Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Frank3k on April 08, 2025, 04:50:16 AM
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After finishing my ball tank, I was having a hard time picking a new project. I had kits I wanted to build, but just wasn't quite ready, mentally. So I asked my trusty assistant, Felix, to help me pick one:
(https://i.imgur.com/clUBW2J.jpeg)
He's picked some good kits in the past, but this time he just wanted to sniff at the boxes, with no clear preference. So I enlisted his sisters Emma:
(https://i.imgur.com/1Gs2Ecs.jpeg)
and Diziet:
(https://i.imgur.com/glJ9kmi.jpeg)
Who also just sniffed at boxes indifferently.
Let down by my modelling buddies, I asked my wife Lisa, to pick. She went into the model closet, closed her eyes and pointed at a box:
(https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/0/9/5/266095-10244-91-1080.jpg)
The ICM 1/35 Lastkraftwagen 3,5 t AHN WWII German Army Truck. I don't build German WWII subjects anymore, but luckily, this is a Renault AHN and has post-war headlights. Lisa also picked blue as the truck's color.
A quick searched showed that I was in for a difficult build.
I used Bengalensis (https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235065737-renault-ahn-135/) outstanding build on Britmodeller as a reference. Piet van Hees has an excellent AHN site (https://www.pietvanhees.nl/ahn/index.htm) including a build of the same kit (https://www.pietvanhees.nl/mb/pvh-ahn-vacu.htm). I made many of the same mods to the kit that they did.
The chassis is a quick and easy build:
(https://i.imgur.com/bxhCByd.jpeg)
And I quickly got to this point, even with some of the mods and additions:
(https://i.imgur.com/amzaTks.jpeg)
Now came the hardest part of the build, and it's been a slog. The first issue is with the wheels and tires. ICM made them too small and it's noticeable, especially when compared to the real thing. I ordered the Panzerart wheels and they do look better:
(https://i.imgur.com/gE0UkMD.jpeg)
Another issue is with the cabin; it's made up of five sections. Making everything fit and square took a long time. I was hoping that the new tires wouldn't look bad, but the front mudguards are just wrong, so like in the builds mentioned above, I cut them off.
(https://i.imgur.com/9g0Gmxe.jpeg)
Moving the mudguard arches up wouldn't fix the issue, since they're too small. So I looked at the pictures of the real vehicle and printed mudguards that sort of looked right:
(https://i.imgur.com/GJXlKaA.jpeg)
They're probably too wide now. i may leave them as is or cut them down size:
(https://i.imgur.com/mLdmeJ2.jpeg)
I also added fenders. Some AHNs have fenders of one kind or another. I'll fix the wobble:
(https://i.imgur.com/WvaeWk0.jpeg)
This is where I am now. It has not been a fun build...
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Neat build. Although this design does nothing for me, cannot reconcile the weird (to my eye) front.
It does however, offer a truck with a built in Zombie plow front, push them right over the cab and into the tray. ;)
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The design is pretty basic, and for a French vehicle, not too bizarre.
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:smiley:
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I thinned the mudguards a bit, removed the fenders and repainted all the spots that needed it. Now it's time to start weathering, which is always nerve-wracking. I want to make this either a yarn or sheep transport since Lisa is a knitter. I have to find a period appropriate (late 40's - 1960) sheep or yarn logo. There's a French yarn company (Bergère de France) that would do, but they don't really have a logo.
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Baa
Baa
Baa
(https://web4.hobbylinc.com/gr/tam/tam35385.jpg)
https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/tam/tam35385.htm?source=froogle&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtdi_BhACEiwA97y8BGQVjA-FGFN_EY5FZqaIgS6r7ykZTBzllIyNdiVF0p5_B4neYBSgBxoCwWkQAvD_BwE (https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/tam/tam35385.htm?source=froogle&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtdi_BhACEiwA97y8BGQVjA-FGFN_EY5FZqaIgS6r7ykZTBzllIyNdiVF0p5_B4neYBSgBxoCwWkQAvD_BwE)
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Very nice! (Especially for a somewhat trying build!)
... I want to make this either a yarn or sheep transport since Lisa is a knitter...
With Wallace and Gromit in a sidecar in hot pursuit? ;D
... I have to find a period appropriate (late 40's - 1960) sheep or yarn logo. There's a French yarn company (Bergère de France) that would do, but they don't really have a logo.
-- https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/947381361/bergere-de-france-wool-shop-logo (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/947381361/bergere-de-france-wool-shop-logo)
And, not quite a logo but ...
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I thinned the mudguards a bit, removed the fenders and repainted all the spots that needed it. Now it's time to start weathering, which is always nerve-wracking. I want to make this either a yarn or sheep transport since Lisa is a knitter. I have to find a period appropriate (late 40's - 1960) sheep or yarn logo. There's a French yarn company (Bergère de France) that would do, but they don't really have a logo.
