Trumpeter - LAV-III Wheeled Armoured Vehicle

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 5:58 am

Entry Intro

Hi gang this is my entry into the 6 Military Wheels or More Sig. The LAV-III by trumpeter is one of the armour kits that I have been wanting to do for some time.
I dont know what it is about the LAV but when I saw a New Zealand one in action many years ago, I thought how cool is that. NZ doesn't have a spectacular stable of Armoured Vehicles so this is the best we see down under.

Looking around You Tube and watching builds and reviews, I decided to get the Trumpeter Kit. Many thanks to Norm Lajoie for his reviews and advice on the approach to painting this kit.

More to follow.... Hope you enjoy the thread

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 6:12 am

About the LAV-III

First build update comming soon!

Unit53 · Post by **Unit53** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 10:30 am

Really nice looking kit Gav and some nice extras. I have a LAV in the stash so will be keeping up with your progress on this one.

Martin

fly1ngdutchm4n · Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 11:53 am

COOL!
Love these vehicles! Good luck building!

LudvigN · Post by **LudvigN** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 12:38 pm

My favorite AFV/APC! I find it strange that the "information sheet" only mentions air transport by C-130, ive seen these bad boys been air lifted by Chinooks and the likes, heres a pic of it under a CH-53, just thought id share

(If this doesnt apply on the LAV-III, I apologize)

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 5:26 pm

oh yes and another kit i want seen schweinhund227 do a kit review on this looks one quality kit

Yevgeny · Post by **Yevgeny** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 5:27 pm

Another great looking model in this Sig!

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 12:22 am

You are probably right Ludvig.

Here are the missing spru shots....Dont know what happened there?

trekfanj · Post by **trekfanj** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 2:33 am

Nice choice!

ForbesHutton · Post by **ForbesHutton** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:18 am

Built in Canada by an American company based on a Swiss design for New Zealanders. Confused?

The model builds up nicely, take your time and plan your moves before bending the PE gas can holders on the turret and rear. I'm not sure if there are any differences between the Canadian and NZ versions.

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 3:48 pm

do love a quick build a kit with no problems love them

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:07 pm

Thanks for the shout out !

I bought the kit again a few weeks ago in order to build it OOB !

the only part that might slow you down is the application of the None Slip surface...

then it is smooth sailing ! the NZLAVIII looks very similar so... you have a very good
base for your NZ variant !

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... V_2009.jpg

Good luck and Enjoy !

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 8:20 pm

Cheers Guys

going to build this one OOB. Once I get a bit more comfortable with Armour I might do a NZ variant.

No problem Norm I hadn't seriously thought about the non-slip but might take another look at it.

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Tue Oct 21, 2014 9:38 am

Update 1

Hi guys here is my first installment. I have decided to post my progress along with the instruction sequence. I will also mention if I do anything different from the instructions and any problems I encounter along the way.

1 Lower Hull Assembly - Went together nicely no fit issues, good start!

2 Lower Hull Assembly - Had to take care with steering arms when trimming off spru as they are quite delicate

3/4 Lower Hull Assembly - Adding suspension. Straight forward so far

5 Wheel Installation - Even tho the rubber tyres can go on and off easily, I will paint wheel and separate from tyre

6 Backboard Assembly - As I don't have too much experience with Photoetch, I took my time and made sure not to rush. I used my Tamiya Long Photoetch Plyers and trusty Ultimate PE placer for the delicate parts. PE straps and Jerry Can/Buckets will be painted separately.

Update 2 coming soon

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:18 am

G8

Just to let you know.... Part G8 on the ramp is actually a see-through view port.

It basically needs to be filled up with some styrene card so you can either paint it
As such. Right now it's just a hollow square!

Just helping you out as Trumpeter has not done their home work on that !

Take care!

Very clean work you are doing! Keep up the good work!

http://data3.primeportal.net/apc/dan_ha ... of_241.jpg

picture was taken from Prime-Portal
and is from DAN HAY

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:54 pm

i recognise that suspension we went through the same motion..nice start and keep the pics coming

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:24 pm

Cheers guys

Thanks for that Norm, will look thru my spares box for a clear part or may create the impression of clear red part.

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 6:48 pm

You are welcome Mate ! I caught it on my second LAVIII body... I which I had know that before... the Stykers don't have it ! which is why it slipped by !

Take care and Keep enjoying the build !

Later .

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:27 am

Update 2

7 Lower Hull continued
Got the Back Board installed.

8 Upper Hull Assembly
Got the Capstan installed along with storage box and a bit of armour. I am thinking of detail painting Capstan and leaving its cover removable.

9/10 Upper Hull
Forgot to pre paint under PE vents, but should be ok. I wont forget on the others.

Got that view port fixed (G8). I took a piece off a spare clear spru and cut, filed and sanded into shape then polished it clear again. Painted the part with Tamiya Clear Red (X27). Will try to remember to mask this before primer goes down !!

Cheers.... Back to the bench

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:15 pm

Good progress

Yevgeny · Post by **Yevgeny** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 2:11 pm

Great progress, I like the updates

I'm stuck at work, with my models at home while you guys are speeding ahead!

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:12 pm

Cheers guys enjoying the progress at the moment, but as there is plenty of time yet I may pause at the painting stage just so I dont get too frustrated, will see.
I'm sure you will get good quality time on the bench Yevgeny.

Depending on the schedule next year I may build this kit or similar for the "Home Land" GB and do a NZ version.

