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B4 - Russian Heavy Howitzer 203mm - Alan 1/35
panzerserra
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Goias, Brazil
Joined: March 29, 2002
KitMaker: 730 posts
Armorama: 688 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 12:17 AM UTC
Well, this is my first postage in the Russian Forum...

And I chose to present to you this fine piece of artillery, the B4 heavy
Howitzer 203mm.

I purchased the kit from Alan, for this assembly ... and let's see how the thing goes ...

The box shows the Big Gun in a beautiful draw:


Opening the box (fragile, thin cardboard ...), find all pieces in one plastic bag and instruction sheet. No decals.


About the instructions sheet, there is only one definition:
Spartan ...


No historical references or specifications of the model. Only schematic drawings:


In my opinion, a truly absurd ...The historical research is always important!!!

But , letīs see the model kit;
poor injection with tons of pin marks, flash and other...see the images;



The tracks (link by link) are a nightmare; Injection pins on one side and marks of plastic contraction on the other side...



and talking about contraction:


Oh, man...
I'm wondering what I have to work ahead ...


panzerserra
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Goias, Brazil
Joined: March 29, 2002
KitMaker: 730 posts
Armorama: 688 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 12:38 AM UTC
But enough of lamenting and will put their hands (and patience ...) to work ...






When we look at the pieces and noticed the quality of the injection...


really, I get dizzy ...


The good fortune is that most of these absurd marks is facing regions that will be hidden by other parts ..
But the quality is scare!!!


Using metal scratch:(the original part is awful...)


An example of the workload that the kit gives the model:
In this step, we must glue the 2 support pieces on the cart of the gun.


But the rivets prevent the perfect adaptation of the parts. Four rivets must be cut ...



But you have not seen anything!
Itīs to weep!




Tons and tons of putty!!!


Sorry for the puttyīs rusticity ... It has been almost a catharsis!
alanmac
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United Kingdom
Joined: February 25, 2007
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,953 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 12:41 AM UTC
Hi Marcos

You are what could be described in our English language as a "glutton for punishment" buying an Alan kit. I've read so much about this brand being rough and requiring major work to get a decent looking kit.

Hope you find the willpower to complete it. If you decide to ditch it because of the work involved but like the actual gun it depicts Trumpeter have just released their version. I think you'll find it a whole lot better experience.
Better kit



But if you decided to go with this I wish you good luck and lots of patience. Will follow your progress, and I'm sure like all your other models, will turn out excellent.

Alan
casualmodeler
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Hame, Finland
Joined: February 04, 2009
KitMaker: 702 posts
Armorama: 665 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 12:45 AM UTC
Oh boy! Luckily I didnīt bought that kit, when it was on sale on my LHS. That would be a true pain in the ...... !!
Jurjen
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Groningen, Netherlands
Joined: September 21, 2003
KitMaker: 3,040 posts
Armorama: 1,016 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 01:00 AM UTC
Hi Marcos!

I feel your pain. You almost want to use the kit parts as templates and scratch the parts by yourself. Nonetheless you have my attention with your build!

Good luck,
Jurjen
panzerserra
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Goias, Brazil
Joined: March 29, 2002
KitMaker: 730 posts
Armorama: 688 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 01:02 AM UTC
In summary, the build of this kit is a real masochist experience!
Bleargh !!!!


But an ugly face does not scare me ...

ehehehehehehhheh

I will try to turn this horrible thing into a hot girl !!!


Following the ordeal...


Open holes in the internal sides of the gunīs bed;


Now, a good news: the gun barrel is ok !!!


After some build stages:


As Iīm crazy, I turn the gunīs breech moves, drilling the hinge and inserting through a metal pin. I use a 0,5mm drill:





eheheheheheheheh


The gun:


and another headache:


Well...there this, for now...

Keep connected in this novel ...
Soon, new chapters (and more pain ...)

heehhehehehehehehehheehheehehh

Regards, from Brazil !!!



panzerserra
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Goias, Brazil
Joined: March 29, 2002
KitMaker: 730 posts
Armorama: 688 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 01:07 AM UTC
In summary, to build this kit is a religious experience!



dsfraser
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Alberta, Canada
Joined: October 01, 2007
KitMaker: 172 posts
Armorama: 168 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 01:26 AM UTC
Oh oh Marcos, please stop now, please!

I have a friend who would like to meet you, he is a very nice man and you will enjoy staying there. There's a beach and a golf course and lots of pretty nurses in short skirts, some of them frisky, and you can be happy there for a whle. Threre's a hobby store not too far away where they only sell GOOD models. Please call me right away, and tell me when you can come for a visit.

Your friend
Scott
Gorizont
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Sachsen, Germany
Joined: November 28, 2007
KitMaker: 1,462 posts
Armorama: 1,289 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 01:33 AM UTC
Hello, good work so far on this "not so good" kit!
I hope (and think), Trumpeterīs version has a better quality.

But as I remember, Alanīs kit is some years old and Alan itself is not comparable with Trumpeter and other big companies.

greetings...
Soeren
RSingleton
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Kentucky, United States
Joined: August 26, 2008
KitMaker: 286 posts
Armorama: 273 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 02:19 AM UTC
You have the funniest build logs I've ever read. Looks like a kit that's FUBAR, but I know you'll make it look awesome.

