I know exactly how it feels. Workable tracks can be a PITA sometimes. I’m sticking almost exclusively with metal tracks. THere are very nice kits out there; sadly, the “Achilles Heel” of these great kits, is the tracks sometimes… With some exceptions.
8 Likes
I know how you feel! I’m building the Magic Factory M10 Booker and it has 9 parts per link!
I took one good long look at those and decided I wasn’t doing that, ever, no matter what it cost to replace them. I bought a great set of 3D printed track from Jacques DuQuette for less than $30. These over-engineered indy links are just too much.
5 Likes
Nice work, I’ve been wanting to add the MTLB to my collection , but Trumpeters insane over engineering of tracks puts me off.
Working on the Trumpeter GT-MU at the moment - a sort of miniature MTLB.
2 Likes
I built the Skif MTLB and used the Trumpeter tracks. 3 piece per link. Insanity. Turned out “meh”. My figure painting still sucks bawls. But Skif means “Practice Kit” in Russian. PS: generic base, FPO
12 Likes
Cracking model Joe, cracking.
I have one in the stash, so one day, one day…
3 Likes
Finally decided on a kit and got a start on it today. Going to go with the tamiya BT-7 and have an idea for a little vignette
Got a start on the first few steps, which builds up the lower hull. This kit is peak tamiya. Engineering is outstanding and the fit has been absolutely perfect so far
12 Likes
Phew! One side done. On to the other side. After these are fitted with the proper sag; they’ll get blackened, rusted and worn properly.
13 Likes
Looks good to me , and so do the crew.I’ve been after one of these myself,some mail order shop in Poland seems to knock them out for a good price…if I can find the name.
2 Likes
Probably this one?
https://www.super-hobby.co.uk/products/MT-LB-Armored-troop-carrier.html
Cheers,
Angel
3 Likes
A tip of the hat for the stamina to master Trumpy’s MT-LB/Gvozdika 3-piece-per-link tracks!
Cheers,
Angel
5 Likes
Thanks, yes I think that’s it.
1 Like
Calling this one finished.
Now onto build two although I know I get nothing extra for more than one build I just had to. So where I’m at with the BMP-1.
13 Likes
Nice tanks you have there. Allow me some small constructive nitpicking: The words Nationalen Volksarmee is not correct - it should be Nationale Volksarmee
Best regards
Thomas
1 Like
Nice, who are the kits manufacturers? T72 Tamiya possibly? I have 3 old BMP’s somewhere in the shed of shame, I think two are Italeri/ESCI and the 3rd is probably a Zevsda.Never quite got past primer stage ( as is all to often the case😥)
1 Like
I’ve put in a order for the AA version, very reasonable pricing (I didn’t want to commit the time to over engineered but excellent Trumpeter offering ,sometimes I just want to add an example of AFV to my collection)
Thanks for the heads up.
1 Like
Thank you Thomas, I think unfortunately that was a mistake by the shop I had make the name plates. I only noticed when I put it back on the bench to finish off the weathering with the plate already securely fixed to the base. Unfortunately I’ll have to live with it.
2 Likes
Thank you Dave, it is indeed the Tamiya kit with a few upgrades, Eduard zoom PE for the engine/transmisson grills, Aber gun barrel, Aber aerial mount, Trumpeter workable tracks and Eureka tow ropes. Still a nice kit with a few tweaks, I do have the Das Werk kit in the stash so once that one hits the bench I’ll be able to compare the two.
The BMP-1 is from Trumpeter, it’s missing the upper central fuel filler, something Trumpeter missed. My scratch skills are not good enough to make the filler and guard as I find it hard to hold things that small any more due to lack of feeling in my finger tips (diabetes).
3 Likes
What would be specific for a NVA BMP-1. I built a Polish version, which barely has differences, apart from the discs.
1 Like
It’s somewhat ironic that kits have increased the amount of ridiculously tiny parts and fiddly minute photo etch as my eyesight and fingers find it harder to cope.
I can only work on the Trumpeter GT-MU during daylight hours even the suspension is small and spindly .
Luckily I only build for pleasure rather than competitions/ shows so all is not lost.
2 Likes