1/35 Ukrainian Mongoose buggy

[Frank3k]

This is the recently released Masterbox Mongoose buggy, which is a Ukrainian made vehicle from Bagi Mangust

It's currently in use in Ukraine, although the kit has potential for all sorts of eras and conflicts.

There are two kits, both identical except for the boxtop and instructions:



https://www.scalemates.com/kits/master-box-mb35239-buggy-mongoose--1583327



https://www.scalemates.com/kits/master-box-mb35240-buggy-mongoose--1583328

There's a small PE fret (mainly for the basket in the rear) and a couple of sprues. It builds quickly, with few issues. Here's where I was yesterday:



You have to make the suspension springs. I just used some soft copper wire. I think I attached the PE box on the steering column incorrectly, though:



Even the PE basket (which is admittedly, pretty delicate) folds up quickly and actually fits without issue. I'm leaving it off until everything is painted.

It's a small vehicle, compared to Steve McQueen:



This is the second repaint of Steve McQueen - I completely screwed up the face when I got some solvent on it.

The kit seems to be missing the rear view mirrors, headlights and brush guard, but this may be a variation in the real vehicle.

[Kerick]

Steve looks like he is imagining how to race it. Looking good!

[Old Wombat]

 


Is that seating for 5 people in that little thing?

[LemonJello]

I have two of the basic versions on their way from Ukraine (just the models, not the real thing).  Looks like a simple build with all sorts of potential for stowage/added weapons/etc.

[Ramba]

Very nice! Looking forward to seeing what you do with those.

[Frank3k]

Is that seating for 5 people in that little thing?

Looks like it - driver, seat facing backwards, passenger next to driver, seat squeezed in between the two and the seat sitting on the engine deck.

I don't know if a MG on the roll bar would be ideal - everyone below the gun would get hot shell casings falling on them. I'm thinking either a Stugna or Javelin for dismounted launch or a MK-19 grenade launcher.

[Ramba]

Not the same as the Mongoose but both currently being used in Ukraine. One with a Mk.19 and the other with a Stugna.

[Buzzbomb]

This kit is in good hands.

[LemonJello]

Is that seating for 5 people in that little thing?

Looks like it - driver, seat facing backwards, passenger next to driver, seat squeezed in between the two and the seat sitting on the engine deck.

I don't know if a MG on the roll bar would be ideal - everyone below the gun would get hot shell casings falling on them. I'm thinking either a Stugna or Javelin for dismounted launch or a MK-19 grenade launcher.

You could add a brass collector/deflector or something similar to the tubes used on M134s on Blackhawks to keep the brass and links off the occupants.

[Kerick]

Is that seating for 5 people in that little thing?

Looks like it - driver, seat facing backwards, passenger next to driver, seat squeezed in between the two and the seat sitting on the engine deck.

I don't know if a MG on the roll bar would be ideal - everyone below the gun would get hot shell casings falling on them. I'm thinking either a Stugna or Javelin for dismounted launch or a MK-19 grenade launcher.

You could add a brass collector/deflector or something similar to the tubes used on M134s on Blackhawks to keep the brass and links off the occupants.

They'll just have to keep their shirt collars buttoned. Nothing like hot brass down your neck!

[Frank3k]

I decided to go with the light blue gray mongoose:



(BTW if you replace the bagixx,.jpg number in the URL, you get to see more images).

I have an AK Interactive paint that matches this color almost exactly.





The color is bluer in natural light. I made some Ukrainian digital camo decals. The original vehicle has some overspray which I think would be difficult to reproduce intentionally at scale.

I also finished Steve McQueen. While the face was nicely sculpted, the seams on the jacket and other features are too soft. Undercutting resin (at least this resin) would not be worth the effort. It would certainly chip.

[Ramba]

That gray scheme is very nice! The gray looks close to light ghost gray used on USN/USMC aircraft. Your kit is coming along nicely. Steve sure is a sharp dressed man.

