ElCapitan's 1/35 C7p Heavy Artillery Tractor

Post by **ElCapitan** » Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:01 am

Hi Everyone,

I'm a bit late to the party because of the overlap with the Desert GB, so it's unlikely I'll get this one finished in time, but I'll join in anyway.

I wanted to get something I'd never heard of for this build, and came across this on ebay.

Some kind of Polish towing contraption from Mirage Hobby. That'll do nicely!

By all accounts, this is a great kit too

Post by **ForeverPlasticKits** » Fri Jun 04, 2021 12:11 pm

Have fun built it, this kind of tractor is typical from Poland (also USSR produced tracked artillery tractors - and USA but not in such number).

Post by **digger303** » Fri Jun 04, 2021 2:26 pm

Oh NiCE.
I have a similiar kit.....Klara.....Have you seen the insane amount of after market Pe by PART for these kits. I see insanity looming large.
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/mirage- ... le--108252

Post by **ElCapitan** » Fri Jun 04, 2021 4:11 pm

digger303 wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 2:26 pm Oh NiCE.
I have a similiar kit.....Klara.....Have you seen the insane amount of after market Pe by PART for these kits. I see insanity looming large.
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/mirage- ... le--108252

Yeah

no way am I touching any aftermarket for this - I think I'd go overboard and the instructions look messy enough as it is!

I was torn between buying the Polish one or the German one you have, but figured my armour cabinet is looking a bit Axis-heavy at the moment, so let's balance it out a bit.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 4:30 pm

I have a feeling this SIG is going to bring out the eccentric side of those taking part!

Post by **digger303** » Mon Jun 07, 2021 1:19 am

Stokesy44 wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 4:30 pm I have a feeling this SIG is going to bring out the eccentric side of those taking part!

It's a great theme, more imaginative than a lot of the same type of repetitive themes I've seen.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Tue Jun 08, 2021 9:26 am

Wow - that's something a bit different, a kit I'd never come across on a subject I'd never heard of!

Great choice Rob - looking forward to seeing this come together

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:13 pm

So let's get a look at this.

The box contains 4 grey sprues, 1 clear sprue and a set of vinyl tracks, all sealed inside one plastic bag. There does appear to be some flash on most of the smaller parts, so I'll have a nice sharp knife at the ready to clean up where needed.

The instructions look like they might be difficult to make sense of at times, but I'll take my time over it. No idea what's happening in steps VII or VIII below, but we'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Hopefully it'll all make sense when I have a good look at the parts!

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:24 pm

Work starts with the wheels, which is quite nice as it gets them out the way. I could do them first on any of my builds, but I've always liked following instructions in order to keep track of where I am.

There are four bogies to assemble, which were an absolute pain due to the number of parts that need lined up at the same time. Wheels were falling off all over the place so I just decided to glue them in place from the start - I don't really care if they move or not anyway, and it'll make painting easier.

Once all the wheels, drive sprockets (so much flash ), rollers and idlers were done, it's onto the underside of the hull.

The long rectangle here probably could have been moulded on, or at least have some way of locating it other than measuring to the tenth of a millimetre a sign of things to come?

Post by **digger303** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 3:06 pm

You wouldn't know there was a lot of flash you have done a sterling job of cleaning up. Measuring up

to locate parts almost has me ready to sell mine...

Post by **BigWall** » Fri Jun 11, 2021 2:40 am

This is going to be a cool build of something I've never seen before. I'm definitely watching with interest!

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Jun 11, 2021 3:48 pm

Great start tidying all that up Rob - as Digger said it's looking really tidy and wouldn't know about the flash based on those photos

and yep... not a great fan of measuring stuff to fit

Post by **ElCapitan** » Tue Jun 15, 2021 7:53 am

I managed to figure out what's going on in step VII - there's a projection that runs the length of the Hull side parts, and the cross section is showing that I need to cut the top part off 1.2mm above that. Luckily that's roughly the width of my steel rule, so I held it against the part and cut along it with a small saw until I had enough of a groove that I didn't need the ruler.

Once that was done, the Hull and interior can start to be assembled.

Everything is fitting quite well so far - just a small amount of putty will be needed at the corners of the engine grille, as the radius of the top corners done quite match with the cover, but no big deal.

Post by **digger303** » Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:02 pm

Given it's heritage this kit is looking good of course it could be the skilled modeler making it look good.

Post by **TheNordus** » Tue Jun 15, 2021 4:06 pm

I just had to log in to give my commiserations for your choosing a Mirage Hobby kit, but seems like you're doing a good job with this one. I'd just like to warn you, the rubber-band tracks Mirage Hobby offers are absolute garbage and can't even be melted together properly.

Post by **digger303** » Wed Jun 16, 2021 1:13 am

TheNordus wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 4:06 pm I just had to log in to give my commiserations for your choosing a Mirage Hobby kit, but seems like you're doing a good job with this one. I'd just like to warn you, the rubber-band tracks Mirage Hobby offers are absolute garbage and can't even be melted together properly.

Sounds terrible.
I went looking and found this ref....."RPM brand makes a kit of links for the C7P. It is kit no. 35-10001. These links are designed to work on the 7TP tank, the T-26 tank or the Vickers tank".

So since this was written I guess any tracks made for the T-26 or Vickers will do.

Keep up the good work Rob.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:27 pm

The interior is all built up, painted and glossed, ready for some oils and washes.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:54 pm

Nice project
Not sure how this big of a tank snuck past me...she looks quite "mighty"
Best wishes on your build's success

Post by **digger303** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:48 am

ElCapitan wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:27 pm The interior is all built up, painted and glossed, ready for some oils and washes.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 8:53 am

Nice work on the interior Rob that all looks really tidy

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 3:36 pm

Tomcat64 wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 8:53 am Nice work on the interior Rob that all looks really tidy

Tidy? We can't have that!!

