Tomcat's 1/35 Wasp Jeep

[Tomcat64]

I've decided to switch over to the green team for my next project which will be this...


There was only one prototype built by Popski's Private Army in Italy and it was abandoned after trials, so here's a little info about Popski's Private Army courtesy of Wiki:
Popski's Private Army, officially No. 1 Demolition Squadron, PPA, was a unit of British Special Forces set up in Cairo in October 1942 by Major Vladimir Peniakoff. Popski's Private Army was one of several raiding units formed in the Western Desert during the Second World War. The squadron also served in Italy, and was disbanded in September 1945.

No. 1 Demolition Squadron was formed specifically to attack Field-Marshal Rommel's fuel supplies, in support of General Montgomery’s offensive at El Alamein, at the suggestion of Lieutenant-Colonel John Hackett. The unit became operational on 10 December 1942 as an 8th Army Special Forces unit. After the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) and the Special Air Service (SAS), PPA was the last and smallest of the three main irregular raiding, reconnaissance and intelligence units formed during the North African Campaign.

There is a replica of the vehicle in the UK and there are a few photos out on the interweb which will be good for reference


Onto the kit itself and there are only a couple of sprue frames in this one




Nice glossy instruction book and a handful of decals


And a sample of the instructions


Hoping to get started on this in the next couple of days

[aur0ra145]

That's pretty cool!

[Quax]

looking forward to seeing this go together
Paul

[Twokidsnosleep]

Cool I like this one
At least it has four wheels
Nothing like driving around with a bomb of fuel sitting right behind you

[ForbesHutton]

Cool I like this one
At least it has four wheels
Nothing like driving around with a bomb of fuel sitting right behind you

It must have been a real bowel flush when the tracer rounds were inbound.

[Stokesy44]

Cool I like this one
At least it has four wheels
Nothing like driving around with a bomb of fuel sitting right behind you

Not to mention the slight burning sensation in your right ear if you’re driving the thing when the gunner lights it up!

[Stokesy44]

oh go on, count me in then!

[digger303]

After reading the book and saw this come out I just had to grab it. Then I read only yesterday that this jeep kit has some detail issues and what not, but I don't really know what. However put that aside and I'm still keen to see how this all goes and I'm still going to build mine sometime in 2030... So go for it TC

[Tomcat64]

Thanks for checking in guys - I definitely think this one got filed under "seemed like a good idea at the time..."


@digger303 yep I've seen a couple of build logs that highlight a couple of missing features in the driver's footwell, as well as some small internal stanchions and piping, but we'll see how it goes. It also seems to lend itself to being built in sub sections which I think will be useful.

Out of interest which book were you talking about - I'm definitely interested in picking up more info on PPA.

[digger303]

Thanks for checking in guys - I definitely think this one got filed under "seemed like a good idea at the time..."


@digger303 yep I've seen a couple of build logs that highlight a couple of missing features in the driver's footwell, as well as some small internal stanchions and piping, but we'll see how it goes. It also seems to lend itself to being built in sub sections which I think will be useful.

Out of interest which book were you talking about - I'm definitely interested in picking up more info on PPA.

The book is called Popski's Private Army.......... are 2 versions one by Popski and the other by his second in command. I'v read Popski's account and trying to get the other myself. Apparently there are reprints out there, but are of questionable quality....

[Tomcat64]

Thanks Digger - that's the one I was looking at but as you mentioned there are a few concerns around the reprint quality, but I've gone for it anyway - hopefully it will be at least readable!

[digger303]

Was just reading this and thought TC might like this.....https://www.themodellingnews.com/2020/0 ... .html#more

[Tomcat64]

Was just reading this and thought TC might like this.....https://www.themodellingnews.com/2020/0 ... .html#more

Thanks Digger - it looks like he's making the same additions as the build thread I saw previously... actually they're so close that I'm wondering if it's the same chap posting in different places

The book also arrived and although the paper isn't the best quality the print is clear enough so not sure what the fuss was about. I'll be reading it once I've finished off Guy Gibson's "Enemy Coast Ahead"

[Tomcat64]

I got some time at the bench this weekend and made a start on the build.

