Kari!
I would be excited to see your project as well, so, seconded! However, I understand why you would want to be discrete, too. For me, a project is an investigation. I think of all art making as such: these are investigations with subject discovery and self discovery as goals in addition to techniques—the technical end.
I am struggling with this beast. What I do know is that there is a complex series of angles to the champfered edge of the side wall, and by separating the side wall from the roof, Dragon made it tougher for me to create the form I see on the original—the vehicle name draws attention to the structure itself, so any gaps (left by me since I am builder) would be exposed.
Carlos!
Thank you for correcting my mistake with nomenclature. Sincerely. I fear I have made another by starting my own construction order with the kit.
Kit instructions in basic sequence:
1. Assemble the tub
2. Add the wheels
3. Add the tracks
4. Assemble the interior
5. Add the side walls
6. Attach the top
Since I was considering creating a form of the top just to make a painting mule, I clipped off what I needed to draw those forms, built the tub, and saw major problems fitting the sides correctly—that is, fitting the sides without a large gap. I could try locking the side walls from rear to front, but then the front profile would be a mess.
Could I have built and painted everything and left the top off? Is that my mistake? Maybe the top is removable. I keep looking at the illustrations, and have the same answer—the top is glued on to the walls late in the game.
So I decided—my kit, my rules—suffer the consequences, but at least get out on the field and try not drop the ball! I decided to attach the sides to make the top half a solid part.
To directly answer your question of “Does the interior fit?” My best answer is that I built the tub first which locks the floor, seats and radio in place, and the top part aligns as it should. You do raise a very good question. At the moment, I am battling two seams. What if I win that battle and lose the war? What if nothing fits inside?
Nuts!!
Now I must ask, Will the interior fit in there with no hassles? I am not familiar with this kit or the assembly sequence, so I am curious. Most half tracks that I’ve built start with lower hull and suspension, then interior, before getting upper outer areas on. But I know Dragon's assembly sequences can be questionable at times.
