DML Jeep build

[orntar]

I am starting my Dragon Jeep build.


I have been had the model kit in hand for about 2 weeks, but I have actually been working on it for quite some time, in a way. I am scratch building an engine to go in it, since the kit doesn't come with one. I started the engine about 5 weeks ago.

I started a thread at OSW, but figured I needed to do the same here. I have lots of pictures already, should I just throw them all up at once, or peace meal them out?

Some builds on here, such as plane_mc and sgtreef jeep, have inspired me to try and get mine as detailed as possible, although I haven't spoken to them. I plan on adding some of these details. plane_mc engine in particular inspired me to give it a go my self. I got a hold of some actual blue prints and used photos to design and fab it up.

[plane_mc]

I would love to see the pictures, especially the engine.

[orntar]

plane_mc, I am anxious to let let you and everyone see them, however, I am having a hard time getting the pictures to post up at a readable size. I know how hard it is for people with low res screens to see these properly.

My photobucket pictures are full res (large) and other forums resize accordingly, but here they stay huge. Does anyone know a way to post them resized in code? I would rather not have to resize every photo, especially since I have so many.

edit: I guess I will just resize them all and reupload. Hopefully post some tonight.

[Tigertiki]

Hi, try Picasa, you can resize them in a batch..
cheers Tigertiki

[takevin]

you can resize them in photobucket too.

[Reef12]

Yep pictures needed.

Enjoy the build a nice kit really.

Jeff

[orntar]

Ok, after quite a hassle with resizing and reuploading I think I am ready to start posting some pictures.

I picked up a bunch of styrene from my hobby shop and got to work on the engine. I got measurements from some online resources and then started scaling real life photos.


Started the oil pan too, it’s made of bass wood




Then I got onto adding some details to the block, like smoothing the crank location and adding the pushrod access:





I also stippled on sand casting with an old paint brush, all around.






I got the oil pan and skid plate mounted

[orntar]

I also got started and the small bits


starter

generator

oil pump

distributor

coil

water pump

fuel pump

fuel filter

more work on the head, and mounted it


intake and exhaust manifolds



finished the oil pan with fillet

bolts and splash guard

[plane_mc]

Nice job - it is looking great. You are a much faster builder than I am.

[orntar]

Originally Posted by plane_mc

Nice job - it is looking great. You are a much faster builder than I am.

Thanks, but I have been working on it for quite a while. Over a month on the whole thing.

[Reef12]

Dang between you and Mark you are slaying these Jeeps.

Oops 4 X 4's .LOL

Jeff

[SgtUSMC]

Very nice job on the engine, hope to see them on the market when your with your build.

[orntar]

thanks guys.

Once I finally got the kit, I started filling in the frame for the exposed areas.



With that out of the way I checked the alignment and lengths for the bell housing and gear box.




Here is where it lined up with the body.


With the measurements pegged down (I hope), I started fabricating the bell housing and gear box.






The model comes with the radiator molded into the front clip/shroud. I didn't like that, so I cut it off for more realism, and to be able to paint it properly.

[Hammer's Africaners]

That's coming along nicely, keep us updated.........Hammer

[prvtnoclass]

Absolutely amazing work! Your scratch building skills are most impressive. Looking forward to more progress.

[orntar]

Originally Posted by prvtnoclass

Absolutely amazing work! Your scratch building skills are most impressive. Looking forward to more progress.

Thanks!


Finished the transfer case


The bumper came molded in a few large pieces instead of being four horn mounts like the real thing. I cut it up and added some strips for bulking it up. I will be later adding wood filler like they did in the day


Engine mounts (and the open bumper)


I started working the leaf springs and axles. The rear will need quite a bit of work to make it more realistic. Here I am bulking up the axles so I can cement them to the rear drums


The model calls for cementing the rear drums to the wheels then the whole thing would rotate. On the real jeep, the drum back stay static, and I will be adding brake lines and other details, so that won’t work. That will probably be the next update.

[redball]

Looking good ! I will be following this build also with much interest as I have other DML Jeep builds. Must say it all makes for great inspiration and to motivate me.

[orntar]

Thanks, redball, hope I can pull it off.

After checking alignment, and taking lots of measurements, I finished up the gear box and bell housing



I don't know if it is me or the kit, but the alignment from the front of the engine to the transfer case (and that's a long travel) ended up being longer then I calculated. So the gear box and bell housing grew a little. I don't think anyone will notice once its installed. (I hope)

I got the rear brake line installed. turned out pretty good, but not exactly as I had hoped.


rear drum

brake connection

[orntar]

I finally finished the brake system, and I am nearly finished with the frame. I ordered a 50 cal pedestal mount and tow hitch from eastcoastarmory. Once I have the hitch, I will be ready to prime and paint the frame/chassis.


