Post by alexb on Aug 28, 2018 17:52:41 GMT
A quick "weekend build"...though it actually took about a month of dabbling with it.
The premise is that some of the Soviet backed Privateers were upgraded to the T62s to compete with the 105mm Western tanks. Initially, each platoon had a T-62 while the rest were T-55s. During the late 80s, the Privateers began assuming a celebrity role, at times akin to pro-wrestling, thanks to the widespread televising of these battles on cable television. The Soviets began loosening up on their strict guidelines, seeing this as a propaganda and marketing tool for their own social-political markets...Soviet kids need heroes too. Soviet, as well as non-Soviet broadcasters, began focusing on the Soviet crews and promoting their personnel on the same level as the Western fighters. The monotone overall green was shifted to a more tactical multi-color scheme suited for the region they were deployed. The Soviets severely limited personal markings on vehicles or from adopting the more outlandish camo schemes.
The kit used was Tamiya's venerable T-62A kit. It's got a fair share of inaccuracies, but for this build it's perfect. Its shovel is molded to the upper hull...I find that funny. The detail is pretty good and the molds seem to have aged quite well. The amount of flash is minimal.
The build was pretty straightforward. This really is a simple kit to build so I just skipped the photogs of all of that.
So now to add those Privateer goodies. I added a set of side-skirts. This is one of the easiest ways to customize these tanks and you'll see them added or modified on most of my Privateer vehicles. Skirts also cover the lack of track sag on these rubber band track kits. In this case, the skirts are mandatory as the tracks are super tight. These were made from sheet styrene. I kept them simple to compliment the length and flat lines of the tank. The panels were framed with thin styrene strips. Smokes launchers are another one. I based these on the Iraqi setup. The laser rangefinder came from the spares. I'm not sure what kit it originally came from. It may not even be a rangefinder, but it looks the part. I added an armored door to the front and attached it using a styrene base and straps. I thought about adding a stowage rack to the rear of the turret but didn't. At some point I might add one.
I went with field green as the base. For some reason I didn't take any other pictures of the painting process. I masked it off and gave it several light coats of dark green. Drybrush....and so-on...pretty standard finish stuff. Decals got a bit crazy by Soviet standards. I used a white edged red star for each side of the turret. I then added a diamond divisional mark...turned sideways to fit on the stars. Vehicle numbers were placed on the side skirts...smaller numbers were placed on the rear fender and front glacis....I should have put it on the front fender.
This was a quick build and part of my Privateer line of AFVs. I enjoyed it. Stuff like this is a great use for some of those old kits that just aren't worth building any more....replaced by newer, more accurate kits.
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