M41 Cargo Tractor (1/35)

[raafif]

Jeff, I used a civilian version of K.L.E.E.N.E.X. T.I.S.S.U.E.  (Kevlar Light Engagement Environment, Non-EXplosive Transportation Integration System for Single Use Enclosures)

Painted in shades of green.

Love that, will have to file it for future use   I have used pattern embossed toilet paper for trailer cammo covers too.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Jeff, I used a civilian version of K.L.E.E.N.E.X. T.I.S.S.U.E.  (Kevlar Light Engagement Environment, Non-EXplosive Transportation Integration System for Single Use Enclosures)

Painted in shades of green.

It looks very authentic with your paint applied to it.  The CLOROX Brand wipes had a texture to them that would also work for that purpose. 

[Frank3k]

I have some down in the car, as well as some old color catcher sheets. Those were going to be the main sources. The kleenex was supposed to be a test of mixing white glue and painting, but it came out good enough for government work.

[Ramba]

The sand looks great. Thanks for the paint info. I will have to look those up. Looks like a close match for the modern US armor sand.

[Frank3k]

There's a slight difference, with the MERDEC Sand a little warmer. The AK 3rd gen paints are acrylic and have great coverage, but are somewhat different in use from more common acrylics like Vallejo or Tamiya. They can't be thinned with alcohol and are pigment dense, so they have to be mixed carefully. They go on beautifully, though.

[Frank3k]

Finally, finally done with this build. The finish has dust and cat hairs in it, some of the resin started to warp, the plastic for the windows have partially popped out of place, but I don't care.





The rear view mirrors are copper wire and two plastic bits. I cut out the red headlights from the tail assemblies that I designed and printed. The windshield wipers are ones I printed, modified for these windows:



Steve, as usual, doesn't think too highly of this whole setup - too slow:



The cargo tractor is called "Cargo Cult" - appropriate name (and also the name of a Culture ship) The vehicle code is the year and month that I finished it and the month (02) that I started this build. I don't know why it has a green tint, but I'll leave it as is:



With Steve:



Rear view. The tail lights and tow hook assemblies came out pretty nice. The reflectors are orange, but they look red. I forgot to put the vehicle serial number on the rear:



I noticed that I forgot the antenna. Luckily Felix dropped a whisker the other day, and it came in handy. It may not be accurate, but he's been a good modelling helper:



Thanks for following along with this ordeal of a build. I appreciate all the comments. And thanks to Jeff for providing the lower hull.

[Old Wombat]

Looks good to me!

[Claymore]

As always, a great idea, great build and great finish.  Bravo Sir, bravo!   

[Story]

That you chose for it to be a present day USMC vehicle adds 34.7% more believability, since the Marines bemoan their curse of hand-me-down antiquated systems. 

It also means that the following (along with all other self-criticisms) falls under *I meant to do that* since that's how vehicles circle-X'd off the deadline lot really look.

The finish has dust and cat hairs in it, some of the resin started to warp, the plastic for the windows have partially popped out of place, but I don't care.

[Mig Eater]

Looks great and very believable, you can easily imagine it roaming around some remote US base in the middle east    

[LemonJello]

Excellent project brought to completion.  Even if Steve bemoans its low top speed, he'll appreciate it hauling all sorts of creature comforts out to a remote shooting location for him.

[Kerick]

Don’t worry about the sand paint colors. There were vehicles parked next to each other with different shades of sand color. It’s all about which vehicle got painted in what place by painters using whatever manufacturer’s paint showed up that day. Some got painted before leaving the US by a manufacturer or in a depot. Some got painted in country by a contractor. Some got painted by the unit mechanics. Others never got painted at all and were left in NATO camo. Then there were the vehicles with replaced parts that might have been in NATO colors or sand and mismatched on various vehicles. You never knew what might be in the motor pool or on the road. Then there was the rented civilian trucks, SUVs and construction equipment. We had several green gator ATVs and yellow front end loaders. Yup, paint colors don’t mean as much to me as to some folks.

[Frank3k]

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the comments. This was a drag.

I picked USMC for some of the reasons Story mentioned - new hardware on old hand me downs.

What's funny is that this is the second Tamiya M41 kit that I've used for a mostly 3D printed build, yet I've never put together the original kit (at least not to the point of paint). I have an AFV Club M41 that I'll build as the real thing, eventually.

[Ramba]

Terrific job as always! Very cool design.

[apophenia]

Jeff, I used a civilian version of K.L.E.E.N.E.X. T.I.S.S.U.E.  (Kevlar Light Engagement Environment, Non-EXplosive Transportation Integration System for Single Use Enclosures)...

 

[Frank3k]

My wife asked me what I used for the cargo covered; she thought it was an old t-shirt or something. K.L.E.E.N.E.X. T.I.S.S.U.E. glued in place with some white glue mixed with water seems to be a winning combo. I'm surprised that it didn't tear (although it was very delicate).

[Buzzbomb]

I think you have a sound, solid build here. Sure it might not be competition standard to your eyes, but here it works and works very well.

The concept is sound and well executed.. take at least one short bow 

[Frank3k]

One thing I'm excited about this build - I didn't break off any of the hooks on the sides of the cargo bay during painting, weathering and handling!

[apophenia]

One thing I'm excited about this build - I didn't break off any of the hooks on the sides of the cargo bay during painting, weathering and handling!

Here, the little things do literally matter. This is a victory so, as Buzzbomb said, take a bow 

[Gingie]

Damn fine work!! Baby brother to M8A1