RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Presence of crew on this Jeep will really add up value to the build.
A Jeep can't drive itself so need the driver now.
This is the Young miniature SAS driver, well, a chinese made knock off for the purpose of the build where it needs to be integration also with a body, a high risk operation to do with a very expensive original bust figure made to stick on a pedestal and painted by experts. It also show a "belly" effect that needs to be removed.
Instead of reusing part of the action figure torso, i determine it is better to leave it off completely and build a new torso using plasticard layers. Here, layers are added in order to determine the best height for the bust to sit on its lower body. Too low does not look good but making it realistically high makes the figure sit too high and does not look good either. A compromise is needed.
The new torso and upper bust of the figure are trimmed for better integration.
Checking that the right arm can be properly positioned holding the driving wheel. Oh well, this is where i am with this.
Next step is to finish the driver's tunic and integration, brush and clean them up in preparation for the primer, then more sanding and polishing, and after that, final painting.

Regards,
Louis

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

Thanks Jimster, yeah, the Dremel overheated on that one.

Great work with the figures Louis, they will compliment the look of the jeep perfectly

Hi, thank you Model Builder for your encouragements !

Here, the heavy construction of the figure is done.

Far from being perfect, the joining of the 2 components is a best effort with what's available. I could determine that the action figure is not really 1/10, it is probably closer to 1/12, but if it was bigger, i would not be able to fit the legs in the Jeep. The resin busts are also greatly detailed, which make the joining a problem for consistency. Once they are primed, i will see what can be done to improve the details on the lower body.
The arm is glued and reinforced with plasticard residues before the putty job.
Another application of putty, more sanding.
In terms of personal weapon, i decided to equip him with a captured German MP-40. This is the finely detailed Reedees Miniatures 1/9 scale MP-40 in resin which needed a basic assembly.
And here are the SAS members on their RC desert Jeep, ready for priming.
Next step is to wait for a rainy day and paint the figures, something that i am somehow not really looking forward to as i am no figure painter. But maybe at this scale it is easier, i do not know. Never painted a 1/10 figure before.

Regards, Louis

I have a feeling that your painting skills will be equal to your sculpting abilities.

Hi,

I took the opportunity of a rainy day to finish the SAS Jeep by painting the 1/10 crew figures i created.

First i did some study of pictures on the web to find the proper colors. These are the best color plates i found. This one showing an officer and head gear.
This plate is interesting for showing the pants, belt and boots.
This plate showing variations of khaki color uniforms, or actually a lack of uniformity.
A primer coat is required over the resin, the view is clearer with the primer, and the figures are getting some improvements.
It was my first time painting 1/10 scale figures and i have to say that it is much easier than 1/16. Painted with Vallejo and Tamiya acrylics.
Before putting the heads on, the uniforms were given a thorough wash of North Africa Desert pigments, and then Dark Earth pigments in lower areas.
Overall, the painting of the figures took about 3 hours of work.
Painting faces has always been my weak point. I finally found the secret recipe for the skin that works for me. Unless you are a master painter, here are 7 simple steps to paint 2 faces in 30 minutes of work, yes 30 minutes for both...
1- Coat of Tamiya enamel grey primer in spray
2- base coat of Vallejo 70.876 applied with large brush, let dry 3 hours.
3- lips in Vallejo 70.804 with tips of blade
4- eyeball Tamiya flat white applied with the tip of blade
5- eye is Tamiya German grey with tip of blade
6- Beard and eyebrows Tamiya German grey for driver, Dark Sea Grey for the gunner
7- Very light dry brush of Tamiya flat white over the whole face and beard to lighten the raised areas.

That's it, nothing else. I found the results acceptable, the best i can expect and it avoided creating caricatures.
And here is the finalized 1/10 scale RC Jeep of the Long Range Desert Group/SAS in 1942. You can click on the pictures for close ups.
More pictures on following post.

Tomorrow, i will take it outside for an exterior photoshoot. I am happy with the results of the transformation of the Jeep and the creation of the figures. I must admit that it is above expectations.

Regards, Louis

Excellent!

A fantastic and informative build once again Louis the work you carried out to modify the figures is exceptional, you've made them look like they were actually supplied with the jeep

Cheers, Lee.