Dragon 1/4 Ton 4x4 Truck ETO 1944

[MatiR]

Hello everyone:

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I have been lurking here for more than a year and have only posted a few times – some pictures of my Tamiya Tundra and Wraith. The many large-scale Willys threads here inspired me to try a scale Willys MB circa 1944 in the ETO. Of course, no GI was ever happy with a stock vehicle, so some changes were made to the running gear.
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Last week I did a maiden run in my LHS parking lot and took some photographs. I have very little time for building so I have no “build” pictures, but I did take a few on the way. During the next few weeks, as I finish some details, and Privates Cappy and Danny return from leave, I will post some more pictures, weather permitting. Details of components follow the pictures. Enjoy, and thanks for the many ideas tips over the past year.
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Body: Dragon 1/6 scale 1/4 Ton 4x4 Truck Kit No. 75020<o></o>
Suspension: 4-link scratch built – Axial rod ends<o></o>
Chassis: 6061 Aluminum and brass – frame main members water-jet cut at e-MachineShop – remainder scratch built<o></o>
RC4WD OEM Steel 2.2 Stock Beadlock Wheels<o></o>
RC4WD MIL-SPEC ZXL 2.2 Tires<o></o>
RC4WD T1 Disruptor Black Transfer Case (0.75:1 gearing)<o></o>
RC4WD R2 Crawler Transmission V2<o></o>
RC4WD 13 Tooth 32 Pitch Steel Pinion Gear<o></o>
Tekin Rock Crawler Motor 35T Pro Hand Wound<o></o>
RCChannel Toyota Hilux Wide Metal Axles and tie rod parts<o></o>
Pro-Line Powerstroke Scaler Shocks<o></o>
Tekin FX-R Pro ESC<o></o>
Castle 10 amp BEC<o></o>
Hitec HS-7955TG Steering servo<o></o>
Spektrum SR410 Receiver<o></o>
Paint: Tamiya TS-5 Olive Drab<o></o>
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[Emarknot]

Wow!!

That is one clean set-up, great job!

 

[sellenk]

That looks great! Any pictures of it on the trail?

 

[mjderstine]

really nice job there. that looks like it could have that way as a kit.

 

[BigSki]

Beautiful build! I like the choice of axles as well. "thumbsup"

 

[MatiR]

Thanks for the kind words. I have only run around my LHS parking lot and it handles well. I won't take it on a trail until I get some details finished and take some more pictures before it gets all beat up.

Althought he RCChannel axles look great, I have some reservations about how well the steering hubs and knuckles would stand up, being cast white metal. In any case, I built this as more of a scale/display model and to get some experience building, rather than as a hard core off-roader. Here are photographs under the hood and of the front axle.

 

[ROWDY RACING]

Nice work, don't let it live out it's life as a shelf queen though, drive it!

 

[Bulldog]

I'll never understand you lurkers who are building better builds than half the members on the forum. Very nice work on this. Very clean! Nice to see you show your face!8)

 

[Fumbles]

Woah !!!....
That looks like a factory kit. Superb building skills.
Now go out and get it on the trail and enjoy it !

 

[Big Mike]

I'll never understand you lurkers who are building better builds than half the members on the forum. Very nice work on this. Very clean! Nice to see you show your face!8)

Woah !!!....
That looks like a factory kit. Superb building skills.
Now go out and get it on the trail and enjoy it !

"thumbsup" Wow, that is some stunning work. Bravo, very well done sir.

I thought the exact same thing looking at the pics - that is so cleanly executed it looks like it was built from a kit...

 

[BigSki]

Woah !!!....
That looks like a factory kit. Superb building skills.
Now go out and get it on the trail and enjoy it !

I agree, but I wouldn't have the heart to go to the trails and beat the body up, it's just too nice ( and expensive). I still cringe when I get heavy handed with my Hasbro body. :mrgreen:

 

[truckbob]

True inspiration!. I need to get busy!

 

[MatiR]

Privates Cappy and Danny returned from furlough but because of inclement weather, had to be content with a studio photo session. Hopefully with the return of some good weather, they guys can hit the trail and evaluate their new ride.


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“Darn, feels really good!”<o></o>
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“I have a feeling someone is watching me.”<o></o>
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“Did you hear that?”<o></o>
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[BigSki]

:shock: Those head sculpts are amazing!

 

[MatiR]

:shock: Those head sculpts are amazing!

Yes, these are the so-called "life-like sculpts" which are a big improvement over the older sculpts. I also did some dry brushing with artists' pastels, but not a lot, to bring out more of the molded-in detail

 

[dadrab]

I also did some dry brushing with artists' pastels, but not a lot, to bring out more of the molded-in detail

Nice work, man.

You probably already know this, but seal the pastels up with a shot of dull-coat to keep the chalk from rubbing or washing off.

 

[MatiR]

Nice work, man.

You probably already know this, but seal the pastels up with a shot of dull-coat to keep the chalk from rubbing or washing off.

Thanks dadrab. I am familar with dullcoat but it really isn't necessary here as the pastel dust is so fine, it literally impregnates the plastic and only hard washing would remove it. In any case, what you see is 90% Dragon's work and my brushing is simply some details likes "bags" under the eyes

 

[C*H*U*D]

One of the best so far here on RCC. Excellent job "thumbsup"

 

[KRAWLR4life]

One of the best so far here on RCC. Excellent job "thumbsup"

Wow.. I definitely agree! The cleanest Willys I've seen so far! Excellent job man!"thumbsup"

 

[twissted]

This is the bench mark for my Willys build when I get to it. I don't think mine would stay this clean very long though. I do like to drive them regardless of cost.