Hi Al,

Thanks very much, I appreciate your comments! We received a few hours of sun yesterday so the model and I went outside, and came back with some sunny pictures. Yes, I'll give the feature idea a try - it was also mentioned by Mark.

This might be a good candidate, as much as it came to life the way it did as a result of some Armorama member collaboration - something I haven't done before.

My work area is a big post build mess with way too much accumulated junk - I'll get it sorted and get going on another build. I'm debating two builds - one historically based, the other not, a bit of the alternate future sci fi flavor - we'll see...they both bring some big challenges, and one way or other, I'll likely build both of them eventually.

Cheers
Nick

Sci-fi,Sci-fi, Sci-fi !!!!!!

WOW!!! How did I miss this one? It looks awesome. Great work.

Now on to the M6A2 Linebacker...

I keep pushing him that way too!!!!!

AMAZING! If i didn't know it is a diorama, I could say those are pictures of the real thing!
Stunning job!

Fan-freaking-tastic!!!!!!!! Thank you! You are a true artist.I am truely amazed at the amount of talent on this site.

Jeff

I am going to post a note here just to bring this great work back to the top of the list!

Enjoy GREt build all!

Cheers

I am going to post a note here just to bring this great work back to the top of the list!

Enjoy GREAT build all, highly recommended!

Cheers

Something of interest found today on the internet:

Hi Michael -

Thanks for bringing this back to life! I'm glad you like it!

So, from one scratch builder to another, I'm guessing the backhoe is the armored all wheel drive JCB? Whatever it is, it looks like it could be a fun build....hmmm...except, the tires and wheels? Any of you guys know of a resin set that generally looks like those?

Who knows - maybe for another day - Jeff, and Pablo, thanks! Glad you guys like it!

Matt - as you know, and Gino hinted above, sci fi will have to wait....
Cheers
Nick

Aren't wheels/tires always the hang up?

Nick here is a link to what I think looks like the same vehicle. The new Schnellfahrender geschützter Baggerlader (Fast Protected Backhoe Loader) HMEE at the German Army Engineer School in Hammelburg.

http://tank-masters.de/?p=2027

p.s. Thank you for the compliment regarding "from one scratch builder to another" however my possible talents pale before the master, Sir!

The BHL in question is called the IHMEE.

http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_hmee.php

Its a JCB that does some pretty neat stuff.. it will do 60 mph in highway mode, has a couple other modes that allow it to work in very uneven terrain. The front loader has quite a high reach, but doesnt quite have the power that a true front end loader would. The backhoe has a pretty decent digging bucket and a few other options like a pavement breaker. UNFORTUNATELY, with the armored cab, the visibility really sucks IMO.





aside from the low volume of the front bucket, this worked ok for loading the top course of HESCOs.

Hi Michael - first, you're too modest!! More than me know of you and your Russian trucks!!! Awesome stuff!

As to this, I took a look at that link - I wonder if that is in fact the JCB backhoe? The US army ordered 50 or so of them - they can be fitted with slat armor etc, and are high speed....

Hmm- you know, I'm in the middle of another Dio right now, with the D9R (it's a WIP, and being posted here) but, the backhoe couid be an interesting build....the gears are turning, Michael, who knows....

Thanks for the heads up

Nick

Aha! Brian, thanks!! I just guessed the JCB, thanks for the info!

Nick

Absolutely fantastic finish. Glad to see the composition and the groundwork in particular matched your superb vehicles. I hope you've got something equally inspiring in mind as your next big project ????

cheers
Brent

Hi Brent - thanks!

Yea, the groundwork was probably as much of a challenge as the roller! Haha -
Anyway, the next project is underway - it's called "Big Punch, Big Push" here on Armorama - it's got a D9 and will eventually have a couple of M1114s and a Bradley M6 Linebacker. Funny enough, the first phase of work has the big CAT, and more tedious groundwork

Cheers
Nick

Hi Nick,

I had to take a minute to say Hi and tell you how much I enjoyed looking at your work. I didn't get a chance to read the posts as I'm at work but I plan to read it all as you did some fantastic work here. Thanks for taking the time to share with us what you did.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Glad to hear you like the build! Something I like about the forum is stumbling across something new or different to me. Like you, I spend time after work going through people's builds - very cool stuff to be found!

Cheers
Nick

What types of Excavators are used in Afghanistan? Need something to fill model Hescos.

Hi Joey -

As far as I could tell, in addition to the JCB, tracked excavators included the John Deere 200C and the CAT 330C. The bummer is, if you want it, you'll probably need to scratchbuild it....I've got the idea and some parts scrounged up on my workbench for the JCB - in the future!

Cheers
Nick

Earth moving gear is a large untapped area as far as models go. I am surprised none of the big coys have tackled this yet.
J

I got all dimensions for the JCB but have no idea where to begin