Model Armour

Hi Guys,
As I mentioned in my re-introduction - here's a few pic's & some comments on my latest project: Zvezda's T26, kit No.3538.
The kit box says its a 1933 model, but from what I can gather it is actually a mixture of models, it has the welded hull & engine air take from later models.
The casting detail of the kit parts is a little bit "heavy", there is also a lot of flashing to be removed before assembling and a lot of filler is required.
I didn't come across any serious fit issues & there is a lot of detail you can add quite easily, if you want.
I replaced the gun barrel, which was pretty poor, & the link & length tracks with a set of freil's (the kits own tracks are in fact very nicely done, except at the joint at the first bogie wheel, where you have to join two lengths togather, which gives you a un-naterial angled look).

Having said all that, I really, really enjoyed building this kit & adding the extra detail & I'm really pleased with the results.
So..here's the pic's of the finished build - painting next, once I find & un-pack my air brush











Thanks & Cheers for now
Mike

Looks great Mike ....had been looking at this kit for while and was going to put it into Finnish service. Some great deatailing and extras there


Deano

Some of these early light tanks are just full of character aren't they. Looks very nice, tracks are superb.

Superb looking build Mike!

Vinnie

Thanks Guys:

Deano - go for it, its no Dragon or Bronco kit (doesn't carry their price tag either ), but is quite fun to build - calls on a lot of the old, nearly forgotten, modelling skills.

Graham - Yes your right, I have a soft spot for early soviet armour, especially the mad looking multi turreted ones (T35's & T28's), but unfortunately kits of these are hard to find in this part of the world.

Vinnie - thanks, I'm looking forward paint it (white wash, with bright red russian slogans on the turret)

Cheers for now
Mike

MiniArt do a nice kit of the T-80 light tank which is an upgrade to the T-70. In the kit I had, you got the complete T-70 and a new sprue with the turret ring adaptor and a new turret for the 3 man T-80. Makes a nice build of one of the later early (?) light tanks, in fact it was really the end of the line I suppose.

Here is one I messed up earlier, it is being re sprayed.

Nice build Mike -

I built a "Tom" labelled box which I'm sure is the same moulding
There is an Eduard set which helped but the tracks were awful
Yours looks a treat

Cant wait to see it painted

Rob

Really like that, the Friuls set it off a treat.

Chris

Mike,

It's good to see you back on the site again. I've got this one in my stash, but I think the new kit from Tamiya may be leaps and bounds ahead.

Thanks Guys

Graham - Thanks for the info

Johnny - new kit from Tamiya???? - what have I missed, please tell me more

Cheers for now
Mike