Now the Turret ring.

There is a box that goes on the back of the turret , I used the clips on it to hold it in place while gluing it. Then trimmed the clips off and filled the openings there.



Finished for today.
Donald

Wow Donald! You are flying through this build! Nice work.

Nick

Here is some more work on the Turret.

I glued the Turret gear ring to the inner body top.

The instructions have you snap fit it to the turret bottom to hold the turret to the body (TOY)

Working on the parts for the Turret bottom, this part needs to be covered with some thin sheet stock , otherwise a large opening in the side closest to the turret bottom will be seen.

Once the parts are installed you will need to trim as shown to get the part to fit over the gear ring that is attached to the body top.


This is what I was talking about , either cover it or look at a large open area.

That's all for now.
Donald

I have more of the Turret finished.

Slip the gear box over the Gear ring first, this is why you should trim its bottom as shown previously .

Below is how it looks when installed correctly .

The Hatch and upper armor is installed.


I'm working on all the rest of the little parts, when I get them done I can start the main assembly.
Donald

I almost ruined this build, I was trying to tint the clear parts using a mix of 50 / 50 Tamiya clear Blue & Clear Green. It came out way to dark, like sunglasses finish. I soaked the clear parts in 91 percent Alcohol , it removed the paint and gave the clear parts a slight Blue / Green tint. I think I better leave it there, before I really mess it up.

I masked off the clear areas with blue tape.

Then installed the clear parts and painted them.

Finished for today.
Donald

I have some more finished.


I blocked off behind the grill with some sheet plastic painted black.

For the rear fenders you should paint them before adding the storage boxes.

Part of the rear upper frame.

Here the interior is installed , man was it tricky to get it in there.

It should be even as shown here, or things will not line up.

Test fitted to the frame.

I used screws and glue to join them together.
You really should add a drive shaft, most of it will not be seen, but some will.

Like so.

It's a really tight fit to get the lower armor plate to fit.

I'm not shure what the pipe is fore, and why it hooks up where it does. Where's the fuel tanks? This is rather dumb of Trumpeter to do this

That's all for now.
Donald

looks like a breather pipe when you go wading so the pressure can release when hot metal and cold water mix together.

Donald, please look at some reference photos of an M-ATV. The windows on the cab are not any shade of blue or green. They are yellow. I have poured over hundreds of reference photos and you can clearly see in most a very clear amber tint. turret windows can be left as is.

Regards,

Eric

A little more finished.


The hole where the Mg. fits on the cradle is too small.

I filled the screw holes.

A little chain work on the steps.



Donald

I added some wiring on the back of the cab from the various antenna,
It's probably wrong but I think it looks OK.


I'm happy with how the exhaust pipe came out.

I'm all finished here.

Here are some of my thoughts on this kit and build.

#1 This kit is part Model and part Toy.
#2 It could have been really great if Trumpeter had left out the toy part and concentrated on a model kit.
#3 For the rivet counters out there, I know that some of the build is not quite accurate Hell most of it probably isn't accurate.
#4 Was it fun? No not really, I almost trashed it a few times.
#5 Would I recommend it? No not really
#6 Finally for you who will try it (Good Luck)

Donald

Looks really great, Donald. Can't wait to see the next one!

I was close to buying this not too long ago, I'm glad I didn't, while it's nice it's in 1/16th scale, it lacks a ton of detail for the price, and I'll agree with you big time that it's way more Toy then model.

I'll stick to the 1/35 MRAPS and the other ones that are out there.