Heya, Folks,

Just finishing up assembly of the Tiger-Models Nagmachon (man did that go on...and on...and on) and I'm not sure when I will have paint for it, so I'm thinking of pulling the trigger and starting assembly on the Meng D9R, non-slat/bar armored bulldozer...

I know that there are tons of reviews out there, but there has been a lot to go through, so I was wondering if anyone had any off-hand tips they might have on putting this beast together.

Saw that Gino passed along something Marcus Nichols had done allowing the bulldozer's track tension to be adjusted. Thanks, Gino!

Anything else, including potential pitfalls or pain points (including the kit tracks, which I am going to try my best to work with) would be greatly appreciated!!


Unrelated, at least as far as this build goes: Can anyone tell me if the Hobby Boss IDF Puma CEV/AEV (#84546) was ever released? Not talking about the new Batash version with the doghouse in the HB catalogue.

From what I have found, no hobby shop here in the States has the CEV/AEV version in stock and they seem to all be listed as a pre-order or future release. I know that Covid impacted a lot of distribution schedules (and so much more) for many industries. Curious if this kit ever hit the shelves or was a limited release...

Thanks in advance!

With Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

There is this, by Boris1991:

http://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/210721&page=1

As mentioned above, here is the track tension fix.

As is, the tension is not enough on the tracks and they are too loose. Below is how to fix it.

At least you can order it from some European online stores...

https://www.scalemates.com/fr/kits/hobbyboss-84546-idf-puma-aev--1239252

or even eBay

H.P.

Hope this helps, Here's a link to my build that should answer your questions.
Regards.
Donald

https://1drv.ms/u/s!ArouE_A-TfGGkzaqna3TKJs2aO37?e=xD1bed

Scale Hobbyist has the Puma CEV in stock for $74.99 plus shipping.

You could paint certain parts yellow to add more visual interest:

Too bad none of the image links work...

Jim

Wow! Thanks, Gents!

This is all incredibly helpful!!!

Don't even know where to start, can't thank you all for the photos, tips, SBS build guides and links --- I'll say it again: WOW!!!

Donald, that awesome SBS you shared should keep me out of trouble (any build errors will be of my own making) --- your detailed notes will work well with the page that Gino shared.

That link that KSOne shared to Boris' build is also awesome and will require additional review...no problem seeing the images on the page, by the way.

H.P. hope you are well and staying out of trouble, amigo! Thank you for checking on the kit --- still wondering if it was a limited release or a release somehow curtailed by Covid (sounds like a band name).

Israel, those photos just jump off the page, dude! And yeah, I might have to try some weathered Cat Yellow once I get this beast built. Is that some sort of IED signal jammer on the roof of the Doobi in the first picture??

Still trying to figure out IDF paint for my Tiger-Models Nagmachon, basically whether I have the appropriate Tamiya colors sitting around to mix or whether I need to venture out to the hobby shop, Burbank's House of Hobbies, which thankfully, is once again open!

And thanks a bunch, John, for the Scale Hobbyist lead --- thanks to you, I just ordered why Father's Day present!! Best price I have seen, ta boot...

Fingers crossed that I'll do the dozer justice!

Really appreciate all the help --- thanks again yuse guys!!!

With Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Good, I'm glad it may be helpful. It looks like he moved his images from his 2013 folder to his 2015 folder.

For example, if you change the 2013 to 2015, you'll see the image:
--militaryscalemodelling.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/003-the-Ripper-assembled-135-D9R-Bulldozer-Meng-SS-002.jpg--

Or you can go here:
https://militaryscalemodelling.com/forums/topic/d9r-doobi-meng-model-ss-002-build-log/

There is also this here on Armorama:
http://armorama.com/forums/210828

hope this helps.