Hi all,
here are a few shots of my current project.
The kit is SP, the wheels are Miniarm, as will be the tracks. A lot of work as this was a very early kit from SP (huge holes !, hull halves totally warped ...)









Comments welcome
Olivier

Ah yes, the "Good" old days. I think this was one of Sergej's kits right after he switched to using polyeurethane. Luckily he has gotten quite a bit better.

The build look really good Olivier. I have the MTLB6MB and the MTLB with Spiral ATGM launcher to build when I get braver! The old kits are unique, but they are a challenge.

Thanks Jacques.
I already built the 9P149 and apart some vagueness in the instructions I didn't encounter major trouble. The only thing you'll probably have to do is a new Spiral missile body as the kit one is full of "holes". For this kit, I used a Friul track set.
If you intend to represent a vehicle ready to fire, you'll have to modify the main sight too (not an easy thing !)

Olivier

Here are the first painting step pictures. The basic camo is done, the tracks are 90 complete. There will be little weathering as it will be as in a Russian Arms exhibition.
The tracks are a real pain as the tiny pins tend to break when getting in place in the neighouring link
Miniarm do not issue sprockets with the tracks and this would be a plus as the Skif or SP ones diameter is a bit larger. So you have to set the links in force and secure them with glue to prevent a breaking









Comments welcome
Olivier

One help when dealing with resin tracks is to find a block to put under the hull that allows the wheels/tracks to sit on a surface, but so that they do not need to hold the weight. I have used a custom made block of wood. Then, using a hair dryer, I heated up the tracks to make them pliable and then set them right before using a pipette to put cold water on them to get them to set correctly. It worked like a charm once I got it figured out.

As for the end pins breaking off, yeah, tell me about it! Kits are better now, but I have had the same problem in the past with older SP Designs kits. Best bet is to add .030 round rod if you need to once the tracks are on.

Looks great Olivier. Good job on it.

Good to see another one of your builds Olivier. It turned out great.

Erik

HI

Great job all things considered! I gave up trying to use SP tracks and broke down and purchased some Fruils.

T

Hi all and thanks for your nice comments.
About the tracks, I must tell I'm not brave at all since I used Miniarm indy link tracks. Nonetheless, as you understood they were not an easy game.

Next time, I think I'll stick to my good old Friul metal tracks. Their only flaw is that they represent a type not often seen unlike SP and Miniarm offering.

Olivier

Olivier

Another great and very interesting build from you! The camo ooks great, I love the colors. Im looking forward to see it finished soon.

Keep them commin!

Best regards,

Andy T.

Great build, Oliver. To be honest I did not know this version before.

Thanks for sharing

Hello all Russia steel lovers
I finally decided to put an end at this build.
Here is the result after some filters and washes. I hope I didn't overdo the "weathering" as I wanted to depict it as an exhibition vehicle.



More to see in my site
Olivier

Nicely done build so far! I really like the camo and the detailling job! Will need to purchase one for myself (as artillery tractor with a D-30 canon from SKIF... watching this one quite a while already )

Marian,
thanks for the comment. Concerning your project, I don't know if SP do a plain MT-LB like Skif one. For sure, Armo from Poland do issue one as a full resin kit. It should be available at Jadar website.
I've seen one built in a French magazine and it looked pretty cool.

Olivier