Building a paper Buffel

[Mac]

Last year, Neal from Laser Cut Card http://lasercutcard.co.za/ sent me his paper Buffel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffel model to build and review. Incredibly the model is mostly made from cardboard, with some MDF and a plastic tube.

Unfortunately, just before I got started I broke my hand, and everything in it, and would not be building anything for a while... Here I lie, relieved at not having to glue anything together for a while.

 Three months later, I am quite recovered; and it is time to get to work. Here are the components, at this stage looking nothing like a Buffel.

 Stage one is putting together the MDF parts, no worries here, everything fits together perfectly.

 Here are a few extra bits to make before I start on the cardboard.

I think it is time to go to bed, before I start that... to be continued

[von Lucky]

Glad all is on the mend. Will follow this review with interest.

[Elbows]

If I ever do a modern project (read: when I do a modern project) I will be seriously considering some of these.  When the guy doesn't paint them up in Ork paint schemes they're quite lovely.

[Mac]

At this stage I have moved from MDF to terra incognita -- cardboard. Its actually easier than it should be. The card bends easily along the creases and can be glued with PVA glue, for a quicker 'grip', super glue. Here is the cardboard 'growing' on top of the the MDF base

 The wheels, believe it or not, are just stacks of cardboard. I would never have thought of that. Perhaps from the same spring of South African ingenuity that conceived of the Buffel in the first place.

Now I have built the wheels, lets hope they don't fall off at the next stage.
More on my blog at: http://macslittlefriends.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Construction

[Brummie Thug]

Oo this is really cool. Glad that your well enough to build it. Ouch that must of been painful!

[peachy rex]

The wheel design is pretty brilliant.

[Mac]

As more pieces of cards get folded, the vehicle looks more lie a Buffel and less like a paper circuit diagram.

 Here it is nearly finished looking quite Buffelish

 I have left the window frames off for now as I am going to try to put 'glass' in them. I think the contrasting materials will make it look better.

Some of the folds help the model along, while others didn't quite look right. A few dabs of my 'ol friend Timber Mate fills these in.

Next the vehicle heads off to the spray booth.

[Happy Wanderer]

...very nice Mac!

Happy W 

[Stepman3]

I have one but seems like a real "cant understand normal thinking" to build...but I suppose I gotta get it started sometime...Troopies are getting tired of walking across the board...

[juergen c. olk]

Great job,it is nice to see something in 28mm that does not cost a harm and a leg

[Mac]

I have decided to paint a Rhodesian Buffel since I have Rhodesian troops. Although I must say I was tempted by the white United Nations ones from Uganda.

The paint scheme the use is more like the one used for aircraft than the usual green and yellow for vehicles.
The Rhodesians' only had two Buffels, so this is one of them. The Buffel is painted, and the windows are on... or in

Here are the results of the final dry brushing

I think I will do something with the straps that hold soldiers in the back seats, and then some size comparison shots with 28mm soldiers.

[von Lucky]

A nice conclusion. The accuracy of the tyres surprises me.

[Elbows]

Super cool!  I don't suppose any figures actually fit in the back?  While it may not fit with reality, I'd be tempted to build the rear seats with the bases folded up (as a lot of vehicles have fold-up chairs)...this might allow you to fit a few bases in the back? 

[Andym]

Cool!

[peachy rex]

Spiffy. The Buffel is a solid contender in the "Most Gloriously Ugly Vehicle" category.