This is my second Meng kit (not counting a Meng Kids one) and I have to say the quality on this one isn't quite as good as the first one. There are minor mould lines prevalent everywhere and they vary from near invisible to pretty obvious. There's also a little flash in places and while none of this is a major problem and can be addressed with a few careful swipes of a sanding stick or file it's a shame it's not as sharp as the previous kit.

That being said here's how it's going so far - first sections of the instructions build up the engine


Anyone that's followed one of my previous AFV builds will know that I like to add weight to build to give it a bit of "heft". Normally this is done with a couple of wheel weights in the hull of a tank, but since that's not available here I added some Deluxe Materials Liquid Gravity to the engine before adding the top cover


This didn't actually add as much weight as I was hoping, but I'll look to maybe add some more into the fuel tanks & jerry cans if there's space. Anyway - here's the engine built up minus the fan as I've left that off for now to allow detail painting on the belt section


Around the other side a couple of smears of putty were needed to fill some minor gaps


The next couple of sections called for the engine to be added to the chassis and then build up the rear suspension & drive shaft


The spare wheel "hoops" were removed and then needed sanding back flush, and although I've added the cross beam I've left the engine removable for painting up


Here's the rear suspension, the sprue gates on the shock absorbers were a little heavy and needed careful sanding to neaten up; also the locating slots for the suspension needed filing out before the springs would fit in place.


Over the page and we build up the front suspension & add it all to the chassis


Once again care was needed with some of the heavier sprue gates, especially with the steering arm


Here they are attached


And the engine still drops in from the top and lines up nicely with the drive shafts


Finally for the chassis assembly the tail pipe & shield is added


No major issues here, the only addition was to drill out the end of the tail pipe


And a final test fit with the engine once again reinstalled


That's all for now... I can move onto building up the bodywork next and make a start on painting & weathering the engine. This probably won't be seen when it's all finished up but I think the bonnet could be posed open with a little work.

Thanks as always for looking in

[digger303]

Looks busy enough and detailed enough so far.

[Kevthemodeller]

Bit late on this one for me looking good mate, didn't know these existed

[Stokesy44]

Nice and detailed frame and engine. Looks a nice kit

[Tomcat64]

Looks busy enough and detailed enough so far.

Nice and detailed frame and engine. Looks a nice kit

Cheers guys

Bit late on this one for me looking good mate, didn't know these existed

Thanks Kev, yep they only made the prototype and then decided it wasn't such a good idea - basically they nicked the flame thrower mechanism off of a Universal Carrier to see if it'd work

Needless to say this hasn't gone anywhere this week with the temps up around 34C here, so I'm expecting it to be a melted puddle of plastic by the time I go back into the den!

[digger303]

Looks busy enough and detailed enough so far.

Nice and detailed frame and engine. Looks a nice kit

Cheers guys

Bit late on this one for me looking good mate, didn't know these existed

Thanks Kev, yep they only made the prototype and then decided it wasn't such a good idea - basically they nicked the flame thrower mechanism off of a Universal Carrier to see if it'd work

Needless to say this hasn't gone anywhere this week with the temps up around 34C here, so I'm expecting it to be a melted puddle of plastic by the time I go back into the den!

Opposite here I had to warm my kit by the fire, alcad aqua gloss and the model just to be sure it wouldn't go cloudy.

[Stokesy44]

Weather should break today so it looks good for a modelling weekend

[Kevthemodeller]

Thanks Kev, yep they only made the prototype and then decided it wasn't such a good idea - basically they nicked the flame thrower mechanism off of a Universal Carrier to see if it'd work

That will bit it then

Needless to say this hasn't gone anywhere this week with the temps up around 34C here, so I'm expecting it to be a melted puddle of plastic by the time I go back into the den!

You and me both, the nights are just horrible!

