Hello everyone. I'm building Miniart's U.S. 4x4 Truck Bantam BRC40 w/Crew (#35014) and thought I would do a build blog here of this interesting little kit.





As you can see from the parts in the box the first thing I noticed was all the flash on the parts, some parts have a lot such as the chassis and tires and others have only a little, but it seems there is some flash everywhere..

Delbert

Part 2, The Chassis

There was some pin damage on the main chassis part, but it will be mostly unseen when the build is complete, and there is a lot of flash on this kit.. I still have some to trim and sand here and there..

anyways here is some pics of the chassis.. lots of small parts and some were difficult to line up esp building the springs and shocks assembly, also beware of some teeny tiny pieces, but so far so good.






Delbert

Looking good so far. I too have this kit along with a set of Archer instrument decals and early (more accurate) Def Models wheels for it. I'll be following to see how it goes.

I too have the Archer decals for the instrument decals, I can't believe they left something so visible off the kit...

I also have some PE instrument gauge (edges, lip, circles,) that look like they might be the right size to use for arond the gauges.

Delbert

Ahhhhhhhh......

Attack of the flying part.....

Was being very careful and still this little part found the floor.. spent about 40 minutes searching for it.. found bits of cat litter that were larger...(lol) anyways my hobby area's floor is very clean now.. (linoleum).

Decided to try out my new macro lens setup for small details with my camera and took this photo.. I call it Found, one BRC40 foot pedel.



Delbert.

P.S. I hope everyone finds this painfully humorous.

Hello everyone..

I finally have some more done on the Bantam did some body work and inside work. I have to say the really small parts in this mini-art kit are very fragile. Esp the gearshift and other thin parts. It broke while I was trying to place it with the tweezers. Took an hour to get glued together right... so be warned if anyone gets one of these.

I have one on the "to do" pile as well. I noticed the seams on your rear bumpers. Maybe hit it with a rat tail file?

Hello everyone..

Got some more work done on the BRC-40. I know its going slow but winter is not my best building time.

Now for a few things I've noticed in the assembly.

The chassis and body didn't match up very well as there was some warpage between one end and the other.. here is where the fragile parts got me again as while applying some pressure to get the front of the body to glue to the chassis correctly some of the the very very thin grill slats broke, something i'm working on fixing slowly. I recommend that anyone who has this also glue the front down first and apply the pressure to the back of the model, less fragile parts to break.

Also fitting the back half of the tire to the front piece took some work the front of the tire looks great but getting the back piece in without a seam is a little frustrating. (this is one of the things that would prob be best improved with one of the aftermarket offerings.)

there were a few very small fiddly bits on the body and I'm surprised I didn't break or lose any, esp the hood latches.



thanks for looking
Delbert

Ok everyone here is the next update... been a bit I know but bear with me I will finish this one..

I got some painting done.. a base of dark olive drab then a lighter coat of Olive drab over that for some shadows and highlights.. here is a photo.. it will prob blend a little more after some weathering..



Also did the tires and wheels.. base of Floquil Weathered Black, followed by the base OD and then the lighter OD to really try and bring out the details.




Thanks for looking

Delbert..

very nice build so far .cant wait to see it all done /

another update

Got the first clear coat on.. did the decals very basic for the vehicle... added Archers Dash Placards and Gauges.. can't really understand why the kit didn't include them.. did some of the detail painting a lot left to go and will do some light weathering..

here is an update on my Bantam BTR-40

got most of the detail painting done.. some of the weathering can't get the seats exactly how I want them yet.. here is a photo..

This is coming out very nicely. Great job.

another update

I took this photo with no flash using day lighting to give a better view of the colors..

I've weathered it up with some AK Interactive Dust Effects and some Dust pigments. I think I have it toned down to a more military look.. the pigments are a little heavy in places but will be toned down more when I spray my flat coat on..

I am going for a dusty look of a vehicle thats been out the field being used as a Jeep




Just a side note.. the windscreen has disappeared, either a cat got it, and/or the wife's vacuum got it. I will continue looking for it, but I will also continue the build as I am enjoying it.

Delbert

This build has been lots of fun, and I really enjoyed building this kit for the most part.

Here are some pics of the finished Bantam..











The one think I am not thrilled with are the kit decals, they didn't come out the best.



Delbert