Author Topic: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)  (Read 36716 times)

Offline raafif

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D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« on: July 29, 2025, 07:43:18 AM »
Got this MLRS kit & sold off the missile launcher section as I was going to build the comms version which, of course, is now available as a complete kit.
So I then had a different idea.  Cold War II, Russia vs the USA again -threat of Russian ICBMs means the DEW Line is re-instated.

Started building the cab fully closed up as I don’t like full interiors – too many small parts – as my arthritic fingers have trouble cleaning them up & placing them.  Glued the basic parts of the new rear section on to the base.  This is as far I’ve got –I may not use any more of the MLRS kit with this new build as my ideas are constantly evolving.  Probably won’t even use the lower chassis tub, wheels & tracks - but something Whacky that I have in mind.

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2025, 10:25:06 AM »
Did the side walls for your van body start life as a battery pack?  :smiley:
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline Kerick

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2025, 10:51:31 PM »
Some repurposing going on there! Excellent!

Offline raafif

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2025, 05:30:16 AM »
Did the side walls for your van body start life as a battery pack?  :smiley:

Yes, back in the dark days of the 1970’s, most Tamiya larger 1/35th & 1/25th scale AFV kits had motorisation.  I ended up with five of the battery-box hand-pieces which I intended to use in sci-fi builds but never got around to it – maybe later.  This is my first use of these parts.

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2025, 08:48:43 AM »
Did the side walls for your van body start life as a battery pack?  :smiley:

Yes, back in the dark days of the 1970’s, most Tamiya larger 1/35th & 1/25th scale AFV kits had motorisation.  I ended up with five of the battery-box hand-pieces which I intended to use in sci-fi builds but never got around to it – maybe later.  This is my first use of these parts.

Good plan!  The Tamiya battery boxes were much more interesting shapes and size compared to some of the other kits that featured those things. 
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline raafif

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2025, 06:26:43 AM »
Despite being terrible at measuring accurately or cutting straight / parallel lines, the completed basic rear box looks good - still some tidying up to be done to hide my errors.  A coat of primer makes it look a Hell of’a lot better.

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2025, 03:08:40 PM »
 :smiley:
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our entry sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Claymore

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2025, 03:43:06 PM »
Looking good!  :smiley:
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline raafif

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2025, 07:16:37 AM »
Hmmm, what might this be ?

Offline Frank3k

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2025, 10:29:44 AM »
I love this! The MLRS is a good canvas!

Offline Kerick

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #10 on: August 01, 2025, 10:39:44 AM »
An interior wall or front outside wall?

Offline Dr. YoKai

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2025, 10:04:11 PM »
My Dad worked on the original DEW line in the mid-fifties just before I was born. This looks like an excellent start.

Offline raafif

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #12 on: August 04, 2025, 07:14:43 AM »
My Dad worked on the original DEW line in the mid-fifties just before I was born. This looks like an excellent start.

Really LOVE those LeTourneau supply trains - wish there were models of them.


Another section completed .... didn't want to use the MLRS base but it was easier than scratching one.

Offline raafif

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #13 on: September 04, 2025, 06:25:45 AM »
I’ve given up on my local 3D printing guy, he obviously only wants to print ready-done files & won’t quote on my plan to trim & re-scale existing STL files for a really great drive-train idea.  This means I’ll have to either go for the standard lower chassis, wheels & tracks or cobble something else out of my junkpile.  :icon_sueno: :icon_sueno: :icon_sueno:

Offline raafif

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #14 on: September 12, 2025, 07:20:10 AM »
OK, I did want an Archimedes Screw suspension but will cobble a new tracked chassis using most of the existing suspension – see drawing below for my idea.
I’ve already sliced the chassis in half !!!

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #15 on: September 13, 2025, 01:55:14 AM »
 :smiley:
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline raafif

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #16 on: September 21, 2025, 07:01:02 AM »
Just a quick shot to show where I’m going.
Lots of work done to this stage including moving the whole chassis back to make room for the big drive-sprockets.  I had to remove the return rollers & shock-absorbers as they got in the way of the new track which is too short to accommodate a rear idler-wheel (which, to me, is more pleasing to the eye).  I do like orange for the colour but we’ll see how the new paint brand I’m trying goes.

Offline apophenia

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #17 on: September 21, 2025, 07:11:21 AM »
Looking good so far  :smiley:
"It could have been different. But it wasn't."

Offline Kerick

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Re: D.E.W.E. (Dewey)
« Reply #18 on: September 21, 2025, 10:59:44 AM »
Looking very good!