Howdy all,
Long time viewer, 1st time blog builder. I just got back into Modern Soviet armor and have been inspired by the work here. I really like builds that explain what was used where and really show the warts. Also a big fan of real photos of real parts. I am trying to get my images bigger so bear with me. So, with that said, on to the build.
The kit is an Eastern Express 2C9 #35187. I tracked down a ModelPoint Barrel set (included, barrel, antenna pot, pe straps and horn, which was missing) I also got an Eduard PE set for the BTR-D as the base vehicle are very close.

the sprues:

Aftermarket:

The top hull piece, dreaded part #1a. The word piece of.... comes to mind. Warped but good!

As an Irishman, I was brewing a cup of tea and was able to steam bend it close to correct. The instructions tell you to put the upper and lower together. Looking at the Eduard set I cleaned up part#9d(rear hull) and put this one and added Part 8D. This brought about some true Irish color.
1A is warped at the rear. I shaved down part 8d(engine deck), but it would not fit. So I had to cut the top hull rear to give me that bend I needed.

I took off the molded vents on the front of the upper hull so teplace with pe.

(already shaved off before I took photo, used a BTR-D piece for photo)

Front with a lot of filling to do.

More to follow...

The next interesting and rare kit, from which I read a build-log.
I look forward to see, what you make with the kit.

greetings...
Soeren

Thanks for sharing this one. I have it in my stash. As I've alrady built the BTR-D, I think the basics are the same, I'll be really interested in the turret build.

Do you intend to replace the kit tracks by some AM ones ?
Olivier

Hi Ryan!

Good job so far. I really like these kind of builds where the modeler is challenged to make a good build. I'm really looking forward to your next updates.

Cheers and have fun!

Ok, started on the turret. The Modelpoint barrel is a must! The rifling is awesome. My only compliant is they supply a smal gauge wire to represent the straight fins(4 of em) in the lower barrel..(will fix this soon) .
As far as the turret, there are some things to fix. The sight is wrong. It needs to set back. I had a pe piece from my 2S1 so easy fix. The gun needs to have a strip all around it.

Also, the site on the roofs mount is moulded horribly, so that got replaced.

I was not going to do any interior but I saw this vid and decided to do a little.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELsa_Q-mJb4

This breach came from an old Italian sp, just close enough. I'll work on a sight and such some more.
I did a little on the lower hull. I did the running gear and the rear with pe.

Where I have marked in red, these need to be drilled out.


and the sproket needs to be drilled as well


I have to thank Dishmodels.ru images and for the great site with those awesome walkarounds. Ryan

Looks good so far!
My next "model kits" will also be a challenge for me.

greetings...
Soeren

Really nice job so far. For sure, you're saving some research time for me

Olivier

Ok,
Did some more work, mainly finishing up rear deck and turret. The muffler needed a lot of work, which our new polytacticle kitten liked and chewed up so I had to rebuild. Note, keep any animal that has a workable thumb away from your work bench, this includes small children.



Alright, on to the turret. I decided to do a bit of interior an got a little carried away, not too bad but I just seemed to keep going. As I found a Youtbue vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELsa_Q-mJb4
This gave me some images and some ideas. SO I hit the scrap box and found some odds and ends. I used a fuel tank from a Pnz 38t for the main housing of the sight and used a german scissor scope lower for the sight and an old radio face plate as knobs and such. I added some wires for comms and a seat. SO until someone can get me some interior shots, Iam sticking with this.


So on to the rear of the turret. I added some PE tie downs and added some periscopes again from a pnz38t. All the periscopes need a bit of a visor, so these were added.

On the front a bummper is need for the flip up hatch on the front deck. As well as adding a hinge for the main sight cover. The arm connecting it needs to have some length added too.

Here is some front deck action.



Until we meet again, Ryan

Looks really good Ryan. Keep up with the BLOG, as the info is VERY good for those of us who have yet to build the kit.

A little more news. Just got another 2S9 in the mail to convert into a 1V119 REOSTAT. I have SP's conversion and another BTR pe set. I combed the net for images and found only a few. There are a couple of glimpes of one on the youtube vid. If anyone needs photos do not hesitate to contact me. More to follow in a day or so. Ryan

Howdy All,
Well, I am done. I finished up the turret and front air vent. About that. I do not think that I want to try that again. I think if you add the 12 bolts to the molded on one you'll be fine. The end result wasn't worth the hassle. Another one, forget the PE and make the sledge hammer holder. It is 3 sided w/ a hole in each side, not like the pe part, easy fix. (2nd photo)





I'll start painting tomorrow. I'll end up doing a camo scheme on it. I found more images of the 1V119 reostat. I need images of the "Tall Boy " radar, mostly a view looking down on it if anyone has any that would be awesome! More to come, stay tuned. Ryan

Looks very nice Ryan! Can you post some larger photos?

Looks really good, Ryan. You are getting some very relevant and needed corrections done. The details added are really good and adds an extra dimension.

Looking forward to see more

I never really realized just how large this turret is. Some very much needed improvements! Thanks for sharing!

Still interesting to have a look at. Thanks again for sharing.

Olivier

Ok, lets see if this works for those larger image requests. Sorry if this does not work. Ryan

Looking good- - Bobby

Ohh, I love these fine details. Good work!

greetings...
Soeren

Can't see this little nona cause it has camo now!



Got the Future done and drying. Decals next, then weather it. Ryan

Well.. I did not like the camo so I repainted. I want to set this in Chechnya with my soon to build 1V118. Weathering to follow, Ryan

Great build Ryan
Look at the box art, this appears to be a very featureless model ... especially compared with WW2 models ... but looking at what you´ve done, and the additions made .. its not half bad.
I wouldn´t normally give a model like this a second glance, but now Im of a different opinion. Nice one.

Thanks. It was not to bad. There are a ton of images out there that were a must. The rifled barrel was a nice touch. now I have to finish my 1V118.

Funny, I also repainted vehicles (BMP-2 and others) with one single color.
Perhaps your next try is better for your needs.
Also a simple green can be a good start for nice effects!

greetings...
Soeren

Looks good, and I like the other kits in the background...