Author Topic: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour  (Read 17478 times)

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« on: August 20, 2015, 09:18:38 PM »
And the next build begins. This is the 1/35 Buffalo with Slat or Bar armour, the 2nd of 3 versions of this vehicle by Bronco.



From WikipediaThe Buffalo vehicle was designed based on the successful South African Casspir mine-protected vehicle.[2] While the Casspir is a four wheeled vehicle, the Buffalo has six wheels. Buffalo is also fitted with a large articulated arm, used for ordnance disposal. Both vehicles incorporate a "V" shaped monohull chassis that directs the force of the blast away from the occupants.[3]
Buffalo is also now equipped with BAE Systems' LROD cage armor for additional protection against RPG-7 anti-tank rounds.[4] Glass armor is sufficient at 6 inches thickness. Run-flat tires are present in all tires. The Buffalo combines ballistic and blast protection with infrared technology to detect the presence of dangerous ordnance and a robotic arm to disable the explosive ordnance. Personnel operate the Buffalos 30-foot robotic arm and claw from within the armoured hull via a mounted camera and sensory equipment, to safely dispose of mines and IEDs.




Inside the box are 13 tan sprues, 4 clear sprues, a large PE fret, 8 wheels, 2 halves of the hull and decals and twine for cables etc.



It's also a very big vehicle. A lot longer than the RG-31 and that's not counting the arm!



Started on the suspension. This will be a very slow build as there are a lot of tiny parts and while fit is good I think they have over-complicated the construction. The parts are all nicely molded with no flash and minimal seam lines but there are hundreds of parts....even just cleaning off the sprue joins is going to be a slow, delicate and laborious process.

So if you're interested in following this build be prepared for the long haul!

EDIT:  Fixed those images for you
« Last Edit: August 21, 2015, 05:05:20 AM by GTX_Admin »

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2015, 12:03:39 AM »
Thanks for the pics! I've wanted to see the underside of one of these vehicles for a long time. Will prove useful for the design of the UCV.

Offline LemonJello

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2015, 08:16:22 PM »
You, sir, are an MRAP-building machine!  I really need to get the MATV and Cougar (4 and 6 wheeled versions) for the collection.

I will be watching this build with interest.

Offline Steve Blazo

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2015, 08:58:58 PM »
I will be watching with interest, have wanted to see a review of one of these since it came out.  :D :D
As I walk through the valley of death,
I have no fear, because I am the meanest mother*ucker in the whole valley.
- Gen. George S. Patton

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2015, 02:25:40 AM »
Modern wheels is what turns me on Lemon. The Panda M-ATV is on order. Got tired waiting for Kinetic to release a corrected version. I know the Panda is not perfect but the M-ATV is the sexiest modern vehicle around.

ill do a more detailed reviev Steve when i get a bit further into it.

and if you want more pics of this or the v-shaoed hull on the RG-31 just let me know Kerrick

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2015, 12:23:14 AM »
That would be very nice of you! There was a Maxx Pro at the Chicago auto show a few years ago and when I tried to take a pic of the underside of the vehicle i got yelled at by a security guard. Now there are model kits of them. Oh well.....
BTW, those pics are on Prime Portal if you think they might help.

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2015, 07:11:27 AM »
I've done the Maxx-Pro by Kinetic....great kit! I'll photograph the underside tomorrow....

Well it's taken a good few evenings just to get the suspension done. It's not perfect but some heavy weathering will hide all the flaws. The front suspension is very complex but should leave the wheels steerable. I fixed it in a turned position...it was easier than trying to leave movable parts moving. The rear suspension was even more complex but managed to get it tilting up & down. I'm not adding break lines as I have seen in some builds.







Tomorrow I start on the interior....


Offline Steve Blazo

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2015, 10:26:11 AM »
Keep up the good work and updates.   :)
As I walk through the valley of death,
I have no fear, because I am the meanest mother*ucker in the whole valley.
- Gen. George S. Patton

Offline 35th-scale

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2015, 05:53:01 AM »
Just to show the quality of the moulding: seat belts and the cable inside the headlight housing.



Really enjoying this...it's not for the faint hearted but with care even the tiny bits can be managed.

Offline 35th-scale

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2015, 09:03:08 PM »

All ready to close her up and then I can start on the outside. No real issues with the interior. Went together very well, just added cooler box from the spares box. The M4s, water bottles and GPS all came with the kit.














Offline LemonJello

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2015, 08:46:25 PM »
Nice! Really like all the little details.

Offline 35th-scale

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2015, 09:46:08 PM »
Thanks Lemon, with all the windows it needs to be a reasonably detailed interior.

Offline Volkodav

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2015, 09:27:50 PM »
Loving the level of detail here, can't wait to see it come together.

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #13 on: September 02, 2015, 01:35:00 AM »
Thanks Volkodav.

Top on and dry fitted the wheels to make sure she's sitting level.





Then two days of effort on the bits on the outside:








Still lots to do....and will need a new bottle of Tamia Extra Thin soon!


Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #14 on: September 02, 2015, 04:14:31 AM »
Watching this intently - I plan to do one as a UAV controller.
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #15 on: September 02, 2015, 09:58:36 PM »
That will be an interesting version. The RWS control station could be used as the UAV control. Lots of aerials and such in the kit not all of which are used. As well as the 2 Dukes and about 4 "wire" aerials I recognise a CREW (like a helmet), a Rhino and a Singars on the sprues

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #16 on: September 03, 2015, 12:09:43 AM »
I'm pretty impressed. Everything that can move does move. It won't after painting but at least this will allow me to place it on the vehicle and decide what way I want it posed





Probably in the stowed position just to avoid breaking it off....need to do some clean-up and filling (not a lot) and try adding the hydraulic lines. 

Offline 35th-scale

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #17 on: September 18, 2015, 06:25:52 AM »
After a bit of a hiatus finally got around to adding the hydrolic cables. Looks very messy so far but I'm happy with getting it on. 5 hydrolic rams needing 10 cables. Just need to straighten them up and attach to each end of the sleeves.







I used 0.3mm plastic coated wire. I know I'm being lazy but not trying to add any joins to the wire. In the real thing they are not all a single length of pipe....

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #18 on: September 18, 2015, 08:10:16 AM »
This is great stuff.

Normally with Bronco you get ".. and after 4000 parts, I have completed the suspension" but that looked quite sensible.
really liking the work with the arm.

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #19 on: September 20, 2015, 09:20:32 PM »
Thanks Buzz, it is very detailed and there are a lot of tiny fragile parts but it's actually going together very well.

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #20 on: September 20, 2015, 09:21:07 PM »
Hydraulic lines added. Not the neatest job I've seen but I guess they do become a bit messy after a few IEDs have gone off in close proximity. I'm blaming thick fingers and poor eyesight :)





Now to base coat with a rattle can and then start the detail painting

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #21 on: September 21, 2015, 06:22:14 AM »
Getting there....



Electrical cables for camera and spot-light next then weathering

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #22 on: October 03, 2015, 09:09:31 PM »
Now that the IPMS Ireland nationals are over I've managed to get back to this beauty. Will be starting the detailing this evening.

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #23 on: October 08, 2015, 10:55:25 PM »
Hydraulic lines added. Not the neatest job I've seen but I guess they do become a bit messy after a few IEDs have gone off in close proximity. I'm blaming thick fingers and poor eyesight :)




Yes, obviously extremely shoddy work .....................................................



That comment is just sitting there looking stupid. ::)


If that's poor workmanship, can I have some of it, please? ???
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #24 on: October 09, 2015, 05:53:11 AM »
Aw, thanks Wombat. But when you look at what was done in this thread you'll understand what I mean

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=188403&ord=&page=6

Anyway, it'll do for me as it is.

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #25 on: October 09, 2015, 05:56:51 AM »
Slow but steady progress on the main part


Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #26 on: October 09, 2015, 11:39:24 PM »
OK, I'll allow that Pascal's is better, but that doesn't make yours bad - just less awesome. ;)
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #27 on: October 10, 2015, 09:49:27 PM »
LOL  8)

Maybe a little over the top on the weathering?



Wheel threads done. Now need to do the side-walls a good bit lighter

 

Windows being fitted tonight.

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #28 on: October 11, 2015, 09:48:17 PM »
Here's the sheet to tint the windows



Maybe a little darker than it should be but without an airbrush probably the best option. It's 0.23mm thick which makes it rigid enough. Have tried gluing some to scrap windows using different glues which left it foggy or streaky. So will attempt to just place it behind the kit glass and hope the lip in the frame holds it in place.

Using the kit glass as template cut and file the tinted plastic to shape


There is not a lot of tolerance. Too small and it just falls through, too wide and it won't fit.
Window on the left is clear, on the right is backed by the tint




Fit of the kit glass is so tight no glue is required. Takes a bit of patience to get it to fit without bending if too tight or falling through if too loose that one window took me over 30 minutes and a few bits of wasted sheet 😓

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #29 on: October 12, 2015, 06:22:37 AM »
I'm giving up on the tinted windows. Got 3 done with much frustration then doing the 4th the tinted plastic fell out of two if them. 😖 But using glue will fog them...

So I'll leave the glass clear and tint them in a few years whenever I get an airbrush 😏

Offline ysi_maniac

  • I will die understanding not this world
Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #30 on: October 12, 2015, 10:18:17 PM »
The level of interior details is awesome  :) :) :)

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #31 on: October 17, 2015, 01:58:12 AM »
Thanks Ysi.  Anyway, the windows have gone to a friend for a spray. Best possible solution.

Bench time has been hard to find this week but in the little bit available weathered the rubber mud guards and wheels



« Last Edit: October 17, 2015, 02:01:31 AM by 35th-scale »

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #32 on: October 18, 2015, 12:48:38 AM »
Wheels on and figure beside it just to give an idea of the size. A big brute.



