Waddya' say, Sliick

[rbaer]

OR, Magach 6M w/ 'dozer.
Just stuff laying around, cuz I can. Italeri hull, Tamiya and Dragon running gear parts, Academy turret and Legends M9 IDF style Dozer.
IMG_1291 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_1290 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Fenders are Dragon, detail parts are DEF (so far, I broke a couple of the braces already) and Dragon, with some misc. PE to come. ERA will come from Academy and Italeri, or maybe Verlinden, whatever looks like the most "adaptable" when I get that far.

[joelsmith]

looking good Russ. Do the Hydraulic lines run under the hull on the IDF version of the M9?

[rbaer]

T'anks.
Re: hydraulic line: not so far as I can tell. There is a piece that goes between the oil tank on the fender and the engine grill at the left rear which appears to be a removable piece of light armor which could cover a couple of hoses, rather than the arrangement I do have a pic or two of showing lines entering the rear hull at the trans brake service cover, but as far as hydraulic lines to the actual blade assembly and cylinders, I have absolutely no pics or info. I can't imaging putting holes in the lower front glacis for hydraulic lines, and with the IDF as conscious of mines and IEDs as they are, I have a hard time visualizing them using even "hardened" lines under the vehicle. Possibly feed and return lines to the blade from the driver's escape hatch? So far, I'm leaving that alone, and Googling while I get parts together for the turret.
If I do find pics of the back of the IDF 'dozer tank and it shows the lines entering the hull rear, it's back to square one.

[rbaer]

Okay, the IDF ran all the hydraulic lines internally, so good news for me. In the meantime, the hull ERA is on, not much left there, then on to the turret.
IMG_1296 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[joelsmith]

Tanks for the info!

[rbaer]

Just passing it on from my recent enlightenment!
And pics, mantlet cover and bustle rack, both nearly completed.
IMG_1297 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_1300 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Eventually I suppose I'll go back to work. My employer was just acquired by a biggie in the same field, so my two week now three week furlough may be over, according to the boss man.

[Leon]

Nice progress Russ!

[rbaer]

Basket's nearly finished, I ended up simplifying a little but, otherwise I'd be on it for a year or so....
IMG_1302 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_1301 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
There's still a couple of track link hangers and two can racks to add to the outside of it. Gee whiz Wally there's a lot of junk there.

[rbaer]

Still moving along, nutting up to attempt the mantlet ERA now.....
IMG_1316 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_1317 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I have several pics of different ERA configurations on the turret, so I'm not too concerned about messing that up, but the mantlet setup is a different story.

[rbaer]

Mantlet armor bracket is mostly complete, and close enough to accurate that I'm happy . What isn't accurate will be covered by ERA, so I can live with that.
IMG_1318 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[rbaer]

Mantlet armor finished, and I also shot color on the turret.
IMG_1345 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I hope to have the hull in paint early next week, and do the washes and such along with the 7C, keep this show on the road.

[rbaer]

Paint is a wonderful thing.....
IMG_1346 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I'm trying Rustoleum this time, easier to get locally than Krylon. Colors are good, spray nozzles are junk.

[mustang1989]

KILLIN' it!!!! You have an excellent system down for these things. Great work.

[rbaer]

Thanks Joe. I'm getting a little more comfortable with some of the things that are common to this family, some stuff is still a big question mark.
Speaking of question marks, my next "what if" is figured out, all the parts are in my possession, and I have some bench space coming soon. It will be loosely based on an actual prototype too, emphasize the "loosely", and a bit out of character for me. I can't wait.

[mustang1989]

Looking forward to seeing what you've got in store.

[wbill76]

It's always cool to see what you come up with Russ, this one's no exception.

[rbaer]

Thanks Bill.
A bit more is done here, decals and a few small bits like the mantlet MG, more to come.
IMG_1356 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[rbaer]

With the exception of the blade itself, washes and pastels are done. Antennae are ready, 30 cals too.
IMG_2186 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[mustang1989]

Man that's lookin' good......

[rbaer]

And a month later...... DONE!
IMG_3782 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3783 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3785 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3779 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3778 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I had my doubts about how effective the droop I built into the ride height would be, but in the end I think it came out well. I wanted the look of a tank in good condition, used but not abused, and relatively clean.
This was my first attempt in a number of years doing a lightly used dozer blade too, and I'm okay with it. This time I applied Rub'nBuff over the base coat, polished and sealed it with clear, then a light coat of the sand gray in acrylic. I tried to restrain myself in doing the scratches and worn areas, then after another coat of clear, I added pigments in a couple of shades and stopped. Other areas that I exercised (for me) admirable restraint in weathering were the road wheels and suspension in general and the application of fluid stains.
Maybe a new trend for me....

[Leon]

Nice work Russ! turned out really great.

[rbaer]

Thanks Leon.