Puma Batash with Doghouse and Nochri Dalet
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 02:19 AM UTC
First of all, I have to thank the people from Armorama from entrusting me with the Legend sets for this build log. I really appreciate it and their contribution is very important.
Introduction.
The Israeli Defense Force has the tendency to let nothing go to waste. So they came up with a number of uses for their Centurion tank hulls, after they were phased out from use. One of the vehicles is the Puma, which is an acronym for Poretz Mokshim Handasati (minefield break through vehicle), in use by the Combat Engineer Corps or Heil HaHandasa HaKravit. The Puma's role is to provide protection and fire support for the Engineers as they clear paths through minefields or during other frontline tasks. The latest version of the Puma is the Puma Batash, with improved armored modules and enhanced crew protection.
In the next posts I will try to post a build review of conversion set no. LF1360 and the Doghouse supplementary set no. 1364 using the HobbyBoss Puma kit with Nochri mine roller adapter set no LF1332 and Meng’s Nochri Dalet. I have not found photographic evidence of a Puma Batash with Doghouse and Nochri Dalet mine roller but it is feasible.
Starting with the HobbyBoss kit, I did not follow the instructions and assembled the basic parts of the hull, since I do not like assembling parts with lots of added details.
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 02:23 AM UTC
Then I assembled the wheels. There are two sets of wheels provided, one with three hole rims and one with five hole rims. Photos show vehicles with both types of wheels mounted. I decided to use the five hole rims since they are a later variant. Hobbyboss in their Puma kits offers something similar to the AFV Club Centurion kits, e.g. plastic rims and rubber like outer wheels, with part of the rim molded on. The good thing is that the material used can be glued with plastic cement, so I did glue the rims with the rubber parts. I applied plenty of glue, since styrene tends to shrink a little when plenty of glue is applied, because the rubber parts where a little wider than the rims. There is a seam left to be sanded down, but I will let the glue cure for a day so that I feel safer when sanding the wheels. In later kits based on Centurion hulls HobbyBoss offers plastic outer wheels.
The Puma suspension differs from the rest of the Centurion conversions (Nagmachon, Nakpadon etc), since it is of the Merkava 2 type. HobbyBoss must not like Merkavas, since their renditions of the suspensions is not the best. This applies to the Puma too, since the parts do not align very well and need some sanding and dry fitting. The suspension parts also do not mate well with the hull, leaving some minor gaps. Most of that will not be seen after the wheels and side skirts are glued to place, but care should be taken to properly align all the pieces. The wheel axles could be a little longer and the fit is far from perfect.
The idlers are really nice and HobbyBoss was careful to provide correct alignment between the inner and outer half. Take in mind that the outer wheel does not overlap with the inner wheel and you should be able to see the inner wheel detail between the outer wheel gaps. Some flash is present and careful cleaning is required. The sprockets come in two parts and are great. They fit tightly to the transmission covers.
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 02:26 AM UTC
United Kingdom
Joined: December 26, 2009
KitMaker: 57 posts
Armorama: 56 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 03:43 AM UTC
It’s looking good so far! I’m going to follow along, since I have at least one Puma in my future (an ‘ordinary’ one, but with added Carpet and Mine Roller), and then if I survive that, a Batash like yours...
I’m glad to see you’re assembling the basic ‘box’ first - I too thought that the suggested sequence was a bit odd... Hopefully, I’ll be able to follow along after you with my build and profit from your experiences. I’m intending to replace the wheels though - I’m not a fan of ‘rubber’ tyres.
CMOT
Editor-in-ChiefEngland - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 10,954 posts
Armorama: 8,571 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 03:45 AM UTC
It is good to see this kicking off and it looks clean so far.
Wien, Austria
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 01:57 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I have not found photographic evidence of a Puma Batash with Doghouse and Nochri Dalet mine roller but it is feasible.
Looks like your application works out just fine...
I'll be following this one, have a soft-spot for IDF HAPCs.
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 02:48 PM UTC
Quoted Text
It’s looking good so far! I’m going to follow along, since I have at least one Puma in my future (an ‘ordinary’ one, but with added Carpet and Mine Roller), and then if I survive that, a Batash like yours...
I’m glad to see you’re assembling the basic ‘box’ first - I too thought that the suggested sequence was a bit odd... Hopefully, I’ll be able to follow along after you with my build and profit from your experiences. I’m intending to replace the wheels though - I’m not a fan of ‘rubber’ tyres.
This strange assembly sequence looks even stranger on th eNagmachon kits. For instance, they suggest to mount all the cage armor on the Doghouse II version, and then install all the superstructure to vehicle.
You can try HobbyBoss aftermarket service and get the plastic tires from the later kits. Or the PanzerArt Centurion wheels, wich are a good choice regarding price/quality.
