1:72 Abitate F44C 'Firegunner' (Fang of the Sun - Dougram)

[Dizzyfugu]

(Fang of the Sun) Dougram +++ 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Takara kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The kit:
Another vintage kit I started in my late youth, but in this case it was not a restauration job but rather true working progress on a "shelf queen" after a long break and completion of an idea I had in the late 90ies – the original build had never been finished (for reference, see this post of mine from 2013!).

Inspiration had come from the Takara kit's instructions' front page illustration:


(Fang of the Sun) Dougram - 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Original Takara Artwork) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


This model is an original Takara F44A Crabgunner kit, not one of the Revell re-releases as ,,Dromedin". I am not cetrtain where I got it from - I suppose I found this kit at a comic shop or model kit fair. Anyway, a color illustration in Takara's assembly and painting guide showed a modified Crabgunner with extra rocket launchers on mounts located at the mid section's sides, and other changed details like a larger commander cupola, a different gun and differences on the hull. This inspired me to modify the kit into something similar - but half way down the construction path I did not finish it and it went to the basement...

Many moons later I just took up the project where it had entered the hiatus and decided to move ahead with the grittier look of what I know today is a F44C, according to a Dougram source book called "Fang of the Sun Dougram - The Comprehensive" I had obtained during the years that had passede. From there, I also tried to translate its name's kanji, which should be "Fu-A-I-Ya-Gu-N-Na", so I supposed that this rather obscure Dougram mecha is officially called "Firegunner". Later check-ups in official source material confirmed this. 


(Fang of the Sun) Dougram +++ 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Takara kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


(Fang of the Sun) Dougram +++ 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Takara kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


(Fang of the Sun) Dougram +++ 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Takara kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Some details like the extra weapon stations and armor reinforcement had already been added years ago, but I mostly changed and improved them. Anyway, despite these modifications to the F44A model basis I found that something was missing, a personal twist... Snooping through the internet for ideas I came across a 1:72 kit (from AER of Moldova, a manufacturer specialized in obscure Russian military vehicles) of the Egyptian self-propelled gun carrier SAU-122, which is actually a modified T-34/85 from the 80ies with a new huge, box-shaped turret, carrying a massive howitzer.

This turret and gun not only looked intimidating on the tank, it would also blend well into the F44's retro look and add some more teeth to justify its name! It would, by the way, also be a nice replacement for the relatively small original turret and its flimsy main gun - even though a "stock" F44C seems to retain it. But, heck, field modifications are common even in the Dougram world, so this personal assault version would not be totally off topic. And the turret just looeds cool... I was lucky to get my hands onto the SAU-122 kit, which is, by the way, of very good quality. Its turret parts were made from resin and very crisp. Implanting the new pieces was no problem, and even though the result IS bulky, I like the new look: heavy metal! The whole thing looks much beefier now.


(Fang of the Sun) Dougram +++ 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Takara kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


(Fang of the Sun) Dougram +++ 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Takara kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Other kit modifications include the side weapon stations, which had to be built anew - I used spare parts from a 1:144 scale Gundam kit ("Serpent Custom", from Endless Waltz) and wheel parts from a 1:35 scale M4 Sherman. The resulting arrangement is not an exact replication of the original F44C's weapon hardpoints, but the overall impression is IMHO fine, since the turret is not original, either. Other details like the improvised reinforcements and storage boxes came from the scrap box, some ladders and steps on the hull were made from thin brass wire.

For painting I wanted to stay true to the anime-esque Dougram look: a single color finish, and then emphasize the lines and details through dry painting and weathering. I did not want another mecha from the F44 family in a sand or brown tone, though, but still an "ugly", murky tone. After long search and pondering I finally settled on RAL 7002 "Olivgrau" (Olive Grey) as main color. For shading and light effects I settled upon RAL 7006 "Beigegrau" (Beige Grey) for undersides/shaded areas, and RAL 6013 "Schilfgrün" (Reed Green) as highlight tone for upper surfaces - a lichen green which looks pretty much like sun-bleached olive drab.


(Fang of the Sun) Dougram +++ 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Takara kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


(Fang of the Sun) Dougram +++ 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Takara kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


(Fang of the Sun) Dougram +++ 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Takara kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Basic painting was done with rattle cans, including the shading. Then, a black ink wash was applied, and another thin washing with a mix of acryllic paint in black and raw umber, simulating dirt and dust. After drying and rubbing with a cotton towel to free surfaces from paint residue, decals from the original sheet were applied. Hull details and wear were emphasized through dry painting with mixed Humbrol colors, 83 (Ochre) and 151 (Interior Green) respectively, plus a little 64 (Light Grey) at edges and corners. Finally, a matte varnish coat sealed everything in place.
For final touches, some dirt/mud was added to the kit's feet, with a mix of fine sand, white glue and acryllic paint, and light dry painting with silder was done on some edges, letting metal shimmer through. Rust and oil were painted with a fine brush, with acryllic paint in Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber. Some more dust was simulated with grinded artist chalks in some areas, but only sparesely. The figure finally comes from the original kit.

Compared with the former Dougram combat walkers, this F44C conversion is quite impressive and looks really mean - even though it actually has little more firepower... As far as I know, there is(was no official 1:72 kit of this F44 derivative (even though an 1:48 Takara kit seems to have been produced in the Eighties)? I am happy with the result!


(Fang of the Sun) Dougram +++ 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Takara kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


(Fang of the Sun) Dougram +++ 1:72 Abitate F44C "Firegunner" (Takara kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[kerick]

That is a great mod of that kit.
 I have one I built eons ago. I changed the main gun and deleted the rocket pods. I painted it in a whiffy splinter scheme. It's due for a rebuild. I still have the rocket pods, the original main gun barrel and the crew in the junkyard. It's sitting on my build desk and this might just inspire me.

[Dizzyfugu]

Thank you. I have also some vague plans for more F44s, even though it is - despite the new 1:72 Max Factoyr kits - hard to get hands on these vintage models, both old and new ones have become VERY expensive and/or hard to obtain. Incl. postage these things can cost around EUR 100,- these days.

However, I still "need" a standard F44A Crabgunner in my collection, more or less OOB, but certainly not in the authentic violet/purple livery. I favor a steel grey paint scheme. And I have the plan tp convert another F44 chassis into a (purely fictional) SPAAG version, maybe with a Marksman turret.