Frank, I 3D printed a heap of sheep for this dio. Used my old FDM Printer and with a bit of filler worked in to make the wool better, they came out alright
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xaofll2tqsemp0k5cpbzr/HumberDio_3.JPG?rlkey=yozvu41d6x69crolrwfjzqxk0&st=sv9k1ovb&raw=1)
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Perfect! Thanks, Stephen! My wife has bought yarn from them and the logo is period appropriate.
Brian - those sheep look great!
I'm procrastinating in starting the weathering, so instead I put together some Minart sheep (http://"https://miniart-models.com/product/38042-sheep/") that I got yesterday. The fit isn't good, but straightforward to correct. 15 sheep in the box (two sprues with 5 individual sheep, x 3).
I put together 6 sheep and 1 lamb. To make the 7th sheep distinct, I cut off and re-positioned its head.
I also added the stakes on the sides of the truck:
(https://i.imgur.com/WH6k6ZU.jpeg)
I used the old man with the rake from the Masterbox Civilians, Western region (https://www.mbltd.info/figures/1-35-scale/world-war-ii-era/3567.html). The rake handle broke, so I replaced it with some styrene rod. You can imagine what he's going to be doing with the rake...
(https://i.imgur.com/sBIqn5F.jpeg)
I added some definition to his hair and some features. This is a pretty well mastered Masterbox set:
(https://i.imgur.com/0FaocgP.jpeg)
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/3614/3413327441_267270d6a3_b.jpg)
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Looking good, Frank! And glad that the logo works :smiley:
... I added some definition to his hair and some features. This is a pretty well mastered Masterbox set...
That looks great. The photo on the Masterbox website isn't very good (for comparison sake). I'm guessing that the particularly life-like eyebrows and mustache are your added definition?
Your growing sheep herd is looking good, too BTW :smiley:
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The truck is mostly finished. I gave it some dirt but not much rust.
The license plate on the front could have been larger, but good enough. 2504 is the month and year I will hopefully finish this:
(https://i.imgur.com/u6fK63J.jpeg)
The company sign of the side of the truck is for Bergère de France, a wool company that's been around since 1946. Apophenia found it for me. Thanks!
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS3gbYUm4sxcjSBXF1c3iOydlHv9rA2mmove1zwYtEVLQ3vD5-W)
(https://i.imgur.com/1PEbbqU.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qNHSfQb.jpeg)
I added the rear lights (made from ejector pins on the kit's clear sprue) and mud flaps/plate holders cut from styrene:
(https://i.imgur.com/PLOF17i.jpeg)
Closeup of the farmer/worker. Not great, not terrible. The sculpting is one of the best I've seen from Masterbox:
(https://i.imgur.com/T2jTJ09.jpeg)
With one of the tools of his trade:
(https://i.imgur.com/V7Md0yO.jpeg)
Now to work on the sheep...
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For a farm truck that looks good to me.
I used the same guy in my Sheep dio, he has character. I changed arms and added a broken shotgun as the rake did not work in my scene
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Bravo, Frank! That's looking fantastic! :smiley: :smiley: 8)
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For a farm truck that looks good to me.
I used the same guy in my Sheep dio, he has character. I changed arms and added a broken shotgun as the rake did not work in my scene
Thanks, guys.
This figure has one of the best injection molded faces I've seen.
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I'm calling this one finished.
In the afternoon sun:
(https://i.imgur.com/NeDq2GT.jpeg)
I made 7 sheep. They didn't fit well. I put some liquid cement along the seams and used a stiff brass brush to pick at the plastic. I think that worked. Painting was more complicated than I expected... I just stopped when they looked sheep-ish... I also added a rolled up resin tarp from Value Gear:
(https://i.imgur.com/arQjV5u.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WphrgDd.jpeg)
Unlike most builds, where most of the work is in the paint prep and painting phase, this one was the opposite. I spent more time fixing issues, obtaining tires and building the cab than I did with the painting. This was not a fun build, with the cab being the most difficult part. The finished truck is surprisingly delicate as well; the cab has come loose in the front three times already.
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Realistic and perfectly weathered :smiley:
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Bravo, Frank! That's looking fantastic! :smiley: :smiley: 8)
This still says it all! :smiley: :smiley: :icon_alabanza:
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Thanks, guys! It certainly wasn't a fun kit to build.
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Such an unusual subject but beautifully finished - a masterpiece of subtle weathering! :icon_alabanza:
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Well, It's no Citroen H, but is is pretty stylish, and nicely finished. Sorry it wasn't a relaxing build, but I hear you-sometimes the subject is more important than the convenience. :smiley: