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Armor/AFV: Softskins
Softskins group discussions.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Build blog - Australian SF Land Rover 1:35th
Bricksy1969
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Posted: Monday, March 27, 2017 - 08:28 PM UTC
G'day (sorry couldn't help it).

I have ben passed the rather excellent Blackdog SF land Rover conversion to build and blog along the way.

Part of the Parentie adaptation of the 110 land rover (including the 6x 6 ) the 4x4 was produced and subsequently adapted for Special Forces use.

The vehicles have seen extensive use in both Iraq and Afghanistan over the last few years.



For the base kit I will be utilising the Hobbyboss Land Rover WMIK w/ MILAN ATGM 82447 (without the Milan )



The Blackdog set is as per Darren's recent review but with the addition of stowage

here
Bricksy1969
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Posted: Monday, March 27, 2017 - 08:45 PM UTC
Heres what you get in the box - will post sprue shots later...

roygdarwin
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Posted: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 - 12:23 AM UTC
I have the same kit to build but I don't have the blak dog kit ,I olny have the basic kit. yours looks like a nines. have a good day.
JohnTapsell
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Posted: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 - 02:42 AM UTC
You might want to check the BD set against that photo you posted. The roll cage bars are too thick on the BD set compared to those in the photo of the real vehicle. That goes for the hull bars and the roll cage too.

Also, having built several Hobbyboss Landies, I'd recommend that you modify the suspension (too high) and wheel track (too wide). That's why the Black Dog vehicle looks 'pimped'.

With the amount of weight carried by a fully stowed WMIK or SASR Landy, the wheels are tucked much more into the wheel arches - I sliced off the top-most 'ring' of each coil spring to achieve this - you may also need to shave off the bump stops under the chassis to avoid problems with the changed height.

Making the wheel track narrower is a bit more tricky but it makes a heck of a lot of difference to the final look of the vehicle.

Regards,
John


35th-scale
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Posted: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 - 03:01 AM UTC
Following with interest Paul.....
Bricksy1969
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Posted: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 - 02:48 PM UTC

Quoted Text

You might want to check the BD set against that photo you posted. The roll cage bars are too thick on the BD set compared to those in the photo of the real vehicle. That goes for the hull bars and the roll cage too.

Also, having built several Hobbyboss Landies, I'd recommend that you modify the suspension (too high) and wheel track (too wide). That's why the Black Dog vehicle looks 'pimped'



With the amount of weight carried by a fully stowed WMIK or SASR Landy, the wheels are tucked much more into the wheel arches - I sliced off the top-most 'ring' of each coil spring to achieve this - you may also need to shave off the bump stops under the chassis to avoid problems with the changed height.

Making the wheel track narrower is a bit more tricky but it makes a heck of a lot of difference to the final look of the vehicle.

Regards,
John




Thanks John - yes totally agree on the pimped up comment - built the AA version and it was positively high !

I will be looking at reducing the ride height - any idea on the width element - what sort of distance we talking to reduce it to

Paul
arleighburke
Joined: April 22, 2007
KitMaker: 35 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 01:44 AM UTC
Hi Paul,

Will be following this with real interest - sets on order already. BlackDog should be highly commended for their focus on offering special forces conversion sets (US LMTV's/FMTV's, HUMVEES, Belgian Unimogs, etc.) Land Rovers and other unusual subjects.

You'll be interested in Ben's review here on 8 March if you haven't seen it.

https://www.facebook.com/Bens-Scale-Models-page-1354527447900976/?pnref=story

His comments on the wheel (I have the Shapeways set too) and basket are spot on. PH Designs offer an accurate etched basket btw.

http://www.phd-design-etchings.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=20

But less rivet counting. I do hope BlackDog do the 6x6 LRPV although this is a completely different kettle of fish in every dimension but Ben has built a great one.

The Aussie RFSV is not so far off this conversion(BlackDog are you listening?)- same wheels, bulbar, no WMIK cage just a high canopy, interior boxes, seat, etc. - amongst other things. So here's hoping BlackDog?

Anyway, looking forward to the build Paul.

Bricksy1969
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Posted: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 12:40 PM UTC
Well I had a good look at the resin last night - nicely moulded and clean - as Darren has said in his review some items have detached from their plugs but nothing broken.

One area that is disappointing is the instructions - not the best (think Accurate armour of old) - will certainly make the build more entertaining.

Having looked at the contents there seems to be some odd additions (see the red circled below -) have no idea what this is!

Bricksy1969
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Posted: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 02:46 PM UTC
Well having done some investigation - it would appear that Blackdog have put the Unimog conversion set into the box!!!

There's me thinking I had gone mad! - just need to get hold of a Unimog now!!

2805662
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Posted: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 03:26 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Well having done some investigation - it would appear that Blackdog have put the Unimog conversion set into the box!!!

There's me thinking I had gone mad! - just need to get hold of a Unimog now!!



That's not an Australian SOCOMD Unimog, though.
Bricksy1969
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Posted: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 03:31 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Well having done some investigation - it would appear that Blackdog have put the Unimog conversion set into the box!!!

There's me thinking I had gone mad! - just need to get hold of a Unimog now!!



That's not an Australian SOCOMD Unimog, though.


Its also not a landrover!
WarWheels
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Posted: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 05:03 PM UTC
I'm also looking forward to following your progress Paul.
35th-scale
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Posted: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 07:42 PM UTC
The challenge is to make it fit a Landrover. No pressure 🙄
HermannB
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Posted: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 07:58 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Well having done some investigation - it would appear that Blackdog have put the Unimog conversion set into the box!!!

There's me thinking I had gone mad! - just need to get hold of a Unimog now!!



Revell just re-released the "Mog" this year.

https://www.revell.de/produkte/modellbau/militaer-und-figuren/fahrzeuge-modern/id/03082.html
arleighburke
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Posted: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 09:34 PM UTC
That's hilarious. Mind you, putting that lot on a Hobby Boss Land Rover will probably solve the suspension ride height problem
JohnTapsell
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Posted: Thursday, March 30, 2017 - 01:30 AM UTC
Hi Paul,

Don't have access to my references this week but I know I noted down how to change the wheel track width. The first attempt was complicated but then I suddenly realised there was an easier way to do it - I think I even photographed a 'before and after' unit to show the difference.

I'll hunt down the photo and description when I get home at the weekend.

Regards,
John
RLlockie
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Posted: Thursday, March 30, 2017 - 11:55 AM UTC
Interesting that the review did not detect this fact, if indeed the kit contains a set of parts that does not match the description at all. Rather confirms the value of in box reviews.
Bricksy1969
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Posted: Thursday, March 30, 2017 - 05:59 PM UTC
Thanks guys

Right who has instructions for the Unimog conversion set from Blackdog

JohnTapsell
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Posted: Friday, March 31, 2017 - 12:48 AM UTC
Hi Paul,

In answer to your question about the Landrover wheel track, I removed 2mm off each side of the axle (making it 4mm narrower in total). I removed the outer axle stubs, shortened the axle and then re-attached the axle stubs. I drilled both the axle stubs and the axles so that I could fit a brass pin to strengthen the resulting joints. You'll need to use this method if you are intending to fit aftermarket wheels.

If you are using the kit-supplied wheels and tyres, then you can cheat - the wheel hubs (parts C21) have a protruding collar on the rear face. You can carve this away until the collar sits flush with the inner rim (see below). You'll need to reduce the pins in the axles by about 2mm to allow the hub to fit, but it's an easier and quicker way to achieve the same result.

Regards,
John

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