MiniArt is working on a new U.S. Bulldozer.

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From what I can tell this is exactly the same vehicle as that offered a few years ago as the wartime Military D7 Dozer. With the addition that MiniArt has now chosen to add the safety cage, "headache rack" for the protection of the operator.

This statement is in no way intended as a criticism but simply a statement of fact.

Very true. But it is still an awesome model, so another version will not hurt. (I'd even be tempted to build it again as a civilian model.)

I seem to recall seeing these in photos of Pacific Island airfields being built or repaired. Was that the D7 version?

Bill it certainly could have been. There were several size dozers used, including one that was small enough to be air transportable.

The D7 ** with the dual winch and fairlead assembly behind the driver was intended to be used with the then cable controlled scraper so it would be the perfect candidate for building roads and airstrips.







** Many of the dozers shown in these photos ARE NOT Cat D7's. Here I am focusing on trying to show the use of the towed Scraper. - Today of course the Scrapers are all self-powered.

L.Z. Models offers both the grader and the sheepsfoot rollers** in resin as accessories that would be correct for use with this bulldozer.







** I believe Plus Models also makes a version of the Sheepsfoot Roller but their product tends usually to be much harder to find on the market.

An attractive aspect of this kit that MiniArt does not mention!:

While they are showing this dozer on the box art with a straight blade they have chosen to include the model version where the blade assembly can also be assembled as being angled either to the left or the right.

I am very surprised they fail to show or mention this feature. Myself I would have shown the blade being angled on the box art.

Just like the real one was militarized, MiniArt has just reversed the process.
Of course we have a whole new topic to mine in the various modeling forums - which paint is the most accurate Caterpillar Yellow (which is a registered trademark color).
Floquil used to make one in their Railroad series, you might be able to get a jar of touch-up from the local dealer (I used to do that for model cars).
But like Ferrari Red, any number of Fender Custom Colors, & British Racing Green, not just any color Yellow will do.
I wonder if they will have grey sprues or if they will mold it in either white or yellow since EVERYTHING is painted yellow.

This and a "surplus" Diamond T wrecker could make a great change of pace - set in Australia, Canada, Israel, almost any 1950's/1960's construction/work zone.

"Daisy Etta" from Killdozer is coming ! The first book that I read with pleasure when I was 13...

I too was wondering just what color they would mold this one in?

p.s. Multiples of the L.Z. Models or Plus Models Sheepsfoot Roller kits can be ganged together to make any arrangement you might want. In real life they were often seen arranged 4 across in rows of 2 , 3 or 4 sets. (Not saying you would want to intermix the two model types - I know at least the design of the "feet" differs between the two model makers.)

Apparently military dozers don't HAVE to be green!
Here is a yellow D7 on display at a Seabee Veteran's Memorial.



I have a suspicion Caterpillar volunteered to do a repaint here but said "you can have any color you want as long as it's Cat Yellow!"

Please Note: This Cat has lost its' "sand shields" from around the track gears and the track tensioning spring. (They hide all that nice running gear detail anyway!) I built my military version with one side completely gone and the other side with only parts of the shields left in place. (Which often happened in real life anyway!)

Interesting that the MiniArt box art shows the Cat in such a faded shade of yellow. I wonder if they did that because the actual, correct color is a registered trademark of Caterpiller?

The real shade of yellow should not be too hard to create. The Seabee photo above is fairly close to correct.

Most premixed hobby yellows have too much white in them but adding just a little red to the mix should get you there. Just go slowly and keep adding red - add a little red, shake/stir it up and then check where you are. It is not a hard color to manufacture.

Or if you can find a sample yellow that you think is what you want just go to Home Depot. Have them scan it and they will be happy to mix up their smallest jar size (8 oz.) of custom mix acrylic for under $5.00 US. (Matte OR Gloss!)

A little Olive Drab inspiration!


Disclaimer: This is actually the Mirror Models D7 kit. There are many small differences between the two dozer kits but those differences lay in the subtle internal detailing and they will not show once the model is completed.

Some info on the road grader offered by Plus Models that would work nicely as a ccompanion piece to this dozer:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/259283

Link to Niklos Bute's build of the military D7 but done in a beautifully weathered civilian yellow.

http://armorama.com/forums/244544&page=1&ord=0

Nice! I'd like to see some other dozers, with hydraulic inside-mounted blades, ("inside", meaning between the frames of their chassis), tracked and wheeled loaders and 4x4 WLBs. I'd like to see this equipment in other AMERICAN makes besides Cats- John Deeres, Cases, Internationals, etc...

PS- 4x4 Wheeled LOG SKIDDERS, PLEASE!!!