T-40 Nexter 40 CTAS
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/5/5/7/1678557-124378-97-720.jpg)
This is the first problem. Easily overcome
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Other side of the hull
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/5/5/8/1678558-124378-93-720.jpg)
Still needed a lot of help. First tip. The back of a lot of the parts have a mold stub or raised area of some kind. Sand all the backs of your parts and DRY FIT. Whew?
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/5/5/9/1678559-124378-19-720.jpg)
Another issue is the sprue gates extend over the edge of the parts onto the part it self. 90% of the parts I’ve used so far are this way
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/5/6/0/1678560-124378-97-720.jpg)
Here is the issue but, hey, that’s what we do as modelers, right??
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Want it going over a rise of a kind (it’s in my head. Let’s see how far that gets before the end of March) so the arms needed to be separated and pinned for proper alignment.
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Here are the road arms in place
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Wheels tried dry fit.
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3/4 view
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So far, it’s a cool looking vehicle.
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Another nights progress. Tiger sure knows how to bog down a build. The front plate needs to have the outer edges cut off as well as the mold pins (?) cut off and sanded. Then the before mentioned sprue gates need to be cut off and sanded. Fun, fun?
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Another view.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/6/4/7/1679647-124378-51-720.jpg)
Upper front view
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/6/4/8/1679648-124378-31-720.jpg)
I’m thinking either a Moroccan sand, dark brown, and black scheme. I also could do a U.N. white paint. The vehicle was a 2013 demonstrator that was painted in a light-ish green overall.Boring? Hmmmm?
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/3/3/7/1680337-124378-74-720.jpg)
Further work is done. The vision blocks are painted and set aside to dry. Next, liquid mask, dry, assemble.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/3/3/8/1680338-124378-69-720.jpg)
All the photo-etch goes on just before the delicate parts.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/3/3/9/1680339-124378-39-720.jpg)
The lower hull, suspension, and wheels will get painted this weekend as well as the inside of the armored side skirts.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/3/4/0/1680340-124378-47-720.jpg)
Still lots left to do. Thinking about replacing the bolts on the front plate. They are a little soft and after sanding the area, might be even softer. Got Meng’s small bolts to help.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/3/4/1/1680341-124378-68-720.jpg)
All in all, fun,frustrating, and challenging. Everything Mom said I was (am, can, and will be?). More tomorrow (sorry in advance?).
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/9/6/2/1687962-124378-16-720.jpg)
So, after painting the hull bottom, I had to weather.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/9/6/3/1687963-124378-29-720.jpg)
Weathering looks good but this was just the foundation.
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/9/6/4/1687964-124378-61-720.jpg)
So that it doesn’t need to be turned over……
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Right side after all the work to seal the bottom.
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Forward right
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/9/6/7/1687967-124378-15-720.jpg)
Upper camo. It was okay but…..
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/9/6/8/1687968-124378-32-720.jpg)
This killed the vibe. Those 2 fat green stripes were sooooo distracting.
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/9/6/9/1687969-124378-69-720.jpg)
Just too wide. They were the first ones done therefor they needed fixing ?
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/9/7/0/1687970-124378-18-720.jpg)
Fixed them. Repainted with beige sand (Vallejo) and then Ammo by MiG forest green. Same colors used first. Beige sand matched, forest green came out slightly brighter. Did a freehand mottle on all the green. Weathering will be enhanced by it.
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Much better after putting those bands on a diet.
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Right side
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Drone view.
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Getting there.
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The tires were dusted with the Vallejo. Damn airbrushes (Iwata Neo and Neoeco) were troublesome. Can’t figure out why both of them are shooting even without pressing the trigger…..
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/7/3/3/1696733-124378-88-720.jpg)
March Madness Group Build is over. Got it done and am happy. Didn’t get the base done and, I know I will still mess with this but, she made it across the finish line
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/7/3/0/1696730-124378-33-720.jpg)
I couldn’t leave well enough alone and had to add netting and stowage?
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/9/7/6/1687976-124378-13-720.jpg)
All in all, I’m satisfied ( if I keep saying it, it has to be true, right?) with how it came out.
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/7/3/1/1696731-124378-61-720.jpg)
Learned a lot with this one.
1. All my airbrushes are made by Mr Murphy
2. If I break it once, I will continue to break it again and again
3. You can wait 3 days for curing and, the turret will bond to the hull because of paint
4. Tamiya tape gets even more nonstick when PVA/water mix is applied
There is soooo much more but, that’s enough for my brain for now
1. All my airbrushes are made by Mr Murphy
2. If I break it once, I will continue to break it again and again
3. You can wait 3 days for curing and, the turret will bond to the hull because of paint
4. Tamiya tape gets even more nonstick when PVA/water mix is applied
There is soooo much more but, that’s enough for my brain for now
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/7/3/2/1696732-124378-88-720.jpg)
This has made me order more netting for some other vehicles in my stash.
