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Topic starter
23/02/2023 6:27 am Â
The now defunct 21st Century line of military replicas included well detailed, ALL PLASTIC, 1/18 WW II US Army models, such as this 1943 White M3A3 Halftrack. It fits nicely into my collection of 1/18 WW II "stuff." Despite all the detail (some of which can be improved upon ) there's one glaring omission: No steerable front wheels. Here's a quick fix.
As noted, this will be a TWO PART project only, unlike my "usual, multi-part affairs."Â
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Steve Jacobs and David Green reacted
23/02/2023 9:22 am Â
I wish I had gotten more from the 21th Century line up when they were in the big box stores. My friend bought me a Panzer tank and I was amazed at the detailing, accuracy and finish. That half track will look so much better posed with the wheels not straight ahead. Great acquisition.
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23/02/2023 9:46 am Â
brilliant photographic work in this always appreciated style of step-by-step 
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23/02/2023 9:58 am Â
Nice work! I'm interested in seeing the rest of the fabrication.
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23/02/2023 11:20 am Â
Really great upgrade ! It looks very good with front steering wheels now able to be adjusted/
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Topic starter
23/02/2023 11:36 am Â
@john-barry Thanks John. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pics of the wheel assembly (front & back rim-halfs and the tire). Separating those took real effort, for good or bad, 21st Century OVER-glued everything.
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john barry reacted
Topic starter
23/02/2023 11:39 am Â
@mikedetorrice Yes, being able to pose those big wheels will be a treat. Surprisingly, I couldn't find any other online tutorials about modifying this replica. 🤔 🤔
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Topic starter
23/02/2023 11:48 am Â
Nice work! I'm interested in seeing the rest of the fabrication.
Well Frank, thanks but you're going to be disappointed..... there's very little left to do. 🙄 😔 In PART TWO, I hope to show how I fixed the tailpipe and cut off those two chassis-molded mounting (unrealistic) protrusion-tabs. I'll finished off with paint of course....which I will have to buy. I usually color-match but I don't stock many "flats." 😣 😣 😫
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Topic starter
23/02/2023 12:05 pm Â
I wish I had gotten more from the 21th Century line up when they were in the big box stores. My friend bought me a Panzer tank and I was amazed at the detailing, accuracy and finish. That half track will look so much better posed with the wheels not straight ahead. Great acquisition.
HA! Tell me about....
I remember walking by ALL this stuff (when it sold new for peanuts!! ) and laughing, "Who's buying this plastic crap?"  A few short years later I ended up buying a few 1/18 things (many figures, a Command car, an airplane, cannons, etc..) all for practically NO money. I'd buy some items just for the wheels!
I bought a 1/18 50 piece Nazi-soldier collector set, within a year eBay could barely sell them @ $30.00
Today, my Pear Harbor airplane is worth a fortune (if you can even find it! ) as is everything else, especially all my figures.  There's a few 1/18 pieces I'd still like to have (American & German tanks, German halftrack) but it looks like I'll need a Gofundme Page to do it! 😫 😣 🙄Â
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Steve Jacobs and Rich Sufficool reacted
23/02/2023 2:40 pm Â
@chris When I was really into WWll militaria, this stuff just wasn't around. I concentrated in the 1/32 to 1/35 and that sorta inbetween 54 mm. The only half tracks I made were the Opel "Maultier" or 'mule' and that Kettenkrad half track motorcycle to 'tow' aircraft.
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Topic starter
23/02/2023 6:27 pm Â
OUTSTANDING German halftrack Rich! I could take lessons from you....great WW II diorama. I look forward to one day building my model RR, then I can do some "set-ups," until then, I appreciate "scenes"Â like this and take notes!
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Topic starter
24/02/2023 6:31 pm Â
PART 2
Ok, here's the Halftrack wrap up. Basically, I painted, removed & filled both mounting/shipping tabs and reworked the exhaust to better replicate an actual exhaust. As Rich would tell 'ya... One could spend weeks super-detailing WW II vehicles and this 1/18 Halftrack is NO exception but for now, my goals (working steering & exhaust) were achieved.
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