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Modeller Build Logs
SAS Land Rover 110 DPV |
| By James Wechsler | | Started: | Sep 26, 2007 | | Updated: | Feb 9, 2008 |
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When Paul asked if any one was interested in writing a blog, I offered but my requirement was no more Shermans! Instead I proposed this project because I thought it would be an interesting subject and I haven’t seen a blog of a wheeled vehicle for some time.
The Land Rover 110 DPV is the most current version of the famous SAS Land Rovers that include the more well known ‘Pink Panther’. This version is based on the Defender 110 commercial Land Rover. It is still in service with the SAS seeing action in both Afghanistan and Iraq along with other not named place around the world.
The build will use the following kits:
Accurate Armour LR009 SAS Land Rover 110 DPV
Accurate Armour FS11 SAS 110 DPV Crew Set #1
For reference, I’ve found a few photos on the internet and in some publications but the main source is this new book:
Military Land Rover, Development and in Service, Pat Ware, ISBN 0711031894, from Ian Allan Publishing
This is a new book that covers all of the Land Rovers in military service and is quite detailed and well written. A must for all Land Rover enthusiasts.
In addition, I spent some time in a commercial version of the Defender 110 this summer and took a lot of notes on some of the details. It may not seem it, but it’s a pretty large vehicle, bigger than most SUVs but a bit smaller than a HUMVEE. |
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| Getting Started – Rear Suspension | Oct 8, 2007 |
For lack of any other approach, I plan for this blog to basically follow the steps in the instruction manual. I’ll note if there’s additional detail to be added or changes to be made, but I’m pretty sure they’ll be minor since this kit is very complete.
Step 1 involves assembling the rear suspension. First, I had to coil the two rear springs by wrapping the solder wire provided around a 2.5mm (0.1 inch rod). While this seems a bit intimidating, it’s actually pretty easy. Unfortunately Accurate Armour doesn’t provide a 2.5mm rod and the amount of solder wire isn’t enough to make both springs (much less the two more for the front suspension). I had both on my work bench so for me it wasn’t a big deal.
Then, I had to mount the two springs to the frame. Note, there’s a lot of clean up required on the frame, but it’s pretty simple stuff so just be patient. With the springs mounted, I then mounted the shock absorbers and then the rear axle. This is a really nerve wracking job since there’s no definitive mounting locations and you must get the axle mounted correctly or the wheels will not be aligned right. Since this is all in resin, I used slow drying Krazy Glue which gave me all of 10 seconds or so to get this right.
In retrospect, I wish I’d added two support pins inside the springs to allow a positive mount on the rear axle. This is exactly what Accurate Armour did for the front axle (next chapter) and why they didn’t do this for the rear one is a mystery to me.
With the axle mounted, I added the brass support rods and the rear strike plate. Unfortunately, the rear plate was broken off right at the mounting rod and since its super thin (0.005 inches) gluing it back together was nearly impossible. Fortunately, it’s located on the under belly and won’t be visible once I mount the vehicle on the base.
All said and done, a rough first step. |
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