WIP - D9R Bulldozer

Bart Goesaert
Nice progress, will you make it OOB or will you add some slat-armour as in IDF version?

Przemek Przybulewski
Hi Bart, thank you. So far plan is to make it OOB. I'm not plannig any addons. I'm also thinink about the sandy yellow US paining. I do not likethe IDF color, looks to dull and sad for me. 😉

Bart Goesaert
could be colorfull, first bright (caterpillar) yellow, and then the sandy yellow and some scratches....

Henry Milton
I have heard people rave about the exceptional engineering of that kit. Is it as nice as everyone says? I did a Meng T90 and that was so well engineered that parts fit together and stayed without glue. Looking forward to the rest of your build.

Przemek Przybulewski
Bart, yeah, probably something like this. I will think of something "attractive".
Henry - this is the 2nd kit in the Steagosaurus series and even if it's very nice it has some flaws. Quality of molds is very good, however there are numerous pin marks. Details are very good but no PE parts in kit (at least I cound find any in mine). And finally fitting - overall is very good but in some places like hydraulic cylinders i get the hard to cover holes for 0,4mm. I did BMPT (it is probably the same quality as T-90 of yours) and it was better. I did PLZ05 and it was evene better. I did Smerch and it was the best kit I build. So it looks like with every model they enhace skills and technology. Overall D9R is not bad, it very good, even with thos minor flaws I would say it's better then many other kits including Trumpeter's kits.

Henry Milton
Sweet. I heard that they were going to stop making them because of licensing issues with the manufacturer of the actual dozer. International Harvester maybe...not sure but someone told me that.

Przemek Przybulewski
Honestly, I have no idea how does it looks like from the law side of modelling. Do they have to pay for licence, or it's a gentelmens agreement, I have no clue. But recently Meng issued a improved version of model with slat armour, so maybe it was just a rumour or marketing trick. 😉

Henry Milton
I believe there are licencing regulations. I know some people that work with model producers on kit design and research. I will be seeing a number of them at the AMPs National show next week. That will be a good topic over a few pints I am sure.

Bryn Crandell
Coming along quite nicely. I have to get one of these. Nice looking kit overall. Have you come across any faults so far?

Przemek Przybulewski
Henry - please let me know if you'll find out something. I'm curious about it.
Bryn - Thank you. Sure it's very interesting subject. It gives a lot of possibilities when it's come to diorama or even a simple base. Kit is very good, it has some minor flaws but noting impacting pleasure of working on it. So far biggest issue was with hydraulic cyliders when two halves didn't fit well on one end giving small (less then 0,5mm) gap. Most of the pin marks is hidden with other parts. Kit worth it's price.

Bart Goesaert
heard the rumor too that Meng had to remove their D9R's from their stand due to licencing affairs with caterpillar, but the model is still available, so I guess it's resolved.

Model looks nice so far.

Christian Bruer
lifelike weathering on the dozer blade 👍