Trumpeter 1/35 Stryker ESV + LWMR/SOB

[robwuk]

Ok, so time to build something complicated. Trumpeter Stryker Engineer vehicle with light weight mine roller (Bulldozer blade option as well). Photos

[BigWall]

This will be a nice build. I'll enjoy watching it come together!

[digger303]

This is going to be interesting I shall like watching this and comparing the build between Takom's and Trumpeters engineering on these multi wheel wheeled steered vehicles. Are the vinyl tyres going to do it justice ?

[robwuk]

thanks both.... Lower front glacis and drive train done....

[Donkeywalloper]

Lovely job so far and theses Trumpeter kits for the price are really spot on.
Great job, and pulling up the to watch.

DW

[digger303]

Lovely job so far and theses Trumpeter kits for the price are really spot on.
Great job, and pulling up the to watch.

DW

Me too, I'm really interested in how the under side all works on these.

[robwuk]

And the rear. The rear panel is made up of the door (plus locking mechanism) , the ramp and the glacis - tempting me to get the Stryker mortar carrier to have the interior

[Bdiddy]

this is a really cool looking model, cant wait to see it done. great job so far

[Donkeywalloper]

And the rear. The rear panel is made up of the door (plus locking mechanism) , the ramp and the glacis - tempting me to get the Stryker mortar carrier to have the interior

Lovely bit of PE bending chap, very neat.
DW

[robwuk]

thanks both - the can racks bent nicely (considering I can't solder they hold well with super glue) however I htink if you had to re-fold too much the PE would break (in fact I know as there are 4 parts for the suspension, I tried one (there are no bending instructions juts "bend" and even using the kit part as template I couldn't work it out) and that came apart after about 2 re-bends) - in fact thats the biggest problem with the instructions, a lot of the PE is just "bend" and not all of it is self-explanatory

[Donkeywalloper]

thanks both - the can racks bent nicely (considering I can't solder they hold well with super glue) however I htink if you had to re-fold too much the PE would break (in fact I know as there are 4 parts for the suspension, I tried one (there are no bending instructions juts "bend" and even using the kit part as template I couldn't work it out) and that came apart after about 2 re-bends) - in fact thats the biggest problem with the instructions, a lot of the PE is just "bend" and not all of it is self-explanatory

Don't beat yourself up over this chap. I often end up bending my PE the wrong way and find the crease is on the opposite side. These little trials manifest themselves as Battle Damage in the end result, and only you know, or some of us if you let us know
Cracking job chap,
DW

[robwuk]

thanks for the encouragement....

About 5 hours work on the upper hull (just placed). Like the way this goes together, lots of detail t goes together quite nicely

[digger303]

a very neat build, very sharp

[robwuk]

a very neat build, very sharp

cheers Digger...

first bench session after a week away - finished the SOB (straight bulldozer blade - some fiddly pins but it is articulated) which wont be mounted but will be painted up, and started on the light-weight mine roller....

[digger303]

thanks both - the can racks bent nicely (considering I can't solder they hold well with super glue) however I htink if you had to re-fold too much the PE would break (in fact I know as there are 4 parts for the suspension, I tried one (there are no bending instructions juts "bend" and even using the kit part as template I couldn't work it out) and that came apart after about 2 re-bends) - in fact thats the biggest problem with the instructions, a lot of the PE is just "bend" and not all of it is self-explanatory

That's a shame after all the man hrs the designers put into bring this kit to market and to fall down on such a simple thing like instructions and having bend marks in the pe.
On a more positive awesome note....the box art is terrific and it really is a busy vehicle with detail to be had on every plane.

[Hawkmoon]

All looking good and nice work

[robwuk]

progress on the rollers. Very detailed and some small pins to allow it all to articulate but feels fairly solid. Building is getting close to an end then it will be on to painting

[BigWall]

It's coming along nicely! I can't wait to see the paint go down.