[Tomcat64]

Well I made it into the den at the weekend and to my surprise the chassis hadn't melted so I took the liberty of gluing some more bits together

The next stage of the instructions starts with some bits for the body shell


A couple of notes here, first the underside of the body is fairly well served with EPMs and the manufacturer's name. I initially thought the raised lettering might foul the fit of the chassis but checking on fit showed this wouldn't be an issue so I've left everything as is since it's all underneath


And just to highlight on the tailgate where there's some filling & removing to do that not all the holes on the part are included in the instructions. But having checked around the two holes highlighted in red also need to be filled


Also the inner side of the tailgate has some nasty looking injection marks, but these will be buried inside the rear wheel arches so don't need too much attention


Here are all the bits installed apart from the fire extinguisher which will be panted up separately


Next up the assembly & installation of the radiator & headlight assembly


Again this will be painted up and installed later but was assembled


Meng then called for attaching the body to the chassis, and then adding the wheels


And again I'll keep these separate until later, but I did take the opportunity to build the wheels up and then attach them with blue tac to allow the front wheels to be positioned & cemented in place


Checking ahead revealed some additional parts to attach to the rear of the chassis


So they were also added at this stage as it seemed to make more sense for painting them up


And finally for this update the dashboard was installed and the final engine bay bits set aside for painting


Here's how it looks with the bonnet dry fitted


I'll now start painting this section up whilst getting on with building the components of the flamethrower mechanisms. The idea being that since they probably modified a well-used Jeep with the flamethrower from the Universal Carrier then there would probably be a difference in the finish & weathering of the various components.

Thanks as always for looking

[Stokesy44]

love that classic jeep look. Iconic and coming together nicely.

[digger303]

Loving this build with the detailed instructions and the actual build.....lovely

[BigWall]

It's looking very nice! Thank goodness that they had a fire extinguisher.

[Tomcat64]

love that classic jeep look. Iconic and coming together nicely.

Loving this build with the detailed instructions and the actual build.....lovely

It's looking very nice! Thank goodness that they had a fire extinguisher.

Cheers guys I'm not sure how effective their teeny extinguisher would have been in the case of an emergency in all that lot

[Tomcat64]

I got a couple of good sessions at the bench this weekend after a relatively fruitless week.

The chassis & engine were painted up and joined together


The body was also painted up in various shades of Olive Drab and started on some weathering with scorch marks on the bonnet and a little shading in the rear compartments & wheel wells. Although I've got to match this up with the chassis


And for the moment we can pop the bonnet off and take a look - the body & chassis are still dry-fitted for the moment


The driving compartment & dash have been done, although it looks like one of the dial decals has slipped (only just spotted that!)


Need to do some tidying up but started picking out the lights & reflectors down the back too


I then decided to do some building and picking up where we left off this was the next section in line


And combining with the next set


Gives us these... just a couple of notes here; part C15 is very fragile and I ended up breaking the pipe off as I tried to sand off the sprue gate stubs. Also the fit of the tall cylinder is a little snug into the socket on the base so might need a little sanding to get and easier fit. Also the tank was filled with liquid gravity to add the weight I mentioned earlier in the build.


Front tank next


This was also filled with some liquid gravity although there's not a lot of room


The the long pipe that joins the rear & front tanks


Nothing much to see here other than aligning the pipe sections correctly


Finally for this part of the build some of the stowage


The only thing to spot here is that these jerry cans involve parts from both the A & C sprue frames


And finally here's everything dry-fitted onto the body




Hopefully I can keep this pottering along this week - thanks as always for looking

[Kevthemodeller]

Nice looking paint there Neil, you've captured that used/worn/faded look and colour really well

[SMAddict66]

Ooohhhh now that does look lovely , that frame assembly looks excellent.

Nice work.

[Stokesy44]

Looks great now the giant Zippo is being added!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looking great all painted military green
The flamethrower stuff is almost comical

[Quax]

Small but beautiful Neil, just like me.... its a grand job so far
Paul

[BigWall]

Very nice! The scorch mark was a brilliant idea.

[digger303]

Very nice! The scorch mark was a brilliant idea.

