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Post by dupes on May 5, 2013 21:50:02 GMT -5
Speaking of getting my camera back...this will be the next installment of Dupes' build logs. With new kits coming out and "eclipsing" all of the older ones I've got (the number of subjects grows!), I figure I'd better get them built up before spending the big bucks on the new ones. This is a prime candidate - the old Heller AuF-1 based on their AMX-30 tank kit. Unlike the AMX-30, which I have a larrrrrrge pile of aftermarket for, this one will be straight OOB - at least as far as I can tell. So here's where we stand - started building on Saturday afternoon. Rather than do suspension and roadwheels to start (agaaaaain!), I decided to work backwards and bang out the turret first, then move down to the hull, then the drivetrain. Pic:  Initial impression - not too shabby. Some of the parts were a bit warped, but that's what glue is for, isn't it? Obviously this isn't the Meng super-kit, but as I'm not an AuF-1 expert (and I don't know too many who are), I'm not going to worry overly much about whatever inaccuracies are inherent out of the box. |
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Post by dupes on May 5, 2013 21:54:53 GMT -5
Other notes - this kit is an odd mix of multimedia. Heller includes the plastic sprues, vinyl tracks, some etch, gauze-like mesh to make your own camo netting (if you want), and a BUNCH of white metal parts. Not particularly well-cast white metal parts, either. They give you the option of opening up the ammo racks at the back of the turret - all of which requires the use of WM. Unfortunately, they aren't particularly workable - if only they were resin! - and aren't cast very well. So the backside, which would look pretty neat with 155mm ammo everywhere, will remain closed.
Also WM - the .50 cal MG for the turret roof. May have to replace that with some leftover plastic or resin - we'll see how it paints up.
More to come!
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Post by deafpanzer on May 5, 2013 22:21:02 GMT -5
WOW! This is one of most funny odd looking armor I have seen! A ship gun on tracks you can say? Count me in of course!
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Post by dupes on May 5, 2013 22:28:42 GMT -5
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Post by Leon on May 5, 2013 23:40:46 GMT -5
Nice start on this one dupes.This totally different.I'm in.
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Deleted
Member since: January 1970
Posts: 0
May 15, 2024 23:53:55 GMT -5
May 15, 2024 23:53:55 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2013 3:03:19 GMT -5
Nice to see some of the more unusual NATO afv's being kitted and on top of that you've made a great start on it  I'm watching with interest buddy  |
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Post by dupes on May 6, 2013 9:36:21 GMT -5
Thanks for watching! This one is going to be fun, I think. Scanned a couple of pics from my Concord book to give you an idea of what I'm looking at for a camo scheme and markings. For "discussion purposes only":   |
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Post by wbill76 on May 6, 2013 16:25:47 GMT -5
Nice work so far on this one dupes, looking forward to following along for the ride.
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Post by dupes on May 6, 2013 22:03:55 GMT -5
Thanks Bill! No big update tonight, started playing around with the suspension...pretty boring. Fit isn't as positive as I'd like, so it'll take a bit of work to make sure that the road wheels all end up level and in line.
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Post by TRM on May 6, 2013 22:31:47 GMT -5
Nice one Dupes!!! Cool looking ride there....I'm in!!!
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Post by bullardino on May 7, 2013 8:11:17 GMT -5
Count me in too  |
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Post by dupes on May 7, 2013 8:17:07 GMT -5
You got it fellas! Tonight is our club's "build night" (in my basement) so unless we have a group project going on I should get the vast majority of construction done. Pic tonight!
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Post by dupes on May 7, 2013 17:13:15 GMT -5
No doubt! I've got each of their VAB kits in the wings...can't wait to crack into those. Mmmmm, and the LeClerc. Not enough time in the day to build everything I want to.  |
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Post by dupes on May 8, 2013 8:50:23 GMT -5
Results of build night:  Got the suspension all together and road wheels all cleaned. That took a good bit of time, I'll tell you! The way the arms are attached allows for an awwwwwful lot of play which can easily result in a very cockeyed set of wheels. Looks like she's all square now. On to the hull, then I can start firing paint! |
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Post by bullardino on May 8, 2013 8:53:32 GMT -5
Wow, it looks great. It's a turret on wheels, but I like it |
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Post by bbd468 on May 8, 2013 8:59:14 GMT -5
Hey Dupes, Thats a sweet lookin SPG....the Gun looks huge! Ive never seen this kit before and ill be watchin man. |
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Post by dupes on May 8, 2013 9:07:28 GMT -5
It's wacky how oversized the turret is on this thing! I want to build my "regular" AMX-30 tank (think M60 sized) to go next to it to show how ridiculous it is.
