Lancfan's 1/76 scale Monty's Caravan ***FINISHED ***

[lancfan]

This Leyland Retriever is my first build, the famous remounted Italian HQ body used by Bernard Law montgomery. This has already been opened and the Dingo has been previously built and the base discarded but the truck is untouched and is to be built here.
This will be finished in desert colours to match the Grant command tank I have already built.



David.

[ShaunW]

This is another great MB set that we should be grateful has been re-popped by the Blue Team. The remaining Leyland out of your set should build into a nice little replica.

[lancfan]

The only problem now is that it is not currently in their catalogue and has not been so for some time so if you want one you still have to hunt ebay and the shows for one regardless of the box it is in (I can think of about six different further builds for this kit)


David.

[JamesPerrin]

You get so much for your money it's almost a "play-set". The best of MB AFV sets as you do get a proper diorama rather than a display base. Look forward to seeing it in desert colours as the three I've built over the years have all been green.

[SJPONeill]

Playset? PLAYSET??

I'll have you know that we are all serious modellers here and that the only test flights/drives undertaken are for strictly technical reasons and under the most professional guidelines...

Brmmmm....brmmm....

[lancfan]

This is indeed a brilliant kit James (I want at least six more)
Absolutely Simon, it is of the utmost importance that we are sure that it is fit for purpose before sending any model out on 'shelf patrol'


David.

[ShaunW]

Pity it's not still in the current Revell listing and therefore harder to get hold of, as this is certainly a great looking set of vehicles.

[Molly-new]

I am glad to see that you are doing this one, David. It was my first choice for this GB in it's original Matchbox guise, but every time I open the box and look at the 3 different coloured sprues I get all sentimental and put it away again.

I may build it for the Matchbox GB, but then again....

[lancfan]

Although I am sure that I washed the sprues some time ago when I built the Dingo I have repeated the exercise to make sure all is well. The ejector pin marks that will be visible on the finished model have been milled off and pre-painting is underway, the instructions call for one of Revells amazing mixes which from the component colours could suggest either Light or Middle Stone, I have a Revell mix for a faded representation of the latter colour which I will use here. pictures TF.



David.

[lancfan]

With the Middle Stone prepaint over I decided that I did not like the look and have redone this in light Stone, this looks far better and is still in period. The time has now come to assemble the chassis and running gear.


David.

[Gregers]

Looks like a sweet build. I will be after one of these for the base alone (I have an idea concerning Landrovers) . Doubtless I could use the Leyland for a conversion or something too maybe.

All the best.

Greg

[Beowulf Shaeffer]

this is a great kit, probably the MB one ive enjoyed doing the most

nice to see one being done in sand instead of green

[lancfan]

As the hubs and wheels were the same size lining up the axles was fairly simple, by resting the axles on two balsa beams the chassis hung below thus allowing the rear axles to lay level both to each other and the front axle as the glue dried.


The chassis, body, cab & wheels are quietly taking shape, very little of the body interior will be seen even with the rear door open so this area is OOB, the locker under the N/S front quarter of the body was incomplete and did natter me somewhat so I boxed it in with plastic card. The cab is OOB so far apart from the windscreen which has been glazed in scrap plastic.



David.

[splash]

Cheers for the tip about getting the wheels aligned.

Regards Splash

[ntrocket88]

That's a really great tip for leveling axles! Looking very good so far.