo paints and a coat of gloss clear sprayed over the top .

Once the decals are applied a coat of Testers Dullcote will be sprayed over the top to seal the decal .

Then a dob of gloss will be applied on to the speed dials and anywhere where there may be glass covers.

A nice job for the weekend



Michael

small update again ,
All the placards, speedo and dials are now on the instrument panel.
Happy days ,more work to follow





Could not get a a clear photo shot but all 14 decals are on there.


Michael

Hi Michael
What a fantastic build! It just keep getting better and better. Keep up the excellent work.
Jacob

Thanks Jacob

We're getting there....slowly


Michael

Wow really it's necesary this level of details? .....
Great work! !!
Regards from the south
Alvaro

Thanks Alvaro

Being an open cab to look into it gives the viewer more to look at and take in. The aim is to compliment the figures in the cab with the details on the dash.

Michael

Hello,

Progress on figures so far .
Here are 2 examples
The guy on the left is painted in Humbrol enamel with the guy on the right painted in Vallejo acrylics.




And here they stand in the tray