Author Topic: 1/35 M76 "Otter" (Read 32821 times)

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #50 on:** May 08, 2025, 01:49:53 AM »

Agreed. Looking great considering the construction issues you experienced with this kit.

With the lower freeboard is the otter still capable of amphious operation?

Frank3k · « **Reply #51 on:** May 08, 2025, 12:19:18 PM »

I think as long as it isn't overloaded and it's not going into rough seas (or any seas, really...) it should be OK. From the pictures here:https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/us/amphibious-cargo-carrier-m76-otter/

It looks like this model has a few inches of freeboard.

As if this build didn't suck enough - I just did a google search and found more pictures of the M76 that weren't online when I started this build...

Story · « **Reply #52 on:** May 08, 2025, 09:13:34 PM »

Quote from: Frank3k on May 08, 2025, 12:19:18 PM

As if this build didn't suck enough - I just did a google search and found more pictures of the M76 that weren't online when I started this build...

It could be worse - a cheap but accurate 3D conversion kit of what you just did could have been released yesterday.

Frank3k · « **Reply #53 on:** May 08, 2025, 10:46:42 PM »

That will happen as soon as I finish this...

Frank3k · « **Reply #54 on:** May 09, 2025, 10:18:18 AM »

Slowly getting closer to the finish line. I added the decals today.

I printed the "Polar Operations Support" decal, with the year and date as the serial number. The black hatch/door on the upper right side looks like the cover for an electrical connection. That's what I'm assuming and how I painted it:

Why yes, I did think of the acronym first... and true to its name, the decal on the right door got smooshed slightly after I applied the decal softener/setting solution.

Other side:

Some of the holes and scratched paint on both sides will receive parts still under construction.

I added a fire extinguisher to the cargo area, next to the fuel tanks:

Top view. The "bald spot" on the upper right corner of the roof is for the radio antenna:

Front view. The tiger mouth and eye decals are from the kit:

The blackout light? on the front left was turned into a hooded light. The round object below it is the horn.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #55 on:** May 09, 2025, 06:29:42 PM »

You may think you have more to do but;

Seriously good result, Frank!

No matter what you thought of the kit*, the finished piece is excellent!

[*: Yes, I noticed the "POS".

]

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #56 on:** May 10, 2025, 12:01:26 AM »

Polar Operations Support FTW!

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #57 on:** May 10, 2025, 12:41:25 AM »

Looking good despite your challenges.

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #58 on:** May 10, 2025, 06:10:54 AM »

Also have to say.. regardless of the challenges, where you are is a spiffy build and sits right on the mark.

Well done sir !

Ramba · « **Reply #59 on:** May 11, 2025, 05:48:03 AM »

Another great job and the shark mouth looks cool.

LemonJello · « **Reply #60 on:** May 11, 2025, 07:58:12 AM »

Another battle won, Frank!

Frank3k · « **Reply #61 on:** May 12, 2025, 01:29:43 AM »

Still need a few delicate parts before I can declare victory...

Frank3k · « **Reply #62 on:** May 12, 2025, 08:42:36 AM »

Didn't break off the delicate half plastic/half PE windshield wipers, the PE windshield wiper protectors not the antenna or great on the sides. I started to do some weathering, but cut it short because I'm done done with this piece of drek and don't want to tempt fate.

Top view, with some cargo:

The white box is the ever critical supply of toilet paper. The rolled tarp is from the always excellent Value Gear:

The antenna is too long to fit in any of the pictures. I should have sized it correctly, but ehhh.

French mechanic and The Inspector going over the many, many shortcomings and annoyances of this kit:

Backstory? This M76 was converted to carry supplies from McMurdo Station to far off research centers in Antarctica. It was lost in a snow storm on a leg of its journey between the Norwegian Drittstasjon and the Chinese 操你个壁虎 station.

raafif · « **Reply #63 on:** May 12, 2025, 08:48:26 AM »

A snow-base would look great.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #64 on:** May 12, 2025, 05:12:09 PM »

Doesn't need heavy weathering to look good ... And she does look good, no matter the issues!

Interesting station names she disappeared between.

LemonJello · « **Reply #65 on:** May 12, 2025, 09:50:49 PM »

Frank, Thanks for being the pathfinder with this build, your fight with this kit will be immensely valuable to those of us that have this kit in the stash.

Forewarned is fore-armed!

Frank3k · « **Reply #66 on:** May 12, 2025, 11:43:30 PM »

Thanks, guys. My experience with this kit would have been improved if I had built it in the order that seemed to make most sense and ditched some of the more ridiculous PE (like the wingnuts). The tracks were surprisingly difficult for link and length. If I were forced to build this again, I would build the lower hull first (including the wheels, suspension and tracks) and set it aside - maybe even paint it. The suspension is fiddly and the attachment points aren't the strongest, so just press fitting them to the hull, building the wheels and tracks the setting them aside won't work.

I would have been extra careful with the upper rear corner PE pieces, maybe using a slow setting CA glue or a PVA glue once in place. Much of the PE is excessive (besides the wingnuts) like the belts and supports for the tools on the outside of the vehicle. thin tape would help with some.

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #67 on:** May 13, 2025, 06:29:57 AM »

A+ Class product.

Well done, fits the role and the mods really do work

Kerick · « **Reply #68 on:** May 13, 2025, 10:52:23 PM »

This all worked out in the long run! I think your weathering looks just right. Not much mud or dust running on snow and ice.

Frank3k · « **Reply #69 on:** May 13, 2025, 11:07:22 PM »

It went through the McMurdo Carwash.

Thanks for all the comments - I'll be curious to see the experiences of anyone who builds this kit. I didn't find any other builds online when I started.

Claymore · « **Reply #70 on:** May 14, 2025, 02:32:47 AM »

I know you have had a bit of a nightmare with this one but, honestly, it looks epically good. If all my nightmares turned out this good, I would be a very happy man!

Ramba · « **Reply #71 on:** May 14, 2025, 07:59:57 PM »

As always, another great job. That farmer/mechanic sure gets around and always scratching his head. I think it is time he retired

Frank3k · « **Reply #72 on:** May 15, 2025, 02:14:49 AM »

Thanks guys. It was no fun at all and since this is supposed to be a fun hobby...

The French Mechanic will get some R&R once I get one of the other 3D scanned people painted.

apophenia · « **Reply #73 on:** May 15, 2025, 05:02:43 AM »

Quote from: Frank3k on May 15, 2025, 02:14:49 AM

Thanks guys. It was no fun at all and since this is supposed to be a fun hobby...

[Best Arnold Rimmer imitation:] "Not fun! Are you mad?"

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #74 on:** May 15, 2025, 07:09:52 AM »

Quote from: Old Wombat on May 12, 2025, 05:12:09 PM

Doesn't need heavy weathering to look good ... And she does look good, no matter the issues!

Interesting station names she disappeared between.

Yes, I am very glad I didn't use the google translate function for the Chinese characters until I got home...
A pain to build it might have been, but you certainly turned it into another beautiful build. The orange looks both ideal for the Antarctic and slightly sun faded. I am most intrigued by the road wheels=it looks for all the world like some of the old wheel & track convertibles.


Fabulous '50s GB

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Author Topic: 1/35 M76 "Otter" (Read 32821 times)