Planning Major Scratch Build / D9 Cat

[sammuel]

Afternoon everyone,

After my last project, the conversion of an ambulance jeep to an SAS jeep, I'm just completing a Revell B25 Mitchel. I made this into a cut away and will post photos in about a week.

Now for the big project.

Being a retired Navy Seabee, I have a thing for heavy equipment. I'm going to give it a good try and scratch build a model D9 Cat dozier. I know Meng has one in 1/35, but I want to give it a try. I don't know the scale yet, but I'm planning on larger then 1/35. I already did some research and don't want to spend allot of money on plans. I'm going to use a mix media of card-stock and  scrape plastic I have laying around. 

Let me know what you guys think and as always, any links and advice will go to good use.

Sam

[sammuel]

So let me know what you guys think. It should be doable.

[Leon]

That would be one heck of a project Sammuel! Would like to see you have a go at it.

[sammuel]

Thanks Leon!

I'm gathering as many photos as possible. I'm going to super detail it, but not worry about exposing the engine. The question will be scale. I like working with larger scale models. I feel it is much easier to make parts for them. I hope to post some photos of progress next week.

[TRM]

Sounds like a fun project you have planned Sammuel! Looking forward to seeing it unfold! I built the Meng version not too long ago. Let me know if you need a measurement or two on something. I could grab it from the 1/35 scale version and shoot it over. I probably have a couple links for references still kicking around I could dig up. Good luck

[Ray Dunakin]

Awesome project!

[BJ]

Looks like it will be a very "MOVING" Experience
Gonna Bookmark this for sure.

[wbill76]

Will be fun to watch regardless of which scale you settle on. In 1/35 it's already an impressive piece of gear for sure.

[sammuel]

T.

Thanks for the assistance. The measurements would be of great help. I may shoot for 1/32 or 1/24. I need to get the math right. If I can get a good art photo / sketch of one.....I can enlarge it to the proper scale and use it as somewhat of a template.

Sam

[M1Carbine]

Sam - holy cow! this is going to be awesome bud.

Bob

[sammuel]

M1 Carbine,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Lots of planning before this kicks off. I will complete what I have on the work bench the next week or so and post photos. I then will start getting it all together to build.

[Prop Duster]

This sounds like a great idea.
The 1/24 scale sounds like the one to build , 1/32 is too close to the Meng size-I think

[John Everett]

Build it in 1/1 scale!

The running gear and treads will be the most difficult.

[fhvn4d]

maybe look to the die- cast industry to canibalize some parts to make your life easier (IE... running gear and tracks)... one heck of an ambitious project!

[`Boots`]

Just in the process of finishing my Meng one and that is quite a large kit so the scale your going for is going to a monster indeed , i`ll keep a beady eye on this one fella

[sammuel]

Thanks all for the comments.

Great suggestions and I started looking at die-cast and plastic toy models that may be utilized. Agreed....the running gear and tracks will be challenging and I would prefer to cannibalize the parts from a toy kit and upgrade them.

Still in the planning stages and will start adding photos of material as I get it.

[Ray Dunakin]

Good luck. If you can find anything useable in 1/24th, I'd like to know about it!

[BJ]

When you get to the drive train section and/or get your drawings together give me a holler.. I'll laser cut your sprockets for you.
(Added)
If you have issues scaling it. which I don't think you will, but just in case if someone can scan in the Meng Profile views (600 dpi or better) from their instruction sheet, I would be more then happy to scale them for you the save them as 24th scale full size PDF. That way you could just print them off in 8x10 sections and tape them together if need be.

[sammuel]

Billiejean,

That would be awesome!

I was already asking around if someone could scale it for me. Everyone I know is pretty busy this time of year.

Thank you so much for the assistance.

Sam

[BJ]

No problem.. Love to help scratch builders.

[sammuel]

I owe you big time Billiejean.