Let's dirty it up a bit...

Much better!

Post by **Donkeywalloper** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 5:27 pm

Very, very nicely done.

DW

Post by **digger303** » Fri Jun 25, 2021 10:46 am

Post by **BigWall** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:16 am

Agreed! Very nice work!

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 3:43 pm

Walls and roof are now on, after much masking. I masked the open windows on the inside and will poke through once I'm done painting. Also added some handles, window tarpaulins, headlight etc, but it's still looking a bit bare, so can't wait to get the rest of the detail on there.

There have been a few fit issues, and one or two parts that look nothing like they're supposed to, but I think I've managed to get over those hurdles to an acceptable degree. It'll do, anyway.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Jul 15, 2021 5:00 pm

So that's the build 99.99999999999% finished. I'm moving house in just under 3 weeks, so I'm going to pack it away and add the final parts (very spindly looking wing mirrors) after I'm settled in the new house. They would just get knocked off too easily in the move, so I'm not going to take the risk of that happening and them getting lost.

Post by **ForeverPlasticKits** » Thu Jul 15, 2021 6:57 pm

Very nice kit, even the german forces used it during WW2 so it was a good quality tractor. See you in 3 weeks!

Post by **TheNordus** » Thu Jul 15, 2021 8:12 pm

I'm surprised at how good this kit looks, knowing the usual quality of Mirage Hobby quality. Good job!

Post by **BigWall** » Fri Jul 16, 2021 2:07 am

Very nice! I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

Post by **digger303** » Fri Jul 16, 2021 2:31 am

Once painted this is going to be a real stand out as the kit parts once properly cleaned and fitted look damn good.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:05 am

Hope the preparation for the move is going well mate.

Looking forward to seeing this under paint when you get settled in

Post by **ElCapitan** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:00 pm

It's been a while, but the move went really well and we're all settled in now.

I haven't sorted a decent airbrushing station yet so haven't made any progress on the tractor, but I hope to spray some primer at it on Tuesday or Wednesday this week. Watch this space!

Post by **digger303** » Mon Aug 30, 2021 11:36 am

ElCapitan wrote: Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:00 pm It's been a while, but the move went really well and we're all settled in now.

I haven't sorted a decent airbrushing station yet so haven't made any progress on the tractor, but I hope to spray some primer at it on Tuesday or Wednesday this week. Watch this space!

Sure will

Post by **BigWall** » Mon Aug 30, 2021 8:24 pm

ElCapitan wrote: Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:00 pm Watch this space!

I most definitely will! This is a cool model of something I've never seen before.

I'm glad the move went well.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 2:27 pm

ElCapitan wrote: Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:00 pm It's been a while, but the move went really well and we're all settled in now.

I haven't sorted a decent airbrushing station yet so haven't made any progress on the tractor, but I hope to spray some primer at it on Tuesday or Wednesday this week. Watch this space!

Great to hear the move went well

Will be watching along with the others

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Sep 02, 2021 5:36 pm

It's nice to hear that people are still interested after my short hiatus it's all the motivation I needed.

As teased, I primed yesterday and even got a base colour on today. I'm going with the camo scheme that appears on the box art (the bottom one on the image) as it should be fairly easy to do free-hand, and ordered the Hataka Red Line set for Polish AFVs.

The paint set describes the Polish AFV Green as being the base colour for the three-colour camouflage pattern, so I've started with that.

Quite a nice shade of green.

Post by **digger303** » Fri Sep 03, 2021 1:06 am

Great looking build and it's a weird looking thing...love it.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:54 am

And here it is with the camo done. I struggled to keep the edges from being too soft, but I'm happy enough with it. Next into detail painting which is always fun

And I've just realised I've missed the deadline for this. I thought it ran to end of September for some reason, otherwise I would have made it more of a priority! I'm going to continue the thread anyway as if the GB was still running, as the GB deserves another final reveal - for one of the best topics in ages I'm surprised it got so few entries.

Post by **digger303** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 9:53 am

ElCapitan wrote: Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:54 am And here it is with the camo done. I struggled to keep the edges from being too soft, but I'm happy enough with it. Next into detail painting which is always fun

And I've just realised I've missed the deadline for this. I thought it ran to end of September for some reason, otherwise I would have made it more of a priority! I'm going to continue the thread anyway as if the GB was still running, as the GB deserves another final reveal - for one of the best topics in ages I'm surprised it got so few entries.

Keep at it I want to see it finished as much as you do.
I thought it was a great topic too and original.

Post by **Garion77** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 2:32 pm

This is really impressive. And the subject is fascinating ! Continue the good work.

Post by **BigWall** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 6:18 pm

Definitely keep going. I would really like to see the finished model!

Post by **smokeriderdon** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 7:15 pm

I was also surprised at the small number of entries. Keep on man!

Post by **Donkeywalloper** » Tue Sep 21, 2021 1:37 pm

Holy Moly chap, what a splendid job your doing, really top notch work

DW

Post by **Garion77** » Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:49 pm

Please keep on ! this Is such a nice build

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:23 pm

Missed the last update but that paintwork looks superb Rob.

And yep keep at it because I'm way behind on this one too - I'm hoping to have mine done by the end of the year!

Post by **ElCapitan** » Sun Oct 17, 2021 6:08 pm

Thanks for the comments everyone. I sprinted through the rest of the painting and weathering - final reveal can be found here:

viewtopic.php?f=732&t=29743

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu Jan 06, 2022 8:51 am

Great looking cammo there Rob