Some great progress on here guys!

Have made a little myself too:





My Blog has a lot more detail about the progress HERE!

Appreciate you feedback on what you think so far!

Cheers,

James

need I say more?



Paul

Paul & James, nice work.

I started back work on mine a couple of nights ago. I'm hoping to wrap up assembly tonight and then I can wait for the weekend to try to put some paint on her. I like the way the BDD is looking. I wish there were some Middle Eastern operators...like Jordan.

Hi Everyone,

Now there's some lovely looking builds appearing and I'm almost ashamed to post any of my pictures but here goes...

Here's the hull before primer...



and after...




Rather worryingly the primer has shown up numerous flaws... The ones that I can fix will get sorted and the difficult ones will have to be hidden under a layer of dust, grime or the debris of battle, whichever is most appropriate.

I was planning to use a set of Fruilmodel tracks for it but since the top runs are hidden by the side-skirts I don't really have to worry about getting a convincing sag on them. So I've decided to use a set of Tamiya rubber-bands instead. The detail's pretty good and I can save the Fruils for another day. (Maybe even a late version T44!)

James, your rebel's T55 is looking superb, I really like the wear 'n' tear that you have imparted on it and Matthew, I hope that your T62 doesn't permanently woo you away from your more favoured braille scale stuff. I can't wait to get started on my Trumpeter T62 but I've got too many half-finished projects for it to be anytime soon (sigh).

Right better get back to those tracks...

Happy tanking everyone.

Matthew - that T-62M1 just looks like serious business and I really like the T-72 tracks- looking forward to see with some paint.

James - Love it!!! Especially the two road wheels without rubber. The gun barrel seems different than normal T-55, or is my poor eyesight...??

Jon - very nice details you have added to the T-55. Which version are you going to make, since you will be using side skirts?

Ole

Hi Ole,

it's meant to end up as this:-



a Chinese type 69-II in Iraqi service. A bit of a way to go yet though.

Cool!

Which aftermarket upgrades will you use for the type 69??

Ole

Hey guys thanks for the positive comments!

Jon, nice work on the old Trumpeter kit, will come out pretty good I think. Don't forget to add some pastic card to fill the empty periscopes.

Ole, Thanks mate! As for the barrel, yes and no. It's a standard T-55 barrel but it's missing the fume extractor which leaves an indent instead of the usual wider diameter end to the barrel. Part of MIG's burn-out T-55 update.

Later gents,

James

Update.

Slapped the fenders on.


Time to get cracking on the turret. Hatch rings on and some of the subassemblies.


Hatch bases on. Added armor mounts.


PE and more details to the front...


and rear of the turret.


Tow cables and smoke launchers that I pre-painted.


Barrel and range finder. Armor mounted to turret.


And she's ready for paint.

Hi Ole/James,

Re my Type 69, it's quite a bitza, base kit is an old Trumpy T54A, tracks are from big T's T55, most of the photo-etch is Eduard but the main bit is Verlinden's Type 69 conversion kit (designed for the Tamiya T55 but seems to work okay with my Trumpeter).

I've already completed the bar-armour for the turret but have yet to start adding any other detail to it.

James, regarding the periscopes, I am presuming you meant clear plasticard to represent the prisms. Generally I use clear epoxy adhesive to simulate any lamp lenses that may be required, I was going to use the same method for the periscopes, what do you think?

Finally I've now got one of these:

and I want to re-create this effect:


any ideas folks?

Jon,
When I came back to the hobby a few years ago one of the first kits I bought was the Hobby Craft re-boxing of the Iraqi T59. I'll be interested to see your work as I am really thinking about re-doing or replacing mine.

Hi Jon,

Do you mean you fill the space with the adhesive to kind of form a solid transparent 'mass' in the hole?

If so thats an interesting technique, would you prepare the inside of the empty periscope housings with a reflective paint colour first to simulate the glass colour?

I've found using clear plasticard to emulate the lenses most manufacturers seem to forget to add (I think it stems from them using museum vehicles as a main source of reference that have long lost these fittings) is troublesome as gluing in place without discolouring the plastic is extremely difficult (kind of like those 1/72 aircraft canopies I used to make a mess of as a boy!). Therefore I've taken to just using standard white plastic sheet and then just painting with a reflective silver paint then using the Tamiya 'clear' range of colours to add some colour depending on the nation/era of the build. Not perfect but looks fairly good usually.

As I said however, keen to see how you go with the clear adhesive.

Alex, I built the same kit a while back (Think I picked it up for 9 pounds or something and couldn't resist) and it's identical to the Trumpeter version. Not great OOTB but if you can lavish some love and attention on it like Jon is you can 'scrub it up' but it's a bit of a silk purse - sows ear scenario unless you can replace some key parts. However someone made a nice job of Tamiya ancient Panther with a decent pit of painting in a recent MMI so its impressive what you can still do with these old dogs. If you want the easy way to build a good looking T-55 variant though you can't go past Tamiya.

James

Great progess folks! I thought I was building fast until I saw how far along some of these other builds are...

Here's my progress so far.







I haven't touched the turret yet, and clearly not added any ERA blocks but I have already drilled the necessary holes.

Tracks...Still trying to decide, I am considering using the kit's tracks as most won't be seen so it could be a waste using the Friuls on this build...Any opinions?

A few other bits have been done but not attached yet.
I am enjoying the sub-assembly portion of this kit, so far it's going fine but I am sure to produce some colourful language when trying to put it all together in the end!


Looking forward to see some BDDs finished soon.

Enjoy the weekend all!


