HEMTT M983

[delta99]

I'm working on an Oshkosh army tractor. I'm not sure if military is allowed here, but it's a truck with a 5th wheel, so I guess it counts. This is a kit from Trumpeter, in 1/35 scale. It's very detailed, and has 521 pieces. I'm really happy with the kit so far. I'm used to building old Revell and AMT kits, so I'm really impressed with the quality of the parts. There's basically no flash, and no seams. The parts fit together as if they are actually supposed to go together. The fit is tight, with no gaps. I'm used to larger scale kits, with bigger parts. This kit has a lot of tiny pieces. It also has a few of PE parts, which I'm not good at. I have shakey hands, and my vision isn't what it used to be. This kit will be difficult for me, but I'm up for the challenge. I'm building mine in desert sand. I'm thinking of making a part or 2 in green, as if swapped from another truck, as surely happens.

I started with the frame. Most of the crossmembers are sub assemblies of 2 or 3 parts. Everything went together nicely without trouble.

 

Then I got to work on the suspension. There's a front assembly and a rear assembly. The steering knuckles pop into place, and are moveable. The tierods glue into place, and won't allow for steering once built. It seems that it could be assembled with the wheels turned one way or the other however. I'm building mine with the wheels straight. 

These are the steer axles

Rear axles. I'd call them drive axles, but this is 8 wheel drive

And I got them put on the frame

[gotnitro?]

Very nice , makes ya appreciate new molds after building one of these .  I have several Trumpeter kits 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

The details on that look very nice!!

[delta99]

Some more work on this. Some small details were added to the chassis. Shock absorbers, shackles, air tanks, battery box, steering box, small superstructure and hoist. I also put together and installed the engine. I put a wash on the frame to make the bolt heads stand out, but I didn't do a great job.

Here's the engine. The other half of the turbo is attached to the muffler, to be assembled later.

 

Here's the frame with some small details added

and the engine dropped in place and battery box installed

I also put together the driver's side fender with air cleaner and hydraulic tank

[stavanzer]

Kickin' Butt so far. Keep Modelin'!

[Jim B]

Looking really nice so far.

[delta99]

Here's today's progress. I made a strap for the jerry can, and mounted it on the fender, then got the fenders on.

I weathered the tires with dust, and mounted them.

I got going on the interior

Some careful masking, and made the appropriate panels black

The seat bases were by far the hardest part. Very delicate, and the instuctions weren't crystal clear

And I rested the interior on the frame to see how it will look. I'll probably work on the cab tomorrow.

[Jim B]

Looking really nice.  There seems to be a lot of detail in this kit, and I like your strap for the water can.

If I were to make one small critique, it would be that the 8V92T should be painted the same OD green that would be used on the exterior of the truck.  These trucks were painted all one color at the factory, then the black & brown was added.  When they were shipped to the desert, the 3-color camouflage was painted over in desert tan.  The windows & engine were generally masked off & the entire truck was painted.  Just thought you'd like to know.

[delta99]

23 minutes ago, Jim B said:

Looking really nice.  There seems to be a lot of detail in this kit, and I like your strap for the water can.

If I were to make one small critique, it would be that the 8V92T should be painted the same OD green that would be used on the exterior of the truck.  These trucks were painted all one color at the factory, then the black & brown was added.  When they were shipped to the desert, the 3-color camouflage was painted over in desert tan.  The windows & engine were generally masked off & the entire truck was painted.  Just thought you'd like to know.

Cool, thanks for the info. I wasn't sure what color it should be. Maybe it was a crate motor replacement from DD? Luckily it won't really be visible under the hood.

[delta99]

Some more progress here. I got the cab put together. I painted the doors, and applied a gloss clear coat. I can then apply the decals without the "silvering." I let the decals set, then applied a clear dull coat. I'm happy with the results.

I also got the decals on the outside of the doors, and front of the cab

I put together the muffler and heat shield

A little more work on the cab and got it mounted. I made mirror lenses from metallic duct tape

I put the glad hands on the back for the pintle hitch

Started work on the platform

And put the engine cover together

Fuel tank and fenders on

I just have the winch, 5th wheel, platforms and spare tire left

[blackbeard]

Fantastic looking hemtt m983 I remember seeing a lot of them in the Persian gulf war

[Jim B]

That's looking really nice.  There sure is a lot of detail in these 1/35 armor kits.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Looks Fantastic!! Great work!!

[tbill]

That’s a cool build, looks terrific 

[delta99]

Thanks for all the kind comments. I finished this puppy up today. I used some thread for the winch cable, and painted it metallic gray. I'm not sure if it was normally stowed at the rear of the tractor, or at the winch itself. I just left it on the winch. I made some more strap material for the spare tire. I also made the whip antenna, and the suzi coils. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I'll post it in the under glass section

The kit came with a PE ratchet strap for the spare. I made some strap material from masking tape that I painted yellow. They may have had olive green straps or something, but I just wanted something to stand out a little.

I also made some suzi coils from wire material that I had

I'll post it in the under glass section

[delta99]

I forgot to show the antenna that I made

[blackbeard]

Wow that came out great what a scale is this kit

[delta99]

14 hours ago, blackbeard said:

Wow that came out great what a scale is this kit

It's 1/35

[gotnitro?]

Fantastic work!!!  These kits are loaded w details , and your weathering makes them jump out .  Really like the yellow ratchet strap for the tire,  a tiny change in a sea of Carc tan lol

[blackbeard]

Thank you for the information on scale size 

[Dutzie]

I love the detail in these 1/35 scale kits. Looks amazing. Great job!