Hi fellow model builders - well, I have not finished my recent blade runner project - honestly, i got sick of wiring. So, as I will eventually finish, I'm not that worried about it.

However - I really did want to actually build something, so here we go!

Some of you might remember, I built an armored JCB backhoe some time ago - and I have a Bronco Buffalo in the stash, and I recently saw a photo of the two together - so, that's what I'm building - eventually into a recon dio

The bronco Buffalo is a pretty intense kit - not as painful as my favorite Panda MATV (of which there will be one here too), but pretty tedious - adding to the this, I'm adding all sorts of PE - regular stuff and slat armor. It's been a lot of work so far, but, what the heck? another fun project - please take a look:

So, first up - I'm not using the green glass tint, or sheets of green film for the windows - I don't like the results from either approach - so, I'll keep the glass clear and soldiers painted - too bad you'll barely see these guys or the interior, but they both look pretty good:



They don't look bad

Now - on to buffalo-brass-arama:









And there you have it! in addition to brass, you'll see some scratch work too - and assorted bits and so on. Not easy - but I'm feeling pretty good so far! I'm using a book and on-line pics for references - but -I am doing some mixing and matching -we'll see how it turns out

Below - a couple of pics of the scratch-o-rama backhoe to be used too:






above - the backhoe per me - below, the real deal:



So, we'll see where this takes us - thanks very much for taking a look -

Cheers

Nick

As always, nice project and details thus far Nick. I also have a buffalo bronco kit to build on my to do list. Everything I've read on it from previous forums the build is a bit long to complete but the finished model looks great. There was a SBS here from Pascal done a while ago but the images are longer available... I was planning on using it as a reference but I will have to find another when my time finally comes around to build that beast. Thanks for sharing your new project again. I will keep an eye on this one as well.

JGphins

Both of those vehicles are mind blowing in their intensity and overwhelming amount of detail,both added in brass or scratched from nothing. I can't believe still how fast you seem to crank these show stoppers out of thin air !
Seriously man,do you ever sleep ?
J

Hi Nick! – I had a feeling you were up to something. I love those hydraulics! 🌟BLING! 😎

—mike

Nick another WOW-O-RAMA!

Can we give you an award for what seems like the most complex and detailed work done in the most unbelievably small amounts of time? Really dude, this stuff is incredible. Love the idea and I'll be watching closely.

-Conor

Also, great figures. You really have improved on them over the past build logs on here.

I can fully relate Nick! Wiring is the least favourite thing to do with building, I'm sure of it.

Looking forward to the next update of the Fabulous Stick Show!

Cheers to you too.

Hey guys - thanks for taking the time to comment - I appreciate it

Joaquin, I'll bet you'll like the Buffalo - it's a nice kit, but does take some patience to get right - I'll bet it will look good on your dio. It's pretty big though - surprised me a bit...your dio is looking great!

Hi Jerry - yeah, you know I'm always looking for something of a challenge - once I get going it's hard to stop. Glad it gets your nod!

Hey Mike - thanks - I took the hydraulics pretty seriously - I'll bet this could be built following the instructions, and have something nice - why do that tho? Lol

Hi Mike - you know I've been watching your builds! Always inspiring - hence, why not go for it? - thanks -

Hi Conor - thanks for dropping by - and the positive word on the figures. I think I finally have a decent approach - practice, practice - - and then, do more...

Hi Dave - yeah...wiring - what an out of scale headache!! The results are nice, but man - as you know...lots of work. Funny, all the hydraulic lines? - the solder from my wiring project!! Doesn't and won't light up, but I like the results! Thanks

Thanks guys - I'm still adding brass to the buffalo - lots of PE slat armor, and some more scratch built slat armor....I'll add a bit more to the kit now, then paint it, and add the rest once it's weathered etc. I can't figure out how to paint and weather it all at once -

Cheers
Nick

Hey Nick,

Wow! Those models look great! I am always amazed at the detail you put into your models in such a short period of time. Just one of those vehicles would take me over a year to put all of those parts on and they wouldn't look as nice as yours. I look forward to seeing this project progress to completion.

Cheers,
James

HI James - thanks for the positive words - they are appreciated!