[Hawkmoon]

Looking good some very nice detail on this kit

[SMAddict66]

I’m late to this but must agree with previous comments that this is coming together really well. There is so much detail on this it must be great to put together, bar the absence of pe guidance

Keep up the good work.

[digger303]

I’m late to this but must agree with previous comments that this is coming together really well. There is so much detail on this it must be great to put together, bar the absence of pe guidance

Keep up the good work.

I'm thinking much the same. It's a builders dream....it looks so interesting and complicated

[robwuk]

Big milestone reached... building done (barring thin/small/fragile parts). Next up will be painting. Going to pre-shade (black primer, white highlights) and then hit with NaTO green (doubt it is an accurate colour but it is what I have)

[BigWall]

Very cool! I can't wait to see the paint go down.

[robwuk]

Very cool! I can't wait to see the paint go down.

your wish is my command (Within reason)... And just like that it all went black... Next up the white/grey highlights

[aur0ra145]

Looking forward to seeing this one painted up!

[robwuk]

now white pre-shading complete. Will hit with NATO green tomorrow (remembering to go lightly with it

[robwuk]

And now it is green. AK Interactive NATO green (probably not right but weathering will help). Managed to keep some of the pre-shading

[BigWall]

The paint came out great!

As far as the correct color of green goes, who cares? Remember that this is art. If you painted it like the real thing it would look like a potato on the shelf. Real military vehicles want to blend in to nothingness. You want lights and darks and details popping. Do what makes it look right to you.

[robwuk]

The paint came out great!

As far as the correct color of green goes, who cares? Remember that this is art. If you painted it like the real thing it would look like a potato on the shelf. Real military vehicles want to blend in to nothingness. You want lights and darks and details popping. Do what makes it look right to you.

Cheers Joe, hope to get the gloss coat on tomorrow then can decal during the week

[digger303]

[aur0ra145]

Nice work on the paint, it looks great!

[robwuk]

thanks all... progress made on decals. Just need to complete the 6 on the roller units. Trumpeter give you some nice ones (if small) for stencils....

[robwuk]

progress

[digger303]

That has a definite place on the display shelf.

[BigWall]

I had forgotten about this. It's coming along really nicely! I've always wanted to build a Stryker. Maybe someday I'll get past my WWII fixation and do so.

[robwuk]

That has a definite place on the display shelf.

I had forgotten about this. It's coming along really nicely! I've always wanted to build a Stryker. Maybe someday I'll get past my WWII fixation and do so.

thanks both... can't recommend them enough, my understanding is that the Trumpeter kits give he better value for money. I would love the mortar carrier as you get a full interior as well.. only real pain, vinyl tyres - second lot I have (first was a Tamiya kit) where the paint flaked as you tried to put them on the hubs, either avoid or only paint once on the wheel hubs)

need to decide how much weathering to do

[digger303]

That has a definite place on the display shelf.

I had forgotten about this. It's coming along really nicely! I've always wanted to build a Stryker. Maybe someday I'll get past my WWII fixation and do so.

thanks both... can't recommend them enough, my understanding is that the Trumpeter kits give he better value for money. I would love the mortar carrier as you get a full interior as well.. only real pain, vinyl tyres - second lot I have (first was a Tamiya kit) where the paint flaked as you tried to put them on the hubs, either avoid or only paint once on the wheel hubs)

need to decide how much weathering to do

Had the flaking paint on a track set once.....put me right off. Other thing of course over time vinyl isn't very stable tending to dry out shrink, crack and other awful things.

[robwuk]

all parts on... need to get some touch up done on the smaller parts (and the cover on the MG)... not sure how I will weather - maybe just a light dust spray

[digger303]

Marvelous and yes a dusty look will make it look used especially the tyres.

[BigWall]

Very nice! Some dust would definitely knock the newness off of it.

[ForeverPlasticKits]

Very good Stryker, the paint technic gives really good result.