What to do

[armornutii]

Hi guys, working on this LAV as a less complicated build to get myself back into the groove. Since I can post pix now I'm getting more energized to tinker.
The high light of this kit for me is the raised drivers port. My conundrum is there is no interior, and those windows are pretty large. I am not ready to attempt to scratchbuild an interior yet nor do I want to spend of time searching for resin drop in parts.
My ask is how slammed would I be if I back painted the glass black? I want to show that I am worthy of being on this site and it feels like a cop out.
Honest replies as i want to use them as motivation to enjoy the hobby.

[tcoat]

Don't paint the glass black just paint the interior flat black. This is a great way to disguise that there is nothing in there without being really obvious.
Or, if I recall (I have that kit in the stash) you could build it with the driver window stowed down and the hatch closed.

[chromdome35]

Apr 26, 2023 9:37:39 GMT -5 armornutii said:

Hi guys, working on this LAV as a less complicated build to get myself back into the groove. Since I can post pix now I'm getting more energized to tinker.
The high light of this kit for me is the raised drivers port. My conundrum is there is no interior, and those windows are pretty large. I am not ready to attempt to scratchbuild an interior yet nor do I want to spend of time searching for resin drop in parts.
My ask is how slammed would I be if I back painted the glass black? I want to show that I am worthy of being on this site and it feels like a cop out.
Honest replies as i want to use them as motivation to enjoy the hobby.

1st: "I want to show that I am worthy of being on this site" While there are some world class modelers here, not everyone (myself included) is at that level. MSC welcomes everyone of all skill levels. I can't repeat it enough, don't worry about your skill level, no one will deem you unworthy of being here. This is the best place you can be for learning the art of modeling, you can learn from some really good modelers.

2nd: Painting the windows black is a perfectly acceptable solution in my opinion. You might also consider some type of opaque armored glass color. Alclad makes one that I've used to good success on smaller viewports. www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/tools/alclad/tool_alclad2_alc408.shtml


I look forward to the responses to your question as I am always curious about this as well.

ETA: Tcoats idea is better than mine, it will look better.

[tcoat]

As a side note the LAVIII is built a couple of miles from where I live and I see them on the road all the time. I don't think I have ever seen one with the road glass in place. Even in the middle of winter they just drive around with the hatch open. No idea why but maybe they are a pain to deploy or something.

[armornutii]

   Tcoat, isn't the NATO name of this rig the " Grizzley" ?  Makes sense to drive with just the hatch open as it appears the wing windows provide little to no enviromental protection, ballistically
   I will look for the Alclad product Saturday, very interested in trying new ways to do stuff.
 Never truely thought of just shooting the i side black... sheesh why didn't I think of that LOL    
     My plan is to actually place it in service with the UN markings, just looks cool to me.

[406 Silverado]

It's hard for me to get around the fact that of all kit manufacturers that Trumpeter didn't include at least some interior for this one Perry. That point aside, I'd probably leave the glass clear and paint the inside black as Tony suggested. Not that Brians way is wrong, it just wouldn't work for me.

As Brian stated, it doesn't matter on the skill level bro. We are all "birds of a feather" here and no one's gonna make you feel any different. Build away brother.

[Steve Zuleski]

I would have to agree with all the prior comments. Have no fear of worthiness when posting your work here, Bro. Nobody was ever born with a brush or pair of tweezers in their hands, as far as I know, HA!

Ruck On, Bby!

[tcoat]

Apr 26, 2023 10:27:58 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   Tcoat, isn't the NATO name of this rig the " Grizzley" ?  Makes sense to drive with just the hatch open as it appears the wing windows provide little to no enviromental protection, ballistically
   I will look for the Alclad product Saturday, very interested in trying new ways to do stuff.
 Never truely thought of just shooting the i side black... sheesh why didn't I think of that LOL    
     My plan is to actually place it in service with the UN markings, just looks cool to me.

The LAVIII is called a Kodiak although nobody really uses the name.
The Grizzly was the personnel carrier version of the old LAV1. The recon/fire support version was called the Cougar and the recovery version was the Huskey. I drove the Huskey several times.

