Author Topic: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover and now some others as well.  (Read 15130 times)

zak

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The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover and now some others as well.
« on: July 13, 2017, 11:09:15 AM »
Firing Line 1/35 Land Rover Lightweight(spelt without the L on the box) soft top.

I do like Land Rovers and have a few models, Defenders, Pink Panthers and so on but not one of these, so I took the plunge and got one on E-bay, not cheap, don’t ask.

The kit contains resin, white metal and photo etched parts together with a two set instruction sheet.
I think some research will be required before the build begins. I have two or three books and the internet has some useful sights, including one about this particular kit
http://www.militarymodelling.com/forums/postings.asp?th=41856&p=5
I will keep dipping into this for advice and help no doubt, and this one on the real thing
http://www.land-rover-lightweight.co.uk/Index.html
Even though it details a hard top some of the details are similar.

The vehicle was developed by the Rover Company to provide an air-portable truck. The Lightweight can be lifted by a Puma or a Wessex and to save weight, doors, spare wheel, hood, body sides, windscreen and bumpers can be removed.
Production began in 1968.
It has 4 forward and one reverse gear with a two speed transfer box.
The engine could be either petrol or diesel 2286cc, electrical system could be 12 or 24 volt.
Wheelbase was 88 inches.
 It had a single dry plate clutch.
Live axles front and rear with semi elliptic and hydraulic dampers all round.
Drum brakes were fitted all round and parking brake on transmission output shaft.
Total production;
Series IIA - 2,989
Series III – 12.334 (up to 1980)
Looking at the lights on the model it would seem to be a Series III.
Maybe I could scratch build a Series IIA – food for thought there.
I have enlarged some plans from Terry Gander’s book – Encyclopaedia of the British Army.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2017, 06:20:37 PM by zak »
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zak

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2017, 12:41:04 PM »
The resin parts required some cleaning up but were pretty good.
The white metal parts were fairly crisp, just a bit of filing needed.
I use superglue for construction.
I nearly put the axles in the wrong place but careful study of the instructions/exploded view prevented this.
« Last Edit: July 13, 2017, 12:44:00 PM by zak »
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Wizzel

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2017, 05:56:49 PM »
Nice.  Don't leave it on the table unattended when the kids are about though!!

zak

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2017, 06:00:10 PM »
Nice.  Don't leave it on the table unattended when the kids are about though!!
Luckily they have gone back to Australia.
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Wizzel

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2017, 09:47:44 PM »
I've driven a few of those in my time in the RCT - and Kiteman will have fixed a few too as a REME vehicle mechanic.  As we used to say, "I bend 'em, he mends 'em."  It put quite a lump in my throat seeing that photograph on the instruction sheet.

Don't be too keen to get a perfect finish on the paint job will you.  We used to do it Haddock style and slosh it on, literally.

I'd be grateful for some more information on the FFR set up (Fitted For Radio).  It says on the box lid that FFR boxes are included.  Is this just the TUAAMs on the wings or does it also include the radio/s in the back?  Reason is that I would like to model the vehicle I used to have as my FFR Land Rover in Germany - we used to build up and modify the backs of them to be a real home from home with armchairs, wooden walls and dexion roofing under the canvas top, fluorescent tube lights powered from the 24v radio batteries, folding map tables and all sorts of comforts.  THAT would be a good scratch building project for me.
« Last Edit: July 13, 2017, 09:54:52 PM by Wizzel »

zak

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2017, 07:15:48 AM »
Just the boxes on the front wings, no radio in the back, mores the pity.
If you look at the links one shows a guy putting in an Accurate Armour radio in the back. It is the link to Military Modelling on the first post.

Although I only used them second hand as a member of the CCF I still have fond memories of them and other Land Rovers, particularly driving through the Lake District in a Long wheelbase one with 10 cadets in the back - the gear stick snapped off. We had to stop and use a pair of mole grips on the stub left behind to change gear. The ones we got were always well used to say the least.
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zak

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2017, 10:18:54 AM »
More parts stuck on, the interior, sparse as it was, and the rear door.

The side door are made from an etched brass sandwich.
The doors are attached to the brass fret with quite large lugs.
I had to saw them off with care.
No glazing is supplied and you have to supply your own to fit the sandwich.
The small panel of glazing is for the sliding panel.
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MSea

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #7 on: July 14, 2017, 12:30:55 PM »
Looking good -- you will be challenging Haddock as the "brass king" before long.
MSea

Wizzel

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #8 on: July 14, 2017, 03:25:04 PM »
Thanks for the info and the amusing story.  I will investigate further.  (since typing this, I clicked on the links - investigation now done!  There is some super info on the PRC and VRC radios - but not where to get a 1/35th scale one from.  I'll look further - or commission one from a famous scratchbuilder I know  ;) ).

I doubt the creation of your own windows will cause you any anxiety!
« Last Edit: July 14, 2017, 03:31:41 PM by Wizzel »

Kiteman

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2017, 04:43:19 PM »
If you want to build your old FFR Wizzell you must put the steering wheel on the oposite side!!
Nice Project Zak...as Wizzel said, I used to mend them. I know this beast intimately.

Wizzel

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2017, 06:14:37 PM »
If you want to build your old FFR Wizzell you must put the steering wheel on the oposite side!!
Nice Project Zak...as Wizzel said, I used to mend them. I know this beast intimately.

Ah, well reminded Kitey.  I'd have blundered into a purchase without a second thought if you hadn't reminded me!!  I wonder if any companies produce a LHD Land Rover 110?

zak

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2017, 10:39:17 AM »
There is too much etched brass for me, the doors are all brass, hinges added.
The windscreen is a 4 part sandwich with etched detail and white metal.
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Kiteman

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #12 on: July 16, 2017, 06:37:03 PM »
Just keep going, it`ll be worth it in the end.

Bigkev

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #13 on: July 16, 2017, 08:21:05 PM »
Hi Zak,

If anyone is going to make this kit a worthy representation, it is you.

Bigkev
I hope my next is always better

zak

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Re: The 1/2 -tonne Land Rover
« Reply #14 on: July 26, 2017, 12:06:40 PM »
Undercoated.
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