Heller VBCI with some mods

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Olivier Carneau
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Heller VBCI with some mods

Post by Olivier Carneau »

Hi all
it's been a while since I last posted one of my builds. I have started a trio of AMX 13 that I'll post here when they are finished. One of them is still waiting for a replacement barrel so I decided to begin the VBCI I had in the stash.

I have a bunch of AM stuff to add and I'll add as much details as I can depending on the references I have. I want to show it with the rear ramp lowered and most of the hatches open.
I have done some work so far but the process will be a long one.

Here are some pictures of the WIP. First the AM stuff.

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Shock absorbers rear hole filled.

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Front armor plates to modify.
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Rear armor plate with Galix launchers replaced by resin ones.
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Bin gaps to be filled.
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Shock absorbers in place with the holes filled.
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Front plate modified and in place.
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Basic interior floor before and after

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All the seats are redone with details added.

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The left troop compartment is nearly complete.

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Modified engine grille.

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To be continued.
Olivier
http://olivier.carneau.free.fr

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Vincent Power
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Re: Heller VBCI with some mods

Post by Vincent Power »

Good to see you building something again Olivier. :) I've not built anything by Heller before, how would you rate the kit itself?
I see you have a lot of details to add, it will be fun to see you put this one together. I like the modifications and scratch building you have done so far. :)

Cheers,
Vincent
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Olivier Carneau
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Re: Heller VBCI with some mods

Post by Olivier Carneau »

Thank you Vincent.
I managed to complete the left side of the troop compartment and started the right side. The latter could be less elaborate as I lack good reference.

End of the left side
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Beginning of the right side
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The roof temporarily in place to show the AT4 racks underneath
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Olivier
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Bryan Krueger
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Re: Heller VBCI with some mods

Post by Bryan Krueger »

Very nice detail work. 8-)
AKA Maschinen Krueger

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Shawn Ramsey
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Re: Heller VBCI with some mods

Post by Shawn Ramsey »

Nice work on the interior.

Shawn
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Adam Durrant
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Re: Heller VBCI with some mods

Post by Adam Durrant »

Fantastic scratch work Olivier :D
I'm a serial kit starter....
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Olivier Carneau
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Re: Heller VBCI with some mods

Post by Olivier Carneau »

Thank you guys. To be honest this is not that fantastic but still better than the poor Heller rendition of the interior. Without any dimensions all details are just interpretated from reference pictures in different angles. So it won't be accurate but at least it will look like a decent interior.
Olivier
http://olivier.carneau.free.fr

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Olivier Carneau
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Re: Heller VBCI with some mods

Post by Olivier Carneau »

I managed to detail a bit more the area around the right ramp actioner (is this correct?). I also modified the turret shield but to be fully accurate I should have replaced nearly the whole thing with a perforated round metal sheet. Way too much for my skills.

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Olivier
http://olivier.carneau.free.fr

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Olivier Carneau
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Re: Heller VBCI with some mods

Post by Olivier Carneau »

Hello all
I tackled the engine inner wall with the various monitors and controls of the vehicle commander and the driver. The left side is to come.

First the Heller original part with all the details molded solid.

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The same panel with my modifications

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Olivier
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Vincent Power
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Re: Heller VBCI with some mods

Post by Vincent Power »

That is some seriously good scratchbuilding Olivier. It certainly makes a difference compared to what is provided in the kit. Good job. :)

Vincent
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