[Tobi]

Why not take the middle road? Painting the interior black is a good start, and tinting the glass will subdue the emptiness even more.

[Tobi]

Apr 26, 2023 10:56:33 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Apr 26, 2023 10:27:58 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   Tcoat, isn't the NATO name of this rig the " Grizzley" ?  Makes sense to drive with just the hatch open as it appears the wing windows provide little to no enviromental protection, ballistically
   I will look for the Alclad product Saturday, very interested in trying new ways to do stuff.
 Never truely thought of just shooting the i side black... sheesh why didn't I think of that LOL    
     My plan is to actually place it in service with the UN markings, just looks cool to me.

The LAVIII is called a Kodiak although nobody really uses the name.
The Grizzly was the personnel carrier version of the old LAV1. The recon/fire support version was called the Cougar and the recovery version was the Huskey. I drove the Huskey several times.

10 years ago or so KMW had a project going on which was based on one of our shortened 6x6 truck chassis. They fancied calling it Grizzly, but couldn't do because the name was already in use.
Instead it received the cold designation GFF4 (Geschütztes Führungs- und Funktionsfahrzeug)

[tcoat]

Apr 26, 2023 10:56:42 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Why not take the middle road? Painting the interior black is a good start, and tinting the glass will subdue the emptiness even more.

That is where we start to get into how "real" do you want it. The driver glass is intended for road and highway (yes at speed) use and is not ballistic, armoured or tinted in any way. It is literally clear windshield glass like in a car in a light removable frame.

[tcoat]

Apr 26, 2023 11:00:36 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Apr 26, 2023 10:56:33 GMT -5 tcoat said:

10 years ago or so KMW had a project going on which was based on one of our shortened 6x6 truck chassis. They fancied calling it Grizzly, but couldn't do because the name was already in use.
Instead it received the cold designation GFF4 (Geschütztes Führungs- und Funktionsfahrzeug)

Ya some of those poor old Husky's are still in service today but the Grizzlies have all been retired. I think a bunch were given away to different Police forces in Canada but have no idea if even they still use them. 

[armornutii]

  Valuable info for sure. I think that my best options are to paint inside black if I want the hatch up and windows installed, since it is not ballistic glass tint would be at a minimum.
    I am suprised so far with the fit of this kit, being an older Trumpeter some of which were hit or miss....this one SO FAR is acceptable.
   Still plan on the all white UN option as it just looks cool to me. Plus it adds a bit of opportunity for trying weathering.

[stikpusher]

Another option, similar to the middle road. Get a driver figure torso to put in that open hatch. Build a stub base in there for the bust to sit upon in the proper location, then paint the interior black. Paint & add the bust afterwards when you can later in the assembly process.

[tcoat]

Apr 26, 2023 11:50:25 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Another option, similar to the middle road. Get a driver figure torso to put in that open hatch. Build a stub base in there for the bust to sit upon in the proper location, then paint the interior black. Paint & add the bust afterwards when you can later in the assembly process.

OH I forgot that one and it is what I do most of the time!

[armornutii]

    Here is a shot of the back end with PE can holders, the stuff in the middle is where the spare tire rack hangs.

[Tojo72]

Looking forward to your handling of this whatever way you go,it will be a nice project.

[Real G]

Perry,

Yep, I agree with the guys about tinting the windows the "armored glass" color, then painting the inside of the hull flat black.  Stick a driver bust in to fill up the space.  He doesn't have to be a full figure, just head and shoulders.  What do Stryker drivers wear?  Headgear like the tank guys?  Others who know are sure to chime in.

[stikpusher]

Apr 26, 2023 13:03:20 GMT -5 Real G said:

Perry,

Yep, I agree with the guys about tinting the windows the "armored glass" color, then painting the inside of the hull flat black.  Stick a driver bust in to fill up the space.  He doesn't have to be a full figure, just head and shoulders.  What do Stryker drivers wear?  Headgear like the tank guys?  Others who know are sure to chime in.

Yes, the Stryker crews are gonna wear the CVC helmet. Probably some form of body armor as well, like the IBA, when in a combat zone.

