Mirror Models - 1/35 US Military Bulldozer

[TRM]

Hello Addicts!! ;D

Oh my!! Been a while!! Seems I have been a little busy on various modelling fronts around the interwebs! I came to a sad realization that sometimes it becomes more like work than a hobby!! :-X This is the perfect reason for wanting to joining on all the fun here on SMA with the BSC!! Basically, get back to the basics, right? ;D

With all that aside, my entry...Mirror Model's US Military Bulldozer! I haven't a real clue as to where I will go with this yet, but its a model...and I am in!!





I received the kit from a good friend over on InScale.org for a review (hence the light watermarking). After finishing that up yesterday, I was looking at the kit thinking it might make for a fun project to work on for the BSC!! All 585 pieces of it! :-\

So with that, I ill go back to plotting my next move and start snipping and gluing some parts soon! Thanks for stopping in!!! Good luck everyone!!

 

[adampolo13]

Welcome back TRM!!! Now, get to building!

 

[TRM]

Thank Adam! ;D I'll give it my best shot! Work first...then play!!!

 

[adampolo13]

I think you got it backwards but I'll let it slide just this once.

 

[Junkie]

Great to see you here Todd. That is going to be a fantastic build - no doubt.

 

[Jeeves]

Looking forward to seeing you do your weathering magic on this one T!

 

[JohnSimmons]

Hey Todd! So good to see you back here, and I know what you mean about turning this hobby into a job. Get cracking on that build man! ;D

 

[Grendels]

Good to see you back Todd! Looking forward to this build!

 

[Chris S]

Dude !!! ;D Great to see you Todd ! Nice choice of build too , Libor's kits are great to build

Carry on young chap ;D

Chris.

 

[suavetomcat]

You can't deny the detail in the mirror model kits. They look amazing. Can't wait to see this one go together.

Chris

 

[TRM]

Great to see you here Todd. That is going to be a fantastic build - no doubt.

Thanks Scott!! Certain hoping so! Still not sure where this will go...but that's half the fun anyway....right? ;D

Looking forward to seeing you do your weathering magic on this one T!

Hey Jeeves...Thanks! This one does lend itself to some fun with the messy stuff!! 8)

Hey Todd! So good to see you back here, and I know what you mean about turning this hobby into a job. Get cracking on that build man! ;D

Thanks John!! "cracking" very soon...few minutes actually!!

Good to see you back Todd! Looking forward to this build!

Hey John!! Good to be back!! Great bunch of entries so far! I am making my way through each of them...will take some time!! But judging by the number and names on them, some really great stuff happening!!

Dude !!! ;D Great to see you Todd ! Nice choice of build too , Libor's kits are great to build

Carry on young chap ;D

Chris

"Young Chap"? LOL!! A little early here for pints but thanks...I can use all the help I can!!! It is a nice looking kit. I didn't think they could stuff so many parts in that little box....LOL!! Time to start snipping!!

You can't deny the detail in the mirror model kits. They look amazing. Can't wait to see this one go together.

Chris

Thanks Chris!! Glad to have you along for the ride!

 

[Eastrock]

I think I saw a familiar name!!! Lol

Looking forward with one of your magic!!!

Cheers!!!

 

[Neo]

Hey Todd

Glad to see you at work again! Another masterpiece is in progress!!

 

[danb]

Looks like a fun little project you got going T looking forward to seeing the plastic going together

Dan B

 

[edz280zx]

Cool build! 585 parts?? Does the thing run when you're done? lol

 

[Bizarre]

BRING IT ON! 8)

 

[Chris S]

Is it done yet ? ...Just sayin : ;D

 

[TRM]

I think I saw a familiar name!!! Lol

Looking forward with one of your magic!!!

Cheers!!!

LOL....too familiar my friend!! ;D Not much in the way of magic....maybe a little card trick here or the :

Hey Todd

Glad to see you at work again! Another masterpiece is in progress!!

Thank Neo!! Glad to be working the plastic again! Something other than these plastic keys on the PC! Thanks for the confidence my friend!

Looks like a fun little project you got going T looking forward to seeing the plastic going together

Dan B

So far so good Dan!! Thanks! A little here and there and it will get done at some point!!

Cool build! 585 parts?? Does the thing run when you're done? lol

LOL...you would thing so!! Most of those 585 are the tracks! Take those out of the mix and it becomes a bit more manageable! Thanks!!

BRING IT ON! 8)

Thanks for the push Roman!! ;D I'm trying!! :

Is it done yet ? ...Just sayin : ;D

Well I see you have not lost that Irish wit Mr. S ;D LOL...While Iwish I was at the painting end of this one....sadly no!! 8) But making progress!! ;D


Looks like it's time to get things underway! After cracking the box, I figured it was best to follow the instructions and start on the engine of the beast! There are 81 pieces of the 585 parts in this kit devoted to the engine. While the construction is not too bad, if f you are new to modelling or if the small stuff (cutting and cleaning of parts) tends to be problematic, just be sure to take your time and make sure you check each part for seam lines that may need to be removed as well as fit.



The parts do clean up decent but the attachement points are rather large. It's best to stay away form the surface of the part leaving a small nub that can be cut and/or sanded after removal. I chose to replace a couple of styrene rounded parts with some brass rod I had. Mostly to save the trouble of cleaning the small seam lines that ran form end to end.








I hav not attached the bell housing on the end of the engine...basically I was thinking about the painting end of things moving forward. I added some different sized soldering wire to simulate the wiring and hoses on the engine. Aside form a couple of fit issues, mainly the starter sub-assembly (the starter is the very first picture I showed). I needed to trim the mounting on one end and subsequently cut the feed lines to size...replacing one as it was easier to use solder to fit the part better.

Now that the engine is out of the way, I started assembly of the frame. This is straightforward so far. The frame is a two-part affair and the joint will need to be filled. The instructions mentioned filling three small holes in each side as they were not used on the 'Crawler', Mirror Models other version of the tractor without the blade. I looked through the instructions and did not see where they are used on this kit as well...worst case I am wrong and I simply drill out the filler and roll with it!



There are a few more pieces to the main assembly o the frame to go. I will be cleaning things up tonight and should be in good shape to move along to the next steps.

One item I am jumping in with very soon will be the track assembly.



Everything has been cutaway from the sprues and only need a quick cleaning and then I can get these out of the way early I think. These should be workable tracks once completed...we'll see how that works out soon!!



Well that is it for the moment! Still cleaning and cutting my way around! As always, thanks for having a LQQY!!!

 

[adampolo13]

Day-um!

 

[Bizarre]

good tempo! you will finish it before mine