Shenanigans 3: Tamiya mate and Willys Jeep

[Deleted member 6559]

Well, let's see if I have any luck with another Shenanigans project. This time I've gone for Tamiya's mate and Willy's Jeep, with the view of depicting an 'awaiting orders' scenario. I've also got hold of some Tamiya allied stowage, which together with the sprue of weapons and personal equipment provided with the mate will be enough to kit out both vehicles. There are four figures in total, which will be more than enough to animate the scene.

The mate is a pretty old re-issued kit, and though even I can see that some of the detailing is fairly basic, it will be built out of the box. The most basic elements are the turret interior (a gift to you blingers), but the positioning of the figures will hide most of that. The jeep also needs a little help, namely the addition of some bonnet clasps, which I will try and scratch.

I'll start with the mate. Here are the sprue shots:



Vinyl tracks again, but at least the join can be hidden under the front mud-guards.

So, deep breath.........

 

[Steve Jones]

Welcome back Peter from your GD obligations. Looking forward to seeing this one come together. If you need pictures of the jeep I have a couple of walk arounds. However I suspect you just want to get to the painting stage

 

[Deleted member 6559]

Hi Steve - Thank for the photo. I may call on you for more.

Here's the result of today's session:



The wheels and bogies were quite fiddly, but went together OK.

I decided to depart from the instructions after that and add the tracks early, then build and attach the main elements of the upper hull. I'm glad I did, as there were some fit issues at the back where the various plates and the mudguards met - bevelled edges that were meant to meet at a point, but didn't. Quite a bit of filling and sanding was required, but I'm reasonably happy with the finish (there's always dirt and weathering if all else fails).

The next stage will be to fit out and paint the interior.

 

[Jakko]

Vinyl tracks again, but at least the join can be hidden under the front mud-guards.

That’s not the worst flaw of those Tamiya M3/M5 light tank tracks. The end connectors, well, don’t — that is, they’re in the middle of each link instead of being between them.

Simplest fix would probably be to ask if anyone has built an M3 Stuart from Academy, AFV Club, or some other non-Tamiya brand, replaced the tracks of it, and can you have them please?

 

[scottie3158]

Peter,
Looking forward to this as you venture even further in to the dark side.

 

[Deleted member 6559]

Jakko - I see what you mean - how bizarre. Looks like some mud and dirt will be needed!

Scottie - Thanks for looking in. Certainly is the dark side for me.

 

[Peter Gillson]

Another departure from your comfort zone of larger figures. Will be watching with interest.

 

[Deleted member 6559]

Welcome aboard Peter. The figures here look fairly decent and there are only four of them (though that's enough!).

 

[Deleted member 6559]

The hull is now built minus the tools:



Everything has also had its initial coat of paint.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Peter
Watching with interest.
Jim

 

[scottie3158]

Peter,
You don't hang about mate.

 

[Deleted member 6559]

Jim - I'll try not to bore anyone!

Scottie - Well, you know me, though it is a very simple kit.

The main parts are now built and have had their basic coat of paint:



No real problems with the rest of the build, even for a hopeless modeller like myself. I've left off the tools and stowage, as I prefer to do the main bulk of the weathering without them (ditto the decals). The base colour for the armour is Vallejo Medium Olive, and things like the lights, grousers, seats etc have been picked out in their appropriate colours.

Now on to the weathering (the most enjoyable bit).

 

[scottie3158]

Peter,
Looking good.

 

[MikeC]

Peter,
Not a worry with the tracks, as you say a bit of debris and all will be hidden.
Cheers, Mike.

 

[JR]

My word your quick Peter.
I'll sit at the table and pass the glue.
Looking fwd to this, do not throw it out of the window please .
John .

 

[Si Benson]

Coming along nicely Mr D, looking forward to seeing that jeep

 

[minitnkr]

You're just breez'in along buddy. PaulE

 

[SteveH]

Morning Peter
Good to see you recovered and back at the bench, and more armour too.
Rapid progress too.
4 x 1/35 figures to paint too!
And Tamiya figures to boot, no Hornet transplanted heads!
This is the best part for many, the weathering of the tank.
I have been watching the You Tube series from Adam Wilder of his extreme modulation and weathering.
For many it way beyond reality, but it does look so good, even if it is artistic license.
I have finally got the new laptop working!
Technology!
Have a good day at the bench and keep warm, there's snow on the way, down South, so they say?
Regards
Steve H

 

[Deleted member 6559]

Thanks for the encouraging words chaps. I'm quite pleased that I managed to get the build done without any major disasters - now to ruin it with the weathering!

Steve - Glad you are back in the land of the living and re-connected to the world. We had snow broadcast for overnight, but there was none, and in fact we awoke to a bright sunny, if frosty morning.

The figures look perfectly OK to me. Not as good as some of Tamiya's recent offerings, but perfectly paintable (again, famous last words).

 

[Lee Drennen]

Peter
Glad to see you on vehicles again I’ll sit next to John and make sure he doesn’t sniff the glue