In this "Making-of Buffalo A2 mine-protected clearance vehicle (MPCV)" we will show how you this custom scale model will be achieved.

I will share my building skills through the photos with little notes guiding us in the construction process. Gradually it shows the making of a unique model by using the 3D printed Kit from ZEUS MODEL in 1:48th scale to create this Buffalo A2 mine-protected clearance vehicle (MPCV).

Enjoy reading & watching!

Wouter

The Buffalo A2 mine-protected clearance vehicle (MPCV) is a six-wheel heavily armoured EOD vehicle manufactured by Force Protection, which was acquired by General Dynamics in 2011. The Buffalo was inspired by the four-wheel South African Casspir, a landmine-protected armoured personnel carrier (APC). It is the largest Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle (MPCV) vehicle in Force Protection's line-up, followed by the Cougar (MRAP) and the Ocelot light protected patrol vehicle (LPPV).

Buffalo’s armoured V-shaped hull directs an explosion on the ground away from the vehicle. The Buffalo provides powerful ballistic and blast protection, combined with the unique technology to detect dangerous ordinance. The Buffalo features a 30ft robotic arm and iron claw for ordinance disposal and route clearance. The claw is mounted with a camera and sensory equipment. The vehicle’s hydraulically-driven articulated claw can dig, extract, and remove items from the soil.

The Buffalo is equipped with a Caterpillar C13 ACERT 12.5l engine. It provides 440hp at 1,800rpm. The engine makes 1,483 torque at 1,400rpm. It can be driven at a maximum speed of 55mph. Buffalo’s maximum range is 300 miles with an 85gal fuel tank.

What preceded

I'm always looking for new PoweredbyCat scale models to add to my collection. The Buffalo A2 mine-protected clearance vehicle (MPCV) has also been on my wish list for a number of years because this Army vehicle is powered 1:1 by a Caterpillar diesel engine.

The Buffalo A2 mine-protected clearance vehicle (MPCV) is powered by the Caterpillar C13 ACERT 12.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine, developing 440 hp.

I recently discovered the Buffalo A2 mine-protected clearance vehicle (MPCV) in scale 1:144th; 1:87th and 1:72th on eBay. printed as 3D Kit under the name ZEUS MODEL. When I asked the seller whether this 3D kit could also be printed in scale 1:48th, the answer was positive! Interested? You can choose from different scales order them directly on eBay with (almost) free shipping from China.

So no further hesitation and ordered the 3D kit of the Buffalo A2 mine-protected clearance vehicle (MPCV) in 1:48th scale.

The Kickoff

Of course it took a few weeks before the 3D Kit was printed and arrived in the Netherlands from China. Eerything was packed very carefully and some of the very small and vulnerable parts such as the mirrors had survived the transport without damage. #superservice

As mentioned before, I am extremely impressed with the quality of the ZEUS MODEL 3D printed parts. Very sharply printed and what an amount of (super) small details!

Normally no construction drawings or instructions are included with the ZEUS MODEL Kit. But this time I recieved from the Ebay seller some original Buffalo A2 mine-protected clearance vehicle (MPCV) building drawings with some building instructions. This is off course very helpful and with the public information such as photos of the Buffalo A2 mine-protected clearance vehicle (MPCV) in 1:1 and the brochure (PDF) and the Book Buffalo A1/A2 MPCV by authors Jeffrey DeRosa & Ralph Zwilling (ISBN 978-80-87509-89-0) available through WWP Bookshop it should be possible to build this kit.

Now first carefully loosen all the individual parts one by one from the base plate and prepare them to start building.

To give you an impression of how ingenious the 3D design is, but also to show you that this means that you have a lot of work to do to get each printed (main) part ready for construction, I share a number of photos of the cutting loose of the print base and the actual part.

The well-known slogan "Good tools are half the job" is an absolute truth. I recently bought two professional cutting pliers from the brand DSPIAE via Zeonmarket.

The DSPIAE Single Blade Nipper ST-A 3.0 is already one of my favorite tools. The single cutting blade of the Nipper allows you to perfectly cut each 3D print attachment point from your building part. A real pleasure to work with. #STARTED