I picked up a Skiff T-55AK and an ESCI T-55 along with a T-55 PE set. I plan to remove all of the AK specific parts from the Skiff kit and use them on the ESCI kit. There will be a lot of cutting and a lot of Bondo to get this right. Hopefully some of you can answer my questions:

Master Club tracks - Should I use OMSh or RMSh tracks? -or- should I stick with the ESCI tracks?

I haven't decided what what to finish the kit as (Russian, Polish, East German, etc...) If you had a choice, what would it be?

Special additions: I plan on doing the plumbing for the external fuel tanks. What other additions could you recommend?

I'm probably going to blog this once I get started. I just need to help my son with his Tamiya T-72 before I start this adventure.

Rob

Rob, I do not mean to be harsh towards you. This comment is more general but fits here, so it really is nothing personal.

Why do people always go after the sub-standard T-series tanks still? I do not see people trying to build old Monogram Shermans using a bunch of todays newest pieces, but how many people will take the SKIF or Esci kit (or LINDBERG...shudder) and fight with it? I know I sound like a jerk. I understand building the kits as is, or to practice scratchbuilding etc., but to put all kinds of good accessories and aftermarket on a cheap kit...? It really is a MUCH BETTER experience to start with the Tamiya T-55 and go from there unless you are looking to put in a lot of extra work.

That rant/vent aside, RMSh tracks would be correct for the -AK. I would also make it Russian.

The plumbing of the external fuel tanks is only the begining. the engine deck is not really correct for any T-55, so that needs work. The last road wheel station arm faces the wrong way and need to be reworked. The turret shape and contour needs to be reworked somewhat (the mainguin is not actually center mounted etc...)

Now, all my negativism aside, best of luck and I look forward to seeing what you can do with it! I have seen some great work from less than stellar kits...it is more the builder than the model when the dust settles, so don't take my initial comments too seriously.

JACQUES,JACQUES, COME BACK FROM THE DARK SIDE.didnt think id ever hear jaques complain about any one building russian (crap kit or not).
personaly i dont see what all the fuss is about ive got linberg,skif,trump,esci and tamiya T55s to build the linberg one will be a practice kit like all the kits that get superceded by better offerings .i would never get rid of a kit no matter how much of a dog it is as its always good to practice on.
whilest i wouldnt put a cmk full interior or whitemetal track on the linberg kit i might try and put the trumpeter individual track on becouse theye are also...CRAP.
whatever you decide rob just enjoy it.
Now i have to go to a certain site and order some T-80 conversions

No offense taken! The reason I did't go with the Tamiya is if I "blow it" I'll only be out the Skif and Esci kit. I'd hate to blow it and be out the Tamiya kit. I've buit 2 of the Esci kits (one Somali T-55 and finishing off a SLA Ti-67) so it's familiar turf for me.

If the project does work out I'll probably do it again except with the Tamyia T-55.
Rob

(Stephen holds me down, throws ice water in my face...)

Yeah, I just had a "Moment". No harm, No foul.

Like I said, if you are just going to build it as is, or learn from it, that is completely understandable and I think that is great.

What I was frustrated with is people putting a lot of expensive aftermarket on a not so great kit...if someone is already willing to spend a fair amount on the aftermarket, just drop the other shoe and get the Tamiya kit.

Now, I also read the other thread and know you got the kits/extra's cheap, so that explains more of it. I am not sure I would put MC tracks on this, but that is me and I know I will eat these words in the future, so I will just be REALLY quiet now...

(That all said, again, I look forward to what you end up doing with the kits...have fun.)

Jacques,

Forgive my assumption, but I've found that the engine deck, with the addition of the Eduard set, seems to be accurate except for the wrong shape of the smaller engine hatch, unless you're talking about the deck variant that has a notched cover for the fan grill and covers for the larger ones, though I thought that was only used on Polish and Czech T-55's?

I have found some bits of the Eduard interior and exterior sets to be rather inaccurate such as the hatch handles, missing gunners NV sight and wrong shape gun sight and reveresd face for the (obsolete) radio set. I have original 1/1 scale radio's plus periscopes and a load of other control boxes etc from Soviet AFV's sitting next to me, so I can guarantee the interior gear will be authentic
Conversely, out of all the T-34/85 kits and AM sets with interior, only Eduard so far has the correct radio. All the others have a radio from the late 1950's, the R-113 - http://wftw.nl/gallery2/r113.html , also the same as in the Eduard set for the T-55A. I'll probably scrap mine and scratch 2 R-123's...

Thanks
Mike

Jacques,

You are obviously very well versed on Russian armour. I'm trying to find more info on T-55AK users outside of the Warsaw Pact nations. I was windering if there's any info you could share. I'd appreciate it!

Regards,
Rov

I will try to see what i can find out. No promises...