Master cylinder

Front

Rear


here is the start of filling in the shocks, they are now finished and mounted

[orntar]

For any one who has completed this model before, how did you paint the two lens turn signals in the back?

All the other lights have a recess for painting and enough plastic for gluing. The two lens ones have no recess, and no extra plastic for gluing. If your supposed to paint on the top, then why is it clear plastic?

[sfc]

i painted the lens the same way as the others with the back painted red then used a glue my daughter found for beed work to glue it on it has no efect on the paint its called UHU dont ask me were she found it but it works just fine Tom

[Squidley]

Originally Posted by sfc

i painted the lens the same way as the others with the back painted red the used a glue my daughter found for beed work to glue it on it has no efect on the paint its called UHU dont ask me were she found it but it works just fine Tom

This stuff?

UHU Twist & Glue - All Purpose Glue

Claims to work on everything....hard to believe.

Excellent Jeep! One of these days, I'll have to take mine out of the box....

[orntar]

Thanks sfc and Squidley.

sfc, do you have a photo of the finished brake light?

[orntar]

A small update:

I added some more details to the engine


I am almost ready to start painting the engine and engine accessories. I am going with Ford engine grey, as this appears to be late war.

Here is the wood filler I mentioned earlier



The model has non opening molded tool box lids, I decided to remedy this.




I built a box on the underside, this will make the underside look more accurate as well. Then I cut the lid off and made new ones, glued on hinges and viola.

[orntar]

Small update

I got the pintle hitch from ECA installed.

added the tow chain rings


I also primed a bunch of it, but those are pretty boring pictures.

[orntar]

I finally got the engine most of the way done.







I still need to weather the engine and work on some paint touch ups, and get that metal carb and fuel pump looking right.

AND I need to paint the frame and wheels then I can install the engine. Lots of work.

[plane_mc]

The engine looks great.

[Sixth Vanguard]

Work of art!

[orntar]

Thanks guys. i am having fun piecing this together, but I never thought it would take so long.

Got some more paint slapped on.

This is my self mixed OD.


as you can see, I also got the engine in there.



I got the ignition wires added and weathered the engine





Left for this phase is to weather the frame, and tires, then I can move onto body mods.

[Reef12]

Looking good well maybe up to the paint job if I might be so bold.

Either my screen is way off or that is kind of lime green OD Green:confused:

But overall a killer job so far.

Jeff

[orntar]

Originally Posted by Reef12

Looking good well maybe up to the paint job if I might be so bold.

Either my screen is way off or that is kind of lime green OD Green:confused:

But overall a killer job so far.

Jeff

thanks. I think its the color temp on the photos. it looks spot on to the real WWII OD to me. I will see if I can get a better picture up.

I don't want to be wrong.

[TBowman]

Incredible! Looking forward to watching as this project continues. Keep up the great work.

best regards
Tim

[orntar]

Thanks Tim!

A small update before I go on vacation.

[metaltankman]

the scratch built engine is pretty cool....alot of talent there. i think dml makes a engine kit for the jeep. i just recieved my sas jeep today in the mail....looks pretty cool, lots of pieces to work with.

[vehicle]

That is amazing work ...................Thank you for sharing.

vehicle

[Reef12]

Muffler looks good.

And what is this vacation you speak of?


Jeff


:confused:

[orntar]

ha. I am literally going on vacation, so I won't be working on the jeep for a while.

[orntar]

I got a few details added, not much, but I took some shots in the early sun for better color representation. Let me know what you think of the color now.





Here is the first of .308's data plates. They are really high quality.


Wood bumper filler. Usually they would be sprayed OD at the factory, but I wanted mine to be seen.


Here you can just see the flex exhaust pipe coming up from below, it connects to the kit exhaust assembly.

[orntar]

Alright, I’m starting to second guess my color. It’s kind of late since I have so much put together on it.

But what do you guys think? Should I leave it and mix a different color for the body, or try to adjust the frame color, and that would be a lot of work.


I don't think its terribly wrong, but still wrong.

[Sourdoh]

I would just give it a wash of color to adjust to the right shade. Do it with a brush to add some weathering to the chassis.

[.308]

Honored to have my plates on such a fine build!

Paul

[johkaz]

Hi,

This work is just simply outstanding so far, and i am just stunned at how good it looks.

Originally Posted by Sourdoh

I would just give it a wash of color to adjust to the right shade. Do it with a brush to add some weathering to the chassis.