Time to start on the slat armour

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #33 on: October 19, 2015, 04:38:28 PM »

A nice little note in the instructions. Don't know why they left it to the very last page 😀



3 spruces just for the slat. Lots of sprue fares to be cut and cleaned. Also very fragile. But it does look fantastic. Nice crisp moulding and no flash. Just need to take my time and avoid damaging it.


The next steps could see me through to Christmas.....

Offline Frank3k

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #34 on: October 20, 2015, 03:04:01 AM »
This is looking great! What paint are you using? The Iraqi with the keffiyeh looks great!

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #35 on: October 20, 2015, 04:03:12 AM »
Thanks Frank, I'm using Mig acrylic "US Modern Vehicles" applied with a hairy stick.
I've a few of those figures on the go. The Masterbox set and at least I don't have to do the face 😀

First two joined



Only about 24 more to go....

Offline 35th-scale

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #36 on: October 31, 2015, 07:16:26 AM »
There are two types of lights provided to go on the slat. One looks like more modern LED spot loghts but involves small bits of PE with complex folds. The other looks older but only has one puece of PE which doesn't need to be folded.



I'm going for simple & easy!

Offline 35th-scale

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #37 on: October 31, 2015, 04:20:30 PM »
And this is one side of the skat before the lights are attached. This took 3 evenings at the bench. No real issues just need to be very careful cutting the slat and fragile arms.




Offline 35th-scale

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #38 on: November 15, 2015, 01:26:21 AM »
About time I got back at this:

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #39 on: November 15, 2015, 07:18:21 AM »
A productive evening at the bench:



Now I just need to get them painted. Prime with a rattle can and then brush paint over the next few evenings.

Offline 35th-scale

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #40 on: December 04, 2015, 06:44:04 AM »

On the home stretch but this is also where it could get tricky....time to fit the slat!



I've also toned down the wash a bit

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #41 on: December 04, 2015, 07:57:08 AM »
Actually going together quite well. This is a testament to the quality of the kit more than anything else.




Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #42 on: December 08, 2015, 03:39:58 AM »
Front bits of the slat attached and the arm also. And fitted all the additional slat support bars.







I did need to break and re-attach some of them to get it straight but considering the amount of slat it all lined up quite well...a credit to Bronco rather than my building skills.

Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #43 on: December 08, 2015, 12:58:11 PM »
 :-* :-*Holy hell  :-* :-*

That is impressive
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Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #44 on: December 13, 2015, 07:23:13 AM »
OMG! What a brute!
Don't sell yourself short. I can see a thousand ways to screw up all those slats. It looks awesome!
I want a real one to drive to work on the expressway.

Offline Frank3k

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #45 on: December 13, 2015, 09:58:31 AM »
This looks very impressive. Great job on what could not have been an easy task - those slats look like a nightmare to build.

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #46 on: December 14, 2015, 08:05:14 AM »
Thanks David ☺️

Kerrick, parking would be a b1tch....I'd prefer an armoured Humvee for commuting 😃

Frank, that plastic slat in panels beats doing it all with PE 😖

Nearly at the end but it's getting harder to do bits without damaging other bits....












Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #47 on: December 18, 2015, 06:10:31 PM »
Almost done!

Slat weathered lightly to take the clean look off it. Straps started for the spare wheel. Coil of razor wire added and more bits of stowage including a cooler box.



Also tidied up the hydraulic lines at the base of the arm





Just need to add the supports for the upper hatches and a few more bits of stowage and I can call it a day. In about another day....

Offline finsrin

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #48 on: December 20, 2015, 02:59:34 PM »
Reviewed photo coverage from first to last picture - appreciate you doing that.
Is so involved and built so well that all I can come up with right now is to agree with taiidantomcat & kerick & Frank3k statements  :o

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #49 on: December 21, 2015, 07:25:37 AM »
Thanks Finsrin. It was my pleasure and honour to share the build. Really appreciate all the feedback from everyone.

I'm calling this done!



Will take some all around clean photos tomorrow. Now, where did I stash my Panda M-ATV? 😀

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #50 on: December 27, 2015, 05:23:54 AM »
Nice work.

A late thought:  I wonder how a halftrack version of this would go?
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline 35th-scale

  • On first name terms with someone called Nathan...
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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #51 on: January 02, 2016, 05:12:50 AM »
Sorry for the delay, but here are some "posed" photos of the Bronco Buffalo MPCV with Bar armour.

Pretty much OoB with just cabling on the arm and stowage added. Painted mainly with Mig acrylic "US Modern Vehicles" and AK Interactive OIF/OEF wash and streaking effects

























Thanks to all who followed the build log and gave advice and encouragement.

Happy New Year
Sean

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #52 on: January 02, 2016, 05:14:57 AM »
Great work!
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline apophenia

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #53 on: January 02, 2016, 09:26:25 AM »
Indeed! And well worth the effort  :)
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Offline Kerick

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #54 on: January 02, 2016, 09:52:02 AM »
Looks awesome! Just what I need to get to work in the morning!

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Bronco Buffalo with Bar armour
« Reply #55 on: January 11, 2016, 06:39:11 PM »
That's just a lot of hard work done well. Great job, mate! :)
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."