1980 Land Rover Series III LWB to SWB - wip

Gregory frohwein
What tools do you use to paint with and where do you get your paint?

Christian W
Basically I use Revell enamel colors for the bigger parts (undercarriage, interior, chassis, engine/transmission e.g.) by using the airbrush.
For detailing I normally use Revell Aquacolor.

For the body it's hard to tell. I prefer rattle can but it depends on the color I'd like to paint.
For my "Silver Corvette Collection", I use enamel by Revell for the body, because the color should be exact the same. Once I used Zeropaint. But the most I use rattle can.
For this kit I'm not sure now. I didn't chose a color so far. If I have it in my shelf, I'm going for rattle can. If not, I'm using the airbrush.

Nigel Chapman
Ah clever, watching this one

István Szücs
Good idea, perfect work. I'm watching...

And it seems a well detailed kit.

Christian W
Thank you!
This kit is amazingly detailed! I like it since I took a peak into the box when I bought it last summer. A lot of parts will go into the spare box (seats, benches, roof rack e.g.)

Christian W
The work on the body and chassis is done.

Nigel Chapman
Looks great. Why has no kit manufacturer ever produced one or even a Defender kit ?

Christian W
A very good question😉
I was thinking about to make a mold. But it is to complicated because I have to take molds of the interior "tube" (floor and side walls), the frame and the body. Further on of the transmission and drive shaft.

István Szücs
Awesome, good to see, how it's turning to SWB.

Lex Jassies
That's a lot of bodywork going on Christian😉 Following with interest. Drove in the 80's a Serie III 88" myself.
And Nigel Chapman; there is/was? a Serie III 88" kit, Monogram nr.2279. I did build it, and it was a nice kit with fairly good details. I still have that model.

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Lex, I did not know that. I'll add it to my holy grail list !

Brandon H
Masterfully executed! Can't wait to see the finished product!

Norbert Steffens
Geat idea to cut the frame , to create a 88in. Whats about the filler cap(petrol). normally it's on the right side.

Christian W
Thank you very much for the compliments.

@Norbert Steffens... I know. The filler cap will be drilled into the side wall a bit later.
@Lex Jassies… You drove one? Cool 🙂 Can you answer a question: where was the fuel tank located? I supose, it was under the front bench because of the location of the filler cap. In the rear there is not enough space I think and why should they locate the filler cap in the middle of the car if the fuel tank would be in the rear? I didn't look that up on the internet so far.

Chaz Gordon
Nice mod. The early rovers, the filler was under the drivers seat straight into the tank.. I think the external cap first appeared when they went to the 90/110 with the flat front. Pretty sure this one would be a case of lifting the driver seat base panel.

Lex Jassies
The fuel tank sits directly under the right front seat. If you have any more questions, just ask. I tinkered a lot with this car. A necessity to keep the car going . Must still have a workshop manual lying around somwhere 🙂

Christian W
So that was my guess😉 Thank you! I'll keep that in mind if I need some details or help.

Munkyslut
This is very cool, I grew up riding beat up old Landies on my mates dads farms

Chaz Gordon
As I recall, the external filler cap was unique to the 4 door Safaris, with both the LWB and SWB 2 doors locating the tank under the bench seat. I seem to recall a dual tank option, with a second tank under the left front seat also. I have a feeling the tank switch over required you to stop and lift the drivers seat to turn the valve. The Safari had quite a lot of differences to the LWB, as there was no footwell for the second row on an LWB, being basically a pickup shell.

Lex Jassies
The short base 88" had the external filler cap (about 3"😢 behind the right door. The 110" had the filler cap almost at the end of the right side. This is the case for the series 2 and the series 3. Don't know that about the series 1.

Christian W
Thank you for the information!
Everything makes sense and for a good coincidence, my Land Rover fullfils that. I cut out the footwell because it was the correct measured distance to could have to be removed. Perfect.
The location of the filler cap doesn't let allowed another location for the fuel tank as under the front seats. It wouldn't make sense to build a filler hose from right behind the door through the whole car to the rear.

Chaz Gordon
To keep context, my experience with Series 3s was entirely British Military Issue, and a lot of those were lightweight SWBs

Chaz Gordon
Seems it goes like this if externally mounted:

[img1]

Christian W
You nailed it.

Christian W
A month later I put hands on this one. After filling the spots on the body, I took the fuel tank and fitted it under the box underneath the front seats. I put the rear cross frame in place and cut the exhaust system.
The Land Rover is ready to paint.

