Oldish Tamiya T-62A in 1/35
South Africa
Joined: January 20, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 50 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 - 01:12 PM UTC
The kit is certainly showing it's age but would make an ideal starter kit. For the more advanced modeller with not too much work and AM, you can get a really good result. The first thing I noticed was the very basic gun boot. If you use the kit piece it will definitely distract from any reasonable result. I have opted for the DefModel resin boot but the problem is that it is meant fro the Trumpeter kit but it is just too good for me not to use. So on comparing the kit turret with JP Model's very accurate one, you can see a big shape issue which is almost impossible to fix but I want to build the kit and I do not believe in buying a kit and throwing 90% of it away so I will do the best I can.
The problem using the DefModel boot for the Trumpy kit, on this kit, is apparent.
So using some plastic surgery, I firstly cover the gapping hole with some plasticard.
I then applied Milipit roughly in the areas that I need to shape to look more like the correct turret.
When the Milipit had properly dried, I filed the turret to shape. The kit gun also needs to now be shortened and thinned down to fit the boot. I had to remove about 3mm off the back of the gun and the base had to be thinned down almost to the same OD as the barrel. The fit was good and tight and the length is right. Roughed up the turret a bit because it is a cast item in real.
South Africa
Joined: July 22, 2015
KitMaker: 72 posts
Armorama: 67 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 - 01:27 PM UTC
Coming along nicely, Geoff.
South Africa
Joined: January 20, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 50 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 - 02:29 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Coming along nicely, Geoff.
Oh thanks Duds, so you visit here as well - nice.
United Kingdom
Joined: May 03, 2017
KitMaker: 148 posts
Armorama: 122 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 - 11:50 PM UTC
Great to see someone still having faith in the old '70's tamiya kits, however, I warn you, the tracks are very tight; use super glue to attach the sprocket wheel mount. Happy modeling!
Vermont, United States
Joined: July 21, 2002
KitMaker: 3,569 posts
Armorama: 2,070 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 12:00 AM UTC
Geoff,
Nice work on an old dog of a kit..
I FINALLY finished mine (21+yrs later..) and put it on the tables at the AMPS nationals under the title 'Death of a Shelf Queen'.
Addin g20+yrs worth of aftermarket goodies to such an old school kit certainly gives new meaning to 'silk purse from a sow's ear' as well.
It was 'only' worth a silver medal, but given where the kit started and where my skills were when I started it, I was as proud as I could be.
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs,
perhaps you've misunderstood the situation.
California, United States
Joined: June 14, 2006
KitMaker: 54 posts
Armorama: 54 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 01:26 AM UTC
Mike,
Good job on an old kit. Your T-62 looks great and while it may not be the same as a modern kit at the start, elbow grease, intelligent planning and inspiration bring it right up to snuff. Congratulations!
Laramie Wright
South Africa
Joined: January 20, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 50 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 11:48 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Great to see someone still having faith in the old '70's tamiya kits, however, I warn you, the tracks are very tight; use super glue to attach the sprocket wheel mount. Happy modeling!
Thanks for comment. I have already decided against the vinyl shoes, going for Master Model resin ones instead.
South Africa
Joined: January 20, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 50 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 11:50 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Geoff,
Nice work on an old dog of a kit..
I FINALLY finished mine (21+yrs later..) and put it on the tables at the AMPS nationals under the title 'Death of a Shelf Queen'.
Addin g20+yrs worth of aftermarket goodies to such an old school kit certainly gives new meaning to 'silk purse from a sow's ear' as well.
It was 'only' worth a silver medal, but given where the kit started and where my skills were when I started it, I was as proud as I could be.
Great result and a very nice model.
Vermont, United States
Joined: July 21, 2002
KitMaker: 3,569 posts
Armorama: 2,070 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 08:44 PM UTC
Geoff, Thanks for the kind words.
You've gone a LOT farther down the rabbit hole chasing perfection on this kit than I did. I didn't even try to fix the front turret profile or the rear hull fan bulge issues.
Along the way I moved the tail/position lights up off the fenders and added the conduits, added the adjustment ports for the idlers, the APU exhaust on the rear hull rt side, the springs and hinges to the fenders, I left off the fuel drum mounts, but built the brackets, left the log off, but scratched those mounts too, and the wiring to the lights.. probably more than that, but it's been 20 yrs in the making.
With such a start on yours, how far are you going with it?
I will be looking forward to your updates,
Mike
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs,
perhaps you've misunderstood the situation.
South Africa
Joined: January 20, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 50 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 07, 2017 - 01:42 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Geoff, Thanks for the kind words.
