Armor/AFV: Softskins
Softskins group discussions.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Special Forces GMV Afghanistan
samofptr
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Moscow, Russia
Joined: April 27, 2015
KitMaker: 130 posts
Armorama: 130 posts
Posted: Monday, September 11, 2017 - 06:50 PM UTC
I love this project! It's like a favorite TV series, and I'm looking forward to the new series
Thanks for using сlevis hook from SW
Bravo36
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Arizona, United States
Joined: January 11, 2002
KitMaker: 247 posts
Armorama: 229 posts
Posted: Monday, September 25, 2017 - 08:16 AM UTC
Very nice. I too love watching your progress. One suggestion. All of the ammo boxes come with markings describing contents - type, quantity, lot number etc. I don't see any. At least not so far.
WXerock
#450
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California, United States
Joined: July 19, 2015
KitMaker: 672 posts
Armorama: 668 posts
Posted: Tuesday, October 17, 2017 - 04:26 AM UTC
Mario, I just took t the time to go back a couple of pages to look at your photos very closely. You have absolutely perfected your pin wash technique. I cant find a single flaw on anything. Your work really does inspire me!

Regards,

Eric

Maki
Staff MemberSenior Editor
ARMORAMA
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 28, 2017 - 11:58 PM UTC
Thanks for the comments guys.

You wouldn't believe how much time it took to get this tow recovery strap done. And to be honest, I'm not so happy about it.



I did the two M240s:





Here are the Adler's Nest anntennae. Not chep but incredible detail:





I did try some weathering on the wheels. First a bit of buff on the inner wheel:



Dust wash:



and pigments:



There are not many things to do to finish this build once and for all, but I'm finding it hard to keep interest flowing.

Mario
18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 29, 2017 - 07:19 AM UTC
Don't worry, dude - interest level still high. GREAT job on the MG's - about the most realistic I've seen. As for your tow strap, it looks great. And I'm sure it did take a long time to get the look. I've never seen a red one, but then again, unlike some folks, I cannot claim to have seen EVERYthing. We did use orange on my gun truck though: (If it looks a little scorched it's because we had a bit of a fire)



And one thing many teams ended up doing (including mine for a time) was rigging two straps. One went from the front bumper (after we got them) to the driver's door, with shackles. The other ran from the rear bumper to the passenger side door, again with shackles. The idea was that should one vehicle go Tango Uniform on the X, the other vehicle could pull up along the hot side, and link the good vehicle's opposite straps together, without ever having to dismount and be exposed to fire. It worked reasonably well. My team ended up going with quick releases made from either 100 mph tape or zip ties, as you see in the above photo. One of our sister teams went with the method described above. Here's how part of that looked:



Both images courtesy of my somewhat susbstantial SOF HWMMV walkaround.
Maki
Staff MemberSenior Editor
ARMORAMA
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 29, 2017 - 01:09 PM UTC
Thanks Rob, I appreciate your comments. Tow strap is actually orange... perhaps the color balance made it look more reddish on the photos. I have a plan to subdue the tone quite a bit during weathering stages.

Thanks for the photos. I like the idea of rigging two straps, perhaps I'll try that on my next Humvee build.

I have your SOF Humvee walkaround with various GMVs (that's where I got the inspiration for this build), but haven't seen the photos you included in your post.

Mario
18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Monday, October 30, 2017 - 07:08 AM UTC
The beauty of these walkarounds as opposed to a book is that I can easily (and without cost to you) send upgrades whenever they are added. Send me your email address and I'll send you the batch they belong to.
Maki
Staff MemberSenior Editor
ARMORAMA
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Monday, October 30, 2017 - 02:00 PM UTC
Thanks. PM sent.

Mario
Maki
Staff MemberSenior Editor
ARMORAMA
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Friday, December 01, 2017 - 06:53 PM UTC
Almost finished with the stowage in the back:



And this is a Cola can in 1/35 scale, amazing set from Royal Model:



Mario
Foxtrot1
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Gauteng, South Africa
Joined: March 03, 2011
KitMaker: 234 posts
Armorama: 200 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 17, 2017 - 03:29 PM UTC
Looking very good. I love the can of Coke!

