1/35 Scale Heller VBCI - OOB Mojo Build

[Return_To_Kit_Form]

I recently realised I was spending too much time cruising forums and reading up on how-to's (and playing way too much World of Tanks - Blitz), and not enough time at the bench. I alos suffer from acute AMS which stalls more than a few builds, so this one will be strictly OOB (which is harder than I thought).

The Kit: Heller's VBCI Afghanistan.



The build has been pretty forgiving so far. A few seams to give the old Mr Surfacer treatment but nothing outrageous.





The tub went together well despite being three pieces. Hopefully there won't be any fit issues later with the rear bulkhead and hull top.



Slow progress, as I nibble away why the my lovely wife watches here cooking shows. But being OOB will help things a bit, as the only concession will be a figure for the commander's hatch. I like to have a figure for each build as I feel you get a sense of scale. I still have plenty of bits in the box.



Cheers,

Brett T

[dupes]

Nice! Would love to see this kit built up.

Totally agree about the AMS stallage phenomenon.

[wbill76]

Looking forward to seeing this one built up Brett!

[TRM]

Build and go!! OOB is the way to go sometimes!! Looking good so far!! Keep plugging away on it!!

[Leon]

Looking good Brett!

[Return_To_Kit_Form]

Thanks guys. I should be back into it tomorrow night. I keep having conversations with myself like these:

"Oh I see there is a resin set of wheels fo......No! Stay OOB!"

"Oh I see on the actual vehicle the anti RPG armour actuall......No! Just stay focused dammit!"

"Mmmmm there is a bit of an interior here. It wouldn't take much to.....No! How bloody hard is it to build OOB?"

[rbaer]

Good luck with that "OOB" part. I've found that I'm simply unable to do it. I tried last week, took a kit out of the stash for an OOB group build and froze up. I literally couldn't do it.

[Return_To_Kit_Form]

It is man, but I have to stay strong. I love 8 rads, but this one isn't special enough to grant the full custom treatment.

I got into it the other night and worked on the lower hull a but more. And also attached a few items to the hull top plate (not pictured).



Cheers,

Brett

[TRM]

Nice work on the suspension Brett! Moving right along! Stick to your guns!! It's all about the fun of building and of course the paint and weathering!! LOL!

[deafpanzer]

Catching up here... it is really looking good! I don't think I can ever do OOB... me and my aftermarket addiction. LOL

[dupes]

You should try it some time Andy...works wonders as far as build speed.

[rbaer]

Brett, that really looks like a nice kit, certainly not what Heller has produced in the past.
Andy, I'm with you, I just can't leave well enough alone, and not always for the better in my case.

[Return_To_Kit_Form]

Thanks for the support guys.

TRM - OOB all the way The only exceptions I might make are some value gear stowage I have in the wings, and a French AFV crew commander, if I can find one that is. On that note does anyone have a lead on where I can get one?

Andy - Thanks for dropping in. I know what you mean, aftermarket stuff can get under your skin.

Dupes - You bet. The build has done wonders so far. I have been plugging away on my Regult Scout as well, which may be my oldest shelf queen. I don't think I would have if it wasn't going OOB for this one.

rbaer - I haven't any experience with the old heller stuff but this is pretty good. The front and rear hull plate fitted with drama at all. Maybe a little surfacer, but nothing insane.


I managed to get a bit more done whilst fighting off a cold this weekend. Since I`am not building the interior I was able to rocket along:







Cheers,

Brett

[dupes]

Nifty! Moving right along. Do the skirts look difficult to assemble at all?

[Leon]

Really making good progress Brett

[wing_nut]

Apr 14, 2015 4:56:52 GMT -5 Return_To_Kit_Form said:

Thanks guys. I should be back into it tomorrow night. I keep having conversations with myself like these:

"Oh I see there is a resin set of wheels fo......No! Stay OOB!"

"Oh I see on the actual vehicle the anti RPG armour actuall......No! Just stay focused dammit!"

"Mmmmm there is a bit of an interior here. It wouldn't take much to.....No! How bloody hard is it to build OOB?"

Looks good. And good luck on the focus thingy. Lots of opportunities to test your resolve.

[wbill76]

Looks like you're making short work of this one Brett! Always nice to get the rolling box together.

[Return_To_Kit_Form]

Well have been back at it - a little bit at least. I lost a bit of time due to a family funeral and some other bits and pieces but have managed to spray some primer on.



Still a ways to go, and rather than mucking about with the Humbrol colours called out in the instructions I'll just use NATO black, brown and green from Tamiya. It is going to get a fair dust and weathering treatment anyway so I doubt it will matter too much.

My other concession is the use of a Trumpeter Stryker crewman in place of a legit Frenchman in the turret, since I can't justify more than the cost of the kit on one figure.

[Leon]

Primer is looking good Brett!

[TRM]

Sorry to hear of your loss Brett...my condolences.

The VBCI is looking great!! Nice to see the primer come about!! Julie form Model Miniatures has some great shots of the NATO colors going down on the French vehicles. I know you has a decent article on how the color fade as well...just point of reference for you! modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/9636/military-vehicles-painted

[Return_To_Kit_Form]

@ Leon: Thanks man, I used Mr Surfacer 500 thinned with Mr Colour Thinner but I am not convinced that the fumes are worth it. My search for a good primer continues.

@ trm Life happens, it's sad but what can you do? Thanks for the link, I saw that thread earlier and bookmarked it for that very reason.

I manged to get into the paint booth over the last couple of days to spray on some colour. Black on the underside as per the kit instructions and and a custom mix of green for the top, all sprayed on in with a blotcchy random effect to help with the weathering later.



Cheers,

Brett T

[Leon]

Nice to see some color go on Brett! Looks good.

[deafpanzer]

Looking good painted.... looking forward to my favorite part... weathering!

[wbill76]

Always good to see the paint fly!

[rbaer]

Color looks good.

[Return_To_Kit_Form]

Leon - Thanks man. It's slow going but I am getting. AN hour here and there is about all I can manage. I am lucky if I can get to the paint booth once a week.

Andy - Me too. It is a wonder I get any modeling done at all with a lovely wife, two children under three and a full time job. I so rarely get to the weathering stage that I am way out of practice, but am hoping to put out a few projects that can remedy that.

Bill - ha ha it's getting cold here at the moment and the old painting sessions are proving to be frustrating. Nothing like trying to airbrush in low two digit temperatures (Celsius) to make things difficult.

rbaer - Thank you. I am not really a stickler for matching colours exactly. There are so many factors involved that for me it just isn't worth the effort. Not when I can reach up and grab whatever I have on hand and mix a little of this and that to get it about right.


That said I have managed to get the brown on and have almost completed the &#$%*&! masking for the second time. Pretty happy with how it turned out so far. But not impressed with how long it takes.




Cheers,

Brett

[Leon]

Nice start on the camo Brett!

[wbill76]

You've got plenty to keep your hands full Brett! Nice to see you squeezing in some paint work when you can. The masking is a pain but will be worth it in the end.

[deafpanzer]

Understood!!! Things will be better when kids get older. Can't wait to see how the camo comes out!

[Return_To_Kit_Form]

Thanks guys. As a funny anecdote I got home to find several dress up shoes on my bench. Apparently my little two year old "put them in Daddy's workshop" after they broke. Ha ha kids are funny. I can't say I ever imaged pink shoes lying in among my other modeling bits and pieces.



Anyway, my lovely wife went out for the night so I had some time to get this far:





Still a few bits and bobs to paint, but I think it is time to hits the books on all these fancy new dust effects that are doing the rounds.


Cheers,

Brett