Hello. I'd like to share with you my latest WIP, beautiful Smerch rocket launcher by Meng.


Also, great resin weighted wheels set.


So far, the kit is unbeliveable. Full of details, sharply moulded, not many pin or sink marks and most of them are not visible.
Since almost all the Smerch models I've seen on the web are 3 colour schemes, I decided to go with a single Dark green version.

Work started with the frame, engine, transmission etc. A lot of possibilities for superdetailing here, but I didn't have the guts to go down that route. Besides, almost everythig is going to be hidden at the end.







Care must be taken when assembling running gear or you might mix some parts and not have proper alignment (don't ask how I know that...). Meng claims that the model has workable suspension and indeed it had until I instaled shocks which fixed it in place. I couldn't figure out was it my mistake or what. Front 2 pairs of wheels are moveable.




If you opt for resin wheels, you will have to cut away locating pins on the axles because the holes in wheels are too shallow. Be careful when gluing them as they are rather heavy. For the rear 4 wheels I used 2-part epoxy glue (5 minutes drying time), but for the front 4 CA gel had to be used (I tried with epoxy first, but when trying to align everything, due to weight of wheels, some parts of axles and rods fell apart, but were easily fixed).

At this point I'm almost done with the frame and the carriage platform, still more weathering work to do.











Hope you guys like it, comments and critics are more than welcome.

Nice job on the Big dude here.

Looking like a mess of parts.

Hi;

The level of Detailed work that you are putting in your kit is Superb; It makes Me want to purchase the Smerch, The only think that I have to ask; If I May, is are you going to add the Electrical wire's on the Engine, and is the Compartment easy to Display. ?

CHEERS; MIKE.

Thanks for comments guys. Yes, kit has around gazillion of parts but I'm loving every single one of them.
I don't think that I will be adding wires and stuff to the engine compartment. Frankly, I don't think I have a "know-how" for that yet. It will be all hidden anyway. I couldn't find any reference photos of maintenance of engine so I have no idea how to access the engine. But I guess someone with skills and knowledge could give the kit a justice with superdetailing. Also, my plan is to make a simple base for it (never done the base before, so it will be interesting) so it could be displayed in transport or fireing mode.

Just forget the interior....those are interior for MAZ79111....which is 9A52 early version. Not M543M for 9A52-2. only the cabin shell has the shape of 9a52-2...the rest..totally 79111.

Work continues slower that I would like but here it is...
I decided not to worry about the accuracy of the interior and just go with what Meng provided. I did add few wires in the drivers compartment though. Now I have to clean the interior a bit and close it up.

Looks good so far
/ Robin

A bit of a progress...
Vehicle is almost done. Few small parts to add (ladders, mirrors, side lights...), some paint touch ups and then to oil fading, washes and finishing pigments.

Looking amazing. Great work.

Impressive work. It looks like a nice kit, as well.

Nice work,it looks great. I'm building this beast too. If you have not started on the launch tube assembly yet be prepared for hours of boredom putting 48 tube sections together. I spent about 13 hours total assembling and painting the whole thing. A lot of repetition, but the end result is worth it. I'll be watching your build. Good Luck

Thanks guys.
Joe, yes, the kit is absolutely brilliant.
Mark, I started glueing tubes (so far only the longest parts) and I am pretty sure that it will test my nerves
How did u manage to paint the upper parts of tubes with the rocket tips inside? This part seem to be nerve wrecking. I saw a build log from a guy that cut the tips off and installed them later wit a help of a wooden sticks but I'm not sure I would like to go that way.

I took the easy way out and decided not to put the missiles in and just glue the covers on, I figured trying to clean up the inside of the tubes was more than I wanted to handle. Also, I painted mine in overall sand scheme and red or green covers will add a bit of color.

Looking good, going to be a big mother.
But looks to be a nice kit.

Cheers

Sasa, I’ve got the same kit and will start it this summer! I like your idea about an overall dark green scheme. Is there a good reference work on the SMERCH to look at camouflage scheme possibilities? Thanks, Bill

Bill, unfortunately I don't have any reference material about the Smerch (frankly, I wasn't really looking for it too hard), apart from what Google images showed me.

Wow Bro,

amazing work on this million parts kit. haha
i have it somewhere in the stash... dont know when to start...
i plan to do the 3 tone exhibition scheme. But the scheme is rather complicated to do especially all the missile tubes. Dont know how to begin

may i know is there big advantages to use the resin wheels as with the kit wheel (beside being sagged)... i plan to get the resin wheels but budget is tight...

keep it up and do keep us posted

cheers

Zaidi

Hi Zaidi. The kit rubber tires are not bad at all. Although the resin wheels are really beautifull, frankly, I expected a little bit more of a sag and more "user friendly" instalation. So, if a budget is tight, don't feel too bad for not going for a resin set.

I remember reading an article covering the Meng Smerch build and the builder experimented with driving a screw thru the tire and into the wheel to make a flat contact patch and give a weighted look to the tire. He said the aftermarket wheels were better but I think he was onto something. I want to try it myself but I don't have any wheeled vehicles at the moment.

Great build btw.

Here's an interesting approach:
http://www.scalemodeladdict.com/SMF/index.php?topic=10348.0

Bill, In answer to your question about references, I found some great photos doing a google search. There is a whole series of good high quality photos by Yuri Pasholok (don't know if I spelled the last name correctly). You can find them through Pinterest. They are of Scheme B on the instructions. I suspect Meng may have used these as reference for the kit. The vehicle is freshly painted, even the tires have a nice coat of Armor-All. Also, some photos can be found on ScaleModels.ru

thanks saza... i think i will try to do modify the rubber tyres as shown in the link.... very creative...

That thing is a monster, you are doing a great job!

Great to see one of these being built. Mine is on the shelf of doom.. I also have the resin wheels, but I believe they are too small?

I notice there has been some mention of errors.. well, take a look at the trumpy offering.. the whole tube mech is too big, half the steering is missing and its just not as "refined" as the Meng kit.

If you want to add one little simple mod to make your model stand out from the crowd, you could add the missing armour plating from the interior door panels. You'll see pics of this on google and they would be really easy to make.