This Buffalo is turning into a really challenging and fun build - my skill level and patience are being tested throughout! I have made headway, though, with my truly not good pictures (sorry, the light was bad and I took them anyway), it might be hard to see what I've done. Believe it or not, a lot has been added - armor on the windshield, along the back, a scratch built gate that was a handful and several bits and pieces -

Still a bit more to go before primer - but, we're close -Please take a look - again, sorry about the low quality pictures....

Oh - yes, one more thing - this model is pretty big, well, really, long - please see the metal ruler - it is just over a foot in length:













And there you have it - as for that rear gate - I don't have a reference picture for that, but, using the PE armor kit, they leave a big gap between the armor on either side of the ladder - Maybe it's like that in real life (no gate/wide space), but, if this were my ride, I'd fill the gap, so I did.

Ok - thanks for having a look -

cheers
Nick

That is one giant freekin photo etch nightmare ! I think the only thing in scale more complicated than this is maybe a full rigged,under sail sailing ship.
J

you still have sanity after that thing???

HI Model builders - back with an update - I have not had much time, and this build has been a reach challenge!! - no, really! wow...ok - please take a look:





















OK - there you have it! sorry - no time for words today - but, am pleased to share the work!

take care

NIck

No words are needed !!! It absolutely looks like the real thing. That is one enormously complicated piece of gear there.
Seriously,this would take me about a year to build,if that.
J

Nick,
That is one seriously sick build. Where do you come up with these amazing works? Do you have the ray from "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids".

Your work is nothing short of amazing. I feel bad that I can only work a week at a time and get little done during that time!

Freaking fantastic.

Love the outdoor/daylight photography!

That place next door - do they build custom sailboats or maybe theatrical scenery???

Ho-ly Scale Illusion.....or rather, this is just off the scale of excellence Nick, as are the photos.

On a practical level - how do you handle this gem? I mean how do you move it around? I can only think – assuming the wheels turn – you roll it into/out of a (cushioned) box?

Whatever, just brilliant.

Tim

Hi guys, thanks for taking a few minutes and leaving your comments - I appreciate them all!

Hi Jerry - yes, this was a complicated and frequently frustrating build - not that the parts didn't go together - but, more than once a third hand would have helped, and many of the assemblies were pretty complex - really a fun challenge!

Hi Patrick - I appreciate your words! Work (real job that is) has been pretty intense - the complex model was a great distraction - an ideal way to get away from it all!

Hi Mike - in addition to your incredible eye for trucks, you clearly have an interest in architecture too! The building was once some sort of warehouse or home for light industry - now a school for urban hipsters! It's a nice backdrop for models too...

Hi Tim - you are the master of scale illusions! I do have fun with these outdoor pics - I place the models on a big concrete bench in my nhood park - the sun light really brings the builds to life. As to handling this build, care has to be taken - between the photo etch/metal slat armor, antennas, and other parts like the hydraulic arm - the parts almost beg to be broken off! Now the task is to not wreck the build before it goes onto a dio!

Ok - on to the next build - either a burned out truck, or an MATV...tbd which first...

Thanks for having a look -

Cheers
Nick

that thing is just wicked and intimating looking. As is the HMEE. This will be another awesome dio!!

Amazing looking results Nick to no surprise as always. I've been busy myself with many life challenges taking care of my sick father, and my knuckle head son... I thought that once I ETS from the Army that life would had been easier but it's been more hectic then ever. Hoping tides will change soon and bring better days. Till then, looking at the wonderful builds and progress here will have to do for the time being...

Thanks for sharing & I look forward to your next update.

JGphins

Hi guys -- a quick update today - No time...

JG - ha - yes, life's complications....or, realities...maybe why building models is sort of fun...

OK - the burned out technical -It went a LOT faster than I had guessed:









and with some paint...













And there you have it - a pickup that met a not good fate...interesting to build though, and will be a key element in this dio if i ever get it together!

thanks for having a look!

cheers
NIck

This looks great and very effective work on the weathering and rust and fire damage as well. After that last metal nightmare anything would seem to go together quickly.
J

This Buffalo is very impressive. The top view is very interesting because it shows where are going cables of search lights. Congrats for this spectular model !

Beautiful paint job on the pickup Nick, you nailed the colours as usual. Just a little nit-pick - those front indicator covers would surely have melted...? Looking forward to seeing this coming together

Cheers, Tim

Meng pickup?