Aur0ra145's AFV Club M730AI Chaparral

[aur0ra145]

Howdly folks!

I'll throw my hat into the GB with something completely different! This is an AFV Club 1/35 M730AI Chaparral. These were used as a point defense surface to air system from the late 1960's through 1997. Basically, they strapped 4 AIM-9D's to a launcher and called it good.

Initial thoughts:

Looks to be molded well, the rubber tracks are nice to have (I prefer them.) The clear parts are sort of meh. It appears they were knocked around a bit. Not really sure how that happened. The missiles are molded nicely and should build up really well.

[digger303]

Not knowing much about this one I had to go google it. Still wondering what the frames hanging off the front were used for. I guess a shelter for crew. This is a interesting point.
factoid
Israel - Performed the one single shoot down by the system worldwide, a single Syrian Mig-17 that was part of an attack sortie on Israeli ground forces at Golan heights in May 1974. Removed from service by 2003.

Unlucky Beggar forever remembered in the annuals of history......probably something he wouldn't mind the world forgetting....assuming he survived.

[Tomcat64]

Ok not seen one of those before - looks like a really interesting subject

[Twokidsnosleep]

I think you are going to need some different tires on the Chaparral for the desert.
I have only seen them on the race track with slicks

[aur0ra145]

This kit is turning out to be a bit of a headache. Not anywhere nears as bad as the Tigercat though. I've started noticing flash on a lot of parts and the engineering is a bit, meh. Also, the instructions are somewhat confusing.

[DBMiller]

This kit is turning out to be a bit of a headache. Not anywhere nears as bad as the Tigercat though. I've started noticing flash on a lot of parts and the engineering is a bit, meh. Also, the instructions are somewhat confusing.

Good grief! I think they could have broken up that parts explosion a bit better!

[ForbesHutton]

Not knowing much about this one I had to go google it. Still wondering what the frames hanging off the front were used for. I guess a shelter for crew. This is a interesting point.
factoid
Israel - Performed the one single shoot down by the system worldwide, a single Syrian Mig-17 that was part of an attack sortie on Israeli ground forces at Golan heights in May 1974. Removed from service by 2003.

Unlucky Beggar forever remembered in the annuals of history......probably something he wouldn't mind the world forgetting....assuming he survived.

The ribs were used to cover the missile system along with a tarp, like a covered wagon.



I can't find a photo with one with the cover up, it must have been ugly enough to break camera lenses.

[digger303]

This kit is turning out to be a bit of a headache. Not anywhere nears as bad as the Tigercat though. I've started noticing flash on a lot of parts and the engineering is a bit, meh. Also, the instructions are somewhat confusing.

Good grief! I think they could have broken up that parts explosion a bit better!

AFV seems to be a bit like that plus the sink holes in even the smallest parts at times. I have never complained about the fit though.

[Tomcat64]

This kit is turning out to be a bit of a headache. Not anywhere nears as bad as the Tigercat though. I've started noticing flash on a lot of parts and the engineering is a bit, meh. Also, the instructions are somewhat confusing.

Yeah that's a lot of lines in one place to follow & figure out

[BigWall]

Not knowing much about this one I had to go google it. Still wondering what the frames hanging off the front were used for. I guess a shelter for crew. This is a interesting point.
factoid
Israel - Performed the one single shoot down by the system worldwide, a single Syrian Mig-17 that was part of an attack sortie on Israeli ground forces at Golan heights in May 1974. Removed from service by 2003.

Unlucky Beggar forever remembered in the annuals of history......probably something he wouldn't mind the world forgetting....assuming he survived.

The ribs were used to cover the missile system along with a tarp, like a covered wagon.



I can't find a photo with one with the cover up, it must have been ugly enough to break camera lenses.

I think I've seen the hoops holding camo netting as well.

[aur0ra145]

Did some work on this guy. The fit on this kit is sub-par I've come to find. I'll end up finishing the kit; it's just sucking the mojo away. The instruction and engineering are a bit off as well. This is case of "Never judge a kit by the box art."

[Quax]

you've done incredibly well to get any of this in the right place its a complete horror! It is beginning to take shape and look good but we your fellow modellers appreciate your sacrifice and after two completely dodgy kits we will allow you to build something sensible next

Paul

[RangerNeil]

Did some work on this guy. The fit on this kit is sub-par I've come to find. I'll end up finishing the kit; it's just sucking the mojo away. The instruction and engineering are a bit off as well. This is case of "Never judge a kit by the box art."

Commiserations!! Its horrible when the don't fits outweigh the do fits.
I know how you feel as regards the mojo - this looks looks awfully like the Zvezda Shilka I am trying to finish. The amount of filler on that is untrue..

[digger303]

That's a real shame it's such a bad kit. 30 yrs old so I guess it's a hangover from the bad old days of poor engineering. I did their Stuart tanks and they were a breeze.

[aur0ra145]

The slog continues. I built up some of the launcher compartment thing. The directions were pretty confusing, so I hope this is the way. It seems there are panels you put on that cover the entirety of the crew driving compartment. That, I think, will speed up the build process and allow me to just spray a uniform color all over.

Cheers!

[DRUMS01]

I agree that its a shame that it fits like a slug. I almost bought one of these a long time ago. Still with that said, you seem to be working through it and the results your showing look like you have overcome the shortfalls pretty well,... looking good.

As Quax said, we appreciate your commitment to finish it, keep up the good work.

DRUMS01

[Tomcat64]

Really well done for knocking this into shape so far - I think we've all been there with a kit that just doesn't want to play at some stage or other.

Keep at it

[bfrd]

Having heard no objections, this build will be extended by 6 weeks. It will now end on 07.12.2021 at Midnight GMT.

[digger303]

Keep at it. This line of kits was I believe AFV CLUBS first from the fledgling company that had dreams of being better. There toe in the water to speak and they did improve a lot thanks to the founder who unfortunately passed away last February.