LHS find

[reserve]

Apparently these are being molded again, had to have one

008 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

Started it

007 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

Decent fit so far. AMT does not show both sides of the engine in assembly instructions so I managed to get the filter head on upside down but this has been addressed. Molding so far is pretty good.

I think this is supposed to be a D9H but I can't be sure. D9H's had the Cat D353 engine but the model does not seem to represent this so I'm gonna fudge in additional detail using reference pics found when searching the net for said machine and try to make it look right. Detail, as usual in AMT offerings, is lacking so extra effort will be expended to avoid the toy look, and the appalling chrome plating on the operator's deck, drive sprockets, injector pump, and other items has been stripped off. Anyway, it'll probably look like a dozer when done

Regards,

Mark

[JCON]

Looks cool! What scale is it?

[Ernie]

Nice project! I need to get one of those as well.

[BUCKY]

This is cool! I have an older issue of this kit, back when it had the Caterpillar markings in the box.
These are 1/25 scale, and take up a good bit of space on a workbench.

[JCON]

Thanks Bucky... looked pretty big...

[Deleted]

Now I want one lol

[Dukemaddog]

Wow, excellent! I always wanted someone to release those in 1/72 scale.

[Gothic]

Jul 27, 2018 0:39:06 GMT -6 reserve said:

Apparently these are being molded again, had to have one

Kewl great start idea for a post apocalyptic kit bash build, been dreaming of doin, thanks for the idea....

[reserve]

Cheers gents

Awright the bad stuff so far

No diagram of parts numbers nor are the parts numbered on the trees it's a best guess deal when finding the correct part. Few to no locating pins give you the slosh option when positioning stuff, for instance the turbo/air intake assembly was so far off lining up with the holes in the hood I wonder if it's even possible to make them do so. The turbo parts were molded with hollow backs which made me close them off with a piece of .020 sheet as they looked too horrible otherwise; this made assembly of the breathing unit interesting to say the least. Fit's getting sketchy. The track roller pins are an order of magnitude too small for their locating holes; it'll be necessary to sleeve them to achieve proper fit. The front radiator guard decal awfulness will be beyond time consuming to fix as I'll have to carve out the hole, make a filler out of some .020 sheet, and drill countless little holes the size of which has yet to be determined.

The good news so far

I've not punted it into the garbage bucket yet.

Seriously the aforementioned deficiencies will be easy to hide or fix and proceeding slowly with care and a dose of flat sanding/filing on most surfaces make for decent joints. The plastic is not the usual glass hard stuff used in many AMT kits which makes shaping it much easier.

What machine this kit represents? This question has been bothering me so I was up 'till 0200 this morning researching and I finally have a solid answer. It's a D8H that correctly represents one manufactured within a couple years, give or take, of 1970.

Engine detail largely done

002 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

003 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

There's still a bit of electrical to represent but not too much given the age of the machine represented.

Frame

004 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

Soon I'll have to prime, paint and weather/goo up the engine along with the compartment as it won't be possible to do it properly post assembly as the dryfit test shows:

001 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

I have heard horror stories about the vinyl track links on this kit but mine seems to have styrene links. The cleats seem way too long so there's another long detour should I elect to take it

Regards,

Mark

[JCON]

If its any consolation it looks cool!!!

[Dukemaddog]

I like what I see so far. You've done an amazing job overcoming the obstacles. This is looking more and more like another masterful build.

[reserve]

Thanks gents

I don't know about the masterful part tho

Got the, the, I don't know what they're called, the track goodies done and mounted

001 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

Began the blade. The mounting eyes for the blade braces are molded on and none too good, and big holes that should not be there. My solution to this problem on the lower arm

003 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

I will scratch what I've ground off as it'll be easier than trying to fix what's there. In my web wanderings I have seen pictures of these machines that have a blade that can be hydraulically adjusted from 90 degrees and thought it was nifty so I'll be scratching that also.

Engine in basecoat

004 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

005 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

Some wire, black wash, goo buildup and detail painting and it'll be done. Looking at the pictures I note I've omitted the oil line for the turbo naughty me I'll have to address this forthwith

Regards,

Mark

[ARMORGUY]

The engine looks good Mark, nothing wrong with that and the cabling lifts it up to another level of detail.

[BUCKY]

Fine looking power pack! What paint did you use for the Cat Yellow?

[Ernie]

Excellent work so far. I will definitely be borrowing some of your improvements if I get one of these!

[JCON]

Looking good so far!!!

[reserve]

Thanks gents

Ernie borrow away just know that some of my mods may not be 100% accurate

Slow project what with all the extra effort. Here's how it looks now

001 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

I'm creeping up on it

Regards,

Mark

[BUCKY]

So....yer building it the creepy way?? Hahaha
I have a build going that I've been creeping up on for eight years!!

[JCON]

Looking good Mark!!!

[reserve]

Thanks gents

More

001 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

002 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

003 by Mark Hartig, on Flickr

Bucky I missed your question the paint used is MM acrylic insignia yellow

The funny looking bent thing are the hydraulic lines and valve block for the blade

Regards,

Mark