I decided a little while ago to do a diorama of some Russian vehicles in the 2008 Georgian conflict. Haven't started on the dio itself, but I thought I'd keep a log here as I do things. So far, I just completed a Zvezda T-90A. This was my first attempt at using masking to do a camo paintjob. I think it turned out alright, or at least I'm happy with it. I probably didn't use enough tan/didn't pattern it correctly, but I'm happy with the look. My main comment on the kit is holy crap it was complicated!! Especially all the tiny parts on the turret. But all in all, it went together very well and it was fun to build. I plan on adding a couple of figures in the hatches on the turret later, but I need to find out where to buy them first! Anyways, so here is the first of 2-3 vehicles for the diorama that I will be building. Next will be either a GAZ-2330 Tiger or a BTR-80A. Gotta love a girlfriend that buys you model kits







I'll probably take some better pictures tomorrow.

Congratulations! Your T-90 is well done but I think that T-90 wasn't used in Georgia-Russia 2008 conflict.

Cheers
André

Nice effort on your T-90. I too like the Kit from Zvezda. T-90 may wasn't used in the first place but there are plenty now stationed there in the breakaway republics South-Ossetia and Abkhazia.

All the best,
Andreas

Hmm rats. I had heard mixed things on the use of the T90. Have there been any conflicts where the T90 has been used? And what WAS used in Georgia? Updated T72s/T80s?

EDIT: May just end up using the BTR and GAZ in the dio.

Russia used T-62, T-55M and, possible, T-72.

T-72B's with ERA too, unless I've mislabeled ones that are actually Georgian.

Has the T90 been used in any conflicts by Russia?

According to this document,Moscow Defence Brief it was in War of Dagestan (more info here )

So they were used in the conflict that led up to the second Chechen war but NOT in Chechnya, a few miles to the west? That doesn't make sense.

Well they didn't technically need the T-90 in Chechnya- they weren't facing anything as advanced as that- same in Georgia- they were better off to deploy only what they actually needed. The Russians were stung once by the failure of the T-80 in Chechnya- basically they handed them out to crews who were not properly trained how to use them and they were not combat effective- they also lost a few to the Chechens who seemed to know where the weak-spots of the tank was. Steve Zaloga's Osprey book on the T-80 has info about what happend.


As for Dagestan I have read reports that don't mention any use of the T-90 there- in a similar vein to Chechnya they wouldn't really have needed them. I've also read the claims in the article posted by John elsewhere- the T-90 hit by seven RPGs, thats been written in a few places before about Dagestan- its an interesting source but it doesn't confirm beyond doubt they were used- it could have been a T-72 variant- the more advanced ones have a similar upgraded armor package to the T-90. T-90s may have been deployed nearby though, as they were/are near the border with Georgia. Now just talking about picture evidence- there are plenty of photos taken of all the conflicts mentioned and plenty of them are of various tanks- none of them are T-90s. If they were, in fact, deployed in those places, it stands to reason there would be a picture or two as there are of other tanks and vehicles deployed, yet I've never seen any. There could be pictures out there to prove me and others wrong but I haven't seen them- and thats why I and others tend to err on the side of caution- and say that T-90s were more than likely not present in combat during these conflicts.

Having said all this I also don't want to rain on your parade, so to speak. If you want to do a Georgia dio with a T-90 then go for it- it might not be 100% accurate but I'm sure it will look good and be an enjoyable project.

Thanks a ton for the info, guys. Looks like I won't be using the T90 for a Georgia dio. Does anyone have any info on whether the BTR-80A (as in the one that Zvezda put out with the 30mm gun) was used in Georgia or not? Or possibly the Second Chechen War?

I believe they were used during the second Chechen war. I'm not sure about Georgia though, its possible it was but right now I don't recall seeing any pictures of any there. I'll take a look at the refs I have and see if I can spot any.

I know I've seen pictures of Georgian BTR-80A's with the 30mm but I haven't been able to find any Russian ones in Georgia.

Seam work Jeff. You have to get that down. There are a lot of seams showing that shouldn't. Fuel drums, the doo-dad on the back of the turret, smoke dischargers, and the like. Little things that stick out.

Not a wise one to Russian, but looks nice (just fix the small errors...)

Mike

What's a good way to fix that? Putty and sanding?

Careful construction(dry fitting, taking your time, checking references etc) dramatically reduces the need to sand seams later on. I'm always sure to have a variety of sanding products on hand to tackle any seams that do rear their ugly head during a build or after painting. One thing I love for sanding rounded objects is the flex-i-file #700 http://www.flex-i-file.com/flex-i-file.php. It makes sanding gun barrels and fuel drums very easy.



Erik

Hi Jeff;

Mike & Erik are putting you on the Correct Path, always Test or Dry fit your parts. Mold lines and Seams can and are always a Sign of Construction Issues that have a Bad way of showing up during the building process. Osprey Publications have a outstanding Book series on Modeling that are A great source of How Too from Basic too Advanced.
You already have A Great start on your Building Skills with your Pictures of the T-90, and Don't ever let Critics upset your MOJO or your own Mistakes. And Always give your Subject a Undercoat even before you commit too any Pre-Shade. Then you can make any corrections that you see.

GOOD LUCK; MIKE.