No, just the result of very aggressive tank driving in the “tank biathlon” I believe.
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Nearly time for some primer; a few details will have to be painted separately, and I’m still awaiting a new station-keeping light for the turret rear. The Driver’s hatch has also to be fitted, as has the Driver prior to the hull being mated to the top. Antenna and MG Blu-tak’d in position for the picture:
I had plans to depict this with Dragon’s excellent Motor Rifle figures, but having decided that I’d use Dragon’s tank crew as well, now find that there is quite a noticeable size discrepancy; the MR Troops could be Potsdam Grenadiers given their height. That’s not to say they’re over-scale, more that the tank crew are decidedly diminutive. The answer is to get a new tank crew but I’ve decided to go with the Dragon ones, as, well, I feel it’s appropriate for this era of kit; after all, Dragon was on a roll back in the 90s and must have produced the crew kit for these very tanks (the T-72 range and even their T-80, that is).
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Weren’t the Soviets known for selecting soldiers in training to be tankers of shorter stature due to the cramped interiors of their tank designs. That was always something I vaguely remember reading/hearing back in those days.
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Yes, I believe that given the vast population (and conscription) they had that luxury; whether or not it’s true I have no idea but we were also told that; the thing is, even if I pursued that, the proportions would still be all wrong. I’ve stowed the MR troop set back in the stash otherwise I’d show a picture.
I think with just the crew it will still look OK. I can’t use the commander figure I had worked on, but am now trying to utilise the guy with the flag as the tank commander.
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Can you please tell us which barrel you use? I want to make the same kit and I want to change the barrel. Thank you.
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I used the Accurate Armour one in resin (with a metal rod in the core) but Accurate Armour are no more, though I have a few in the stash.
Aber do a metal one:
which I have attempted to use in the past but found a pain to put together to be honest, and ham-fisted I may well be, ended up with glue smears where I really didn’t want any; a more dextreous modeller could probably do a much better job than I!
More recently, as I’m re-working an ancient Skif T-64 (I know the Trumpeter ones are better but I have a perverse nature), I’ve gone for one of these, on eBay and am awaiting its arrival, so cannot comment on it just yet; however, I suspect as a 3D print it will be more user friendly than the Aber version:
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Nobody tell the Scots! They’ll want to dip it in batter and fry it…
I had one of these dragon T-72’s in my stash way back when and ran out of steam building it. Threw it away when moving house. Picked up a few “better” T-72’s over the years from more modern moldings, but for some reason I just can’t seem to bring one to the finish line. Even though I like the looks of these tanks. So I’m looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.
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Yeah, I mean a Mars bar is pretty sickly stuff to start with; a fried one - I’m not even sure on the physics of that(!) - eurgh!
The Dragon kit requires a bit of TLC such as a bit of detailing on the MG, and I’m not sure regarding accuracy of dimensions etc (I’m sure others are) but, well, it’s looking like a T-72, which I know full well is not measure of quality, but so far, so good I feel.
I’m still undecided about crew figures and/or accompanying MR Troops; I might have to revisit the whole thing(!) However, that shouldn’t involve too much of a delay, so I should manage to get it in primer today, I hope.
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You guys, talking about these ancient Dragon kits, make me want to go out & find one to build. If I come across one for a good deal, maybe I’ll do it. The nostalgia is strong…
Damon.
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Well Damon, I’d say do it! My experience with this kit, whilst not the best, has been good modelling fun, and I’ve greatly enjoyed it. A few frustrations along the way, and some are continuing; I was tempted to start detailing it to a degree that the kit could not really bear, and in the end, decided to leave things, generally, as they were. I added some but tried not to go overboard.
I utilised the Dragon crew for the reasons explained above; they took quite a bit of work but in the end I was happy enough. I feel I have a T-72 that looks like a T-72 and although I should perhaps aim higher (and may do so with say, a Trumpeter kit or others, one day) it will suffice for now and I will display it at shows on its own merits.
I hope you find some kits and enjoy the experience as much as I have,
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So, the Dragon crew figures; modified a fair bit and as I’m no longer depicting any supporting MR infantry, I cannot now use the standing figure with binos which I initially planned to use. Anyway the 3 figures - only 3 Folks - T-72 remember - completed prior to primer. They all look a bit skanky as a result of the sanding and mods with stray glue just about everywhere I’m afraid; I also made extensive use of Mr Dissolved Putty for gap filling, the white streaks, clearly in evidence!
[grid]
A fair few modifications including straps/slings, head on the gunner turning slightly, the Commander figure raising a signal flag aloft, and the addition of respirators and personal weapons (in this case AKSUs) all provided by Dragon in the kit. I padded the Gunner’s arse out a bit with Milliput (I’ve run out of Magic Sculp) so he sits a bit better on his hatch ring, and used the same to modify the right arm on the Commander. His left arm will be added once he’s in situ.
Throat mike straps were added as were intercom cablings. The Commander also had his map case/order wallet made from plastic card and rod. All slings/straps were from lead foil.
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You’ve done a fine job with the crew Brian- the little details are looking excellent.
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Well, thanks Karl; I do (mostly!) enjoy adding all the bits and pieces that hopefully lift them sufficiently. I’m quite looking forward to seeing how they paint-up.
The parent tank is a bit of a 'mare in places in that the dimensions must be off a bit, as I can’t quite insert some remaining ERA blocks along the turret bottom, and I also have to box clever when I insert the Driver figure. Soviet tanks always travel with the turret slightly traversed in any case to allow him to keep his head out when travelling non-tactically, but due to whatever it is, I’ll have to insert the turret into the hull top, cement the Driver into his position (hoping he’s lined up OK), then glue the hull top, complete with turret over him, to the hull bottom; obviously he’ll have to be painted up by this time. So, all a bit tricky; I mean, it’s not insurmountable, just requires a bit of dexterity and a third arm.
As I keep emphasising, I’ve enjoyed nearly every minute of this ancient build.
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There are many kits where a third, or even fourth, arm would be extremely useful …
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Yeah. Your figure work is pretty cool. It almost makes me want to build and paint a figure. But then I come to my senses.
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Me too ..
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Cowards!!
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I stuff all the figure parts into a cardboard tube, seal the ends and
use a Sharpie to write ‘Maraccas’ on the side of the tube …
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It is a weird thing. When I was young, I painted all sorts of fantasy figures for myself and friends. I had a waiting list. To this day, I have never completed a military figure in any scale. About three years ago, I went through the motions of giving it a try. I bought a bunch of figure sets, watched a bunch of videos, built up some figures, bought the correct uniform colors, contrast primed them, and even gave two a base coat. It just never came together.
I have the same problem with dioramas. I made a beautiful tree using the twisted copper wire method. I carefully sculpted bark on most of it using Milliput. That was two years ago.
Not really sure what the mental hold up is.
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Well Doug, not a million miles away from me starting a model, then getting distracted for something like 2-3 decades; I’m sure it’s not healthy!
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