And to second what Sourdoh has said.

With the colour change for the frame, could i suggest a wash of some pastel chalks like Dark Green or Brown ground up and mixed with water painted over it? This could then be lightly wiped off the main areas, but left in the areas like the springs, weld joints as i feel that it could add a very nice depth detail to your hard work.

You could do the same to the engine with Black chalks.

Try a small area first to see the effect, and if you do not like it just wash it off.

Gary

[orntar]

Sourdoh, thanks for the suggestion. and johkaz, I was leaning toward that too.

I had hoped that once I weathered it it will look worn and more in the brown OD field. I am just concerned that the body will look to far off from the frame if I do something too drastic.

I will try some experimenting tonight and let you guys know.

[orntar]

ok, here are some new colors I mixed up.



A and C are very similar. A has a bit of yellow, and I may go for that one. let me know what you think.

as for the wash, its not looking very good and my tests, so i may just paint the main visible areas with the new color.

going to be quite a pain.

[Germanbilly1]

Here are 2 Jeeps we had at the Christmas lunch for vets this past year. Maybe the colors will help.
GB

[orntar]

Thanks GB. Those colors are what I have now too.

Been working on a few things...
Glove box




I somehow lost the knob, so now I need to scratch build one.

Started modding the seats. the rear will be a pain


AAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNDDDDDD.....................

the new color

[redball]

Now that color looks to be spot on. And as for the build I really like the mods looking forward to more.

[GERMANSOLDIER MP44]

That's awesome, can't wait to see it finished

[plane_mc]

Looking great, keep up the good work.

[Sourdoh]

Color looks good. However, all contractors who manufactured Jeeps seem to have arrived at a slightly different shade of color; and the spec/mix of the color changed as the war wore on, so there can be a little leeway on the shade. Many refurbished WWII Jeeps you see on display have a more modern color spec on them that is wrong for a wartime vehicle.

[orntar]

Thanks guys!

Sourdoh, thanks, that is my opinion too. I like the color I have settled on now, I just wish I had made a larger swatch before settling on the last color. oh well, I am on track now.

[madmaninsane]

That is amazing keep up the good work.

[Reef12]

Originally Posted by orntar

Thanks GB. Those colors are what I have now too.

Been working on a few things...
Glove box




I somehow lost the knob, so now I need to scratch build one.

Started modding the seats. the rear will be a pain


AAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNDDDDDD.....................

the new color

Looks much better there.


Could try that Color Modulation that seems to be the rant in 1/35 scale now.
Jeff

[.308]

Jeff I hate to disagree with you but that color modulation would not translate well in 1:6th. Don't even care for it much in 1:35th but works better in smaller scales. Natural light creates enough shadow vs light in 1:6. With that said certain areas, locations in 1:6th could be enhanced slightly in 1:6th with pastels or very subtle airbrushing. The reason I don't agree with the color modulation technique is most people don't truly understand light vs shadow. It must have a set light source that never changes for the illusion to work & appear correctly. Like a shadow box for example...

Of course this is just my own opinion and not meant to be inflammatory to anyone. I have spent many years developing my own techniques as an artist who works with many mediums and forms in 2D and 3D , but to each their own...

BTW Jeff ~ a package is on its way!

[Reef12]

Originally Posted by .308

Jeff I hate to disagree with you but that color modulation would not translate well in 1:6th. Don't even care for it much in 1:35th but works better in smaller scales. Natural light creates enough shadow vs light in 1:6. With that said certain areas, locations in 1:6th could be enhanced slightly in 1:6th with pastels or very subtle airbrushing. The reason I don't agree with the color modulation technique is most people don't truly understand light vs shadow. It must have a set light source that never changes for the illusion to work & appear correctly. Like a shadow box for example...

Of course this is just my own opinion and not meant to be inflammatory to anyone. I have spent many years developing my own techniques as an artist who works with many mediums and forms in 2D and 3D , but to each their own...

BTW Jeff ~ a package is on its way!

Good reply Paul LOL.

I think I might try it to see what can transpire on the Stuart.

Worth a try at least and I do understand the answer some might not though.

Maybe not as much paint as washes and shadows and filters.

Cheers

Jeff

PS a Package oh boy that will be nice.

[.308]

Nathan,

Let me know when the Jeep gauges arrive would you please...

Thanks

Paul

[orntar]

Paul, will do. I'm excited!

I may have something for your jeep in the near future too.

[NBTrav]

Wow that's really coming along well, love seeing the progress made!

[Eddie Acosta]

Awesome work! Great detail and authenticity!