[Buzzbomb]

I like your work here on both subjects. I do particularly like the way Steve appears to be giving a sideways glance... if intentional, it came of really well.

I say that because one figure I have done I though I had the eyes out of wack, but gave the same result of a sideways glance that worked on the pose.

[Frank3k]

Thanks, guys.

Brian - I gave Steve a sideways, "are you messing with me?" glance (with blue pupils as well) because of the way the head is tilted.

[Old Wombat]

Moving along nicely, Frank!

Steve often seems to have had that head-cocked pose with an intense look when listening to someone directly in front of him, whether it was acting in movies or being interviewed. It seemed he was always concentrating on listening & absorbing what was being said.

Whether that was fact or just a facade, I have no idea.

[Frank3k]

Wheels are on, and I've started on weathering (plus fixing some mistakes). Not 100% sold on my decals, but I can still hide the worst under some dirt:









I did some green overspray through a mask (similar to the real life Mongoose) but didn't want to go too far.

[Frank3k]

This has been such a fun and trouble-free build so far.

I added an offset table and support pipe for a Mk.19 grenade launcher (from the AFV Club M151 RWS kit). The Mk.19 overwhelms the tiny vehicle! I also added a trailer hitch from the Magic Factory MRZR D4:



The stain on the ammo box is from the Tamiya panel shader, which was still drying when I took these pictures:


I also painted and added the PE basket:


The MRZR D4: trailer may be too big for this vehicle...


With a Javelin and spare tube in the basket. Steve thinks this may be a close to maximum loadout:


Still need to finish the weathering and add a figure or two.

I may remove the hitch and the equipment basket.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

That looks absolutely deadly with the Mk.19 and Javelins.  Excellent! 

[Ramba]

Another quick build and great job. I think you should keep the basket.

[Kerick]

You’ll need another box of ammo in that basket. There’s only 32 rounds in there.
This thing looks so cool. I might have to try one.

[Old Wombat]

My observations:

1. The rack is perfect!
2. I'd put the Javelins & a couple/three jerry cans on the front deck & Mk.19 ammo cans in the basket.
3. Having the buggy being right-hand drive would make it easier to load the Mk.19

[Buzzbomb]

Like it, I like it a lot.
What a neat quick build

One thing that is nearly always true in the feedback so far, which is all good stuff.

The path from Design, to engineering, to actual user experience, is a long and winding path that is difficult to get back to the starting point.   

[LemonJello]

Very well done from start to finish.

Agree with Wombat that you need a little extra go juice, just in case...and extra ammo for the Mk19 like Kerick mentioned.

Still, a sharp little fighting buggy!

[Frank3k]

I think I'm done with the main vehicle except for some touch-ups; I'll photograph it in sunlight, hopefully without too much ash falling on it.



The brown on the floor is dirt, not rust. I'm making straps for the spare Javelin tube - you don't want it to get hit repeatedly by the suspension arms or fly off on its own. The rack has a spare box of 40mm grenades for the Mk. 19, an equipment box (oil is drying on it) and i glued a PE jerry can holder from the Magic Factory MZDR D4 to the back. The red fuel can adds some color:



It's a small vehicle!:




The figure is from the ICM "Quietly came, quietly went..." Ukrainian SOF set.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Hi Frank.  Looking even better every time I open this thread.  As for the red color on the fuel can.  That was not uncommon on fuel cans in use back when I was in so that we knew at a glance what the can held inside.  Yellow for diesel/JPX and red for gasoline/MOGAS.  If the vehicle is powered by a gasoline engine it would be exactly what you need for the spare fuel container. 

Having seen what happens when some one adds diesel to a gasoline powered vehicle it is prudent to know what you have.  That incident was at Fort Lewis, Washington when communications sergeant made the mistake of topping off his commo truck with diesel instead of gasoline and we had the pleasure of a huge smoke screen for couple of days until it could be fixed.