You've gone a LOT farther down the rabbit hole chasing perfection on this kit than I did. I didn't even try to fix the front turret profile or the rear hull fan bulge issues.
Along the way I moved the tail/position lights up off the fenders and added the conduits, added the adjustment ports for the idlers, the APU exhaust on the rear hull rt side, the springs and hinges to the fenders, I left off the fuel drum mounts, but built the brackets, left the log off, but scratched those mounts too, and the wiring to the lights.. probably more than that, but it's been 20 yrs in the making.
With such a start on yours, how far are you going with it?
I will be looking forward to your updates,
Mike
Wow you did go aways extra on yours. I am not going to fuss too much unless something really jumps out at me. One of those "jumping" issues has been the turret, and again after attaching it and doing some reading, the height of it has certainly bothered me now enough to do something.
I have had to add about 2mm to the height of the turret and it looks much better now.
Wheels have been roughed up and primered.
South Africa
Joined: January 20, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 50 posts
Posted: Monday, May 08, 2017 - 01:56 PM UTC
Vermont, United States
Joined: July 21, 2002
KitMaker: 3,569 posts
Armorama: 2,070 posts
Posted: Monday, May 08, 2017 - 04:54 PM UTC
You are in the home stretch now.. keep it up!
(says the guy who took 21 yrs to finish his...)
-grin-
Mike
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs,
perhaps you've misunderstood the situation.
Vermont, United States
Joined: July 21, 2002
KitMaker: 3,569 posts
Armorama: 2,070 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 - 07:46 AM UTC
Hey, I forgot to mention, you should bring this build over to the Unfinished Business campaign.
Mike
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs,
perhaps you've misunderstood the situation.
South Africa
Joined: January 20, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 50 posts
Posted: Friday, May 12, 2017 - 05:58 PM UTC
South Africa
Joined: January 20, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 50 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 14, 2017 - 11:35 AM UTC
Dordogne, France
Joined: March 11, 2006
KitMaker: 87 posts
Armorama: 80 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 14, 2017 - 10:01 PM UTC
Geoff
I am really enjoying your build, my Tamiya T-62 should be here this week!
Steve
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 527 posts
Armorama: 500 posts
Posted: Monday, May 15, 2017 - 02:19 AM UTC
Mate this looks amazing, i'm glad you think the same as me ive paid top dollar for a kit im dam sure i'm not going to get rid off it just for a few inaccuracies when i can attempt to fix them.
YOU CAN RUN,BUT YOU WILL ONLY DIE TIRED!
BRITISH ARMY,BE THE BEST!!!!!
South Africa
Joined: January 20, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 50 posts
Posted: Friday, May 19, 2017 - 10:42 PM UTC
South Africa
Joined: January 20, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 50 posts
Posted: Monday, May 22, 2017 - 11:54 PM UTC
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: May 09, 2009
KitMaker: 561 posts
Armorama: 553 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 - 12:51 AM UTC
Hello Geoff,
it appears that the photo of the tank you posted in your previous post is a T-55 from Kosovo in 1999 and not from Afghanistan,
see here
http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/thread/1465732179/last-1465813227/View+ThreadSean
South Africa
Joined: January 20, 2009
KitMaker: 140 posts
Armorama: 50 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 - 01:26 PM UTC
Thanks Sean, I have checked a whole bunch of publications of the picture and it appears there are a number of different captions attached to the image. I have seen it's a T-54, T-55, T-62 and even a T-72 from Kosovo, Poland, Serbia and Chechnya. I think the majority of information states it's a T-54/55 in the Balkans so I guess I should have been a bit more thorough with my referencing but be that as it may, mine is now a "possible T-62, possibly from Chechnya"
South Africa
Joined: July 22, 2015
KitMaker: 72 posts
Armorama: 67 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 - 01:38 PM UTC
Still a great build, Geoff
Washington, United States
Joined: August 09, 2002
KitMaker: 1,742 posts
Armorama: 1,658 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 25, 2017 - 05:33 AM UTC
Nice build. When I did mine I robbed many parts from Tamiya's T55.
Msgt Retired USMC
M48/ M60A1/ M1A1
Semper Fi!
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: March 28, 2007
KitMaker: 1,169 posts
Armorama: 1,067 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 25, 2017 - 03:11 PM UTC
Vermont, United States
Joined: March 16, 2015
KitMaker: 67 posts
Armorama: 67 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 25, 2017 - 05:57 PM UTC
Amazing job, Geoff! Thanks so much for sharing this build. Nice to see that old kit built up so nicely!
