I did this Humvee to look like the one I used throughout OEF and part of OIF. The basic kit was ok but it needed some work in areas. I scratchbuilt the brush guard, mirrors, gun mount and T&E, reworked the .50 cal and added a lot of stuff to the back that filled my vehicle; rucks, boxes of MRE's and Water (scratchbuilt with home made decals). Though the lettering is too small to read on the boxes, in the file it is accurate, I copied it off a box I have at home! Once complete, I dirtied it up with sand I brought back with me from Iraq. I dirtied up the windows too but they still look too clean! Of note are the mismatched wheels and one light housing. These were damaged in action and had to be replaced with whatever was available. The only markings on the entire vehicle were the "HQ-2" bumper number and the 3rd ID patch on the side. All markings were sprayed over when the vehicle was painted, these were added later. Home made decals were used for the lettering on the windshield. Only the exteriors were painted, so the interior (and things like the insides of the bumpers and bottom of the vehicle) are still painted green. I am not particularly happy with the antennas and will probably replace them. They look a little too large in diameter. I have to find some really small chain to make the chains that held the tailgate.

The lighting kind of obliterated some of the weathering. I faded and streaked the top with some pastels. It is subtle and easily seen looking at the model but it did not come out well in the photos.

Nice work you got there! As for the antenna, isn't it too long or is it just me?

Nicely done.
Have you tried Evergreen rod for your antenna's. That is what I like to use. I use the smallest diameter. You get very good flexability in them.

Oh, welcome back home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Brigade wher you in. I was with the 3rd Brigade at Ft. Benning when it was the 24thID.

Nice clean build there. I like that 3ID patch you made. I don't want to sound too picky but maybe you should weigh down the tires a bit. It would make it look more realistic.

I really do not remember our tires having much of a bulge to them, if at all. The recommended TP's were 22 and 26 I believe and we kept them at that or a little bit higher

Nice overall effect, sure looks like the real thing. And you would know better than I in that regard.

My one model suggestion is to file/sand off the mold seam on the tow shackle.

nice work.
Glad you're back safe.

Good catch, I missed that one

Nice model. Rifle is maybe too dark. Too little bare metal.

stm/MLD- Normal procedure would be to clean up the seam on that towing pintle (MLD I believe you called it a shackle) HOWEVER: On this particular item, that is an actual seam from the casting process. I remember them well from my days in the field, even tore one of my thumbnails off on a piece of steel 'flash' while wrestling w/ a water buffalo. If any attempt was made to remove this in manufacture, it was cursory at best, with a pronounced ridge showing signs of grinder marks. HTH