Mauler Build Guide
There are several options for this model so i'll break this guide up into sections, the Closed Cab and the Weapon Platform can be built with no modifications, but with some simple conversion you can also build a Pickup or a Three Way Swappable option
Common Chassis
first build the wheels (part 22 & 23), make sure to line up the tread blocks as shown below for the best appearance. (if they don't look right just rotate one of the wheel halves by 120 degrees and check again)
next build the main hull (1, 2, 3 & 4), make sure you trim or file down all the sprue gates otherwise the model won't fit together correctly. Next add the exhausts (29 & 30) on the side of the cab.
If you plan to build the Closed Cab, Pickup or Three Way Swappable add the rear floor (7), there's a peg and slot to show which way round this goes in
Note if you're building the Weapon Platform don't fit the rear floor (7)
Now add the drivers (8) and gunners (27) vision sections onto the front of the cab. Fit the bumper bars over the drivers section, the upper bar (34) fits into the holes in the cab, the two short rods (33) fit into the sockets on the underside the upper bar, then the lower bar (35) is added to the rods, then glued to the hull below the two pegs on the cab
Optional seats (20 & 21) for the Closed Cab and Pickup can be fitted, make sure the seat leg flush with the edge of the seat is at the cab end as shown below on the upsidedown seat (or the closed cab section won't fit). Do not fit these if you want to build the Three Way Swapable Mauler
Closed Cab Mauler
Assemble the closed rear section. I found it easiest to glue the sides (5 & 6) onto the rear plate (9) placing them on the chassis to make sure they are alligned correctly, then glue on the roof section (10). If you plan to make the Three Way Swappable version make sure you don't glue the rear section onto the chassis.
Next add the two roof hatches (31 & 32), and the ramp (11) onto the rear section. (if you want to get fancy you could make the ramp workable by drilling through the hinges with a pin vise and adding a wire pin
Weapon Platform Mauler
Fit the railings (15, 16, 17 & 18) to the weapon platform floor (14), next fit the ladder (19) to the ladder carrier (13) The two lower sets of pegs on the ladder fit into the sockets on the holder. Finally glue the ladder carrier and ladder to the underside of the weapon platform floor, the upper pegs on the ladder fit into the half sockets on the weapon platform edge so everything lines up correctly
Pickup Mauler
To build the pickup you'll need to create a tail gate. The simplest option is to cut a rectangle of plasticard approx 46.5mm x 10 mm and fit it to close the rear of the bed (i've used 1mm thick plasticard as it's what i have available)
If you want to get fancy then cut a second piece of plasticard as shown below and glue it onto the first rectangle, and glue two 4mm sections of plastic rod (the side of the sprue where the wheels were attached will give you this) to represent the the hinge
you can also add a latch/lock, I drilled a small hole part way through the tailgate indicated by the dot above, but you could equally well glue something on instead
Three Way Swappable Mauler
To build this version you need to trim the ladder carrier (13) as shown, cut along the blue line. Make multiple shallow cuts with a craft knife, and I recommend using a straight edge like a metal ruler too (the plastic is too thick to cut in one), or use a fine modelling saw. (Trimming off this plastic means you can put the weapons platform on the chassis with the rear floor installed, allowing you to swap between closed cab, pickup and weapon platform)
You can then lift the closed rear cab, weapon platform or pickup tailgate on or off the chassis so you can run any of them in your army list without having to buy multiple kits
Finishing touches coming soon