[Tojo72]

Looking forward to your handling of this whatever way you go,it will be a nice project.

[tcoat]

Apr 26, 2023 13:03:20 GMT -5 Real G said:

Perry,

Yep, I agree with the guys about tinting the windows the "armored glass" color, then painting the inside of the hull flat black.  Stick a driver bust in to fill up the space.  He doesn't have to be a full figure, just head and shoulders.  What do Stryker drivers wear?  Headgear like the tank guys?  Others who know are sure to chime in.

But it isn't a Stryker!
It is a Canadian LAVIII Kodiack.

The crew would look like this EH. 

[armornutii]

   I like the idea of a driver bust...setting a shopping list for the vendors on Saturday LOL.
   UN troops wore the same type of gear only blue? I could do a green one with Canadian trooper but...

[stikpusher]

UN forces use either a blue cover on their helmets, or paint their helmets blue. Everything else is usually their standard uniform and equipment. Often a UN mission patch is worn on the uniform sleeves, along with their national flag. Look up photos for the particular mission for specifics.

[tcoat]

Apr 26, 2023 14:33:25 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   I like the idea of a driver bust...setting a shopping list for the vendors on Saturday LOL.
   UN troops wore the same type of gear only blue? I could do a green one with Canadian trooper but...

Depending on where you are modeling the Canadian uniform would be camo or digital green or tan. The helmet will be uncovered and painted blue.

[armornutii]

  To cool, thanks for all the info. Excited to continue working on it.

[tcoat]

Apr 26, 2023 16:39:32 GMT -5 armornutii said:

  To cool, thanks for all the info. Excited to continue working on it.

I am excited to see a Canadian theme!

Keep in mid that they aren't white white. Even before they got dirty they were sort of an off white. Once they hit the roads they were very dirty. We tried to keep them clean but there was usually just enough water for the basics not washing vehicles.




Here is a nice example of how dirty. This is a Cougar


We didn't have LAVs yet when I was UN but what we did have got repainted more than it got washed.

I have no idea who they were trying to impress with this picture from my era but that is the MOST unrealistic look for the equipment we used I have ever seen. If somebody posted that as a model I would laugh! 


And ones I built.
Cougar





Grizzly

[armornutii]

  Awesome pics Tcoat, thanks for the info. I can use them for ref when the weathering starts.
   Never understood why UN vehicles were white and armed...during my time in service we kinda made fun of the UN. I do not remember hearing about how effective their " peacekeeping" mission was. That said I take full responsiblity for being so poorly informed about the organization and its mission effectiveness NO DISRESPECT intended.
    The all white 113 would have made me nervous.

[tcoat]

Apr 26, 2023 19:03:48 GMT -5 armornutii said:

  Awesome pics Tcoat, thanks for the info. I can use them for ref when the weathering starts.
   Never understood why UN vehicles were white and armed...during my time in service we kinda made fun of the UN. I do not remember hearing about how effective their " peacekeeping" mission was. That said I take full responsiblity for being so poorly informed about the organization and its mission effectiveness NO DISRESPECT intended.
    The all white 113 would have made me nervous.

I have no doubt that they served a purpose (and still do) but we often felt that neither side wanted us there. One time we were doing an outpost supply run in the Sinai and started taking mortar fire.  Since all the vehicles were nice and white they knew perfectly well who we were. Now, either they were really bad at their job or were just playing I will never know but they didn't even come close. We never even found out who it was. We often took small arms fire but again never real serious about it. All of our mags were sealed and those seals could not be broken without about ten levels of authorization. 

[armornutii]

   Big kahonees my friend BIG KAHONEES, taking fire is never a goid thing but not being able to shoot back.. AND YOU STAYED IN THE AREA
. Thanks for not taking my post the wrong way, I have no room to talk, the Navy didn't tryst us airwing guys with guns period. My challenge as a sentry was to yell STOP or I'll yell STOP AGAIN.

[Tobi]

I love to read the stories of members and the provided information that go beyond just modeling.
Tony has also always some of the nicest reference pics to share.