M8E2 Cargo Tractor

[wibblywobbly]

Absolutely fantastic! Did you have to score the planks or did they come like that?

Trust me, every part (except the tiny tubular bits on the rear loading platform, and some thin door frames), on this build has been cut individually from 4 sheets of styrene. My 'workshop' is an old tea tray on my coffee table, and the only tools I have used are a styrene cutter, steel ruler, vernier calipers, a set square, and a razor saw. The only time I have used a power tool was drilling the holes for the tubes.

No plans or blueprints to work from, just some dodgy blurry photographs that looked like they were taken with a carrot or something.

I have been wondering about what to do with it? Tank transporter trailer (quite easy if I can find cheap wheels), a Long Tom (very difficult to build and get it right), or a farmyard scene with Fresian cows....

The electronics still need sorting, I only need a proportional speed board with good relevant sound, but what to get??

Rob G

[wibblywobbly]

Ok, last pics of the rear before I start on the cab and other bits and pieces. The cable reels are done and placed in situ.

The cab might take a little while as I have a feeling that L section styrene is going to be needed for radiator surrounds, square rod for the roof vents etc.

[SovereignZuul]

Wow... dude, impressive work. That was a leap from the last post! You must be working hard on it.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning,
I am floored by the amount of work in this. The slats alone with the wood effect makes my eyes hurt just thinking about it. ;o) That you did all of this with styrene sheets and forms is the most amazing part. I am following along and hoping for a Long Tom or Sky Sweeper in tow with the requisite ammunition crates.
regards,
Painless

[wibblywobbly]

My poor eyes...

I have started on the cab, though I definately need to get to a model shop now to get some bits and pieces. The nearest one is owned by a lovely chap, he has been there for years, but he is a specialist in model cars and railways. The next one is a good drive away in Frome, but that one has everything known to man or beast and is where I will have to go, hopefully tomorrow.

Anyhow here's a few pics, started on the painting ... but need more woodgrain paint.

[wibblywobbly]

So, today I decide to make a long overdue trip to the model shop in Frome, which is about 30 miles away, and its twisting B roads all the way. I am stuck behind some huge tipper truck, the farmers have been driving out of the fields in all of the rain, and my spotless car is getting sprayed with mud for miles. It is lashing with rain, I hit the roadworks/traffic lights from hell in Radstock, and eventually get to the shop.

Which is all closed up and there is a sign saying 'Closed today for software and till upgrades - Sorry for the inconvenience'.

[PainlessWolf]

W.W.
All part of the 'fun' we go through to have fun with our chosen Hobby. I'm going to look for some of that wood grain paint. Amazing results!
regards,
Painless

[wibblywobbly]

The woodgrain paint is Vallejo 70.828. I think they do a lighter shade as well. Just squirt a puddle onto an old piece of styrene and paint it on in straight strokes, it magically turns into woodgrain. Vallejo paint dries in minutes, and can be used without primer, it's pretty much one coat paint and dries to a totally flat finish. If you use decent sable brushes it comes out almost as well as airbrushing.

I have now done the hydraulic connectors for the dozer blade, though as you may have noticed I don't have one.

The basics are there for the main radiator, there is another one that goes above it that is half finished. The pipework is just single core wire, the blue insulation will be painted black.

I am spending most of my time filling and sanding down the joints on the cab...it's a long process...

[The Tank Man]

Wow Rob its realy comming on now! So much detail added in last post!!

[wibblywobbly]

The bit I was most apprehensive about was making the three radiators, so I spent a bit of time on these. I even scrapped one of them and re-did it as it wasn't how I wanted it. Thankfully they have turned out ok, all surrounds etc were cut from sheet styrene which was a real challenge but I got there.

With those out of the way, the cab is now 80% complete, there is a rooftop area that houses the exhaust stack but I will need to await the delivery of styrene tubes before I can do that. I used a German hatch as it was easier to modify one of those than scratch build one. The one on the real vehicle is an ugly looking thing, which I didn't really want on this model.

There are still joints visible around the roof edge and no matter what I do I can't eliminate them, so I will have to hope that the paint renders them invisible....