Since there's been some interest in my 20mm UK modern vehicles, I'll show you how I did it as a semi-tutorial. You may need to fill in some of the blanks in between steps. This technique can really be used to convert any of your favorite die-cast vehicles into a usable military vehicle.
The Third in line are my Modern UK Landrover Transport Vehicles. I got tired of trying to find them online and in stock, so I decided to make some myself. (Of course, having more time than money on hand helps as well.) Every convoy or force needs some generic vehicles for guests, dignitaries, news crews, journalists, and etc.
Materials: Matchbox vehicle, appropriate paint, white glue, super glue or plastic's glue, paper towel (Bounty, etc..), plasticard or styrene sheet, plastic rod (about 1/16" diameter), balsa wood, Granny plastic mesh, x-acto knife, and a dremel with cutoff wheel.
Vehicle 1: Landrover 4x4 off-road type vehicle.
Step 1:
The vehicle build begins with a
Matchbox Landrover Sport. (There are several colors to choose from, but it
doesn't really matter since it will be painted.)
Step 2:
Disassemble the vehicle cutting
around the rivets on the bottom of the vehicle. This makes it soooo much easier
and cleaner to work on and paint.
Step 3:
The
vehicle is primed. The Body with a sand color and the base with black. The gear on top of the roof will be painted later as well as the front, rear, and roof lights. The last detail will be any insignia or unit stencilling, if required.
Step 4:
To give a couple of them a more 'protected' and 'military' look, I cut pieces of plastic granny mesh to fit the windows and front grill. Now it looks like it can offer a slight amount of protection to the occupants when travelling down a crowded street.
Step 5:
The last step is to
glue the final assemblies together.
When I finish the last step, I will post some final pics.
Vehicle 2: Landrover urban transport type vehicle.
Step 1:
The vehicle build begins with a
Matchbox Landrover SUV. (There are several colors to choose from, but it
doesn't really matter since it will be painted.)
Step 2:
Disassemble the vehicle cutting around the rivets on the bottom of the vehicle. This makes it soooo much easier and cleaner to work on and paint.
Step 3:
The vehicle is primed. The Body with a sand color and the base with black. The front and rear lights will be painted next. The last detail will be any insignia or unit stencilling, if required.
Step 4:
The last step is to glue the final assemblies together.
When I finish the last step, I will post some final pics.
"UN" Landrover 4x4's
Really nice series of posts, thanks for sharing! Can you tell me how you cut the vehicle apart; did you drill out the rivet or cut around it with the dremel?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments.
ReplyDeleteWhen the chassis is plastic (most Matchboxes), I cut around the rivet with an x-acto knife.
When the chassis is metal (most Hotwheels), I grind down the rivet head with a dremel.
Great job on these! Can the Matchbox Land Rovers still be found easy? I really like this Idea. I'm going to try it Thanks for posting keep up the Great Blog Sir ! Greyson in Va.
ReplyDelete