Fuchs IFV Custom WIP

[Tenerifecrimson]

Few month ago I've made a repaint on my Fuchs IFV from Chap Mei, but i wasn't satisfied with it. I've decided to modify it and adding more details. Few simple ideas: 1º removing of the mold in tools, adding armor on the turret, ading some details on the hull, working suspension, a rear hatch and real details on the inside.

here is my work in progress:

My old version:



1º removing of the mold in tools:







After that, i removed everythings on the inside, the battery compartment, the tubes for the figs and the turret. I ve cut everything to detail the transport area and the turret area:



As I am cutting many things i keep cutting and removing a part of the rear to place the rear hatch:



Some painting to have an idea of the shadows befor to start the suspension work:



Now the suspension:

Putting some suspension on the model that's not made for is not really easy and need it to work propelly like the original model still harder. So after some brain storm i've come to the conclusion that it's impossible to fit the same suspension type as the orginal model due to the lower hull of this toy witch is really different. Here is my ssolution: I am making bigger holes where you have the train axels to help the axels to move and down.

The originals holes:



And the new ones:




If i let it like that the vehicle just gone be lower but what i want is to have the wheels that follow the ground like on the plan here down:



I have cut some parts from plastic card, like that it can push on the axel, on each extremity a small spring and on the middle a big one.







Now some more plastic card and cyano glue and my suspension system is done !

[Tenerifecrimson]

As i have to wait that everything is dry, i start to work on the turret to upgrated it.

Here is the turret like it was before :









As you can see it there are many small holes and you have also some molds inperfection:

Some ‘’ Putty’’ to stop up the holes and some adjust problems on the turret:






Next step on the upgrade some add on amor. To give it the same look as the ultimate version of the Fuchs, I making weld on armor plates:

To compare the difference for the moment I keep a half turret undone:

1º step removing of the paint:





I cut off on some hard paper the model before to cut the right parts on the plastic card:

Rear of the turret:



Next right side:



And the front :



So, 1/2 turret done, next step the weld marks made with "putty".

[Tenerifecrimson]

Here are my welding marks made with "putty":

[Tenerifecrimson]

Now the putty is dry, i can work again on the turret. I am putting some cases on the rear of the turret. Everybody know that the crews are always carring many things and need some cases. I place a plastic card underneath.



The compartment:






I want to have a coffer that can be open of closed. To make it some cable and a small hinge (from a cigar box) :





4 pull hook to raise the hull, and some black paint for the shadows before to put the basic color:

[Tenerifecrimson]

From plastic CD boxes I am making the seats:







A first coat of OD follow by a black color juice. As you can seee the seat can be put in an open or closed position:





Some putty in it before to put the thin putty for the finishing:



I let it dry and pass a coat of kaki colors to have a better view on the details before to put the finishing putty:





A small test to see how it work with the inside:

[Tenerifecrimson]

The rear hatch is finish:

[Tenerifecrimson]

The radio for the troop transport compartment, i make it from a repeint Cobra Stinger part, electric cables and the phone with putty:







I am making the NBC system with some extra parts that i am keeping in a box:

[Tenerifecrimson]

I need a hatch for the front, i ve take a cap from a spice pot on the kitchen (luckly my wife don't have see me) to make it. Some cable and my hatch is done:

[Tenerifecrimson]

Back on the turret now. I ve put the wind sensor for the targeting system, the smoke evac on the gun made from putty and the MRS miror. Still have to work on the inside of the turret:







I don't have an aiming system. I am cutting a part from the left side of the turret. My target aiming system is made with the cap from a lighter, a clear plastic part from a CD box, a clear green car and some plastic parts inside for the camra. It have the advantage to rotate with the gun and it can be enter inside the turret for the protection:





Here the smoke evac on the gun:



And the MRS miror cap:

[Tenerifecrimson]

Everything work well, i have also put on the rear a tank like you have on the M113. Very helpful for the long runs on the desert





There where you had the mold in tools, i have put a piece of plastic card. I still have to found the way to create the tools holder like the original model:



I have also received the plastic card for the transport compartment floor. I have weather it a little.







Now the inside is at 95% finish. I have created the dash board. I am waiting from some original dash board pictures from a friend of mine to finish it.



Here you can see the side of the seat and the step:



The right hatch witht he NBC system just underneath on witch i have to put the « no step » sticker :



The rear hatch :


Next step basic coat

[Tenerifecrimson]

The basic coat done, I have put foam to give an idea of different boxes on the rear side before to put the tarp:



Also a small tarp on the gun shield:



As they have put the base for the Tow shackles i have make a hole in it to place my scratch build tow shackles:







As it’s the last version of the Fuchs it has the new exhaust system:



You can see the chain i have made with copper cable for the smoke pot launchers:

[Tenerifecrimson]

The foot step on the rear, still have to work on the inside of the turret:



And on the front, the small light and orange blinker. Also making the cage around the lights and blinkers:

[popeye357]

Thats coming out great! Can't wait for more pics. I've started like three projects, much simpler than this but I've yet to finish any of them

[Tenerifecrimson]

Today i have work on the tarp and the rope:





Also as it's a german vehicle it have something call a column cross on the rear:

[CW4USARMY]

Wow! Great detail work. And thanks for the pics showing how. I am in the early learning stages and appreciate the tips!

[Der Kommandant]

That's some crazy customizing. Your effort really shows. Keep up the good work!

[Tenerifecrimson]

It's closed to the end now:













I have put one of my figure with it:

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More details on the antenna and the turret:

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The front of the turret:



And the rear tarp:

[kduck]

Awesome custom work. Just out of curiosity are you going to replace the tires or find a way to cover the hollow back sides?

[Tenerifecrimson]

Hi, no i am thinking on the better way to put honeycomb lookalike tyres