ROBCO is a Sydney based company that manufactures camouflage covers for Australian Army vehicles. In mid 2007, ROBCO asked DMG to produce several models of vehicles they make covers for. This included the Land Rover 4×4 and 6×6 Perentie vehicles currently used by the Australian Army and an ASLAV-25. All the models were built to 1:35 scale and are based on kits available. The ASLAV is based on the REVELL LAV-25 kit and the two Land Rovers are based on the TAMIYA Land Rover 7 Ambulance.
The Land Rover kits were extensively modified including new wheels, headlights, radiator grill and bonnet which were all moulded in polyurethane resin. On the 6×6, a new windscreen and cab roof was made and the entire rear of the vehicle was scratch built. The new Bull-bars were scratch built from styrene and Plastruct plastic covered wire. The 4×4 front end used the same parts as those in the 6×6, but used the windscreen and side window frames. A new roof and rear were scratch built in styrene sheet. Once we were happy with the look of the models they were painted in overall dark tan and then the front ends camouflaged using photos of the vehicles.
The covers that ROBCO manufacture use a hexagonal geometric pattern. Using photos of vehicles with the covers in place, we used Adobe Illustrator to produce a pattern sheet made up of hexagons which where subsequently coloured in tan, olive green and black.
This was copied and joined together and reduced to the correct scale then printed onto a decal sheet. This sheet was then trimmed to size and applied over the rear of the vehicles. A spare wheel was also produced in resin and covered with the same decal sheet. One more vehicle is going to be produced. This will be the SAS Long Range Patrol Vehicle complete with full roof cover. These vehicles are being phased out in 2008 in favour of the new NARY Patrol Vehicle.
Each model was fitted into a display case with a polished timber base with the centre section of the base painted in spray on sandstone finish. A great looking set of models which ROBCO are very happy with.