Pascal's Cougar MRAP 4X4-Panda 1/35
Al Qahirah, Egypt / لعربية
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
Armorama: 6,363 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 25, 2014 - 12:15 AM UTC
Roger.. if you are an extremely patient man, and you're willing to sit and study each step in detail and see how each part is supposed to be glued, and then look again to see what makes sense.. then after studying the step, try to dry fit each part several times.. and if you have some plastic sheet and rod on hand to possibly replace certain things... then the kit will be "buildable".. and I still plan on building it, but just now right now.. maybe when I have some time off from work and have a few full days to tackle it

Hisham
Joined: April 22, 2007
KitMaker: 35 posts
Armorama: 33 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 25, 2014 - 01:55 AM UTC
Let's not write this one off yet. I started today (almost didn't after Pascal's first posts!!) have just finished stage 3. Provided you study the instructions very carefully, look exactly at the way the parts are shown and are patient it goes together well, the parts fit very nicely so far. I've also been comparing with Robert Skipper's excellent pics and the underside so far is pretty spot on in terms of accuracy.
Only issues I've found so far are the ones Pascal and Hisham have identified - part A23 in stage one is in fact B10 and the ring bolts around the front - and also the rear springs - are too short. If you don't want to use wire instead I found deepening the slot on the springs slightly with a razor saw / file fixed it. Also because of the way the front wheels mount (1 ball mount and 2 other attachment tabs) I'll be interested to see if resin replacements appear.
So I think we should reserve judgement and persevere!!
Kildare, Ireland
Joined: November 21, 2007
KitMaker: 3,212 posts
Armorama: 2,807 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 25, 2014 - 06:48 PM UTC
That is disapointing. Yes, it probably can be made into a decent model but personally I can do without the hassle. I was looking forward to adding this to thr collection of modern wheeled vehicles. Hopefully the Kinetic 6x6 will be an easier build.
Connecticut, United States
Joined: March 25, 2006
KitMaker: 485 posts
Armorama: 353 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 25, 2014 - 08:01 PM UTC
I'm sorry in this day and age for company's not to double check for mistakes in the instructions is just poor!And to have this many issues with quality come on Panda.With every kit you should learn from your mistakes and strive to make each kit better than the last one.I will pass again on this kit and wait for the MENG kit!
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Joined: January 26, 2007
KitMaker: 1,024 posts
Armorama: 1,013 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 25, 2014 - 10:14 PM UTC
Sad to see that they did not improve too much from their first kits.
But that's why I feared about the suspenssion buildability and accuracy.
Another Panda kit I will pass from...
Thanks Pascal for your always great help and advice with these threads!!!
It's not too much, but it's all we got...
Moselle, France
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 1,416 posts
Armorama: 1,379 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 28, 2014 - 04:06 PM UTC
Despite all Panda's notice approximation, i continue with the assembling from interior, details are not so bad:


Sao Paulo, Brazil
Joined: January 24, 2012
KitMaker: 1,054 posts
Armorama: 1,050 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 28, 2014 - 04:51 PM UTC
Hi Pascal!
I almost bought this model. After all I saw, I'll wait for the Meng's one.
Thank you!
Marco
United States
Joined: November 12, 2013
KitMaker: 37 posts
Armorama: 34 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 28, 2014 - 11:47 PM UTC
I wish someone would come out with an RG33 SOCOM.

#354
England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: January 06, 2013
KitMaker: 184 posts
Armorama: 178 posts
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2014 - 11:27 AM UTC
Oh dear will Panda ever get it right????
On The Bench:
AFV Club Scimitar/HKCW Falklands Conversion
Accurate Armour FV434
www.facebook.com/groups/modernbritisharmoursig
Bayern, Germany
Joined: October 14, 2008
KitMaker: 4,099 posts
Armorama: 4,067 posts
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2014 - 12:51 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I wish someone would come out with an RG33 SOCOM.
Nothing is impossible these days!
CAD Images mean nothing.
What does a rivet counter count on a cast or welded tank hull?
Västra Götaland, Sweden
Joined: November 12, 2010
KitMaker: 950 posts
Armorama: 905 posts
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2014 - 06:49 PM UTC
Looking forward to follow your build Pascal, the interiour don't look to be so bad... Think i will get this kit anyway....