PS - Are we meant to upload these to the campaign gallery ourselves or?..
If yes, how does one do so?...

Alex B, thanks my friend, but if you ask me it looks a bloody mess at the moment . You yourself are also doing a fine speedy job there

Jon,you have absolutely no need for shame mate, she looks great .
I specially like the pics of the un-primed build, that is very intuitive for our inexperienced builders . As to your quest with the mantlet, I would use tissue with PVA (white) glue, the type you blow your nose on, to create the torn canvas. You'll 2 or 3 layers of it though.

James , I have noticed one thing with your gun barrel.
You should add the exhaust holes that are under the missing fume extractor. If I remember rightly there was five 15mm holes on the 120mm Chieftain barrel, which where diagonal to the muzzle. I have searched the net but cannot find any pics of any barrel without the fume extractor, so you'll have to go with my info or leave it .

Alex K, hi there you're doing fine dude, there is no need to rush, yet.
You say you will not see the top run of track? In that case save the Friuls and use the kit tracks. They are not that bad anyway.
As to the pictures you only need to load the finished product into the gallery. When you're ready I'll talk you through the procedure

Well I’ve decided to make a change to my project. After looking at how many t-62’s I have in my stash and not seeing any t-54/55. So I’m going to build a T-54-3, as I like how it has some features from the T-54-2 and the newer T-54A. Here are some of the goodies I will be using, not all will be used. The turret for the model 49 will be used for a later project. I’ve also started some of the build last night and will post photos later today when I get back from classes.

Here's my progress so far,



I'll start painting the lower hull before adding the wheels.

Christopher, nice to see you joining us mate
Your choice is a great one , and I sure am looking forward
to seeing her done.

Jon , I did this last night and I hope it helps you:
Tissue cut and torn:



Soaked in white glue and water :



torn a little more:



laid out to dry on a former, only use something plastic. You can't get it off of a glass former:



This is from Friday and painted 5 mins ago, it is still pliable and therefor you can fit it to the mantlet cover:



here's my update, I'm going to the paint shop tomorrow:




Happy weekend all




Paul

John , you squeezed that update in as I was writing mine . Looking good there, and a wise idea to get paint before the running gear is added



Paul

Thanks Paul, but I've already started a build earlier in this campaign and changing it. Still debating and early or later style fuel tanks for the fenders.

Nice idea for the torn mantle cover, never thought of that one before

those are some Great looking builds I have yet to start my T-62A from Tamiya I have a few questions about that kit.
Is this kit actually a T-62A or some other variant of T-62 and finally the log that's affixed to the bottom rear of said tank was that common? looking at doing East German or USSR scheme was there Base colors the same?.

Sascha(Ironowl)

Catching up with this great Group Build:

Cam, Ryan – Very nice progress, love the detailing.
Mecanix – Very interesting, great technique
James – Love the T-55, hey if you want more Trumpeter T55 variants, Im getting rid of the rest of my lot! Really like the turret texture, will check out your blog for details
Paul, Matthew – those are great WIPs, love the pics
Jon H – Don’t worry mate, I will certainly win the “worst build” entry in here, since Ive been out of the hobby for years and have an old Trumpy as an enty…
John P – I am officially jealous of your tyres…. I have spent all my ‘hobby” time last 3 weeks (attempting) fixing of the “spiderweb” wheels of the trump kit

I may take a pic of the sanded/fixed tires and the fixed hull bottom (covered the motorization holes) of my build but will spare you the vision

Sascha to answer your question about the T-62A, none of the kits on the market as of yet are of the T-62A. The t-62A was a prototype version armed with a 100mm instead of the normal 115mm NATO and other countries at the time miss identified the newer T-62’s that came online armed with the DSKH AAMG on the loaders hatch.

Second the ditch log was very come for all soviet tanks even to this day. You’ll see them missing from time to time, epically in Middle Eastern settings.

Well here is a quick update. I’ve mated the Tankwork shop engine deck to the hull and modified the radiator inlet to match the earlier style. I’ve used some of the photo etching parts from the legend kit. I’m still looking at the idea of which style fuel tanks to go with on the finders.

Thanks Paul !

So far this T-62 is looking pretty good.
I started painting the lower hull before the wheels & tracks a few Campaigns ago (since the Panther Campaign I think) and it makes my job easier.
I paint & weather the lower hull and then take my time with the wheels & tracks.

Your Tiran's looking great, I was 2 clicks away of getting that Legend conversion but it wasn't available at my usual shops.

@christopher

I will follow that build carefully, I have that T-54 upgrades in my wishlist !

It would be nice to have Trumpeter or Tamyia doing several plastic versions of T-54's..
Don't forget the 100mm gun for an early version.

@James

Those old Trumpeter kits... but if you really want a plastic nightmare I strongly advice you to pick a Neubaufahrzeug Trumpeter's.
Trust me you'll do a whole T-54 brigade just for fun !

Thanks John, the legend kit comes with the early d-10 gun even though it's wrapped.....nothing a little hot water can't fix

Christopher: how right you are (BTU 62), I think I'm losing it a little .
I found the fuel line attachment points to small on the Legend
fuel tanks, and had to replace them. The Tamiya tanks have no attachment points at all, which means you have to replace / add them anyway. I like the look of the Tamiya ones so that's the way I'd go, but hey it's your build. Whatever it'll look good when you have it done

Sascha: Christopher has already answered your question so all I have to say is welcome in here and a nice choice you bring with you.

James: welcome back to the hobby and welcome to the campaign.
The worst build is a build that doesn't get started , and as you are on the way you sure can't get that prize




Paul