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What do you think??

Nige

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It looks good, but IMO I think the work done is a bit overkill. I still think that the thickness issue (pending my measurements) can be fixed by trimming the side skirts and adjusting the suspension units.

I took a look at the measurements the other day and I don't think that trimming the lower hull is necessary since the 2-3mm extra on it extends into the upper hull and visually (see my photo compared with the Tamiya T-72) its just about identical to the Tamiya T-72.

I'd like to see your end results though...

Along with the `Tortoise`, Meng have announced that they are to do a T90 family of vehicles.
I saw this on PMMS.


Malcolm

I was doing some more test fitting last night, comparing the Tamiya T-72 and Zvezda T-90 kits and I'm slowing coming to the conclusion that the big issue is with the Zvezda upper hull.

I'm primary interested in making it "look" right vs making it fit drawings, since the Zvezda kit and even the Tamiya kit don't match up to the drawings I have and I'm not interested in chopping up the lower hull to fix it.

The biggest issue I've seen so far is the Zvezda kit needs help with the ZIP boxes on the hull side...they are on the tall side vs whats on the Tamiya. Going by the visual look of the kit, the Zip boxes stick up over a 1mm over the slip ring of the turret, where as the Tamiya are nearly identical to the slip ring.

I have a feeling cutting the lower hull on the Zvezda kit is going to cause more problems then not doing it, so I'm interested as to see how Nige's build comes out.

As for the aftermarket Miniarm stuff, the "corrected" hull they are offering doesn't correct the height issue from what I can tell....for around $30 bucks it looks like they just give you a updated/corrected Contact-5 array on the hull front and maybe new fuel/zip boxes for the sides from what I've seen on Hobbyeasy.com.

I really need to devote all my building time into the kit to see if I can make it look better without resulting to aftermarket or serious chopping up of the kit.

I still maintain that the cheapest way to may a decent T-90, is to combine the Zvezda and Tamiya kits. Zvezda kit is about £20 while the Tamiya T72 can be had on ebay for similar amounts. Incorporate the add-on armour on the Tamiya glacis with putty to create the beefed up front armour then just add the T-90 specific parts. Tamiya's kit still have some issues with the engine deck intake alignment, but I can live with that more than I can the poorly detailed and inaccurate Zvezda engine deck area.

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I still maintain that the cheapest way to may a decent T-90, is to combine the Zvezda and Tamiya kits. Zvezda kit is about £20 while the Tamiya T72 can be had on ebay for similar amounts. Incorporate the add-on armour on the Tamiya glacis with putty to create the beefed up front armour then just add the T-90 specific parts. Tamiya's kit still have some issues with the engine deck intake alignment, but I can live with that more than I can the poorly detailed and inaccurate Zvezda engine deck area.

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Rob,

The problem is that the Tamiya and Zvezda hulls aren't compatible...the hull on the tamiya kit is hair shorter then the Zvezda upper hull and the widths are slightly different...

Scott-I mean just ditch the Zvezda hull altogether, and stick just the Zvezda turret on the Tamiya hull. Then add all the T-90 specific parts to Tamiya's hull (the K-5 ERA, radiation cladding etc). I know Tamiyas front glacis has the 16mm armour moulded on it, but if one adds a ton of putty around it, the armour can be incorporated into a more beefed up front glacis as seen on the T-90.

Nige- I definetly think you are heading in the right direction with this- it all looks ship shape right now and the build pictures will certainly help others wanting to attempt a similar modification.

One warning though (to everyone): the running gear is really fragile on this tank- you'll see how I found this out if you go and check out my latest post in the T-90 Review thread. Just be careful with it as it is easily the most fragile running gear I've come across in quite a while.

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly are ZIP boxes?


Nige

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Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly are ZIP boxes?


Nige

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They are the storage containers mounted on the fender on the right side (looking front on). I believe ZIP is a Russian abbreviation for the contents of the containers (maintenance equipment etc)

I was doing some more test fitting last night, comparing the Tamiya T-72 and Zvezda T-90 kits and I'm slowing coming to the conclusion that the big issue is with the Zvezda upper hull.

I'm primary interested in making it "look" right vs making it fit drawings, since the Zvezda kit and even the Tamiya kit don't match up to the drawings I have and I'm not interested in chopping up the lower hull to fix it.

The biggest issue I've seen so far is the Zvezda kit needs help with the ZIP boxes on the hull side...they are on the tall side vs whats on the Tamiya. Going by the visual look of the kit, the Zip boxes stick up over a 1mm over the slip ring of the turret, where as the Tamiya are nearly identical to the slip ring.

I have a feeling cutting the lower hull on the Zvezda kit is going to cause more problems then not doing it, so I'm interested as to see how Nige's build comes out.

As for the aftermarket Miniarm stuff, the "corrected" hull they are offering doesn't correct the height issue from what I can tell....for around $30 bucks it looks like they just give you a updated/corrected Contact-5 array on the hull front and maybe new fuel/zip boxes for the sides from what I've seen on Hobbyeasy.com.

I really need to devote all my building time into the kit to see if I can make it look better without resulting to aftermarket or serious chopping up of the kit.

Hi all,

There's no denying, these mods have vastly improved the look of the kit...well worth the effort in my opinion...



Here's the mods I've done to the front bulkhead. The point where it meets the flat floor has been moved forward, as it's too far back on the kit. Note the additional work around the front idler support.



Finally, the rear. I've made the bulges for the drives more pronounced, lowered the floor under the gearbox and filled the gaps caused by shortening the sides.



I realise many think all this work is unneccesary, but I enjoy nothing more than carving up a kit!! I think if you tried to gain the same effect by just lowering the suspension, the belly will be very close to the ground.

thanks for looking in

Nige