"Some Matchbox MRAP conversions" Topic

Well, that rips it as far as those 6x6 buggies I've got squirreled away; 1/72 scale getabouts for robot soldier guards for Starguard purposes, so I am sparing myself the battle of the Dremel tool… I figure two seated 'bot soldier poses will fit in the seats, and a standing pose can hold onto the roll bar with one hand/claw and brandish their rifle with the other…

Now about those others, I scored big time a few days ago in the *candy* aisle at Big Lots; $2 USD a whack, three toy M60 medium tanks and four 4-wheel VAB analogue APCs with four-shot roof mounted AT/AAA missile systems! The diecast vehicles came attached to a tube of candy gumballs, and I happened upon them entirely by chance, so check the candy aisle as well if you haven't already! I expect I'll add side skirts to the tanks and replace the squishy plastic main gun barrels with some more robust Combat Wombat metal barrels just to complete their sci-fi credentials…

I'll throw up some photos in my online album later this week after I get out from under my present workload…

Leland R. Erickson

Due to insomnia and a lack of personal wisdom I went to Walmart and found a Matchbox HEMTT! It's a green one but still cool. OnLY $4.50 USD too! Now I just need to find three more.

Need, want…whatevs.

Isn't the Hemtt awesome?

I finished my first MRAP:

Also in the picture of some Khurasan Sepulvedan Resistance Fighters and their all on a cork tile I drybrushed and flocked to test out making post apocalyptic concrete.

I ended up going for a flat top where the lights/gun shield was. I may, in the future, get some Rebel Minis cupolas and glue them on there.

I personally think that the Rebel miniatures cupola would look very good on top.

I think I'm going to add some to an upcoming order from them.

I can't decide whether or not Earth Force or Titan Marines would be better for a first go with Rebel.

Thanks for the tips,guys.I just scored 3 of those MRAP vehicles at the dollar tree.I also bought a 3 pack of undersized cars for the wheels alone.I'm thinking about scratchbuilding some infantry type guns,and the wheels would be handy for them. I also have one of those "Mission Copters" from Wally World,and I removed the main rotor and put thrusters on the side for a different VTOL.I also added a turreted gun to the chin.

Turret with the LasGun glued to it…OMG, I gotta try that.

It is a bit short for a tank but the lasgun works great for a smaller anti-tank gun. You might be able to find a way to extend it.

Just a note to everyone. Take a look at the plastic bubble that contains the matchbox vehicles. Add a door, maybe a window or two and a roof detail of some sort and you'd have a great small sci-fi building in 15mm.

I was in the toy section of target today. I found a tan HEMTT. So one more HEMTT and bingo.

Potential Dropships/air transports?

Huge mobile command center?

Just imagine them painted desert tans with the cockpit windows painted over like hull, the big silly guns pulled off, huge hatches disguised as something else, and little kit-bash bits and nurnies glued all over them…

Well it cost me $40 USD but i have Iron Man and Captain America's silly non movie vehicles and took some pictures next to some poor, abandoned, so far unpainted, 15mm, 6-10mm, and matchbox stuff. And I think they make a pretty good dropships and mega-tank thing.

I think the Captain America tank-thing may eventually be a Chewk Sandcrawler though I don't have any Chewk yet. I need to pull those giant guns off and get a turret up on that top hatch. This thing would be good for 28mm too.

‌

The dropship is I guess an atomosphere capable VTOL jumpboat? Maybe called unofficially "Catfish"? Originally named "Project Longship" ? And when I glue the cockpit shut and paint over it as hull and cover up the hinge, should I entomb poor Ironman inside it forever? And will I be able to find some good landing gear for this thing? And little turrets and guns?

Yeah I know that these are not made by matchbox.

On the other hand Matchbox do make some really nice plane toys that might also work as dropships with some minor conversion. Here there is a crazy A-10 like submarine transport plane that is supposed to have something to do with ocean rescue. Just put some APC's where those mini-subs go and you are in business. Pop out panel parts will make some mods easier due to the pre cut panels.

What's the official name of Iron Man's craft?

And that of the Matchbox rescue sub plane?

"Marvel: The Avengers, Stark Tek Battle Vehicle: Iron Man Firestrike Assault Jet " (it's not on Hasbro's site yet but it is in Target stores and at Amazon.) Walmart calls it "Marvel The Avengers Comic Series Iron Man Firestrike Assault Jet Vehicle".

The plane, on Mattel's site is called:

"MATCHBOX® SKY BUSTERS® COASTAL COMMANDER™"

On Amazon: " Matchbox Jumbo Sky Busters Coast Guard Plane"
Amazon has it for $30. USD It is 12 x 3.5 x 12 inches.

The Avengers Quinjet is also $30. USD

the Captain America tank thing, and Iron Man's Firestrike Attack jet, are both $20 USD each at Target (where I went).

This 3' long Helicarrier toy might also might also have some possibilities. I'm not sure yet.

It seems like it could easily be made into some sort of crazy open topped flying 'landing vessel' type of thing. Or even an air pirate vessel. I know I like the general idea of it. I haven't seen it in stores yet though, and have no idea how much it costs.

Put a giant ramp on the front and some crates in the back. It could be used as cargo transport/vehicle lander. How else can you drop a silar tank into a hot zone? It wouldn't be good for orbital operations but something near future for rapid response combat cargo carrier. Sam role as a C-130 but VTOl capable.