In this "Making-of Cougar 6x6 MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) Troop carrier" 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 Cougar 6x6 MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) Troop carrier.

Enjoy reading & watching!

Wouter

The Cougar is a mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) and infantry mobility vehicle structured to be resistant to landmines and improvised munitions.  

It is a family of armored vehicles produced by Force Protection Inc, which manufactures ballistic and mine-protected vehicles as the Buffalo and Cougar. A monocoque type, V-shaped hull extends to the engine bay and serves to direct the blast away from under the vehicle.  

The Cougar HEV (Hardened Engineer Vehicle) 6x6 MRAP Troop carrier has seating for two crew members and eight troops. Poweredby a Caterpillar C7 ACERT Diesel engine providing 330hp with a top speed of 55 mph and a range of 350 miles.

What preceded

I'm always looking for new PoweredbyCat scale models to add to my collection. The Cougar 6x6 MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) Troop carrier has also been on my wish list for a number of years because this Army vehicle is powered 1:1 by a Caterpillar C7 ACERT diesel engine.

So no further hesitation and ordered the 3D kit of the Cougar 6x6 MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) Troop carrier 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, the ZEUS MODEL Kit doesn't come with a building plan or instructions. However, this time I received an original ZEUS MODEL Instruction from China, which largely explains how to assemble this 3D-printed kit. Moreover, there are far fewer separate parts this time, which makes it much easier.

One major drawback is that, contrary to the instructions, the entire Cougar superstructure is printed in one piece, albeit with a perfect interior and super smooth. But how am I going to get the interior and interior in the right colors? I'll put that challenge aside for now!

Now first carefully loosen all the remaining  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

• The Lef- and  Right Rear Fenders:

Unlike, for example, the 3D kit of the Buffalo A2 6x6 MPCV, only the left and right rear fenders were printed separately for this Cougar.

Keep following us for the next Update!