Oshkosh HEMTT M978 Fuel Truck

[Erwin]

Big time for a new update so here we go:


All parts are joined together slowly but steady.


The supports are drilled and the springsuspention system is represented by insertion of pieces of gitar string.


The kit's cylinders are replaced by resin ones who receive some wiring made from fine copper wire. The protecting grid didn't come with the kit but it seems it exists on real vehicles. Parts for this grid were found in the spares box and do in fact belong to a SdKfz 251 kit; they are cut to size and glued.


The big fuel tank is attacked. The fuel hose canister was detailed with metal wire.




it really looks beter once all parts joined.


The new resin wheels are not fixed yet, they are just for show. It was necessary to remove the rear brake drums as the new rear wheels and brake drums make one part.


Spare wheel in place, only the crane arm to go.


He will receive his Nato groen livery this evening as I intend to use that colour as base coat and as pre-shading.
 
Enjoy.

[Erwin]

Hay Erwin here some thing you may like, I did. Scroll down with in this link to see that this guys is using the same type of resin tires as you ans PE.
http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=152080&page=1

Oh boy, his truck looks far better than mine, certainly regarding the wiring.
He must have better references than I have.
Anyway, it was not my intention to restore it from the ground up, only to give the impression there is something underneath.

[White_R34]

An you have done an outstanding job, may I give you one suggestion? On your resin tire were the resin cast marks are showing, roll them strate down so no one can see them. It's just look better that way. Only do that when you are ready to glue them inplace.

[Swa]

Hey, 

E, what a model m8. Very nice rebuild with many details, i like it.
Can't wait to see it saterday....

[John Gietzen]

Erwin,

That fellow is looking really good!!! Even without the final painting, weathering, etc.... the vehicle looks great!!
Can't wait to see the finished product.!!

During the mass evacuation of Houston in 2005 due to anticipated strike of hurricane Rita, the Texas Department of Transportation probably could have used a couple of dozen of those vehicles full !of gasoline!!

John Gietzen

[Erwin]

Tx guys,

@ Vince: was planning to do that, the wheels on the pics have not been fitted yet, just for show.

meanwhile started painting the Hemtt in Tamiya sand colour and ...... !!!Tamiya paint s**ks !!!
I really don't like it, always have trouble with it even with the use of their Lacquer Thinner.
Will need to sand it off again and start again. Grrrr 

[rtvmodeler]

  Excellent detailing friend.  Great to see some new!

Regards,
Rodolfo

[Erwin]

As you have noticed, my Belgian picture host is temporarily down. Hope to see him back on line again soon.
Glad to be able to put some pics back up thankx to Graeme.

The HEMTT has received 4 coats of paint;
- Tamiya Nato green as base colour (remember I wanted to represent a vehicle serving in Germany and send to the Middle East)
- Tamiya Sand as main colour
- Tamiya Buff as lighter shade to represent colour fading by the sun
- Humbrol H121 on the top to enhance the decoloration.

A MIG brown wash was applied to the undersides and the main seams.











It's starting to look good I think. Next will be some cleaning up, adding parts and painting detail not to forget putting him on its wheels.

[Swa]

E, 

That looks realy real, i had the lucky too see it real, must say, it's a very good build. Congratz m8

[John Gietzen]

The painting and weathering you did does make the vehicle look like it was originally NATO green, overcoated with a sand color. Then what you did to fade the sand, especially on the horizontal surfaces, looks really good!!

keep going!!

John G

[Erwin]

Tx Dave.
Work continued and the paint job was finished just in time for the Flanders Contest when "Oshie" as we now dearly call him will gon on show and in contest.

First a couple of pics of Oshie on its base plate before being completed.












Than work started to finish it adding the left door, rear view mirrors, fire extinguishers, jerrycan, detail painting, dusting, a bit of rust and weathering.
This was  the result, pictures taken with natural sunlight.



























He went to show, he was looked at and judged and he won a "Highly Commended" say silver medal in category "Military Vehicles - Conversions".
Needless to say I'm proud and honoured with it.

Enjoy.

[Swa]

Hey E, 

very nice build m8, buth you now that. Congratz with youre silver medal, you deserve that.

[White_R34]

Hay Erwin that came out "Magnificently"   man! your build makes this guys work is pale in comparison: http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=155227&page=1.

I'm proud of you and your work.
Now you need to post some photos of the finished project in the: "Modern-Era and Unrelated Models" and some photos of it with it's award in the The "Trophy-Room".

[Graeme]

Have to agree with Vince, yours is much better, that chap has got streaking in all the wrong places and in the wrong direction, amongst other things.

Yes Erwin a fantastic build.

[Erwin]

Tx guys for your comments.

@Vince: will try to add the pics.