alexb
Glue slinger 
Posts: 721
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Post by alexb on Jan 1, 2019 23:10:30 GMT
New year...new build.
This is of the what-if persuasion, in the Privateer category. When I got back in to the hobby a while back, I dropped by the hobby shop and walked out with an Iraqi T55
and a BMP-1. They were in Hobbycraft boxes. I think I paid $30 for the both of them. The kits were old Trumpeter molds, repackaged for Hobbycraft as part of a Iraqi Freedom line of kits. I built them. The T55 has had bits of it used for two other tanks. The BMP has just sat there. I decided to make something out of it or toss it in the bin. I kicked around some ideas and went with a SPG. There were a couple of designs pondered over. The first two were fixed casemate designs. One was like a Marder, while the other was more like a Hetzer. I settled on a turreted version using a spare T55 turret I had. I'm out of 100mm guns so I had to go with the 122mm.
So the background is that this vehicle was built as a training vehicle for T55 crewmen and was armed with the 100mm gun. The turret was cast aluminum to save weight. After all, this was a training vehicle and it was a BMP.
During the Third Danusk Rebellion, the President (For Life), General Jean-Paul Herbert pressed the training tanks in to battle against rebel forces, mostly partisans. The move turned the tide and became a propaganda hit. The Soviets began refurbishing old BMPs to mount the turrets as SPGs. Most are the SU-100-BMP, armed with the 100mm gun. With the discovery of a warehouse of WW2 era 122mm guns, the SU122-BMP was offered.
The 100mm version proved to be adequate as a mobile antitank gun. It was thinly armored and was never intended to slug it out with actual tanks. Ambush and defensive tactics were stressed.
The 122mm version proved to be a horrible match for the T55 turret. The gun was horribly inaccurate, ammunition storage, rate of fire was slow, and the running gear was not strong enough. The 122mm version was short-lived. Surviving examples are used as reserve units.
 
The first thing to do was to rind down the periscopes and other raised details on the rear. I'm probably going to box out the rear and not worry about trying to keep that sloped rear. The elephant in the room...the screws holding the roadwheels on. I got lucky and found some wheel hubs in the spares. I think they were for the Tamiya Challenger tank. If memory serves, the mk. 3 version used different centers so the kit sent both versions. I built mine as the mk3.

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Post by Ian H. on Jan 2, 2019 1:05:42 GMT
Awesome concept, Alex. Looking forward to this one.
Regards,
Ian
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CarlRF
Plastic Connoisseur  
Posts: 1,274
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Post by CarlRF on Jan 2, 2019 1:24:26 GMT
Cool idea Alex .
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Post by Paul B on Jan 2, 2019 11:17:41 GMT
Alex you don't run out of ideas do you  . I like the look of this, might be a tad mad but I likes it all the same 
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Post by Snipersmudge on Jan 2, 2019 15:01:12 GMT
OK I'm watching this one for sure! 
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alexb
Glue slinger 
Posts: 721
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Post by alexb on Jan 2, 2019 19:13:16 GMT
The 122mm gun is insane for this...maybe too much. I should have another 100mm barrel around here somewhere. I thought it was in my spares but it's not there. The gun can be added at the end of the build so I have time to try to find it. And I am sure when I find it I'll remember putting it there so I wouldn't lose it.
As far as ideas...I scare myself sometimes. But in all seriousness, the what-if stuff is fun and lets me unwind.
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Post by Paul B on Jan 3, 2019 8:18:42 GMT
I've an idea for a Tiran 7 (Israeli T72) for about 2 years in my noggle now, I think I'll go have a look and see if I have everything I need 
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alexb
Glue slinger 
Posts: 721
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Post by alexb on Jan 3, 2019 21:21:22 GMT
I've an idea for a Tiran 7 (Israeli T72) for about 2 years in my noggle now, I think I'll go have a look and see if I have everything I need  Former Syrian and captured during the Lebanese War?
Hopefully you'll do it. It sounds like a neat idea.
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Paul H
Plastic Connoisseur  
Posts: 1,754
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Post by Paul H on Jan 4, 2019 11:23:08 GMT
Ohh I do like a bit of What if...  I'm along for the ride on this one!
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alexb
Glue slinger 
Posts: 721
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Post by alexb on Jan 10, 2019 2:32:58 GMT
A predictable change of plans. I ended up going with the 100mm gun as opposed to the WW2 era 122mm gun. It just seemed a better fit...literally and figuratively...for a T55 turret..especially with the training role.
The turret is pretty straightforward. I had most of the pieces in the spares but had to improvise on some. The yellow pieces are from an old Lindberg T55 kit that was set aside for a different what-if but I decided to scrap that idea.
 
The chassis was given a mount plate for the turret. Realistically, I don't think a real version would be too terribly fancy. I added some strips to infer some internal bracing. I did keep the teardrop rear. The turret will hang over the sides a tad, but it does that on an actual T-55.

Basic assembly done. I like the profile. Off to paint.

Paint is pretty basic. Rattle-can gray primer, followed by rattle-can forest green. BMP style side skirts were put on. I might add "rubber" sideskirt flaps to the bottom. It depends on how it looks.

I still have to weather and drybrush it. I have a Leo2 and Puma IFV I did a few years ago that both need drybrushing and weathering. I may try to knock all those out at the same sitting. And I may throw on a camo net and some crew. Maybe even an instructor in some capacity to infer the training role.
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Post by Snipersmudge on Jan 10, 2019 7:56:14 GMT
That's a cool concept and great execution, looks bizarre! 
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Post by Paul B on Jan 10, 2019 8:59:14 GMT
That I really like the look of  , as if it was actually planned 
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alexb
Glue slinger 
Posts: 721
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Post by alexb on Jan 11, 2019 2:42:04 GMT
Thanks. I think it is a plausible design and it looks pretty nice. That said, i like this combo a bit better.....
This one is probably next....this or the M113 with a LAV turret.
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