Hello,
I start the build T-64 BM2 from Skif.
It is in box:

Hi, I'll be interested to see what you do with this Skif kit. I'm using parts of a Skif kit at the moment in my T-80 build.

Did the resin parts and Photo Etch come in the kit from Skif?

Yes, all with resin and PE parts included the box from Skif.
Regards
Jarek

Best of luck. You will need it with this kit. I think you will do well though, looking forward to your work.

Jacques, like Jarek, I recently acquired this same kit. Looks cleanly made as his with the resin goodies and all. Do you have some advice on this as there is no review for it on the site? Is ther a review on the web?
Thanks for your help on this.
Jarek- I'll be watching for you! Post often!
Cheers!
Rick

Hi,
First step:

I do not have the kit, nor have I seen it. I have all the regular T-64 kits. Sergej (SP Designs) and several other people have commented to me about the kit in e-mail and basically, it will give you a good conversion for the level of detail found in the SKIF kit, but nothing spectacular. Noone was too jazzed about the PE flaps for the ERA, but I have not heard anything other than them not being too thrilled (Yeah, I know, not too helpfull).

That said, the SKIF kit is the SKIF kit. The Skif T-64B turret is poor, resin bits or not. I know this sounds self-serving (it isn't) but if you really want a advanced T-64, I would get the SP Designs T-64U. It is essentially the T-64BM with the only difference, I believe, being the cross wind sensor and maybe some internal bits. The SP Designs kit, 224, is REALLY a nice conversion. I have built one and won Gold at AMPS with it. It also has a partial turret interior. And the SKIF kit you have would work as a base kit to convert.

Now, having said that, if you still want to just work with the SKIF kit you have, and there is nothing wrong with that (just more work for you), you ABSOLUTELY need new tracks. I recommend Master Club, but Miniarm also makes a set. The Eduard PE set for the T-64B is also a good thing to grab, though it may be a bit hard to find (eBay?). A new barrel fro RB models would also help, but is not absolutely essential.

As Proof I am not mental, here is my build. Skif T-64B, Eduard PE for the headlight guards, SP Designs kit 224, and Master Club T-64 tracks:

I know - I saw this resin conversion and metal tracks but I started with the build and I don't want delay. This kit will be simply from box. My next models series T will be have additional sets
Thank You!
Best Regards
Jarek

Just to make sure, don't think of it as criticism that you are building the kit from the box. My conversion is just to show that it CAN be made into a nice kit, in my case I used the conversion...but Sergej used the SKIF parts and added proper detail to make the resin casting, so there is nothing to stop you from being able to make a nice kit as well, it will just take more work on your part. So you could say I cheated, in a way.

I am interested to see what you can do with the tracks. They are VERY poor to deal with.

and tracks done:

The problem with the tracks is not putting them together, it is that they do not take paint well and each link should have a hole in it, not every other link.

next step:

Actually those tracks dont look so bad when they are on. I thought they would be a lot worse. However I'm concerned about Jacques point about the paint...

There are spray paints for molded patio funiture that will stay on these.On this side of the pond they are made by Ace/True Value hardware stores. Does NOT work on Italeri tracks. Their tracks must be made of Unobtanium. Replace as soon as you see them,if not sooner.
If equivalant paint in your neighborhood, it's worth the couple bucks to try it out. Use it as primer and then see what model paints stick to it.
Rick

eee... I built BMP-3 from SKIF and track painted not bad - it is problem with all soft link tracks but it depends about technology painting :background, base paint and varnish.

Next parts:

and next parts...

In case the turret I will order SP Design 183
I continue build the rest tank.

Regards
Jarek

Hi,
Next parts glued:

Any fit problems so far?

Looking great so far Gulumik.

You don't need to use paint on the tracks. I find that Mig Pigments can do a great job with no paint at all.

Heh .. good idea
But I will paint all model.

More problem will be with turret - I can't find SP Designs 183 with only resin turret this tank without hull.
And model from Skif don't have cover between barrel and turret and very very big hole in this place .
In kit is small the part as for example in BV version and don't have in instruction (put on this hole) and I see that it is impossible to glue because reactive armour is too much. I have only one solution - to do the cover correctly.

I know reason now that this barrel is strange highly on picture the box

Regards
Jarek

SP Designs Kit 183 is OOP. It was "superceded" by kit 224, with a MUCH better turret. You can order the kit parts seperately from Sergej if you want, just contact me at the SAAMMODELS webpage.

Thanks Jackques - I have sent you email.

Hull finished:

I have one question:
What version is the second tank on this photos?
Do is any resin conversion to this turret?

Very nice build so far Gulumik but you may consider fixing your left headlight guard as you glued it reversely. The extended part should protect the kind of cover jutting out of the light itself.

Concerning your question, the tank is the picture is a T-72MP, a Ukrainian upgraded version. The first one being a T-84 as you must be aware of already.

Olivier