Well after going through Paskal's Buffalo and Guido's builds about a dozen times. Also picking up Rob's 18Bravo's walk around, I decided to open up my kit and jump in. I am mostly going for the out of the box build, as I feel some of the aftermarket PE seem to try too hard, and the detail gets washed out. I am sure I will pop for a few aftermarket bits, but I am going to try not to go too crazy.
Another tough issue is trying to make it a little different as there are so many configurations of this beast, and I don't want
it to be just another Buffalo.
One thing I noticed and I am sorry if others have mentioned it before, but When I was working on step one I was anticipating having to add the web between parts E5 and E8 and also E6 and E7, but I found parts E5 and E6 have the webs installed already.

I was wondering if any one else has seen this on maybe a newer version?

Yes , there is some corrections that Bronco made in their newest bar armour kit.
They have also corrected the engine hood (holes for the windshield's wipers) , add the missing battery box in the rear compartment.

Thanks, I will look a little more closely tomorrow to see the changes.
I am almost positive I do not want to do the bar armor. Not that I am afraid of the work, it is just not my favorite look. I would love to do an A2, but maybe on my second Buffalo. I am leaning toward a CROW turret and maybe the upgraded digger on this build.

A small update...Sorry I don't get a lot of bench time. As I am plugging along I added a little filler to make the front mounts a little better.

Okay...So a small update today. I was assembling the front axle and once I got done with my exercise in frustration I felt that the axle did no justice to the nickname "Buffalo."

I started through my pics from Rob "18Bravo" I found the front knuckle is much heavier than the kit version.

So I started off on building something a little less dainty.

I have a bunch more shaping done and she has her final coat of putty, but my camera died, so only these pics for tonight.

Looking good so far, even though that detail will not be noticed... you will know it's there.







Jeff

Will be watching this - I have it in the stash and want to do the British version, including the British bar-armour which is different from the US stuff included in the kit - then again I do have a bit of a fetish for bar armour

This is the British Buffalo as seen on Salisbury Plain:



(sourced from here with permission: http://plain-military.proboards.com/thread/5450/ex-pashtun-dawn-2014-last )

There are a few differences from the US one (the rear wheels for example) so I need to build up my research into thoe very differences before I start...

I don't remember if you got the "latest" additions to the files which I added about a month ago, but there are so many changes on the Buffalo they should produce a whole new kit. The rear cables on the suspension have been replaced by shocks, the A/C unit adds sits in the back compartment, and the hood has a lot of new details added to it.

Robert...You did send me the new pics.They are Awesome! I may do an A2 later when I am not so rusty.

Jeff, You can see the detail pretty good. Here is the pic of it shaped up.

And here with the knuckles on.

Got to shoot some primer and see how much more work I have, but it is starting to take shape.

A small update...
Worked on the tie rod today, and got it where I like it. Also pined the knuckles with some .020 brass instead of using the inner pivot. I left parts c71 and e43 in to simulate the front axles.

Hi, Jon! I'm with you on the "look" of the Buffalo- I think the "slat armor" detracts from the overall aesthetics of the vehicle, even though many current Buffaloes are equipped with it. I really like the CROW mod, too! I'll depict my Buffalo as a vehicle just prior to the "slat armor" mod- That's going to look nice next to my M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP prior to the TUSK mods, and my various STRYKERs, LAVs and M1117. I'm thinking of picking up another M1A2 SEP to take advantage of the new resin DEF M1A2 SEP V2 update kit...

PS- I also have additional M1A1 HA, AIM, Heavy Common, M1A2 SEP, and an M1 ABV (PERFECT SCALE Conversion)

Nice Dennis. Do you have a link to your builds?
I really want the CROWS, but Blast doesn't offer it right now.
I could do it from scratch and Live Resin, but my skills are a little rusty. Does anyone have dimensions on the CROWS?

Thanks! Unfortunately, I don't have a digital camera or a "smart-phone". I'll probably have to "bite the bullet" and get one... I believe you can get a nice CROWS in the DEF MODELS M1A2 SEP V2 multi-media update kit...