Post by speedster on Sept 2, 2013 15:23:13 GMT -5
Another on my get back to it list. This is a SLA M50 APC, conversion from AEF Designs for the Academy M51 kit. Story goes like this, AEF was going to throw out the hull (broken and a little warp at the front, I opened my mouth and said I would take it, so the rest got thrown in for free. Plan was a quick one that would look different on the shelf with the rest of the Sherman family. Not sure why I thought that I can't leave anything alone, anything.
the air filter on the left is what is supplied, right is my scratch built one
Rear MG mount, left what is cast in the kit and right scratch
scratch some stuff here just for a different look
I scratched the troop seat to match ones found in IDF M113s
some mods done to the Academy suspension, not much
added front extra armor from scratch, also had to redo the bullet stop, and repair part of the hull
fenders from Verlinden E8 suspension conversion, also added more welds from On the Mark PE
scratched some side storage boxes, just so I could really damage them up
Okay that is how she sits as of now "kinda" I stopped working on it just over a year ago because the front of the AEF hull is re-warping on me (dunked in hot water and straighten it twice) also the hull welds need to be redone. The items that got me to stop was two things, the "extra" work on the hull started to pop back off (washed in hot soapy water 1st, then 409, then after that did not seam to work I left it in lacquer thinner for a week) plus the hull started to re-warp again. I believe the resin is "bleeding" causing the glue issue and that seems to the front half of the upper hull as the rear seems fine. (glad I did not paint it yet or I would be crying ;p) Did some cleaning last week end and found her sitting quietly. I'm thinking about replacing the upper hull now with one from Tamiya. Anyways this is how she sits as of now. Got to get over the thought of cutting up some of the work done. I'll keep you guys updated. This one just might come back to the bench sooner rather than later. So much for taking the easy and cheap way out.
the air filter on the left is what is supplied, right is my scratch built one
Rear MG mount, left what is cast in the kit and right scratch
scratch some stuff here just for a different look
I scratched the troop seat to match ones found in IDF M113s
some mods done to the Academy suspension, not much
added front extra armor from scratch, also had to redo the bullet stop, and repair part of the hull
fenders from Verlinden E8 suspension conversion, also added more welds from On the Mark PE
scratched some side storage boxes, just so I could really damage them up
Okay that is how she sits as of now "kinda" I stopped working on it just over a year ago because the front of the AEF hull is re-warping on me (dunked in hot water and straighten it twice) also the hull welds need to be redone. The items that got me to stop was two things, the "extra" work on the hull started to pop back off (washed in hot soapy water 1st, then 409, then after that did not seam to work I left it in lacquer thinner for a week) plus the hull started to re-warp again. I believe the resin is "bleeding" causing the glue issue and that seems to the front half of the upper hull as the rear seems fine. (glad I did not paint it yet or I would be crying ;p) Did some cleaning last week end and found her sitting quietly. I'm thinking about replacing the upper hull now with one from Tamiya. Anyways this is how she sits as of now. Got to get over the thought of cutting up some of the work done. I'll keep you guys updated. This one just might come back to the bench sooner rather than later. So much for taking the easy and cheap way out.