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Little bit closer now….???
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Right (starboard
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Here is the start of the base. Gotta source a Senegalese tree (root) for it
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More base. Here you can see the need for the tree off the rear right side.
![Album image #43 Album image #43](/albums/img/7/3/8/1696738-124378-62-720.jpg)
See the bald area?. You will be fixed.
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Mission Model primer black with Ammo by MiG one shot brown oxide primer on the ground work.
![Album image #45 Album image #45](/albums/img/4/5/4/1708454-124378-37-720.jpg)
I was trying for a smooth sanding on the sides but, after wood puttying (of which I ran out) then sanding there were small little spots to work. “Hey,” I thought “ I have Vallejo putty! No problems!” No such luck. The difference in hardness between the original putty, foam board and Vallejo caused the foam to start ripping out in random areas. Lemons, meet juicer? Decided to make the sides look like stratified rock. It was worth the try.
![Album image #46 Album image #46](/albums/img/4/5/3/1708453-124378-99-720.jpg)
AMX-10 in place. Got a ways to go.
![Album image #47 Album image #47](/albums/img/4/5/5/1708455-124378-57-720.jpg)
Closer
![Album image #48 Album image #48](/albums/img/9/5/7/1720957-124378-50-720.jpg)
Looks mean in this stance.
![Album image #49 Album image #49](/albums/img/4/5/6/1708456-124378-56-720.jpg)
Port side 3/4 view
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Starboard rear 3/4.
![Album image #51 Album image #51](/albums/img/4/5/8/1708458-124378-58-720.jpg)
Closer
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Took a little time away from the bench. Business is picking up so time will be getting sparse. Front starboard 3/4 view.
![Album image #53 Album image #53](/albums/img/9/5/2/1720952-124378-12-720.jpg)
Did a little work on the base and I’m gonna call it a save. Much better than the original.
![Album image #54 Album image #54](/albums/img/9/5/4/1720954-124378-47-720.jpg)
Sides look like wood from a distance. Wasn’t going for that but, hey, take a win when ya can
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With the AMX-10 40 Nexter blah, blah, blah on board to eyeball. Added liquid pigments to the wheels and now have to bring the weathering up the beast.
![Album image #56 Album image #56](/albums/img/9/5/6/1720956-124378-28-720.jpg)
I see issues and am, once again, finding work arounds.
![Album image #57 Album image #57](/albums/img/9/5/8/1720958-124378-94-720.jpg)
Top side view
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Other side
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Front 3/4 view
![Album image #60 Album image #60](/albums/img/9/6/1/1720961-124378-73-720.jpg)
Better view of the wheels in dust pigments. Gotta say, can’t wait to get back to my Down & Dirty build.
![Album image #61 Album image #61](/albums/img/1/5/6/1734156-124378-73-720.jpg)
Got further. Wanted to up the dynamics of the setting so…..dust clouds
![Album image #62 Album image #62](/albums/img/1/5/7/1734157-124378-47-720.jpg)
More dust
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Same
![Album image #64 Album image #64](/albums/img/1/5/9/1734159-124378-31-720.jpg)
Think this may be ……dust
![Album image #65 Album image #65](/albums/img/1/6/0/1734160-124378-50-720.jpg)
Sprayed the cotton, after pulling and teasing (it’s still mad because of it?) with Vallejo Sand (ivory) which is what the base was painted.
![Album image #66 Album image #66](/albums/img/1/6/1/1734161-124378-52-720.jpg)
Gotta glue it all down, get the clouds right, fix that ? antenna that keeps breaking. It’s like having an injury, if your going to bump something, whatever you do it wil hit the injury?
![Album image #67 Album image #67](/albums/img/1/6/2/1734162-124378-85-720.jpg)
Once it’s all set, it will get several light dull coats to hold the shape and then apply shadow areas on the cotton.
Commenti
24 5 March, 22:37
![](/profiles/img/33587-335-s.png)
Intersting vehicle you´ve got there 👍 And a seemingly somewhat challenging kit I presume?
7 March, 17:32
![](/profiles/img/124378-205-s.jpg)
True. The plastic is brittle. When I trim a sprue gate of the parts face, 70% chance that it will leave a divot. Have learned to cut close, leaving a little behind, and sand flush. All part of our glorious hobby🙃
7 March, 19:03
![](/profiles/img/124378-205-s.jpg)
Thanks, y'all!😊 Needed a quick build to cleanse the palette 👅. Learned a lot, which if I ever stop learning, I'll be done with the hobby. So now, back to down and dirty🎉👏
1 April, 12:15
Album info
This is gonna document the build for March Madness Group Build 2024 over on Facebook. I building it so I’m gonna share. Sorry ahead of time.?