Tamiya T-55

[Stikpusher]

Well, I did get some bench time in today. I began adding parts to the top deck- some fender braces, the side armor beneath the turret ring, and some engine deck hatches



I also painted the lower hull sides and road wheels using Mission Models Faded Russian Olive, and then I assembled the lower track runs and formed them to the running gear. So far, so good...





Hopefully I can get more bench time in tomorrow...

[speedgraflex]

Lookin' good, Carlos! Happy Labor Day to you, sir!

[Stikpusher]

Happy Labor Day to you too Bruce! And thank you. Aside from the tracks, which are progressing better than usual for indy link tracks so far, this kit is building up with the legendary Tamiya ease so far. Finishing will take more effort than assembly, it looks.

[Stikpusher]

Upper runs of the tracks done







and construction begun on the turret



With the tracks done, the hardest part is behind me now....

[Stikpusher]

So I had a small dilemma with my conversion backdate of the turret- the loaders hatch opening was just a tad too big for the Trumpeter hatch from my spares bin, if I choose to have the hatch closed...



rummaging thru my spares bins I did come up with another Trumpeter spare hatch ring, but it was a bit oversized initially. So I cut off the fittings and sanded the exterior circumference until it would fit the Tamiya opening



Glued in place...



And now much better...




That's all the updates for today...

[Stuart]

Excellent progress Stik - those tracks look superb

Good work on sorting that loaders hatch out - it looks much better.

[Stikpusher]

Thank you Stuart. Once they are painted up I think they'll look proper.

[speedgraflex]

Lookin' good, sir. The tracks look amazing and the hatch insert is a great modification that will be invisible after painting. Even as bare plastic the ring fits like it was made for the kit. That is one nice bit o' scratch building!

[Stikpusher]

That ring took a good amount of sanding to fit the original hatch opening. Sand... check fit... sand some more... I probably sanded a good 2mm off of the outer edge to get it to fit. But it works and I really like the little step on the inner lip. But it worked!

[speedgraflex]

Beautiful work. Looks like the kit. Your alterations are so good!