Hi guys,

So it's been a little while since I actually started a build blog here and thought it was about time I did so. Up for the challenge, I've taken on Xact Scale Models Gaz Tiger Russian Jeep. I've already done a quick in-box review of the kit here on Armorama.



There are plenty of parts in the box...



The build starts with the construction of the frame and all the various little details that go with it.







I wish I had more progress to share with you but just this took me 5 hours over the course of two nights. Now, it could just be because I am a slow builder or, and I think more likely, it was because there's around 30 parts in this section alone. There are a lot of very small parts that go into this which leaves a lot of room for error. What I found worked very well for me, I tacked the parts in with CA glue and once the fit was right I used extra thin to secure in place. There were more than a few times were I had to remove the pieces and then preposition and re-glue. My goal for the next update is to have this in a rolling chassis and a dry fit of the body etc.

Thanks for checking out my build.

Good start.

I didn't know the model was already available.

I got this very nice kit a few weeks ago, so I'll be watching with interest to see if there's anything in the build I need to watch out for

Hisham

This is the first build log of the Xact kit I've seen and so far it looks incredibly well detailed- seemingly more than the Meng kit. I'll be watching this closely. Best of luck Adam and thanks for sharing with us!

Hi guys,

Thanks following the build and commenting. From what I can tell from this portion of the build, Xact went to great lengths to give is modelers a very detailed kit. That being said, lots of parts does leave more room for error. I'm a pretty slow and cautious builder so I have no problem test fitting 10 times. But, someone who may be a little more inexperienced or impatient may not want to jump into this. In terms of how it stacks up to the Meng, I believe the details on this are better but that is at the cost of a longer build process. It really is the case of the same subject provided in 2 very different style kits.

On another note, I picked up a few Black Dog Crimea figures last weekend and built them up the other day. You guys don't mind if I share pictures of them here right? I should have those up soon as well.

Thanks again for following along.

Yes, plz share the figures pictures.

I already have the figures built and under some primer, I just need to get some good photos of them. I should have those up tomorrow!

Yeah definetly share the figures. When I did my Meng Tiger I got three Blackdog figures including the Gunner figure for the hatch. They are really nice casts and fantastic to paint.

Man, I have to agree with you, on the cast part at least, as I haven't painted yet. Strait out of the box I was blown away.

Pictures inbound for this evening.

Hey guys,

Sorry for the delay in getting this next update done. After getting this back on the bench I was able to get this into a rolling chassis. A bit more photo etch:



Then the wheels...



After that I couldn't help but mocking up a dry fit of everything.



I had to be very careful during the dry fit as the body itself really isn't too sturdy. Over all, no major issues to speak of.

Thanks for following along.

Hey everybody, I'm sorry to say, I still haven't gotten around to taking photos of the Black Dog figures but I did manage to get some more done on the Tiger.


I was able to get the rest of the suspension sorted out, the fuel tanks added, as well as the exhaust system. The only thing I found here was that some of the locating tabs and pins needed to be shaved/sanded down but nothing too difficult. Just standard dry fitting.




After the tanks were added to both sides I moved on to what I think is some type of stabilizer/anti roll bar. There's one on the front and back. The bars themselves aren't too bad, but the little parts that go on the end that connect to the suspension can be a pain.



After that a few more bits of photo etch were added to the bottom. I have to say, I found the PE very easy to deal with, strong enough to hold a good shape but the fold lines were well defined and easy to bend.



Then, to move things along I did a little work on the winch. I went ahead and added some string for the wire cable and then glued everything in place.





That's it for this update. The next update should include the build up of the engine. Thanks for following along!

Nice clean work! The chassis has lots of detail

By the way, do the front wheels turn left and right?

Looking forward to see the engine update

Hisham

Good start. Pretty

Hi Hisham,

Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately the front wheels do not turn. Maybe there is a way to modify the kit, but with the massive parts count I didn't want to try to take that on.

Hey everybody, thanks again for checking things out and following along. I've got a little bit more of an update for you guys in the way of an engine.

First off, I have to admit, when I started building the engine I had no real desire to have the hood open, it just wouldn't fit into my dio idea but after seeing whats in there I may just have to do it up. Painting may be be of a challenge but oh well. You'll see why later.

The block starts off with a couple of pieces and the engine mounts. Just by looking at this you can see why making sure everything is square as you go along is important.





As you can see, X-Act left (almost) no details out, even where they wont be seen there is detail. Here's a picture of the engine block and transmission. Defiantly one of those "At least I know it's there" type of things



Next up is where I went out of order from the instructions. The instructions have you add a hole lot more details to the engine and slide the lower half of the body over later. I decided to do it a little differently so I got the lower half of the body put together and attached to the frame.







A quick shot of the underside.



a few more details added.





A dry fit with the hood on.



Hood Up:



Just to end the update with a little teaser of the inside detail:



Now, to my earlier point about painting the engine... The instructions give very clear call outs for individual parts and assemblies but when I put it together I didn't have the intention of painting it. Now that it's all done and glued in I'm thinking I might want to. Right now, my plan is to have the hood on the model but only a loose fit so I can take it off when I want to. What do you guys think? Hood on or off?

Nice work here Adam!! This kit has some decent detailing. Of course the downside is the hi part count!! Making some great progress...looking forward to more!

You're doing a great job so far.. the engine really looks nice. I think it would be a shame to keep the hood down and hide all that detail

Looking forward to the next update

Hisham

Adam- if you need some engine bay pictures let me know, I have a few.

Also- build is coming along fantastic. Xact have really done the details nicely- much more so than the Meng version.

Hi Karl,

Thank you so much for your comments! If you have a picture of the engine bay that'd be great!

In terms of the details by X-Act, there are a ton which is great but this is certiainly not a quick and easy build. I can see how the Meng kit could appeal to someone that is less expereienced or simply wants an easy "shake n' bake" type kit.

Hi Adam- here are some pictures of the engine bay.

First up are some pictures of a vehicle which I think were taken while it was on the production line.









And these next ones are from a walkaround I found posted on a Russian scale model website.















I hope these help.

I have some interior pics as well- if you want them just let me know.

Great pics, Karl.. thanks a lot for posting them

Hisham

Great pictures indeed!!!!

Hope to have another update for you guys a little later this week. I've made some good progress to construction of the interior.

Just got this kit-any chance that you’ve got any more build photos of the kit?
Dan