Rich
alanmac
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United Kingdom
Joined: February 25, 2007
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,953 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 02:39 AM UTC

Quoted Text

But as I remember, Alanīs kit is some years old and Alan itself is not comparable with Trumpeter and other big companies.

greetings...
Soeren


Hi

I thought the same, but I've since been told this is a new kit only released a few months ago
GVoakes
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Manitoba, Canada
Joined: September 04, 2007
KitMaker: 193 posts
Armorama: 132 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 03:24 AM UTC
As informative as this build is, there is NO WAY i would attempt the Alan kit. I`m waiting for the Trumpeter kit to hit my LHS

However, I will be following this as it is one of the funniest build threads I have seen in some time!

Awesome work as well!
alanmac
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United Kingdom
Joined: February 25, 2007
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,953 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 03:36 AM UTC
To keep in with the spirit of Marcos's blog, this I think for most of us, certainly me, would be the outcome of any attampt at building this kit


So credit to you for your continued perseverance Marcos

Alan
Plasticbattle
#003
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Donegal, Ireland
Joined: May 14, 2002
KitMaker: 9,763 posts
Armorama: 7,444 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 03:57 AM UTC
Hi Marcos. Love the narrative images used throughout the thread .... thought Iīd add my own.



Good luck with the rest of the build ... if anybody can .. you can!
Nito74
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Lisboa, Portugal
Joined: March 04, 2008
KitMaker: 5,386 posts
Armorama: 4,727 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 04:16 AM UTC

I agree with Frank on those Alan kits.... still have 4 or 5 in stash... I'll build them when I will be an old patient and wise man

Great build log as usual Marcos !

--- com caipirinha ---
DaveCox
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
Armorama: 2,130 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 05:30 AM UTC
Apart from the sink marks, most of that kit looks better than the last two Revell kits I've had. The 1/72 Schnellboot and 1/48 Apache have so many miss-alligned moulds and so much flash that they nearly got binned. It's only 'cos I'm a tight fisted old sod and hate to throw things away that they're actually getting finished!
CMOT
Staff MemberEditor-in-Chief
ARMORAMA
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 10,954 posts
Armorama: 8,571 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 05:45 AM UTC
If I opened the box and found that it would get a burial at sea. you are mad pushing through with this I hope the end result justifies the means.
weathering_one
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: April 04, 2009
KitMaker: 458 posts
Armorama: 456 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 09:08 AM UTC
Marcos, you must be a glutton for punishment or the most patient person on the planet/universe.

Best of luck,
AJ
firstcircle
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: November 19, 2008
KitMaker: 2,249 posts
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Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 10:13 AM UTC
But surely it will be a more fun and rewarding experience... will it?

Forgive me, but I thought Alan was just the name of some bloke you bought it from.
Spades
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California, United States
Joined: February 08, 2003
KitMaker: 776 posts
Armorama: 477 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 11:11 AM UTC
OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH that brand name !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It had brought me close to literally quitting the hobby........... but than I just started to find the other stuff again. Built ALAN for awhile just because I got tired of sticking the fork into my ear.

But...oooh..no again do I think I will build that mark again.

Wish you all the best (and sanity).
panzerserra
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Goias, Brazil
Joined: March 29, 2002
KitMaker: 730 posts
Armorama: 688 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 11:50 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Oh oh Marcos, please stop now, please!

I have a friend who would like to meet you, he is a very nice man and you will enjoy staying there. There's a beach and a golf course and lots of pretty nurses in short skirts, some of them frisky, and you can be happy there for a whle. Threre's a hobby store not too far away where they only sell GOOD models. Please call me right away, and tell me when you can come for a visit.

Your friend
Scott


Great Scott!

How do you do?

ehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe

I though I would like to know this beach and, especially, the nurses ...

Because when I finish up this thing, I REALLY need nurses!



A big hug and continue to follow the adventures of his buddy (crazy, but well-intentioned ...)

Panzerserra ( from Brazil !!!)
panzerserra
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Goias, Brazil
Joined: March 29, 2002
KitMaker: 730 posts
Armorama: 688 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 11:53 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hello, good work so far on this "not so good" kit!
I hope (and think), Trumpeterīs version has a better quality.

But as I remember, Alanīs kit is some years old and Alan itself is not comparable with Trumpeter and other big companies.

greetings...
Soeren


Indeed, Soeren...

Thanks and stay tunned !!!

all the best !!!
panzerserra
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Goias, Brazil
Joined: March 29, 2002
KitMaker: 730 posts
Armorama: 688 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 12:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text

You have the funniest build logs I've ever read. Looks like a kit that's FUBAR, but I know you'll make it look awesome.

Rich



I swear that I will try, Richard!

Wish me good luck !!!!





Thanks for your words and plastic-hug!!!
panzerserra
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Goias, Brazil
Joined: March 29, 2002
KitMaker: 730 posts
Armorama: 688 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 12:03 PM UTC

Quoted Text

As informative as this build is, there is NO WAY i would attempt the Alan kit. I`m waiting for the Trumpeter kit to hit my LHS

However, I will be following this as it is one of the funniest build threads I have seen in some time!

Awesome work as well!


Thanks, Grant !!!!
new steps, soon !!!

take care !!!
panzerserra
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Goias, Brazil
Joined: March 29, 2002
KitMaker: 730 posts
Armorama: 688 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 12:08 PM UTC

Quoted Text

To keep in with the spirit of Marcos's blog, this I think for most of us, certainly me, would be the outcome of any attampt at building this kit


So credit to you for your continued perseverance Marcos

Alan


Alan...
you got the spirit of the thing ..
heheheheheheh

But I am a stubborn mule!!



I will build something decent of this odd bunch of parts ...

Grrr....

Um grande abraįo (big hug, in portuguese...)
 _GOTOTOP