Ryefield Models M1240A1 M-ATV, US MRAP All Terrain Vehicle

[Heavens Eagle]

That is actually quite impressive Greg. Good job!

 

[moon puppy]

Holy Cow! That looks heavy from here. Looks like something Matt off road would be building.

 

[Greg Kimsey]

I am not sure if I have messed up or if the kit engineer did, but the...tool chest lid (?)...is way too short. Hopefully making a new one is not a mistake

It seems to have worked out OK.

This PE part is vert tiny and it relies on a simple butt joint to attach it. I have drilled and pinned it for more security. There is a hole in the piece for a pin. It seems like another kit mistake. I hope (once again) I am now screwing this thing up

I am really glad I have two kits to put this model together. I have dropped and lost forever too many parts to count. This one is gone into the ether forever and I had to build one. It took many attempts! I ended up making it out of all metal. It looks utterly wretched but hopefully won't be seen.

 

[Greg Kimsey]

PS, the 3D printed exhaust pipe thingy worked out great!

 

[Greg Kimsey]

She is starting to look like something now. The tires took a long time to paint! I broke the front driver's side yoke while putting the tire on. I followed the instructions, but had I thought of it I would have waited to put the outer rim on until after putting the tire on. Since I broke the piece that hold the yoke in plave I had to affix it so the tires don't steer anymore. They rotate, but don't swivel left and right. The tire paint was applied mostly drybrushing using Vallejo paints and special finishes. (73804 Light brown splash mud; 73821 Rust; 70992 Medium Grey; 70989 Sky Grey; 70951 White; set with Mr Superclear Matte B-523Y)
I used the PE splash guards instead of the rubber ones.

 

[moon puppy]

That thing looks like an absolute beast.

 

[Greg Kimsey]

That thing looks like an absolute beast.

They are gargantuan! Such an awesome vehicle.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Greg, with the right base and background I would be hard pressed to know if it was or wasn't real.

 

[Greg Kimsey]

Ok, just an FYI in case anyone builds one, save the exhaust pipe piece which comes from the motor to the muffler until late in the build, for when the intructions say to actually attach the muffler. Glue the joint indicated by the red arrow while the pieces are on the bench; sand and paint them, then route the pipe from the bottom and glue into place.

The upper part attaches easily enough here...

I hope the makes sense!

 

[Steve Ski]

Man, what a beast of a kit, Greg. Ruck On!

 

[moon puppy]

OK What's the QR code on the air cleaner and does it work?

 

[Greg Kimsey]

OK What's the QR code on the air cleaner and does it work?

Hmmm, I will try it and see LOL

 

[Greg Kimsey]

OK What's the QR code on the air cleaner and does it work?

It just says 麦田MATV when I scan it

 

[Greg Kimsey]

The turret was very difficult! The gun especially. The parts were micriscopic, but I didn't lose any. I had a Verlinden ammo belt in my stash so I cut some off and scattered them around the floor of the turret. I had an actual photo as reference to get it right.

 

[moon puppy]

Love it Greg, this thing just looks heavy. You've nailed this desert yellow.

 

[Greg Kimsey]

Well, I had to improvise, overcome, and adapt. The hood mirror glue points were beyond fragile, and it was quite literally impossible to slip the pivot pin piece over the PE part with the pivot holes. At least I couldn't see a way to do it.

So I used brass 1.5mm tube, inserted the .56mm brass rod inside leaving 1cm for the end to hold the mirror. I bent a 9mm length of PE edge remnant to form the "C" bracket after drilling holes at either end for the .5mm swivel pin. I soldered the C bracket to the brass tube.

I doubt the image makes sense. The yellow is the mirror arm, the red dotted line represents the PE remnant, the solid red is the C bracket, the blue is the solder, the purple is the PE bracket that attaches to the MRAP, and the gold is the pin.
I CA glued the assembled mirros to the hood.

Before painting, the mirrors swiveled properly. After paint, the passenger side does not. I am not going to force it.
The hood is attached and actually functions, but doesn't sit completely flush.

I will investigate to see why it doesn't sit all the way down.

 

[Greg Kimsey]

Well, I can't tell why the hood won't close flush so I will just display it open LOL. I also didn't realize how close I was to being finished! I will take better photos later.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

That beastie is coming along quite nicely Greg!

 

[moon puppy]

With the proper back drop we'd be hard pressed to tell if it's a model.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

With the proper back drop we'd be hard pressed to tell if it's a model.

Ditto, what Bob said!!