Willem.

Pretty much the same as the standard VVSS sets from Tasca/Asuka. This difference here is upswept arm plus you also get a set of plain dished wheels too

Gary

Sighting vane and searchlight mount cover both in place completes the turret part of the build...



Gary

As previously mentioned, later type VVSS units on this build with the upswept return roller as can be seen in comparison with an earlier type below...



Tasca/Asuka units are really good, but do require a little TLC. There are some annoying joins between parts to deal with. The one at the end with the return roller assembly is particularly annoying due to its location. Using filler is awkward due to access so I've found the best solution is a piece of stretched sprue works best....



Once the cement has fully cured, a sharp blade is used to carefully shave the sprue away leaving a smooth face.

Standard filler is used for the other parts and styrene strips fill the void usually occupied by the kit track skids which will be replaced with PE items. I've also added the spring adjustment points using Meng styrene nuts...



ET Model provide a very useful PE template for drilling out the 4 holes on the leading face of each unit....



PE track skid added. I've used styrene bolt heads shaved from the kit parts. (Bolt heads are also added to the roller return bracket but not shown here)...



Completed unit....



Gary

Beautiful work, and a nice pace which makes this thread a joy to follow! top work!

Thank you David

Here we are half way through the suspension....



And all complete with the vehicle standing on its own feet...





Gary

Tracks arrived a while back nut only just made a start on them today. All parts are stripped from the sprue trees and placed into small pots....



Gary

Construction starts with the end connectors and pins....



Then the track pads are added using my high tech jig....



Gary

Side one complete....



Gary

Wouldnt it have been easier to cut the hull at the rear between the engine deck and turret ring?

Not really. My technique copies the real thing so the join between the parts is easily dealt with by adding weld seams. Cutting the hull further back means much more work is needed to hide the join line and ensuring continuity of existing welds.


And another ready for the paintshop....





Gary

Perfect!

Nice work Gary, looking good.

Al

Awesome build.

Very nice build Gary.

Thank you gentlemen

Gary