This is my take on Panda's 1/35 M-ATV kit. This is the one with the CROWS II system. I won't be gluing the CROWS stuff to the kit and instead I'll leave it removable so I can place an O-GPK turret from the Cougar kit, the CROWS or a new RWS turret on. I actually mean to post this 2 days ago so there's probably a good 12hours of work on this already.

In addition to the base kit, I'll be using Pro Arts excellent M-ATV upgrade set, Lenses and taillights from SKP, Echelon Mirrors, flexible .50 caliber feed chutes from Live Resin (for both the CROWS and the RIwP), Def Models sagged wheel set, shackles from RB model, guns from Trumpeter and gear from spares. I'll also be using some of the VIC-5 (or VIC-3) system I designed. I also have a CREW Duke system from Ettore Galasso on Shapeways (purchased review will be coming up soon).


In the back you'll see the box for a Meng Abrams TUSK II in progress. Nearly finished with that. Would these two vehicles be close proximity to each other at all in-theater?

Anyway, more pictures.





So far this is the only change I've made to the kit. I replaced the plastic cross-members with cut steel (or some kind of hard metal; definitely isn't copper) wire.



Can anyone help with wiring the brake lines? I'm not sure where they lead to going to the wheels and then to the inner chassis.

I'm going to be using Pascal's build as reference a lot during the rest of this build. It's one heck of a great build reference.

Nice start!

Should be a real beauty with all those extras....

This is looking great and I will be following so it will be easier for me when I begin my M-ATV.

Hi Michael,
I see you have started a model that will take you through a real adventure.
Very small parts, misleading instructions, missing parts, plastic too soft, photoetch sheet without
part numbers and nothing that fits as it should.
But ..... at the end of every nightmare there is relief and your relief will be that the model will come out very nice.
Indeed, despite all the negative points listed above, the Panda M-ATV is a really well detailed model, worth spending a lot of time in building it.

I'm really interested in getting your feedback on my CREW Duke System that you have found in Shapeways.

In the end, some words about the hydraulic lines in the back.
I have made extensive research on the web to get details on where the wires go.
Indeed the clearest pictures I found are in the book by Ralph Zwilling "Oshkosh M-ATV Photo Walkaround" edited by AK Interactive.

In the next days I'll open a topic on my build, I've almost completed the model, and will post some pictures
about how I made the wiring.

Thanks all. I've found that it's easier to assemble than Panda's 4x4 Cougar so that's a relief. My main weakness with this build will be assembling the photoetch.

Ettore, I also recently ordered the CREW Duke cage that you made to replace the ProArt cage that I dread trying to assemble. I'll be waiting for the wiring diagram.

Hi Michael,

Glad to see you posting your work! While this is not an easy kit to build, I really like the end product. To your note above regarding the PE, you're sort of right - while probably not as frustrating to assemble the suspension, you'll need to stay sharp. The instructions are not as clear as they could be. Funny enough, two apparently easy pieces, the PE frames for mounting the front facing, roof spotlights have given me grief - they look easy enough to bend and install...haha - I've not had that experience on a few of these I've built. If you're interested, I've got a few WIP pics in a current dio called "Buffalo and a Backhoe" in the dio section - maybe of some use. As noted above, the AK book is very good - sadly, mine was ruined via a minor flood incident!

Looking forward to seeing your progress!

Nick

Thanks for the tips. And sorry about your book. Unfortunately I can't get one right now.

No pictures for today but I'm skipping all over the place avoiding the PE wherever possible. So far I've built up the CROWS and the rest but now I think I have to start on the PE. I also think I'll be replacing the pretty bad M2 with a Live Resin or some other AM gun. I just can't use the kit gun and I don't think I can spare another Dragon M3 halftrack gun.

Like I said, I dreaded having to solder. I got the first PE assembly sort of finished. The part under the dashboard. Unfortunately it was kinda sloppy on the bottom and I screwed up the placement of the outside tabs. I don't understand why this part couldn't​ have been done in plastic. I don't understand why any of these parts couldn't have been done in plastic.

I admire both your ability and patience to solder PE - I've seen people do this...who knows - maybe a project to try some time. Be prepared for dealing with the coms rack - it looks pretty nice when it's done, but I can't suggest a good way to build it - and that's trying to do so with CA on a few of these kits. While the PE version looks good, I think Panda (or for that matter Eduard or Voyager) could either come up with a better PE set, or like you mention, just make it a thin plastic assembly - like a bustle rack etc. it's a PITA as is...

Looking forward to your next update -
Cheers
Nick

Thanks, but I think you're overstating my soldering abilities. The rack underneath the dash was my first PE solder job ever. Even though it will significantly lengthen the project, I might try to CAD the radio rack and some other pieces to make it easier. At least I'll then have a back up if I screw up the rack (I have a sneaking suspicion I will). I will definitely attempt the PE rack, I wouldn't be a builder if I didn't, but first I'll try to get one of those Helping-Hands multi-arm clamp devices to help. Anyway, onwards to PE crazy-town. Tomorrow I'll definitely have pictures of the progress I've made.

Progress on the M-ATV. Not much progress but some. The CREW Duke rack is also from Ettore Gallasso. VIC-3 set is from me. I'll definitely be using the two large 3D printed Duke boxes but for the control box I might use the Pro Art one.