Trumpeter 1/35 Type 89 IFV (modernised & up-armoured)

[robwuk]

OK, been working on this for a while. BAse kit is the Trumpeter 1/35 JGSDF Type 89 IFV + Eduard PE. As the doors are not moulded on, and the hatches can be posed open, I decided to scratch build an interior (no real references so loosely based on what I could find plus Bradley interior). As the original vehicle had gun ports these were seen as being weakpoints so I decided to fill them in then bring the vehicle up to date with some SLAT/ERA armour (similar to the Stryker Reactive Armour setup).

So various photos

[robwuk]

Huge step forward this evening, second slat/ERA complete and mounts done. I must say it isn't 100% aligned BUT think it is within my tolerance. Need to do the second rear block. Still not sure if I should do across the front (and am now toying with a couple of ERA blocks on the front of the turret. Also need to look to strengthen some of the supports (or at least make them look properly secured)

[CygnusX1]

Great build great skills. I think that'll look good under some camo.

[robwuk]

Great build great skills. I think that'll look good under some camo.

thanks Cygnus, I think next weekend should see the primer go on (limited to weekend painting slots at the moment) and then need to decide what paint scheme I am doing (was toying (as this is a "what-if build) with a what-if tri-grey hard edged scheme - almost "urban" or "snow" type idea but may also stick to green/brown

[Tomcat64]

Nice work Rob, especially detailing up the interior and on that slat/ERA - the fine "rods" on those must have been really fiddly to get lined up.

Looking forward to seeing it under paint - whichever scheme you finally settle on.

[robwuk]

Nice work Rob, especially detailing up the interior and on that slat/ERA - the fine "rods" on those must have been really fiddly to get lined up.

Looking forward to seeing it under paint - whichever scheme you finally settle on.

the rods aren't 100% lined up... plastic rod with holes drilled in .5mm plastic sheet approx 2mm apart...

[robwuk]

First round of building COMPLETE. Final section of slat built (decided to not do the front or anything extra on the turret). Next off will be primer but that may be 3 weeks as should be heading for a well deserved week away soon....



 

[robwuk]

all gone black... fully primed.... now to decide if it will be green & brown or black and grey....

[robwuk]

an afternoon with the airbrush and panzer putty... some damage to the supports for the add-on armour needs repairing plus a LOT of PE handles need to be put on then hand painted. Quite like the way the Panzer Putty worked, no lifting even though eac coat only had about 20 minutes drying time

[robwuk]

Have now moved on to adding the detail and fiddly PE. Taking it slowly

[BigWall]

It's looking great!

[digger303]

[robwuk]

slow progress with small PE. Just the fuel can racks on the rear door then repair all the additional armour supports (before 25 VERY small handles need to be done)....

[SMAddict66]

Looks fantastic

[robwuk]

Looks fantastic

cheers Phil... have enjoyed going to town on this one... took its time but kept me out of mischief

[BigWall]

It's looking great! I can't wait to see it finished.

[aur0ra145]

Wow, looking good!

[robwuk]

Thanks all... Next round of building done. Major PE added (and add-on supports repaired). Don;t know if I will do the handles - there are about 25 of them and they are all 2mm long and need 4 folds each... Will be painting the new parts and then see how my eyesight is doing.

[Hawkmoon]

looks good from here and very nice work

[BigWall]

It's looking great!

[Rugash]

Looks great, I like the scratch interior!

[robwuk]

all gone shiny (and yet again, armour supports break off - the sooner I can get that lot all fixed properly the better)....

[digger303]

Looks good

[Donkeywalloper]

Absolutely knock out job.
Love it.
DW

[Tomcat64]

Lovely work - from the front there's a hint of Scorpion/Scimitar about the shape.

[robwuk]

well with a liberal amount of glue, it's all come together. Just need to add the doors and a little touch up of paint, some dust and light mud and then it is done... this one nearly ended up in the bin so pleased to have got this far....

[BigWall]

That came out very nicely! Amazing scratch building! I'm glad all that work didn't end up in the trash!

[robwuk]

finished I think

[BigWall]

Very nice! Amazing work with the scratch building! I'm glad you didn't give up on it. You did a great job!

[robwuk]

Very nice! Amazing work with the scratch building! I'm glad you didn't give up on it. You did a great job!

cheers Joe, it was teh side armour that nearly did me... but once I got it added it felt very worth while

[digger303]

Glad you hammered through it looks great. I like the interior detail you squeezed in really adds something to it.