|
Post by jabbly on Mar 24, 2020 10:48:53 GMT
Well I decided to take the plunge due to the lack of football then pubs and now most of the shops so I got one of these.
It only got to the prototype stage but that's close enough for me. So on to the kit itself. Well besides being big it's also fairly simply. The parts counts is probably only something like 300 including the link-length-tracks and a small PE fret.
Looking at the sprues there are some pluses and minuses. The pluses, for me anyway, are no fiddly bits to contend with (this was for a sofa build), link and length tracks with the top run per-sagged, PE really kept to where it should be used (so mainly engined grilles and part of one of the turrets) and a single piece barrel. The minuses, there's a bit more flash than I'd expect, no clear part for the headlight and towing hooks but no cables.
So onto the build so far. I spent a few hours so far and have now pretty much finished the lower hull and its many, many wheels. A few issues have occurred, the idler wheels seem to be a weird fit in that the internal 'ribs' just don't want to match-up even though the wheels are keyed. I did try removing one of the keys to see if that helps but nope. In the end I lined the two halves up by eye and then used a piece of track to check that teeth wouldn't be fouled. The next two both concern the mud-scrapers. The keys for these are slight off compared to the holes in the hull which was a bit confusing in one of those am I doing something wrong here ways. I just cut them to get the correct position. A bigger possible problem is the order of fitting the drive sprocket compared to the mud-scrapers. The instructions would have you attach the drive housing then the mud-scrapers and finally the drive wheel. Fortunately I've built a couple of Trumpeter KV's before and thought that doesn't sound right and it's not. You won't be able to attach the drive sprocket with the mud-scraper in place . Not a biggy as long as you know.
Overall I have mixed feelings about the kit. If you're a fan of Russian Heavy WWII armour is great but there's a slight disappointment that I expect slightly more from the 'engineering' of Trumpeter who I put in the category of not quite Tamiya but not far off. That doesn't mean it's bad but just now up to Trumpeter's standards.
Anyway I'm hoping to make some more progress today and maybe even basically finish the main build besides the tracks.
|
|
|
Post by Paul B on Mar 24, 2020 11:17:20 GMT
I am sure those minor issues will not slow you down Jase . Grand start there ole chap, will be following this one for sure
|
|
|
Post by Snipersmudge on Mar 24, 2020 11:31:54 GMT
Not seen this kit built up before so watching with interest.
|
|
|
Post by jabbly on Mar 24, 2020 11:55:12 GMT
I am sure those minor issues will not slow you down Jase . Grand start there ole chap, will be following this one for sure The issues with the fit really are minor but I’ve kinda got used to Trumpeter kits going that extra step to make the kit almost fall together. Now on to the turret!
|
|
|
Post by jabbly on Mar 24, 2020 12:35:42 GMT
So then any tips on creating weld seams and cuts because the kit is going together so well I want to try something but there’s lots of different stuff on google?
|
|
|
Post by Snipersmudge on Mar 24, 2020 12:55:28 GMT
For welds lines/seams I usually use stretched sprue. Cut to length then soften with glue, leave it for a minute or two then use a new sharp scalpel or blade and press into the sprue to simulate weld beads. It's quite a quick way of adding them and cheap too. For torch cuts etc just brush on some glue then use a blade to add the cut lines. With both methods one dry you can sand down if it's too rough. If you have a pyrograve then it's even easier however you need to be super cautious with this as it's very easy to ruin the kit.
|
|
|
Post by jabbly on Mar 24, 2020 13:02:07 GMT
For welds lines/seams I usually use stretched sprue. Cut to length then soften with glue, leave it for a minute or two then use a new sharp scalpel or blade and press into the sprue to simulate weld beads. It's quite a quick way of adding them and cheap too. For torch cuts etc just brush on some glue then use a blade to add the cut lines. With both methods one dry you can sand down if it's too rough. If you have a pyrograve then it's even easier however you need to be super cautious with this as it's very easy to ruin the kit. Thanks Pete as that’s the two methods that I thought were the easiest. Now I’ve just got to find something to practice on.
|
|
|
Post by Snipersmudge on Mar 24, 2020 19:18:41 GMT
Hope it works out for you old chap
|
|
|
Post by Paul B on Mar 24, 2020 19:30:13 GMT
Jase I have lately been using thinned Deluxe Perfect Putty in a syringe, with a 0.4mm nozzle . It works quite well for me, just be careful not to get it too thin, otherwise it will not hold on the plastic.
|
|
|
Post by jabbly on Mar 24, 2020 19:44:38 GMT
Jase I have lately been using thinned Deluxe Perfect Putty in a syringe, with a 0.4mm nozzle . It works quite well for me, just be careful not to get it too thin, otherwise it will not hold on the plastic. Sounds interesting, what have you been thinning it with?
|
|
|
Post by Paul B on Mar 24, 2020 20:48:34 GMT
Water Jase, just straight tap water
|
|
|
Post by Ian H. on Mar 25, 2020 14:43:48 GMT
Nice choice and looking forward to it.
|
|
|
Post by jabbly on Mar 25, 2020 16:56:25 GMT
Well then, some more progress today and I’ve finished the build as far as I can before starting on the tracks and the DIY weld seams. The only slight hiccup was realising that I forgot to blank of the rather large air intakes. A bit of a pain thought I but no worries I’ll just use some plastic-card inserted inside the housings. Oh I can’t find any plastic-card. No worries I thought I’ll just go and buy some. Oh nowhere is open is it. The solution. I have some of those fake plastic credit cards they send you to try and get you to sign-up for a real one. I knew they’d come in handy one day.
|
|
|
Post by Paul B on Mar 25, 2020 17:07:17 GMT
LMFAO The KV is looking good Jase , nice to see his little brother is watching over him too
|
|
|
Post by Snipersmudge on Mar 25, 2020 17:57:39 GMT
Very nice indeed, she's a big bugger!
|
|
|
Post by SteveM on Mar 25, 2020 21:06:15 GMT
That’s a monster tank matey, it looks great too!
|
|
|
Post by Boots on Mar 25, 2020 21:57:51 GMT
That does look rather nice indeed Jason
|
|
|
Post by Ian H. on Mar 31, 2020 23:10:34 GMT
Fine looking KV so far!
Best wishes,
Ian
|
|
|
Post by jabbly on Apr 3, 2020 19:01:02 GMT
Finally an update. First stage weathering on the lower hull/running gear. Next up is to start adding more details to give it a bit of visual interest. Then it’s on to the tracks which I’ve already removed from the sprue and cleaned up - wish me luck. I’ve also been having a go at weld seams/cuts and so far I’m kinda happy in that it’s not to bad for a first attempt but not as good as I would like.
|
|
|
Post by Paul B on Apr 3, 2020 19:22:27 GMT
Now that looks good fella Nothing like a good dirty bottom
|
|