Lex Jassies
Looks very good Christian.
The only thing I miss is the fuel tank. This protrudes well visible from under the cladding. Course I didn't know how to place pictures in this comment bloc, I made a new album with some pictures from the monogram model. I think that in reality the protruding is less than as seen on the Monogram model, but it is visible. Maybe it is of any help.

Christian W
Interesting! I checked the album. I pushed the fuel tank directly under the passengers seat above the frame. I'll change that. Hopefully there is no frame in the way.
The exhaust system is quite interesting to. It's totally different laying between the frame. On Revells kit, it is outside the frame between the axles. On your kit it is between the frame rails. Thinking about that.

Christian W
The filler is on.

Peppy
Wonder how I missed this one Christian?
Some sharp modeling there.
Looks great. Watching this one too.

Dennis
Plastic surgery at its finest! Looking very good.

Christian W
Thank you mates! I hope, It will be done soon. I want to built something easier and work further on on my Corvettes.

Dominik Weitzer
well, well Bro. keep it coming to the finish line 🙂

matt
👌

Christian W
I put some clear cote on it. I'm not that happy but satisfied with it.

Dominik Weitzer
nice!

Christian W
Today it was paint day. The most parts are painted.

Brandon H
Lookin good!

Andrew Horton
Awesome paint work!

Christian W
Thank you, sirs 🙂!

Dominik Weitzer
well done Bro!

Christian W
Can you believe: it is all rattle can. Except the aluminum colored chassis

Christian W
Some small steps. The chassis is done and I made it dirty as well as the interior and engine bay.

Brandon H
Ah yes, the dirt is a nice touch!

Dominik Weitzer
like your process Bro. Keep the finger crossed for the body 🙂

Nigel Chapman
You should build a diorama for it

Alec K
Excellent 👍

Christian W
Thank you, sirs.
I'll keep the idea with the diorama in my mind.

David Taylor
Brill.

Nigel Chapman
Weathering looks spot on

Dominik Weitzer
like it! well done!

Christian W
Thank you, Sirs 🙂!
I'm a little satisfied with it so far. I'm not often doing weathering at all. It's the fifth car so far when I count right.
I have to overdo the wheels again and the Land Rover is done.

matt
looks amazing Christian, nice job.

Neuling
I agree with matt. Mission accomplished! 👍

Dominik Weitzer
well don e bro. like it a lot!

Laurent VILLANUEVA "HELLER-forever"
great

Brandon H
Looks fantastic Christian!

Simon Nagorsnik
a good build and a convincing mud effect 👌

Christian W
Thank you very very much for your kind words! Thank you.

I read about the small diorama. I had one and wanted to change the color of the ground. I didn't find it. Maybe it was a victim of the flood. I don't know. But it is not off of the table.

Chaz Gordon
Nice work, definitely not a Chelsea Tractor (the British term for Soccer Mom 4x4s)

Pepe
Wow !!!, ... Very good work of transformation, I love it, congratulations excellent work, compact and very clean .... a 10

Christian W
Thank you very much! Appreciate your comments 🙂

@Chaz ... Nice term 😄 For those Moms I'm gonna build an Escalade or a Hummer H2 *giggle*

Lex Jassies
Great result Christian. Nothing that reminds of the LWB 👍.

Villiers de Vos
Excellent weathering.

Michael Kohl
Cut, cut, cut, glue, glue, glue. My kinda stuff. I suppose if the kit would have come with a short wheelbase you would have extended it. 😉
Like your choice of color too. Cool project, well done.

Jv
Well done
I love how you just cut it up i was thinking were you would cut it to make all fit
Very well done looks like it was made as a kit just like that
I have looked at a few of your projects and learning lots of good stuff
Most of all don't be afraid lol

Dominik Weitzer
well done! with all the issues and problems, you did a great job! the final look is, how a Land Rover has to look. Like it a lot.

Bill Newcomer
Just viewed this for the first time. Well done surgery work. The mud splats on the body are spot on. I kind of think the tires would be a bit more dirty based on the body. Great job.

Christian W
Thank you very much for your kind words!

I have to say: everytime, I'm cutting a model kit anyhow, it makes me nervous. On that point, there is no good way to go back. Jv you nailed it: don't be afraid 😄 It works out somehow *lol*. Sometimes it needs a little more time.

@Bill ... I thought about the mud on the tires. My intention was, that this little dirty bastard drove a couple minutes on propper roads before "he" took the pictures. I will overthink it again. I see the rims on first place.