1/35 Hitachi Wheel Loader ZW100-6

[Frank3k]

I wanted a "palate cleansing", easy build that wouldn't be too complicated... so I grabbed the Hasegawa 1/35 Hitachi Wheel Loader ZW100-6:



It's a modern Hasegawa kit, so I knew it would be well engineered and fit well. Easy and uncomplicated? No....

The first and most obvious issue was painting the sub assemblies; you can paint, then build every little section, forge ahead and paint later or pick a middle route - build most of the structure and come back for the sub assemblies. That's what I did and I'm now in the painting stage. I forgot to photograph the tractor, because I tackled what seemed like a quick build, the "cockpit"/cabin . Many, many decals and fine details (luckily there are decals for some of the dashboard and side control buttons).

Here's the cabin ready for the sidewalls. Some of the decals are wet, and it needs some paint touchup:





Then everything ground to a halt. Hasegawa provides decals for the seals and edges of the clear windows:



 In theory, the decal color and location should be accurate. Unfortunately, they're big, delicate decals and don't quite fit, so I decided to remove the ones I'd attached and paint the areas instead. The clear parts have fine raided lines where the decals go, so I spent most of the afternoon masking.



 

[Buzzbomb]

snappy build already. Not seen this before.. so a welcome build review 

[Old Wombat]

Yeah, I could have told you those Hasegawa Hitachi kits are not "simple", having built the 1/35 Hitachi Astaco NEO Double Arm Working Machine (well, the cab & arm part, anyway) for this;

[Mig Eater]

Hasegawa have released quite a few engineering vehicles in 1/35 in the last few years, I've been tempted to get one and convert it into some mad max monstrosity. Looking forward to seeing how your build goes.

[Frank3k]

Their 1/35 engineering vehicle line is pretty extensive. I know Ramba has built the ZC50C-5 roller.

@Guy - did you use the decals for the cabin windows? Those have been the kit's greatest weakness, so far.

[Old Wombat]

@Guy - did you use the decals for the cabin windows? Those have been the kit's greatest weakness, so far.

Yes, I did, but I can't remember how good/bad they were but I don't think they were terrible, otherwise I would have had to go down the masking & painting route that you are contemplating (& I know I didn't do that).

[Frank3k]

Masking wasn't as bad as expected and while some of the masked areas need some touch up, it looks better than the crappy job I did with the decals:

[Kerick]

Good to see the masking worked out well. This is now on my to do list.

[Frank3k]

Not loving - or even liking - this kit, but most of the components are on (but not glued):



The cabin is a real pain to get square and without too many gaps.



The silver bolts on the wheels and engine compartment were made with a small brush and Molotow chrome paint.

I'm thinking of "painting" everything except the cabin with either stain or matte clear paint. I painted some parts of the engine section and others are bare plastic sprayed with a satin and matte mix. I can't even tell them apart. Weathering and dust will probably take any remaining sheen off.

[raafif]

Needs a crows-nest addition

[Frank3k]

I'm almost done with this - missing one amber light that has disappeared.

The cab isn't glued in:



I saw some pictures of a ZW100-6 with a dark or bare metal skip (or loader):





I like the way it looks without the cab - I may make a smaller cab for an automated drive system:



Next is finding the missing light, some light weathering and I'm done.

[Dr. YoKai]

It may not have been the champagne and a good cigar build you were hoping for, Frank, but it looks pretty neat regardless. (I really like Guy's logging machine, too.)

[Kerick]

Considering all the rented civilian machines I saw in Iraq this will fit right in with a lot of military dioramas. Looks really good.

[Frank3k]

Thanks, guys - it was a big, but very "Meh" build. It's on the shelf, but won't feel bad if I need to use it as a parts donor.

[Ramba]

Came out great!