[Tomcat64]

Nice looking paint there Neil, you've captured that used/worn/faded look and colour really well

Ooohhhh now that does look lovely , that frame assembly looks excellent.

Nice work.

Looks great now the giant Zippo is being added!

Looking great all painted military green
The flamethrower stuff is almost comical

Small but beautiful Neil, just like me.... its a grand job so far
Paul

Very nice! The scorch mark was a brilliant idea.

Thanks for checking in guys

Aside from the couple of niggles I mentioned this has gone together really nicely - but yep that flamethrower assembly really does look like something from scrapheap challenge!

[Tomcat64]

Another couple of short weekend sessions has seen this move on a little more.

I decided to finish off the stowage on the jeep


Here they are assembled


And dry fitted to the jeep


And then painted up - I've tried to vary the olive drab shades without over doing it to avoid the green blob look when I've finished.


Since PPA was originally a desert unit I've also thrown in a sand camo coloured jerry can to try and add a bit more variation


And as you can see I've also painted up the wheels and they're now attached to the chassis prior to dirtying up a bit


I also made a start on the flame-throwing equipment and again tried to keep this yet another shade of greed as it'd been "liberated" from a Canadian Bren Carrier


That's all for now - I'll hopefully get the majority of the paintwork finished off soon and then move onto weathering. The seats should also get done this week with any luck.

Thanks as always for checking in

[Stokesy44]

Looking good.

Yep, get the seats in there. If you're gonna get burned to a crisp you should at least be comfortable.

[BigWall]

Very nice!

[digger303]

[Tomcat64]

Looking good.

Yep, get the seats in there. If you're gonna get burned to a crisp you should at least be comfortable.

Very nice!

Thanks guys

[Tomcat64]

I spent some time last weekend painting up the various components in shades of Olive Drab to try and avoid dull uniformity - also as a unit raised in North Africa I thought they might have some desert yellow jerry cans still kicking around




I also assembled the flame projector thingy


There's a nasty join which needs some attention down the front in an awkward place but otherwise ok


I then moved on to a handful of figures from masterbox & miniart


Since I've had to mix & match heads & arms & poses there's some filling to be done and tidied up and I've also rearranged them a bit to avoid obscuring too much of the jeep (although that might not be a bad thing )


Haven't had chance to do much with it this week but hoping to move it along again this coming weekend.

Thanks as always for looking

[digger303]

Love the small details like the hose clamps and bottle valves. It really lifts the overall subject

[BigWall]

Yes, very nice detail work! It's really looking nice

[Parker]

so good

[Stokesy44]

Figures look great. Nice poses and, as you say, they don't obscure the detail.

[Kevthemodeller]

Oh yes what a cracking little build Neil looking forward to the figures

[Tomcat64]

Love the small details like the hose clamps and bottle valves. It really lifts the overall subject

Yes, very nice detail work! It's really looking nice

so good

Figures look great. Nice poses and, as you say, they don't obscure the detail.

Oh yes what a cracking little build Neil looking forward to the figures

Thanks for checking in guys

[Tomcat64]

I've not had much bench (or forum) time for the last couple of weeks due to life, the universe & everything but I did manage to make a start on the weathering

Initial weathering was done with oils & pigments to give a dusty look appropriate for Southern Europe


I then installed the flamethrowing tanks & pipes and will weather them when I go in again on the jeep. The vinyl pipes were a real pain as I couldn't get them to attach cleanly to the bottom of the big tank so I ended up threading 0.6mm wire through them to get the necessary bends to hold, and then had to attach them with an unholy combination of PVA & CA


I tidied up the mess under the tank with a bit of brush work but once the air tank & seats are in place you can't see much of the join thankfully


And here's the other side - I've also drilled out some holes in strategic locations to add some of the smaller pipes that are apparent in the photos I've seen


That's all for now - hoping to get some decent time in this weekend with any luck.

Thanks as always for looking

[digger303]

Cracked it.....

[Quax]

as the driver might have said, " top notch old bean!"

Paul