SU-16 Prototype Tank Destroyer

[hansolo]

Hi guys,

Next entry for my oddling collection.

Looking for a new candidate I stumbled upon this image:



Turns out it is the Rusian SU-38 Tank Destroyer Prototype. It is based on a T-70 chassis and mounts a 76 mm divisional gun.
It has a closed super structure and has room for a 2 man crew.

This is it's sister. The SU-16 Tank Destroyer Prototype:



Based on the same T-70 chassis but with an open super structure.

I desided to build the latter one. Cause you can see more detail in the open version.

These two prototypes didn't see production. But the successor of these, the SU-76 did.
That one is based on the same chassis but with two extra road wheels:



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Here's a little info for the ones who want to know more about these vehicles:
    In the summer 1943 DB GAZ and DB of a factory 38 have offered the improved projects SU-76. In the project of a Gorkij factory GAZ-74А the engine ZIS-16F, ZIS-80 should be established, or american disel "Giberson" with power 110 hp. The arming of GAZ-74A was by 76-mm gun S-1. This project was not carried out in time. A factory № 38 has made three SP gun: SU-15, SU-16 and SU-38, in which use of the consistently connected motor GAZ-203 from the tank Т-70 and arms of 76-mm of a gun S-15 (SU-15) was supposed.
    SU-15 used a body and chassis of SU-12, but equipped by engine GAZ-203 with new configuration and cannon SU-15. The battle cabin had the large sizes, than SU-12. 
SU-16 differed that in it the engine, transmission and chassis of the tank T-70 were used. The battle branch was openly from above. Because of small length of the machine the commander could sit in cabin only by a side. SU-38 was similar on SU-16 (were too used the chassis and engine of Т-70). But in it there was the thick armour (45 mm) and completely closed battle branch in the middle of the machine. It was made for improvement of distribution of weight on road wheels and tracks. The commander sat in it by the right side ahead (over engine).
    In July 1943 tests of these machines were carried out. Tests have shown, that for shooting is more successful SU-16, but its configuration is unsuccessful. SU-15 and SU-38 have appeared very heavy, because of that in them road wheels and tracks were broken.
-----------------

And because the SU-16 wasn't a production model, there are no model kits of it.
So I can make another original kit, putting together a T-70 chassis with a 76 mm divisional gun,
and lots of fun scratch building!

These are the kits that I bought to make the build:

A very battered box from Zvezda/Italeri:


And a Miniart T-70 M Tank with crew:


My progress sofar:

I started with the gun:















That's all for now folks.

Next up: Assembly of the T-70.

cheers

[Danta2er]

OK, this is way too cool, going to follow this one

[hansolo]

You're welcome to.

Cheers

[hansolo]

Hi guys,

The T-70 got in. This is the actual box:


The instruction sheet is in color and there's a paint chart for the figures.




I started with the lower hull:


Dry fitted the upper hull trying to figure out which parts to keep and which to cut away. Constantly looking at the old pictures of the prototype:




I cut away a large portion of the upper hull to the spot where the super structure starts. The back is angled forward. So I cut a part of that off.




Started building the inside structure:


Fitted the gun so I can work around it to fit it in the super structure:




Started building the super structure:






Turned out I had to cut off the top part, that I left on earlier. Closed the gap. According to the reference images there is some kind of box on the right side of the back. So I built that in:




Finished building the super structure apart from the structure surrounding the gun:








That's where it's at, at the moment.

Next up: Building the gun structure.

cheers

[hansolo]

Hi guys,

Back already with some more scratch building.

I started work on the gun enclosure.
First I bended the rounded part surrounding the barrel. I took a lot of very gradual bending of the plastic plate material around the handle of a thick paint brush:


Built the square box at the foot of the barrel:




Built the rest of the rounded front end:




And mounted it around the gun:




Next up: More details to be added to the super structure.

cheers

[Gav0909]

Awesome scratch building skills mate! This is coming on really nicely, and on such an interesting subject as well.

[hansolo]

Thanks Gav! Appreciate it!

cheers

[Danta2er]

That's really cool! I haven't started my first build yet and I want to try scratch already

[Homerlovesbeer]

wow way to mod! Looking very nice!

[Coen]

That martlet and recoil housing is beyond amazing Han!
Holy S#{¥ !!!
That is beautiful work and excellent skill.

[hansolo]

Thanks guys!

Cheers

[hansolo]

Hi guys,

Finished building the SU-16.

For the rounds that came with the gun, I built a storage reck from ps-plate and left over PE parts:


I fitted it. And some more stuff like rifles some storage boxes, bags and some holders:




On the outside I added some storage bins a horn the I saw on the SU-76 model and it looked like it was on the SU-16 too. But was very hard to distinguish. What I could see is the hammer and what looks like a barrel rod, or how does one call that? And added an axe.

I added the bars that are there to hold up the cover that comes on later:


Finally I added the tracks. They were very hard to cut out of the sprew because they are very fragile. And I broke a lot of them, which I had to glue back together before assembly of the track.









Still to do is fill some holes and cracks here and there with putty. Some sanding and than of to the paint shop!

Cheers

[Coen]

Extreme awesomeness Han!

[hansolo]

Extreme awesomeness Han!

Thanks Coen!
Extremely appreciated!

cheers

[hansolo]

Hi guys,

Started painting.
I picture the SU-16 Prototype as a relic of wartime. Kept as a reminder of dark times for generations to learn from.
And because it is a rare piece of armament, because it didn't see production.
So The weathering will mainly be rust and dust, gathered dirt and faded paint.
A nice change in weathering emphases.

Here's where I'm at at the moment:

The primer coat for later rust chipping effects:


A slightly darkened green for later contrast to the lighter areas for faded paint:


Faded paint added:


Rust chipping:


And detail painting:


That's it for now, folks.
Next up is weathering!

cheers

[TommyKillander]

Amazing!

[hansolo]

Thanks Tommy.

cheers

[Coen]

Han, buddy, you've become a master of the conversion dude.
This is smokin work bud.

[hansolo]

Han, buddy, you've become a master of the conversion dude.
This is smokin work bud.

Thanks so much Sir Coen!
It ads extra fun for me to create one of a kind models that you don't buy in the shops.
This way it becomes a nice collection.

cheers

[Danta2er]

This is insane!! Wow

[hansolo]

Hi guys,

I finished the model and put the final reveal images in the land gallery.
Check it out: http://intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=13160

cheers

[Coen]

[Danta2er]

Holy mother of pearl

[Donkeywalloper]

Hats off mate to a great build.
John

[Noobmodeler521]

Looks great , Love the scratch building you put into it. Turned out very well.
(although way to young to be drinking )

[RollingThunderModels]

awesome build, your scratch building is amazing!

[Akula1959]

This is freaking awesome looking work. *salute* I am in awe of your scratch building skills.

DonP

[hansolo]

Thanks guys!
Way appreciated.

Cheers

[Demaclies]

Awesome its looking good.