M113 South Lebanese Army 1982

I was inspired with Star Decals set with light blue M113, with 3 icons on the front. The vehicles were supplied by the Israelis, so it was modified on IDF standard. 

I started  with old Italeri kit, followed Academy instructions for IDF vehicle, used PE set for Tamiya, and elaborated many photos to revert Israeli design to Lebanese needs.

Dry fit:

Interior compartment -roof

Stowage for ammo scratchbuilt

 

 Grab handles replaced

 

Bench shortened and modified to be relocated in the middle of the vehicle, contrary to regular position on the left and right side of infantry compartment.

As vehicle has several  antennas,  i added another radio inside.

Scratch-built drivers' control panel

Stowage for cans used from Academy, fuel cans NATO in the rear, Israeli on the front

Some work on the rear door

Front lights replaced with surplus AFV lights

Some internal details, radio sets and telephone wire

Initial paint job in shades of pale green

Further paint job

Details and decals, wash...

The interior is complete so i decided to button it up. The fit was poor, so i had to hold it together until the glue did its job. Various fittings for MG were added, along with mortar (miniart) and scratchbuilt plate. External stowage racks was scratchbuilt.

 

 

The Flying Dutchman - YPR 765 of Serbian Gendarmerie

Finished model, with a figure added

The figure was inspired by this Gendarme

but the vest was modeled according to this other Gendarme - a bit of artistic freedom

So a close-up of very complex digital cammo, barely visible

The Flying Dutchman - YPR 765 of Serbian Gendarmerie - paint job

December update: masking and paint job

To describe this process, i would modify quote from Trainspotting:
Choose to paint black and brown areas
choose to mask them properly
choose to spray over green paint
choose to modulate the paint
choose to remove the masks achieving desired camouflage
Choose your future. Choose life . . . But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life: I chose something else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got oposite proces way harder with multiple possible errors to occur?

Choose painting green and making individual masks for each brown and black surface...

And after removal of the masks, some additional touch-ups with a fine brush and valejjo acrylics. This was a good time to learn that the whole process could have been achieved with hand brushing, as these colors are excellent for that purpose.

During this stage, additional equipment was installed, and a fine coat of gloss varnish was applied. Following steps will include dot filtes and pin-wash, with minor corrections included.