Hi all,
I finally decided to tackle this model. Not a lot to say about the assembly as this has already been thoroughly covered by a number of talented members here.
I just adapted the instructions to the French Buffalo features that Bronco totally missed except the side bars between the wheels. The French Buffalos used a different lay-out for the radios, they did not have the cameras on top of the roof.
Concerning the mods I made to the kit, I trimmed the spare wheel supports as they were too large for the wheel to properly sit. I also removed the molded on boltheads. I added the piping for the brake chambers and did the whole hydraulic piping on the arm. I still need to do the piping from the control box on the front bumper.

Here are some pics of the detailed arm. Hopefully I'll post pictures of the Buffalo with the base color on later this week-end.









Olivier

Looks like I did something wrong when opening this topic. Please could a moderator remove the two other identical topics?

TIA
Olivier

Looking nice Olivier, will you build a French version used in Afghanistan?

Thank you Roger. Yes I intend to build it as during the early stage of its deployment.

Will you have something similiar like this, like blast model have for their VAB , anti ied ? I think i have seen a photo of a french buffalo with these on the roof? Or are they not used on Buffalo? Or is it used later as you say you will build a early version... http://www.phpshopxml.com/blamod.shop/CID/4fcb5e1fe68416d7a459612fa25a176f/function/itemPageDisplay/shopItemCode/BL35156K

Will be fun to follow your build and to see the kit painted as i like the French colors very much.

Roger
at the early stage of deployment, the French Buffalo did not have any anti IED systems fitted. These came later on as well as the bar armor.

Here are the first pics with the paint on.





The sand is a mix of XF59 desert yellow, XF3 flat yellow and XF2 flat white.

For those willing to depict a French Buffalo be aware that the camo scheme provided by Bronco is pure fantasy. Check your refs!

Wow looks great!!

I say the same, very good

A small update. Still waiting for my tin roll to finish the hydraulic lines on the front bumper.
I'll apply the service stencils that are omitted by Bronco in the instructions. This is not a problem as they are the original ones.





Olivier

Olivier !

I always suspected you being a very brave man !
Nice build .... I'm still too chicken to tackle mine

Cheers
Christopher

Thanks Christopher

Brave is quite strong for just a hobby
Let's say, I wanted to detail it a bit.

Here is the base of the arm.





The build is close to the end.
Olivier

Awesome detail shots. I have a Buffalo making its way here (not thanking Rob for his walkaround here! ).
I will surely not achieve that kind of results, but these are great inspirational pictures.

Excellent build Olivier, great to see all the details added. Keep on the good work!

cheers
Walter

Very nice so far. Good job!

Thanks for the comments guys.
I fear this will be on hold for a couple of months due to professional reasons which will keep me away from the workbench.
Unfortunately, I still haven't got the material to complete the hydraulic lines from the control box on the front bumper.

For sure, I'll be back
Olivier

Well never says never according to the saying!

I finally got my solder wire to complete the hydraulic lines.
Here is the result.







Next step the painting when the temperature is more suitable.
Olivier

It looks fantastic Olivier!

Cheers!

Marco

Looks great!

Let me as you Oliver, when working with the solder wiring to you end up having to take a while to make those where you might mess a bend up and throw it out, or are you able to do it pretty easily? For me the idea and concept of using the thin and flexible solder seems so easy until I try to actually do it, and I eventually become frustrated that its not perfect.

Thanks for the comments

James, I did not find it difficult to work with this solder wire. It is 0.3mm thin so it's qute flexible. At first I feared it wouldn't glue well due to the tiny contact surface and the weight of the piece of wire but all when together well. I just ensured the end to glue was cut straight to improve the contact.

Olivier

Hi all,
after a 6-month break, I resumed this build yesterday. I attached the hydraulic arm.
Then I brushed some satin varnish to apply the decals and facilitate the weathering.
Here are some pics:







Olivier

Very nice Olivier, looking forward to see more of it, and i like the colors very much
Ps: how did you do the green on the windows? Very nice ...

Could the Bronco be build OOTB as a French one? Theres one laying in the shelf of my LHS, but I am hesitant to buy it for 95 Euros.

Roger, the green of the windows is some Tamiya clear green sprayed on the inner face.

Hans-Hermann, the initial Bronco kit gives you the parts to build a French Buffalo. Basically, those parts are the bars between the front and rear axles. The interior is a bit different but you can't see much of it with the tinted windows.
The main issue with Bronco instructions is they don't give you correct indications to build the French vehicle. It is named option 3 but you have to refer to your own ref pics to check the kit instructions. For example, the painting scheme is wrong. The decals are not correct for an early French Buffalo. The anti-IED devices do not match the French systems if you stick to the instructions.
So, yes, you can build it in a French one with what you get in the box but don't follow the instructions.

Olivier

Looks lovely Oliver. And the tiny detail work is so neat....I don't know how you do it.
The solder attachments to the control box look like they have bits of styrene at the ends...and do you use SuperGlue for solder wire?

Thanks
Sean