Please, keep posting more updates. Your build inspires me to begin work on my Tamiya M1025.
Maki
Staff MemberSenior Editor
ARMORAMA
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 05:54 AM UTC
OK, I'm calling this one finished.

















Mario
Maki
Staff MemberSenior Editor
ARMORAMA
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 05:59 AM UTC
Some more:





















And here is a setup with the figures I'm planning:



Mario
twong529
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 21, 2018
KitMaker: 157 posts
Armorama: 113 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 06:21 AM UTC
Terrific build. Very nice subtle weathering.
goofmuilwijk
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Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: April 19, 2013
KitMaker: 179 posts
Armorama: 117 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 07:43 AM UTC
Awesome!
GTDeath13
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Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 08:06 AM UTC
The vehicle looks awesome!!!! A superb model.
amoz02t
#192
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Kentucky, United States
Joined: November 25, 2009
KitMaker: 1,383 posts
Armorama: 1,281 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 09:07 AM UTC
Most impressive! Great job! Thank you for sharing the process as you have some really rare skills on display here
tangodown
#494
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: August 08, 2018
KitMaker: 213 posts
Armorama: 198 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 12:01 PM UTC
Wow the attention to detail and quality of craftsmanship is amazing. Keep up the great work.
Venko555
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Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 07:31 PM UTC
Very nice work, Mario! I'm waiting for the figures painting

Cheers!
Foxtrot1
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Gauteng, South Africa
Joined: March 03, 2011
KitMaker: 234 posts
Armorama: 200 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 07:49 PM UTC
It came out beautifully! Definitely worth the wait. Can't wait to see how those figures come out.

I loved your OIF M1025 build, but the detail on this truck has to take prize. Thank you for sharing the pics.
Maki
Staff MemberSenior Editor
ARMORAMA
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Monday, August 20, 2018 - 07:31 PM UTC
Thanks guys, I'm happy you like the model.

Mario
WXerock
#450
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California, United States
Joined: July 19, 2015
KitMaker: 672 posts
Armorama: 668 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - 04:05 AM UTC
Mario, I feel like we've all been on a journey with you. A journey that took nearly four years. It had its ups and downs, but you made it. The end result is stunning. It gives heart to those of us who can't sprint through a build or binge build seven vehicles at one time. Your attention to detail is unmatched my friend. This is the best GMV I've seen so far. That is saying a lot since there has been done amazing work shown here by yourself, Piotr, and Kuba. Hope you start something new soon.

Regards,

Eric
Books17
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South Australia, Australia
Joined: December 04, 2018
KitMaker: 1 posts
Armorama: 1 posts
Posted: Monday, December 03, 2018 - 05:53 PM UTC
Mario, to be honest I feel like I've cheated by going through this build start to finish in just an hour or two!! I had to register just to say how much I enjoyed it, and how stunning your work is.
Maki
Staff MemberSenior Editor
ARMORAMA
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Monday, December 03, 2018 - 08:25 PM UTC
Thank you Liam, much appreciated.

I've been going through a major upgrade of my workspace, so hopefully I'll start with the figures soon.

Best,
Mario
Trisaw
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California, United States
Joined: December 24, 2002
KitMaker: 4,105 posts
Armorama: 2,492 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 05, 2018 - 01:05 PM UTC
Wow, that is truly an amazing build! Everything just pops!

The Legend GMV conversion just pops with detail. Your paint job is so smooth and the amount of accessories and gear you added just increases the level of detail and eyecandy.

Wonderfully marvelous job, Mario! Thumbs way up!
ivan_a
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Khabarovsk, Russia
Joined: July 21, 2004
KitMaker: 35 posts
Armorama: 35 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 05, 2018 - 03:10 PM UTC
Amazing work. Sample. I followed the construction with great pleasure. Incredible realism, study of every detail, perfect accuracy of Assembly and painting. It is without a doubt a masterpiece!