I started this, got it to the point of paint, then shelved it for reasons forgotten about four years ago. A couple or weeks ago, while looking for something in the stash, I had to move the box it was in and got a wild hair, motivated by a pic or a T-62 with a 'dozer blade. I though that would be neat to do, but based on info obtained on another thread, realized I didn’t have the right blade ass’y handy. What I did have was a bunch of mine roller parts from Academy and Trumpeter (the old stuff) and soon enough I had a roller ass’y cobbled together. Then I ordered the actual MiniArt kit (no idea why) and was able to correct a couple of things I’d done wrong on my Frankenroller. I fixed that and painted. Now it’s all green but I ran into another hitch. I built the kit mostly OOB but used Friul RmSh tracks, which is what came in the kit. The hitch is I was intending to put this in Syrian colors from the YKW period but all the pics I have show T-62’s with OmSh tracks, except for Trumpeter’s box art. I’m kind of stuck again. Anyway, pics with the mine roller ass’y mounted and painted.
IMG_4589 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_4590 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Thoughts? I’m thinking go ahead and do it Syrian.
Edit: Weird: the instructions have the late T-72 type tracks, but the box art pictures the early style. Gee whiz Wally.
https://miniart-models.com/product/37048-t-54t-55t-62-omsh-individual-track-links-set-late-type/
The late type seems to be OOP
but the early type “only” used by T-55’s seems to be available:
or you could go for the Late RMSh by RFM
Tracks are on and since I used the appropriate drive sprockets, I’m going to stay with them as-is. Sourcing tracks isn’t a problem, I’ve got several sets of both types in the stash. It’s just that I’ve used one type that may or may not be “correct” for the YKW time period and I need to either go ahead anyway or pick another theater/color scheme/user.
Go for it Russel. The difference is so negligible that no one will notice, or care.
Aha!
Tank Encyclopedia
“Beginning in 1965, RMSh tracks were fitted to new-production T-62 tanks, and retrofits of existing tanks would take place throughout the 1970s and 1980s. A new drive sprocket was required for the new track.”
YKW: October 1973
Considering the timeline it isn’t impossible that Syria had some T-62’s with RMSh tracks.
Finding evidence may prove to be difficult …
I’m leaning that way. Most likely I’m the only one that would care, and if I tell myself not to care, I may listen. 
Well, as I see it you have two options:
- Accept that it is what it is
- Swap out those tracks and the sprocket (can be reused for another project)
I’m taking door number 1, Monty.
Hello rfbaer, your T-62 model looks good. The problem with the tracks has been explained in detail here. Decide on a different army. Do you still plan to add the corresponding blade section for the mine clearing device? What I noticed about your model is that you mixed up the bearing caps on the road wheels. The first and fifth road wheels have large bearing caps and the others have small ones. On the T-55 tank, the large bearing was only on the first road wheel. Don’t forget the rods for dropping the mine clearing device. Have fun with the rest of the build.
uh-oh …
In view of recent posts,
are you sure you want to stick with door nr 1
or would you like to reconsider?
I am convinced that both types of tracks existed on these tanks. There are pictures of this.
I have a couple of extra road wheels with small bearings, no problem there. I can also add the rods to drop the roller, now that I have better pics. The end user is still up in the air…
I really like the idea of a Syrian tank, YKW time frame, so I changed the tracks and sprockets. I also did some basic attachment release linkages. I’m not going to get nuts here since this model is purely for home display, I can live with the inaccuracies in the roller itself, very apparent when comparing to a MiniArt kit of the “same” unit.
I had barely enough Friuls to do 90 (92?) links per side, with enough left for a few stowed spares.
IMG_4605 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
As soon as it warms up a bit I can finish painting. I’ll do a sand over green scheme, same as a T-55 I did a few years ago.
Russ, it looks great. I applaud the inner conscious that wants to get it right. I suffer with that also but have learned to follow the voice otherwise I will never be content with the build.
Looks great Russell
That’s a great build.
No more delays. I manned up and did the second color, Vallejo “bone white” from the can. It’s a pretty good starting point for the light earth used as a second color on these. Next is sealer, maybe some minimal markings and then the weathering can start.
IMG_4631 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_4632 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Same as the Chieftain, I used Silly Putty to mask. I was very impressed with the Vallejo paint: the very light tan covered well over the dark green with only two light coats.
Not much time to model lately but I managed to do some initial weathering, mostly just showing some wear to the light tan.
IMG_4634 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I have some decals on the way and I don’t want to do too much in the way of wear and tear until I get them on so I think I’m going to clear coat it before I go any further.
Too much time on my hands…
I couldn’t find much in the way of pics of markings, so I pulled two items from the kit decal sheet and one unknown geometric thingie from the spares box and applied them. I also beat up the tires and got clear gloss on it all, ready for a good pinwash.
IMG_4635 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Again going by references, I put the aux fuel drums back on, since I’m modeling it as either a survivor of the YKW or before it got shot up by the IDF, not sure which yet but I’m thinking “survivor”. I have some very nice Miniart figs that look kind of tired that would work nicely.