SPA Modeler

This is my current bench-sitter - Trumpy's new T-80BV. Basically, a T-80B fitted out with ERA blocks.



The kit itself contains over 1000 pieces!



Rather than fighting the kit tracks, I opted to go with Trumpeter's workable T-80 track set. Ultimately, I settled on a hybrid, using the kit tracks for the bottom run, and the workables for going up and around the sprockets and idler wheels. Because...SO MANY PARTS.



This is the first tank where I've ever opted to tackle the lower hull and running gear first. But considering the hugeness of the fenders and skirts, it seems the only way.





Here we are with tracks painted, gently weathered, and glued in place, and the fenders glued in on top.

The turret is insanity. Here's how it starts. Note that each ERA block pair consists of four plastic parts and little, fiddly PE.



Lots of parts later...



At this point I've had to stop and throw some primer on. Need to do some color next before I add the rest of the parts. Otherwise I'll never cover all the little nooks and crannies.

Tracks and ERA block are insane work! You must have spend hours and hours of boring work nobody will see later.
Looks very nice so far, now that you have the running gear done.

Thomas_M wrote:Tracks and ERA block are insane work! You must have spend hours and hours of boring work nobody will see later.
Looks very nice so far, now that you have the running gear done.

That's why I only did half-run tracks and left the little PE bars out of about half of the ERA blocks!

Some may call it laziness. I call it efficiency.

Hey! Familiar subject!

Really a bad-ass looking tank. That low turret on that low hull... Awesome!

The turret got its coat of AMMO Green Khaki last night. Overall this stuff is interesting, but I'm not too sure it'll steal me away from my beloved Tamiya and Gunze. It sure cleans up easier, but I can't seem to get it to spray with as much nuance as the other two. That combined with the way it lifted on the wheels during weathering. But I'm committed at this point, so, onward!







Next it'll be on to finishing off the turret and upper hull construction. I imagine I'll probably have another "stop to paint" episode when I get to some of the details like the lights and out-back fuel drums.

Who is AMMO, Matt?

Thomas_M wrote:Who is AMMO, Matt?

Mig's new line since that he's selling in the aftermath of whatever went down between him and AK.

Looks mighty nice, Doogs. like the finish so far.