The Puma with Nochri and Carpet is another project. I have purchased all the goodies available from Legend, even two rocket sets, to fully load the launcher.
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 02:49 PM UTC
Quoted Text
It is good to see this kicking off and it looks clean so far.
Many thanks
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 02:50 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Looks like your application works out just fine...
I'll be following this one, have a soft-spot for IDF HAPCs.
Many many thanks for the photo. I was a little worried that the configuration might not be correct.
United Kingdom
Joined: December 26, 2009
KitMaker: 57 posts
Armorama: 56 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 04:18 PM UTC
So, I guess the obvious question is - does it have a carpet launcher on the back?
Wien, Austria
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 04:49 PM UTC
Quoted Text
So, I guess the obvious question is - does it have a carpet launcher on the back?
I don't think so. The mine-roller can be useful against IEDs too, so it makes sense on the 'Batash' version. The 'Carpet' system is for clearing military-grade minefields. Also, the 'doghouse' is quiet high, it probably wouldn't leave sufficient clearance for launching the rockets. Lastly, it's already highly specced: mine-roller, 'Doghouse' and 'Batash' kit; a 'Carpet' would be way over the top...
United Kingdom
Joined: December 26, 2009
KitMaker: 57 posts
Armorama: 56 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 04:59 PM UTC
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 05:05 PM UTC
Plus the added weight that would make the vehicle very slow.
South Carolina, United States
Joined: January 23, 2008
KitMaker: 1,240 posts
Armorama: 1,192 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 05:54 PM UTC
The center seam around the circumference of the road wheels is correct and part of the manufacturing process on the real vehicle.
Many pictures show evidence of it even on badly chewed up rubber. Keith
AMPS Member, certified field judge & Always something on the workbench!
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 06:01 PM UTC
Quoted Text
The center seam around the circumference of the road wheels is correct and part of the manufacturing process on the real vehicle.
Many pictures show evidence of it even on badly chewed up rubber.
Keith
This is true but I am afraid that it shows too much after weathering and dusting, so I remove it on most of my builds.
Wien, Austria
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 06:04 PM UTC
Quoted Text
The center seam around the circumference of the road wheels is correct and part of the manufacturing process on the real vehicle.
That's correct. It's rubber residue from the vulcanization process.
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 10:34 PM UTC
CMOT
Editor-in-Chief England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 10,954 posts
Armorama: 8,571 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 10:45 PM UTC
I will say you like getting a move on with your builds as I take longer just messing with the tracks.
South Carolina, United States
Joined: January 23, 2008
KitMaker: 1,240 posts
Armorama: 1,192 posts
Posted: Monday, March 05, 2018 - 05:13 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
The center seam around the circumference of the road wheels is correct and part of the manufacturing process on the real vehicle.
That's correct. It's rubber residue from the vulcanization process.
Thank you for supplying the picture, I was docked points at an AMPS competition for leaving them on. The judges obviously thought it was a kit mold line and it should have been removed.
They should have erred on the side of the builder (me) and continuity (24 wheels) and assume nothing.
The seams are present on many different road wheels and vehicles from many different nations.
Keith
AMPS Member, certified field judge & Always something on the workbench!
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 06, 2018 - 01:29 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Thank you for supplying the picture, I was docked points at an AMPS competition for leaving them on. The judges obviously thought it was a kit mold line and it should have been removed.
They should have erred on the side of the builder (me) and continuity (24 wheels) and assume nothing.
The seams are present on many different road wheels and vehicles from many different nations.
Keith
Unfortunately when building a contest entry model, one has to take in mind that the judges are not acquainted to every detail and details that may be the cause of misjudgement or contradiction, such as the seam on the rubber, should be avoided. Just my 0.02$ as a contestant and a judge.
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 06, 2018 - 01:53 AM UTC
Wien, Austria
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 06, 2018 - 11:58 AM UTC
Great stuff, Nikos. Interesting that the Puma utilizes Merkava 2 suspension and road-wheels together with Shot drive sprockets and idler wheels...
United Kingdom
Joined: August 31, 2010
KitMaker: 365 posts
Armorama: 351 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 07, 2018 - 12:10 AM UTC
Like another member above I also have all the parts for a "normal" Puma with roller and carpet in my stash. Just waiting for a second lifetime to get round to it ............
Stop making me want (even more) to do a Batash Doghouse too!!!! That's what, £120-150 in HobbyBoss and Legend parts before we start on AM tracks?? Oh my aching wallet.........!
And then someone will finally do a decent Urdan dozer blade which doesn't cost €50 and I'll want to hang that on the front too...
Waterford, Ireland
Joined: August 08, 2010
KitMaker: 466 posts
Armorama: 444 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 07, 2018 - 03:01 AM UTC
Fantastic progress- but I have to say if judges are getting it wrong then building to their prejudice/ignorance means the problem is perpetuated.