Thanks Norm keep up your vids and reviews

Russ72 · Post by **Russ72** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:51 pm

Nice work Gav.

UKguyInUSA · Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 2:27 am

Sweet looking kit with lots of extras and a nice start so far!

wappynutter · Post by **wappynutter** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 11:53 pm

Fantastic piece of kit Gav.
Loads of detail, P.E etc... gonna be sweet when its all done mate.
Good luck, continued success..

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 12:15 am

Cheers Guys

Going together nicely, reasonably quick build. new update soon

Jan01 · Post by **Jan01** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 6:56 am

Nice work there Gav, like the PE work.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 7:57 am

Nice entry gav, hope you get back to it soon

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:38 am

Update 3

have got heaps done on the build and really enjoying it. really starting to think about doing another one with NZ look for a Homeland build next year.

11 Upper Hull Assembly
The drivers window isn't the best of fits to the model, not sure if I will use it when on display

12 Upper Hull Assembly
Driver hatch went together nicely and have decided to paint tools off model

13/14 Upper Hull Assembly
More detail going on. after reading reviews about kit I decided to add a hole behind small round mesh. Leaving Capstan cover unglued so I can detail paint Capstan. Also pre painted under mesh vents.

15/16 Upper Hull Assembly

17/18 Upper Hull Assembly

thanks for the great comments guys.
Untill next time catch ya on the bench

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:32 am

Nice work.....

Keep it up!

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 2:25 am

Update 4

More done!! really getting into the build and enjoying armour so far. Still comming to grips with working with PE, but no problems yet. Would be interested in knowing what CA glues everybody uses and what viscosity.

19/20 Upper Hull

21 Upper Hull

I decided to change the cable ends with some spares that I had

22-24 Building the Turret

If you were wondering what the blue is on the window shields or whatever they are actually called, it is Microscale liquid mask!!

25 Attaching Turret
Build part done onto the Priming and Paint

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 3:28 am

Nice work!

Keep it up!

gustavlekstal · Post by **gustavlekstal** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:42 am

Looks stunning!

JayCub · Post by **JayCub** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 12:21 pm

This looks a stunning build, I have used quite a bit of CA on resin and pe, but no particular brand, l just use an intial amount to test first as I need a strong bond, now I wish I had kept a list

I usually buy for a kit and then discard
Tom

Russ72 · Post by **Russ72** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 12:05 am

Well done Gav. Looks great.

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 3:02 am

Outstanding build,all that PE really makes it look the part

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 4:58 pm

looks a quality kit love these vehicles they look mean..look forward to seeing more

Newfieal01 · Post by **Newfieal01** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 8:27 pm

Great looking build. Really great stuff

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:30 am

Update 5

Paint Time!!
Have got it primed and painted

Primed the model in Black using AK black primer...yes the AK black. I have managed to get this black to go down well without being too messy with the stuff separating on me. I just had to be weary of the stuff as it got close to empty in paint cup.

Next I used Tamiya XF 20 for some highlights, may have gone over the top but will see, also got winch bay painted.

next was some more highlights with Tamiya XF 4 Yellow Green

Wheels Painted

Main colour gone done a dream. I used Ammo by Mig Nato Green, what a great paint to spray. The photos probably don't show it but the under lying modulation has worked a dream ( Thanks Norm!!

)

Detail painting all done and a coat of clear has gone down. As we don't have any Johnsons Klear or by any other name in NZ anymore I have been experimenting on donor models with a similar product called Long Life Floor Polish. I have had no problems as yet. Not willing to confirm it as a good alternative yet, the jury is still out on it

Next a very small amount of decals and weathering. Just waiting on some pigments to arrive in post.
Also has anyone got ideas on doing antennas for the model?

Oh once again thanks Norm on the paint tips.

Time to watch some videos on good armour weathering

Until next time...

gustavlekstal · Post by **gustavlekstal** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 12:33 pm

Stunning! Great update, showing the paintwork.

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 4:35 pm

real nice colour looks a beast

Russ72 · Post by **Russ72** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:28 pm

Nice paintwork Gav. It really draws the detail out.

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 7:16 am

Cheers guys

Nev · Post by **Nev** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:41 am

Looking great mate

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:22 am

Reference photos

Courtesy of Prime Portals and good ol Google

Here are some shots to be used as reference for weathering. I really want to achieve the dusty look

until next time catch ya later

Deacon · Post by **Deacon** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:02 am

looking very good sir.

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 1:27 pm

Nice work in deed !

Tangles · Post by **Tangles** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 3:45 pm

Great looking kit, great build too thanks for the look.

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 5:05 pm

well thanks for the photos i can use them as reference...look forward to seeing more of your build

kiwigav · Post by **kiwigav** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 6:38 am

Update 6 Weathering

For the weathering I put down some base dust effects using Ammo by MIG Desert Sand. I then put a very light wash of Ultimate Sand and Light Dirt in some of the recesses.
Finally I put down a good weathering of Ammo by MIG Sand Pigment and Pigment Fixer. Also have added 2 x antenna, I was going to used stretched spru once I had mastered the process, but saw some electric guitar wire off cuts from one of the boys guitars... perfect! Just a bit of stowage and a base to go.

Products used L to R
Tamiya XF 4 and XF 20 used for modulation - Ultimate Sand & Light Dirt - MIG Desert Sand - MIG Pigment & Fixer - MIG Nato Green

not far to go..