Mirror Models 1/35 CMP C15A Cab13

[ElCapitan]

So, a few months ago I put this kit up for sale. I had a grand total of 0 expressions of interest, so I've decided to just build the damn thing.



Some people may not be aware of Mirror Models, but they are an Irish brand whose kits usually contain a mixture of styrene, resin and photo-etch parts. Moulding isn't bad, though the resin casting is pretty dire in places. Also, I'm not sure how they decided which parts should be made of resin, but they've chosen some of the most random parts which would have been just as good, if not better, in styrene. Instructions are not your standard assembly diagrams - instead they provide a few sheets of photos showing each completed step:



This makes an already complex model even harder to put together, as the photos are not always from the best angle to see where things attach. Because of that I've made a couple of errors here and there, but I'm still happy with the progress I'm making.

So far I've completed the chassis, complete with drive-train, engine and fuel tanks.







Next will be the truck bed, which is COVERED in ejector pin marks, which I am really awful at getting rid of as it is, without having them in the ridiculous places they are on this.



I can see why nobody wanted to buy it, but hopefully I'll be able to maintain patience with it.

[digger303]

If you had been in Australia I might have been a big enough mug to buy it, because when they went on sale in Hobbyeasy I picked up the water tanker version for about $30aud and was very pleased about that. It also has pe and a huge amount of resin.
Mirror models came after Lz models was established and now Thunder Models is the newest company all under the same umbrella.
Those ejector marks aren't that hard to get rid of if you place your filla material in and then use a chisel blade at a angle such that the cutting edge is parallel with the surface and push it should carve the top of the filla right off leaving it flat. Maybe a repeat might be needed if it tears slightly.
Loving what you have achieved so far and the PE looks stunning.
Did you have any trouble getting the wheels level ?
The level of detail is huge ! and you still have a tonne of PE to go....sorry don't want to dent your mojo....your going very well.
Where did you make mistakes cause it all looks good from here.

[ElCapitan]

If you had been in Australia I might have been a big enough mug to buy it, because when they went on sale in Hobbyeasy I picked up the water tanker version for about $30aud and was very pleased about that. It also has pe and a huge amount of resin.
Mirror models came after Lz models was established and now Thunder Models is the newest company all under the same umbrella.
Those ejector marks aren't that hard to get rid of if you place your filla material in and then use a chisel blade at a angle such that the cutting edge is parallel with the surface and push it should crave the top of the filla right off leaving it flat. Maybe a repeat might be needed if it tears slightly.
Loving what you have achieved so far and the PE looks stunning.
Did you have any trouble getting the wheels level ?
The level of detail is huge ! and you still have a tonne of PE to go....sorry don't want to dent your mojo....your going very well.
Where did you make mistakes cause it all looks good from here.

Thanks for the tip for the ejector marks - I don't have any chisels but I'll see if I can improvise. I usually sand them and it looks terrible.

I didn't have too much trouble getting the wheels level actually. I used the edge of a steel rule to keep them aligned on one plane while the glue was setting, with a bit of adjusting by eye at the same time to keep them aligned vertically. It might be slightly off once the wheels are actually on, but looks pretty much spot on to me at the moment.

I had trouble figuring out where to attach the shock absorbers and the steering arm, then realised afterwards that I could see them better in a photo further on. C'est la vie!

[ElCapitan]

After a few days of gluing, swearing, un-gluing, re-gluing and repeating, I've got all the sections of this almost done. The clear sheet they provide for windscreens is horrible - scuffed and foggy. Best I have though. I still need to do the front bumper, wing mirrors and then put it all together. Everything's dry-fitted to the chassis here. Funny looking thing, isn't it?

[Twokidsnosleep]

Amazing detail additions
Swear it is gonna start up when you are done

[RangerNeil]

That's a lovely looking build! I like the Canadian 15/13 pattern cabs and bitterly regret not investing in one some years ago But then - hindsight is always 20/20. Really looking forwards to seeing this one completed.

[digger303]

You might be able to make the frosted glass wok for you with weathering

[Bdiddy]

The level of detail in this kit is unbelievable, it’s absolutely beautiful

Great job so far

[Hawkmoon]

Looks like this pig will be turning into something special. Excellent work being done here

[digger303]

Can't wait for the next up date....hint hint
yeah I know it was only this morning

[Tomcat64]

Wow - that looks like you've set yourself a challenge Rob, but great work knocking it into shape so far

[ElCapitan]

Thanks everyone. I'm hoping to get it primed at some point this week. I'll be painting it in sections to allow me to get paint into all the hard to reach places.

[ElCapitan]

Priming is now done. I used Ultimate grey for a change.

[digger303]

it is still living up to it's promise...superb looking soft skin

[robwuk]

well done on a fiddly build. I built the Holmes Wrecker kit they do (think it is the same chassis & cab with the 2 cranes & supports mounted). The biggest frustration I had was the lack of positive fixings for a lot of the parts. I did mine as a civilian in red/blue but it isn't really finished - just enough that I can abandon it and move on to other things really

[ElCapitan]

Thanks for the positive comments. Still going strong with this one.

In the last week I've completed the paintjob - using Tamiya Olive Drab and Rubber Black. Decals are done (all 3 of them), wheels are on, gloss coat is done ready for some weathering.

[SteelScooter]

The early Mirror Models kits are one step up from limited run so require a lot more work than your average Tamiya-like kit. You have done a very good job and in the process have built up your modelling muscle nicely.

[CygnusX1]

Looks really good - bit of a horror to build though.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with it now.

[digger303]

[BigWall]

It's looking great!

[Tomcat64]

That's a superb job with a mixed-media kit Rob - really tidy work

[ElCapitan]

I feel like this is finished. All in all, a fun build. More finished photos can be found in the gallery thread viewtopic.php?f=46&t=28672

[digger303]

great result and a interesting build to follow

[robwuk]

This is the Holmes Wrecker version - wanted a "post war civilian build" - not really finished just "stopped"