The Solihull Warrior: Land Rover Defender 110, The Balkans

This is, like the RAF Wolf, a Hobby Boss kit, but I decided to backdate it to a Defender as used in the conflict in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia... more specifically Bosnia.

I started by gathering reference photos and realised that there were quite a few changes to make, starting with cutting the roof down and adding the seam running around the upper section, reworking the rear door frame on the roof and removing some depth from the sides of the roof... You can also see the Firing Line etched racking behind the bulkhead.

I also had to fill the holes in the bonnet and on the wings for the larger Wolf vent things...

Less lights on the rear of the Defender, and the FFR version I was using as a reference had tool holders on the rear door.

I used a Firing Line NATO tow hook and an Italeri number plate.

I also added much flatter jerry can locker doors, which I later dressed with spare etched parts...

I used Italeri wing mirrors and scratchbuilt antenna mounts... which I later discarded for Accurate Armour resin ones.

Italeri rear bumperettes were used as they are much finer than the Hobby Boss ones, but I had to trim them down a bit.
You can also see some the detail added to the roof above the rear door.

Accurate Armour TUAM box, mount and antenna mounts at the side.

First coat of paint...

After some discussions I learned that the Defenders had older style wheels and tyres, so used a set of Accurate Armour Land Rover wheels intended for Series 2 and 3 models, but are perfectly correct for Defenders of this era.

Some light weathering, decals and a near disaster with Humbrol acrylic Matt Varnish... it turned the model white. I was able to save it with a couple of coats of Tamiya Clear, then some Tamiya Flat Clear to dull it all down... phew! A relief...