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Post by deafpanzer on May 8, 2013 10:06:10 GMT -5
Can't get over how huge the gun it has... on top of tiny body!
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Post by dupes on May 8, 2013 13:06:34 GMT -5
See, that's the thing - the body isn't that tiny. The turret is HUUUUUUGE!
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Post by dupes on May 8, 2013 18:16:19 GMT -5
Quick question Dupes - in the 2nd pic artwork, what's that surrounding the mantlet? Looks very odd indeed, wondered if yer research had shed any light That stuff is camo netting mounted on the two storage boxes on either side of the mantlet - from that angle it looks like it's wrapped around the gun, but not the case. As far as I can tell it's only on that one specific vehicle. If I get a chance, I'll scan an actual photograph of that same vehicle, only from a different angle. |
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Post by wbill76 on May 8, 2013 19:31:40 GMT -5
This vehicle has a very 'Warhammer'-like look/feel to it. Monster gun, monster turret...going to be great to see you work on all that canvas dupes! |
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Post by dupes on May 8, 2013 21:47:01 GMT -5
Now that you mention it Bill, I think you're right! Wouldn't take much from the spare parts box to turn this into something sci-fi-ish at ALL.
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Post by dupes on May 10, 2013 10:17:56 GMT -5
Allllmost done with construction on this monster - would have had it done last night, but I spent a bit of time trying to figure out how I'm going to get the tracks on...looks like I'll need to prime in subassemblies, paint the suspension and tracks, install, and THEN attach the upper half of the chassis. If not, I don't think I'm going to get the tracks over the idler and sprocket without breaking something off.
Update tonight!
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Post by wbill76 on May 10, 2013 20:41:40 GMT -5
I think we have you to thank for recent developments Dupes...looks like Trumpeter will be releasing a kit of this monster to compete with the Meng offering as well...when it rains it pours!
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Post by dupes on May 10, 2013 21:50:00 GMT -5
For real? Wow...hopefully they'll do all of the AMX chassis stuff with the molds!
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Post by robbo on May 11, 2013 4:31:44 GMT -5
Looking very nice mate, got to love the big guns
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Post by dupes on May 12, 2013 16:39:17 GMT -5
Took a bunch of pics of the completed build (waiting for primer!) last night, unable to post. Tried taking them in "raw" format for better editing, can't view any of them on my pc in GIMP, Photoshop, anything. Going to have to change back and re-shoot.
Update sometime! Maybe even with primer on if the weather smartens up a bit here.
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johnt
Full Member
Feb 2012 MoM and 2012 Model of the Year Winner
Member since: November 2011
Posts: 1,174
Nov 15, 2011 5:38:32 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2011 5:38:32 GMT -5
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Post by johnt on May 12, 2013 16:59:59 GMT -5
Very cool looking vehicle, love the big turret and big gun!! Awesome stuff Dupes!
Cheers
JT
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Post by wbill76 on May 12, 2013 20:18:28 GMT -5
Took a bunch of pics of the completed build (waiting for primer!) last night, unable to post. Tried taking them in "raw" format for better editing, can't view any of them on my pc in GIMP, Photoshop, anything. Going to have to change back and re-shoot. Update sometime! Maybe even with primer on if the weather smartens up a bit here. Just out of curiosity, what camera are you using? Most of the ones that are RAW capable come with the software to read/view RAW files as a default in their software/driver bundle. Really surprised that Photoshop can't view them...it usually can view anything! |
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Post by dupes on May 12, 2013 21:46:39 GMT -5
It's a Canon T2I. And I do NOT have the camera software installed on my laptop. No worries, I need to dig the manual out anyway to fix the white balance settings. I'll get it squared away eventually!
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