[sfc]

orntar how did you make out with your tail lights and refectors also most of the ww2 jeeps i worked on the pads that the windshield layed on on the hood were wood held on by screws and i didnt have any luck getting the wipers to work lol must be a better way and i found out that OD paint crylon is not the same i had one can from walmart and one can from Ace and they dont match and there the same lot number so watch out if you use it for painting Tom

[orntar]

Well, I ended up just glueing on the brake lights with no back paint. I will paint them after final paint.

Thanks for the info, what color are the windshield hood bumpers? OD?

[sfc]

the bumpers give it just a wash of paint so you can pick out the color of the wood or have it show through the paint if you know what i mean i wish i could post photos of the tail lights and the refectors they have the nice shine that you get from the clear plastic which if you paint them from the outside you will not get unless you flood it with clear gloss thing about that stuff it yellows after time but ill bet someone has a better way to coat them i like the engine you built for the jeep real fine job Tom

[orntar]

Finally have more pictures to post...

The rear seat frame in the kit doesn't look very realistic, so I fabbed a new one bottom frame and hinged it to the upper






I hinged the front seat and added the grounding box underneath.


Then I started working on finishing the 50, yoke, and mount.

New lockbar

Bar chains

Gun locked


Thanks for looking

[orntar]

Some more work done finally...







Still need to get them sitting right and sew them shut.

[.308]

Nathan,

Those seats look fabulous! Absolutely fabulous! Great detailing on the gun mount! Before long you will be finished up and ready for the shows!

Paul

[plane_mc]

Very nice. Did you make the seat cushions? They look great.

[orntar]

Originally Posted by plane_mc

Very nice. Did you make the seat cushions? They look great.

Weeeellll...

I wasn't going to tell anyone, but I attempted to make them myself, and failed. My mom actually made them

But, to my credit, she is a professional doll maker.

[.308]

LOL's... Your mom, well we will all have to credit her for contributing her wonderful skills with your build!

[plane_mc]

I have to give you credit. I wanted to make some, but I know I don't have the skill to do it, so I didn't even attempt it. There is no shame in having your mom help out if it gets the job done.

[orntar]

Small update, I have been finding it hard to work on the model as of late. Sorry, not the greatest pictures, I guess I was in a hurry.

I finished the gun mount and attached it to the jeep. still need to add the A arm bolts however.




And here are the seats. They are just sitting on there. Once I paint the seat frames, I will weather them and affix them. Still waiting on the lift the dots from redplanettoys for the hangers however.





Thanks for looking.

[Pangaea95]

Awesome build, truly enjoying following this, amazing craftsmanship, looking forward to more updates!

[plane_mc]

The seats look great. The whole build is coming together nicely.

[Reef12]

Nice job on the Jeep I really like the seats.

Sweet deal you have going there.

You know if your Mom was up for it could make some money selling sets of the seats.

Also Steve sells the Lift dot stuff also.

Jeff

[orntar]

Thank guys.

Originally Posted by Reef12

Nice job on the Jeep I really like the seats.

Sweet deal you have going there.

You know if your Mom was up for it could make some money selling sets of the seats.

Also Steve sells the Lift dot stuff also.

Jeff

Who's Steve?

[Reef12]

Originally Posted by orntar

Thank guys.



Who's Steve?

:confusedeek:

panzerwerk.com - Home

LOL

Jeff

[orntar]

Alright, I forced myself to get going again. Not a lot here, but I have to get going somewhere.

air filter parts


DID 50 cal ammo can


lift-the-dots for the seats, man they are tiny.


and some mockups of the parts I have finished, the windshield and hood.



I forgot to throw in my rifle rack parts, its not made yet.

I hope this can get me kick started, look for some more updates. Thanks!

[plane_mc]

Looking good. I actually just started working on mine again a couple of days ago.

[Eddie Acosta]

Excellent work and detail. Do you the plans for creating the rear axle and differential? I would be interested in the plans for that part.

[orntar]

Originally Posted by Eddie Acosta

Excellent work and detail. Do you the plans for creating the rear axle and differential? I would be interested in the plans for that part.

No, I do not have those drawings. The kit comes with those pieces.

[orntar]

ok, I need some assistance.

I am about to finish up the body work, and get ready for paint. I am missing one thing...

I need sliders and hooks for the door retention straps. The OEM specs for the straps are 2" wide (.333"), I have some 1-1/2" wide (.25") cotton webbing strips that I think will look fine, however I need the sliders for that size. its way bigger then a rifle sling strap. I need these to verify the webbing strip size before making the mounts.

Any one know where to get something like that?

