Hello gentlemen,

Not a very productive year for me but I managed to complete that old -but still effective- Tamiya SU85, straight from the box, except for Trumpeter tracks. Still missing towing cables, but for the most of it, complete. It is quite dusty/weathered, as I intend to display it on a ruin base.

All comment and inputs, most welcome.

Best,
Stef (#6)

Can't believe nobody has replied. Great work on an old kit! The weathering is very nicely done! My only criticism is that the tracks don't look worn enough for the amount of weathering on the rest of the build. You say this is going to be part of a vignette? I would love to see that.

Hi, I'd like to echo Matt's remarks about everything with the addition of one other thing. The 2 front track links don't look right. The ones on the left show clearly in the pictures that they don't follow the curve of the wheel. Even if the tank were standing still the 2nd link down would be angled and not be straight in line with the link above it. You don't show a real clear image of the right side, but it looks like it might have the same problem.

Hello
Thanks a Lot the kind words. Re track weathering it will ne completed when the base will be set to match whatever type of ground I'll manage to realise.

For the tracks at the front, I'm aware of the issue; trumpeter's track were real pain in the *** and very prone to break when manipulated so I had to glue some parts of it. I'll have to debond and set in correct shape.
Best. Stef (#6)

Stef, nice and interesting to see this - as I have this same kit in a very early stage of build. I also bought some aftermarket tracks, but not by Trumpeter, some Russian company, so hopefully they will be a bit easier to deal with. Only other feedback I would give is that the stowed bundle on the trackguard does sit away a bit, like it is something hard rather than being made of fabric.
I like the finish, it does have the look of some of these machines as seen in photos, and look forward to seeing it set in a scene.

Thanks a lot; you're right about the bundle, I should have sand it a bit.

Well, if you learn something new with any new build, I guess that it a good thing, eh ?

Stef (#6)

I like it - a real nice dust finish. I must also comments about the tracks though - these were on T34s early in the war and were replaced in 1942 approx with the "waffle" type, so these would never appear on a SU85.

Oh!? I wasn't aware of this type of tracks not being used on this model. I just wanted something to replace the horrible vynyl thingies of the kit.
Well, it is a bit late to change it, isn't it ? I can try to fix the front links curve to wheel, though.

Thanks for th input, anyway.

Stef (#6)

Hi there, nice one ideed, but the tracks the only thing to holding you back, overall good job and thanks for sharing

Cheers