PLAMO: Re-WiredWolf - Plastic Modelling, Share & Learn

Now that I've finished my SD Z'Gok, I thought I'd make a start on my 1/144 Zaku Tank, a re-issue of an old MSV kit from the 80's.

So far I have only done a test fit. I took my time doing it because of the poorly fitting parts and holes that either didn't line up correctly or didn't exist (even though the instructions clearly show that there is meant to be holes on the back of the Zaku part for the backpack). I glued what I could as I went and the rest is held together with Blu-tak for now just so I can get an idea of what needs to be done.



I've decided that the neck joint needs serious surgery to make it both more movable and easier to paint the head. I also have to add in some new holes that do not seem to exist even though they are clearly shown to exist in the instructions.

At this point, I am seriously disappointed in this kits design - I can see why this range was not popular in the day - I only wish that some day, Bandai might decided to redesign it in a HGUC style.

In-progress can also be followed over here!

Yesterday I began work on the neck/head modifications. This is my first attempt at any sort of joint modification and my first attempt at using the Tamiya Epoxy Putty.



So far, I have removed the neck piece from the torso and filled that hole up with Tamiya Epoxy Putty and then filled the head hole up and inserted a polycap piece.

So far I've sanded back the putty and began the priming process today but, as always, I ran out of primer.

Once the primer is dry on the torso, I'll be drilling a small hole in the epoxy and adding a neck joint that was left over from another kit.

I hate tamiya epoxy , too rubbery for me and a bitch to sand. Made me wonder if I lack the ability to modify and scractch build.

Once I filled up a large hole with tamiya. then
I tried to drill a much smaller hole in tamiya epoxy , after sanding it smooth. But damn ! the whole piece i used to fill the big hole dropped! And I abandoned the whole mod.

But milliput is my dream come true.

It sands like a dream and I could get a nice smooth finish. Also being water soluble , the scuplting process and the finishing before sanding is so much easier, save alot of time and frustration . and it's hard when cured.

So get yourself some milliput , you wont regret it !!!!!!!!!!

Finally found the time to do a little more to the neck joints. I drilled out a hole in the torso using my Dremel and inserted a cut down neck joint I had left over from another kit. I just cut the piece that joins to the body part so it would fit into the drilled hole.



The hole was filled with glue and the neck joint added. I also took the time to re-putty around the area to cover up my poor sanding and where I slipped with the drill.

Once the putty is completely dry, I will re-prime it and then I'm ready for painting.

The head part of the modification is almost finished too.



All that is left is to re-prime where I resanded out the imperfections of the primer and putty.

Began the painting today.

I've decided to do an Olive Drab / Gunmetal style theme. The main parts of the body and tank section are painted in Olive Drab to give it a military feel (being a tank and all) where as the fuel tanks on the rear, the arm shields, tank wheels and power conduits are in Gunmetal.

They are all drying right at this minute, so once they are dry, I will finish the remaining painting (like the areas that need to be masked first) and then start on the highlights and weathering.

Some painting has been done :





Any improvements and suggestions are quite welcome.

looks promising. maybe add a little more detail on the mechanical area. i usually just steal some of those old tank models heheehee. i like how you use the backpack as fuel tanks.

are you going to keep it clean or is there goign to be weather?

There will be some slight weathering - not much but enough.

looking cool man, btw i should also mention it doesn't look like a 1980's kit anymore

Done quite a bit of detailing tonight. I've finished the head and tank detailing and all that is left is to do the torso.

The stickers that came with the kit are rather crap too - I can't get them off the backing paper! There is a couple of stickers I want to add, so I might have to try my hand at making a stencil or two and air brushing the design on.

Pictures to come soon.