Hi all,
I decided to have a break from the Merkava's and start the Achzarit from Meng.





So far I'm pleased with it, there are a few ejector points showing but I'm not sure they would be visible when the hull top is on so am undecided what to do with them.

Pete

Cool stuff. Is that a scratch built interior?

The interior is included.
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10304243

As Herman says, the interior is part of the kit.

A bit more progress.





So far I'm impressed with this kit, no problems so far. The only bit I'm not too impressed with is the tracks although with a bit of work I think they'll be ok.

Pete

Coming along nicely, Pete. What kind of color are you going to use for the exterior ?

Probably Lifecolor UA 902 IDF Sandgrey 2.

Pete

Folks
More progress on the Achzarit



I know not much of the interior will be seen but I must admit that it does go together well.



Rear hull basket.



Walkway installed.



One set of tracks fitted. each link has 2 sprue points and 2 ejector pin marks to be removed with a file. Imho so far this is the worst part of the kit. I'm tempted to replace them with Friuls.

Pete

Nice work so far.

The friul tracks will look much better and more realistic if I may say so.

I quite agree, they are much better than plastic Indy links or rubber bands. The only drawback to me is the cost.

Pete

Folks
Back home now and back on the Achzarit. Upper hull is now on and hatches fitted







Pete

Nice job so far. It's a nice kit.. I built the early version (w/o interior).. and it has rubber T-55 tracks, so it may not look the best, but it's easier

Looking forward to see this one done

Hisham

Hisham
I have the early one here almost done, just awaiting weathering and stowage. It has Friuls one it and a few water cans so far.

Pete

More progress on the Achzarit.





Pete

Yet more progress on the Achzarit. Next step is to add the antislip to the upper hull.








Pete

I have applied antislip to the front part of the hull. Do I need to apply it further back around the fuel fillers and on top of the ramp?





Pete

I've had a look round and decided to apply antislip to the rest of the upper hull.



Now to start painting.

Pete

Nice job, Peter... What did you use to do the anti-slip? Is that sand?

Hisham

Hisham.

It's Chinchilla dust sprinkled over a coat of Humbrol matt varnish #49.

Pete

That`s an inspired idea - been wondering how to apply this stuff to my IDF armour. Did not fancy applying solvent to the surface of my kits, never thought of using varnish !.

I took Badger aluminum oxyde abrasive on wet Tamiya paint fixed with very thin glue on my early Achzarit, because this meral powder parts are smaller.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/226008&page=1


Michael

Two questions, if I may...

Peter.. what is Chinchilla dust, and where do you buy it from?

Michael.. what is Badger aluminum oxide? And could you explain a little more on the process of applying it?

Hisham

Hisham, folks that keep Chinchilla's as pets use it in their cages. It can be purchased in pet stores, more often than not by the pound or kilo so hopefully I'll never run out.

Pete

To finish the anti slip coating I used
thinned Tamiya XF-53 to paint one or two segments and
peppered each area with Badger aluminum oxide abrasive on the still wet paint,
At last the coated areas were fixed with a very very thin cement (with a smack of acetone). Paint the next segments...

https://www.amazon.com/BADGER-Weight-Aluminum-Oxide-Abrasive/dp/B000BRLIOY


Michael

I also use varnish for applying nameplates to model railroad loco's and zimmerit to german armour.

Pete

Looks good Pete. This version is on my wishlist, thanks for sharing our build.

Olivier