Also, how about hooks about 1/6 scale? I am thinking of jewelry lobster clasps, I think once painted they will look fine, but something more authentic would be great.

here are some OEM reference pics...
Ford

Willys

[plane_mc]

Here is what I am using for clasps.



I cut the loop off the end of the clasp and soldered a rectangle shaped wire loop to it.



Here is a picture of the clasp next to one of the DiD parachutes to show the difference in the clasps.



It's not perfect, but it was as close as I could find. If I remember correctly, I got them at either Michael's or JoAnne's.

Hope that helps.

[orntar]

Thanks, Mark.

Those look good, are the wire strap ends soldered onto the clasp?

That was my plan too, but I am really in need of the sliders, as seen on the parachute strap in your pic. I may try bending some out of some 1/32" wire, if I cant find any.

[plane_mc]

Yes, I soldered the rectangular loop to the clasp. The sliders on the parachute strap are just pieces of flat metal. I made some up from the leftover aluminum from the gauges or data plates. (sorry about the blurry picture)



I still need to trim them up as they are a little too big, but the basics are there for them. The end that connects the strap to the body is just 2 loops of wire soldered together.

[Schoenberg]

Try RioRondo.com
They have a buckle 3/16th that might work for you.

[orntar]

Thanks for the info mark. I was thinking of trying that too, but I'm afraid they wont look good.

What kind of wire did you use, steel? Easy to bend?

Schoenberg, I did look there, I need at least 1/4" wide internally.

[plane_mc]

I used Bus wire. I think it is copper with a tin coating. You could just find a heavy, solid wire (not stranded) and strip off the insulation and use that. The bus wire is just that without the insulation on it. It solders easily and is going to be painted anyway, so the color doesn't matter.

[orntar]

Ok, I found some copper wire. It bent real nice, but soldering must not be my thing. Should look good once painted.

Here is an update...

door restraint parts


finished the windshield


seats mounted and done! just need to weather them





hood mounted


firewall mount items


Just need to mount the seat belt swivels to the body and I can start painting. Still need to finish the radiator a few small items for final paint and weather.

[Sixth Vanguard]

Glad to see the project progressing. Quite the masterpiece! Thanks for the update.

[orntar]

Finally primed it and started final paint.

First off, I painted the engine compartment and bottom tub. I am waitgin for paint, so I started adding engine compartment details.

Final fuel line



Voltage regulator

that stray wire will connect to the generator once installed.

Head light wiring



I also started dying the seat restraint straps, finished assembling the 50 tripod and started on the battery.

[.308]

GREAT job Nathan, glad to see you back at it! Hope to have those labels done in the next week or two!

[plane_mc]

Looking good. I just started priming mine too. I hope to post an update on mine soon.

[orntar]

I stayed home sick today, so I got a lot done.

I finished the paint and then moved onto stencils. I made my own, as I do not like decals.
They turned out quite well.

After stencils, I accented and weathered the paint a little, and mounted the body to the chassis.

I mounted the seats. the passenger seat tips forward and the rear seat folds against the rear wall.

I affixed 308's data plates in various spots. They look good.












Left to do is the seat restraints, various straps, tools, and gun. Oh, and some stuff in the engine compartment.

[Schoenberg]

The engine,seats and all of the small details are great. Thanks for posting pics and the How-To's. Can't what to see the next updates.

[plane_mc]

Looks great. You are getting close to being finished. The details you added really make it stand out.

[orntar]

Thanks Schoenberg and Mark!

The tools were all molded plastic. I decided to replace the handles with wood.

I cut the head off the axe and drilled out the handle recess. I cut up the shovel and drilled out the handle pieces, then shaped the wood.




I colored the wood with acrylic paint and painted the tools with black and drybrush silver.



The straps that came with the kit are really narrow and made of polyester. On top of that, the instruction had me cut them too short.

So, I painted cotton webbing strips with acrylic paint. The look much nicer this way, anyhow. I also used more accurate sliders from Armorpax.




I also finished up the door straps the same way, but using my home made hardware.

[plane_mc]

Those handles look great. The straps look good too.

[RogueJK]

Job well done! Those seat cushions are amazing. You (and your mom) should be proud.

[orntar]

Thanks Mark and Rogue!

I got some more work completed.

50 cal is done




Engine compartment is done





I am almost done

[Droop]

Beautiful work!

I just love that .50!



Droop

[rivetcounter]

This is an immaculate stunning build, the two main things that grab my attention are the cloth seats and the engine, stunning

[orntar]

Thanks Droop and rivetcounter!

And what's the etiquette for a finished project? New thread in general or just post new pics here?