Zenrat's Flying Circus

[Rick Lowe]

    

[zenrat]

I resemble that remark.

Especially when people find out you are retired and have a pick up truck.

Much like when they find out you have a towbar.
Thankfully, I can say my trailer skills are pretty abysmal, which gives me an out!

They used to say in site briefings "if you see Fred reversing, run.  If you see Fred reversing a trailer, run as fast as you can".

This is the Staghound with a T-60 turret from a Cadillac Gage Commando.  Not sure what the kit guns are supposed to be but I have brass 50 cal barrels on the way which may replace them.
Staghound WIP 12-10-2024 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[Old Wombat]

Both guns in the Cadillac Gage T50 turret were .30cal Browning M1919's - the Australian Army modified them (on their M113s) to fit a .50cal M2 Browning in the left position.

[zenrat]

Thanks Guy.
The gun barrels Hobby Boss provide in the "Product Improved" version of the Commando don't look like 30 cal Browning 1919s.  They look similar to whatever that is meant to be stuck on the back.

Although there are two barrels on the sprues which do look right.  Presumably from the "in Vietnam" version of the kit.

[Old Wombat]

That would be the FN MAG, a.k.a. the L7, a.k.a. the M240, etc.

[zenrat]

Thanks mate.   

[Wardukw]

That second pic Fred shows the 2 M1919s with flash suppressors ..that's probably why they look different.

The brass  .50cal barrels will look ten times better 
I can promise you that 

[zenrat]

Finished the Fiero today.  Took pics.  I'll post them up soon.

Got sidetracked putting the Staghound turret together - the kit one i'm not using.  The two 50 cals that came with it don't look too bad cleaned up with holes drilled in the end of the barrels and in the cooling jacket.  I decided to just put it together for possible future use but of course got sucked into making sure it would "work" when done.  The mechanism for the gun elevation is a little tricky especially as there is a part number error in the destructions (which being Italeri are not the best to start with).

[zenrat]

'87 Pontiac Fiero.  Almost RW build.

'87 Pontiac Fiero - 3 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

1/25 MPC kit.  Built OOB other than a RHD conversion, plug wiring, and modifications to the wheels to get them to fit under the bodywork.

'87 Pontiac Fiero - 9 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

As it came it sits higher at the front than the rear.  I can only assume this is built correctly and the stance is an issue with the kit.  I can only assume this because I bought it second hand (years ago( and the front suspension had already been glued in place.  I might have lowered it if not for that.  I could have lifted it slightly at the rear but didn't think to do a mockup to check the stance.

'87 Pontiac Fiero - 12 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
'87 Pontiac Fiero - 7 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Engine is an optional V6 which is included in the kit.

'87 Pontiac Fiero - 13 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
'87 Pontiac Fiero - 14 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[scooter]

Nice.  Needs some cotton as either steam or smoke coming out the back

[Weaver]

The Fiero looks fancy, in a very 1970s sort of way - nice one!

Re the gun barrels, most turret manufacturers offer a variety of mounting for whatever co-ax the customer wants in order to simplfy their logistics.

Western options will typically be:

M1919 Browning (not so much these days, but common up to the 1980s)
FN MAG/GPMG/M240 (all the same thing, basically)
M60
MG3 (i.e. MG-42 in 7.62x51mm NATO)

Note sure if there's room in that Cadillac Gage T50 turret for two .50cals: I've never seen one so equipped. Normal fit is either two 7.62mm guns or one .50 cal in the inboard position and one 
7.62mm in the outboard.

The other option, which I'm not sure was ever produced in quantity, was to replace both guns with one 7.62mm M-134 minigun...  

[NARSES2]

Gorgeous metallic blue on that Pontiac 

[PR19_Kit]

That Fiero is MAGIC Fred. 

Looks terrific in the two tone scheme too, the one I rented in the US was boring white all over.

[DogfighterZen]

 That's a good looking car with a cool paint job. Very nice work, Fred!  

[Wardukw]

Another typical car build from Fred ..😁😁😁 delicious 😋