SPA Modeler

LyleW wrote:That is some incredible work! Looks great.

Thank you... 174 links and 174 guide teeth used... 87 of each per side...

But yeah, the look good...

Back on to building today!

Step 6, small details added to upper hull



Step 7 upper hull added to lower hull and more small details added on the glacis plate



I’m letting this dry overnight then on the next steps tomorrow...

The upper hull looks to be a very nice crisp molding.

The moldings are pretty well done for the most part. Once the paint is on I’m sure that it’ll look sharp.

Great work to date! The sheer quantity of individual links is a milestone, for sure. Congratulations!

Thanks Bruce. Felt like more of a millstone than a milestone though...

So yesterday’s progress.
I had to clean up the bottom side of the fenders, as they had some serious ejector pin flaws sticking out about 6mm or so. At best there is perhaps 2mm clearance between the top of the tracks and the fenders.



Before clean up



After clean up

Then I airbrushed on a coat of Flat Black over the outer surfaces of the tracks and lower surfaces of the fenders





Then I completed Step 8, gluing on the fenders and the right side headlight details, plus a few other small details

Oh wow! Haven't peeked in here yet. This is looking pretty dang good so far Carlos. Those individual track links just baffle me. My hat goes off to you guys who build these armor kits. Takes ALOT of patience.

Thanks Joe. These individual track links are a royal PITA... But they look good in the end.

Now just imagine the engine you could do on a tank...

Tamiya’s Marder IFV comes with a nice engine compartment starting point...

Today’s update:
Step 9, assemble the fender stowage boxes... easy enough, just add the grab rails and latch handles



Step 10, glue the stowage boxes in place, assemble and add the exhausts, and final front hull small bits



Step 11, add final bits to the rear hull



and the hull assembly is now complete!

Looking great Carlos! Can't wait to see the turret built.