1/48 Caterpillar Model 12 Grader

[jeaton01]

This is a 3D printed kit from Poland from a firm called IDAP Technologies, in their line called Military Scales.  I bought this one and a D-7 dozer from them via ETSY.  They make them in numerous scales, the price rises as does the size, of course.  While not the equal of the best plastic injection moldings they are better than most and are of much sturdier resin than some other 3D stuff I have used.  Just a hint here and there of stepping, and mostly in areas that are easy to work or don't matter in 1/48 scale.  Only a few parts to put together and the fit was very good.

I primered everything with Gunze black finishing primer and used a Vallejo OD, I would rather it was more like the old Model Master Faded Olive Drab but then it gives it some contrast with the other vehicles it is with.  The figures are from the Tamiya scout car set, painted long ago. I will give them a wash and a flat coat before I put them away.  The markings were suggested by photos I found on the web and were painted on using stencils.

I guess I can claim it as a weekend build, it was only removed from the supports prior to Friday evening.  I would have had it done even sooner except I clumsily broke off the muffler reaching for a paint bottle and broke off the right blade lift lever while I was masking the F8 on the right side and had to find the lever and reinstall both items.  I weathered it with a mixture of steel and silver chrome on the blade and scarifier shanks, and then added Tamiya Sand and Mud on the blade and tires.  I had better luck with those than in the past because I figured out I could thin and blend them using Tamiya acrylic thinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tcoat]

That is so cool and unusual!

[keavdog]

Build me an airfield please.

[jeaton01]

Ha ha, John. Actually, I have already done that with a early 50's Cat 12, but it was an R/C flying field. She's been sitting for awhile and will need some work before she's happy.

[Leon]

Nice work on the grader John!

[lyle]

That is neat!

[tcoat]

May 12, 2024 22:39:13 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Ha ha, John. Actually, I have already done that with a early 50's Cat 12, but it was an R/C flying field. She's been sitting for awhile and will need some work before she's happy.

My father used to come home with the most weird and wonderful things that he had traded for. About 1970 or so one of those things was a 1950 Cat 12. It had been sitting for a long time and was a rusted solid but we managed to get it running and everything freed up. Now there was no reason in the world for him to have a grader but the gravel road we lived at the end of was in the best condition of any in the county with all his playing!

[handiabled]

What a cool crisp detailed 3d kit! Very well done John it looks fantastic

[keavdog]

Very cool John. I've actually never flown at an RC airfield. Always out in some field or some vacant stretch of road. Bunch of guys used to show up sat/sun morning out on this stretch of road behind Costco. Really helpful people - that's when were just getting started and spent more time fixing aircraft than flying that's for sure.

3D printing is really offering we modelers quite a few fantastic options.

[dupes]

3d printing is getting so good...once it becomes super user-friendly on the consumer end ("fire and forget", essentially), I'm going to have to get a printer.

[kyledehart5]

Missed this one so far. It’s great!! Outstanding work on a different subject.

[jmarc]

PPPPPPPPPretty cool..definitely a must for WWII airfield diorama !