#429
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: October 14, 2003
KitMaker: 1,086 posts
Armorama: 964 posts
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2014 - 07:24 PM UTC
Mine arrived Saturday from Sprue Brothers, I've been watching this progress and trying to find a few quiet hours to tackle the suspension. So far no plastic has been cut, Christmas break cuts into the bench time!! Thanks to Pascal and Hisham for the heads up on the mistake in the instructions and the fit issues.
Doc Ski
HM1(ret.) USN
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and under a just God, cannot long retain it." Abraham Lincoln
Moselle, France
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 1,416 posts
Armorama: 1,379 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - 03:34 PM UTC
Al Qahirah, Egypt / لعربية
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
Armorama: 6,363 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - 06:15 PM UTC
Well, I didn't want to be the quitter in the group, so I decided to continue building the suspension... and I do have one good thing to say about this kit, and that is... I now feel that I can pretty much build anything



Happy New Year to all
Hisham
Al Qahirah, Egypt / لعربية
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
Armorama: 6,363 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - 06:54 PM UTC
What's funny is that after all the scraping and bending to get things to kind of fit... all four wheels actually sit on the ground


Hisham
Moselle, France
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 1,416 posts
Armorama: 1,379 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - 07:48 PM UTC
Thanks Hisham, but it is not a group build post, feel free to create your own post for your own pictures TIA
Al Qahirah, Egypt / لعربية
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
Armorama: 6,363 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - 07:56 PM UTC
Yes, I know.. I'm sorry, just wanted to say that I won't quit building it. I won't post anymore pics here.. promise

Hisham
Ontario, Canada
Joined: November 10, 2010
KitMaker: 587 posts
Armorama: 550 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - 07:58 PM UTC
Despite the difficulties Hisham and Pascal have had, the overall model looks pretty good. Thanks Pascal looking forward to getting mine soon..
Moselle, France
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 1,416 posts
Armorama: 1,379 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 01, 2015 - 03:15 PM UTC
Some progress :
Västra Götaland, Sweden
Joined: November 12, 2010
KitMaker: 950 posts
Armorama: 905 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 01, 2015 - 09:35 PM UTC
Looking good, it dont look to be a so bad kit...
Looking forward to see it painted..
Västra Götaland, Sweden
Joined: November 12, 2010
KitMaker: 950 posts
Armorama: 905 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2015 - 02:10 AM UTC
Any more news on your cougar build, looking forward to see the continue of your building
Moselle, France
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 1,416 posts
Armorama: 1,379 posts
Posted: Monday, January 19, 2015 - 08:31 PM UTC
Nothing new for the Cougar 4X4 as I have another kit to finish. But I just received the 6X6 Mengs Cougar :
And it look more easy to build !
Ontario, Canada
Joined: November 10, 2010
KitMaker: 587 posts
Armorama: 550 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 12:06 AM UTC
Pascal can you please do a build thread on the Meng Cougar. I am debating purchasing one but want to see inside the box first.
Västra Götaland, Sweden
Joined: November 12, 2010
KitMaker: 950 posts
Armorama: 905 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 03:34 AM UTC
Ooh, a big box

hope mine arrives soon too...
How does the interior look like, well detailed? And the windows are they option in the kit like the D9R bulldozer from Meng, a clear and one green version so you dont have to paint them...?
Looking forward to follow your next build....
Anything new on the Bronco Buffalo kit :-)
Michigan, United States
Joined: February 16, 2013
KitMaker: 28 posts
Armorama: 22 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 05:47 AM UTC
Please post sprue pics if possible. I am very much looking forward to this.