1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group-SAS- Build

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning,
That is the Seller on Ebay. His shop also goes by the name: DioramaFreak. I have used him extensively, even more so after An-Bri-RC closed up after Andreas passed away.
regards,
Painless

For Max: https://www.ebay.com/str/dioramafreak

[Jimster]

Your Jeep looks just like a real one!

[Max-U52]

I found it once before with a google search but it's not working this time. I'll try again.

[Max-U52]

OK, dioramafreak I'm familiar with. Also found a place called dioramaoutfitters but it's all Starwars stuff.

[lmcq11]

Hi,
To be precise, these are the links for most extra detail items on this build.

1/10 Headlamp lenses for Jeep
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Front-Scheinwer ... Swgn1dMCqT

1/10 Resin and metal German WW2 Jerrycans
https://www.ebay.de/itm/20L-Benzin-Wass ... SweW5VDXqh

1/10 Plastic German WW2 Jerrycans
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Fuel-Canis ... 2749.l2649

1/10 SAS gunner bust with M2 AN .50 Cal machine gun
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Unpainted-1-10 ... 2749.l2649

1/10 SAS driver bust (upcoming use)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-10-BUST-Resi ... Sw8Udd6s5E

Shapeways 1/10 Vickers GO type K machine guns on twin mount
https://www.shapeways.com/product/FA7W5 ... arketplace

Wooden box
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Wehrmacht-Munit ... Sw5Y1dcQWN

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Wehrmacht-Plane ... SwW4ZdjSYu

Tarps and bags
https://www.ebay.de/itm/WWII-Wehrmacht- ... SwoZJdpaO6

Extra spare tire
https://www.ebay.com/itm/JJRC-Q65-1-10- ... 2749.l2649

Shapeways 1/10 sand ladder
https://www.shapeways.com/product/3XRPZ ... li=ostatus

[Soeren]

This Jeep is looking fantastic. Did you get the busts.

[lmcq11]

This Jeep is looking fantastic. Did you get the busts.

I got the SAS gunner bust that came with the M2 machine gun. Still waiting for the SAS Driver.

Unlike an enclosed tank, I found it a bit weird to see an open RC Jeep driving itself... Can't put any civilian 1/10 driver figure into a WW2 SAS Jeep either. Well, not me.

I had this crazy plan to find a host for the 1/10 SAS figure busts. They won't wear shorts but the plan is to transplant the resin busts to their host body (yes, Frankenstein style), position the action figures into the right pose on the Jeep seats, then glue the members in place, eliminate all the action joints, rework the uniform to match the busts, and end up with static WW2 1/10 SAS driver and gunner full figures on their Jeep. It will be a risky major surgery operation. As i am quite difficult, it will either be a complete success or the whole lot will end up in the garbage. I will of course present the proceedings and surgery results on this forum and post.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

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The two hosts are called "Ron" and they have not arrived yet. If only they knew what's awaiting them...

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

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Even for those who do not want a SAS Jeep, that 1/10 M2 machine gun alone (with ammo belt) is well worth the price. I already purchased another one for a future Jeep build with a rear mounted M2. Many of you probably remember the Rat Patrol TV series from the 1960s.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

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[lmcq11]

With the reception of the 1/10 SAS bust figures and 1/10 action figure bodies, the planned construction of the SAS crew can start.

A short study of the few pictures available show some variations of uniforms, going from the more eccentric use of Arab style head gears, uniform tunic, shorts, gloves, with long beards and war weary stoic looks for the picture. The officer David Stirling wearing a thick jacket next to them... highlighting the variation in expected temperatures for the day. It is also important to notice how the figures are sit. They are not high on their seats, they are actually quite low and cramped. So, any representation of the SAS team need to show them in a similar way.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

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Picture from the same location but different angles showing the gunner wearing pants instead of shorts. So, they are not all wearing shorts like we might have expected from 1/35 kits. Notice that the third Jeep has the same armament setup as this build. I am also noticing these guys are not kids in their early 20s, they look like guys are all well over into their 40s, a fact that the resin busts are representing.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

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SAS going into action, with a rather unique mercenary style look that many tried to repro afterwards.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

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This picture seems to show a leather tunic over a regular uniform with pants, and an more improvised head gear.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

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With only busts available for driver and gunner figures, i selected what seemed to be the best available match to create a body for the SAS team. Here is the rounded up material for the figure creation, the two SAS busts figures originally designed by Young miniatures, and their action body hosts.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

The 1/10 action figure, called "Ron" and available on eBay, has good available position for the legs and a good match, even if it a modern figure. But that won't matter much after that will remain of them. The only positioning issue is that it need a bit of rework at the hip in order to provide more space for the legs to be a seating figure.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

For the first figure, i decided to reuse part of the torso and see how it links up with the SAS resin bust. Once excess material is removed under the butt to show it properly on the seat, it has potential.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

Putting the resin bust on top of the action figure torso reveals the extent of the work required to match the two components together. The resin busts are big, have wide shoulders and shown with an angle that gives them a belly when placed on a torso, something that need correction. That view is probably enough to discourage the most hardened scratch builder but there is no alternatives, i want those SAS figures on the Jeep..

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

The frame for a tunic is created in plasticard.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

To which a lot of putty is put on to try to start representing a basic uniform tunic, the best a could. The creation of the tunic takes a few phases, trials and errors, in order to improve,

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

Sanding, more putty, sanding. Trying to improve the look. Added a belt in plasticard.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

For the missing left arm, the action figure arm is cut and reused, bridged to the resin bust. The folded sleeves are repro in plasticard.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

Plasticard and putty are used to fill the gaps on the legs. Modern combat boots won't show under the dashboard.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

Its really only once the figure is cleaned and primer has been applied to the new structure that i will see the situation and what needs to be reworked, sanded more, polished. As things are, the bust has a basic body. Its going somewhere.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

For the right arm in the air, the option was to show him either saluting or holding a weapon. The body is too far from the machine gun to show him holding the M2. I therefore decided to arm him with a Reedees Miniature 1/9 scale Thompson machine gun. The reliable "Tommy Guns" found their way into the LRDG. The version shown here is the M1928 with vertical front grip and the high capacity drum magazine that were surely prized by the SAS. Its 1/9 but there is not real alternatives.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

The figure is constantly checked for integration within the Jeep. The fragile 3D printed Vickers mount is removed for the purpose. The figures shall look good once i am finished with them.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

The Young miniature bust carving is exceptional.

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

1/10 RC Jeep Willys MB - Long Range Desert Group - Build

Continuing on following post

[Jimster]

Excellent modifications, putty sculpting and general perseverance. That fellow looks like he took quite a butt chewing!