RangerNeils SU-76M

[RangerNeil]

Great progress, good to see the fight continues!

Thanks for the kind words!! I must be honest - if I built this one again there are things I would do differently. However it is what it is now.

A bit more done today - doesn't look much but its the result of 3+ hours work
The three ammunition holders are completed and ready to be fitted into the hull. The righthand side of the fighting are is now in and the individual seat attached to it.

[digger303]

Looking really nice and one wouldn't suspect how much trouble it's caused.

[Stokesy44]

Who doesn't love a good ammo rack!! Nice to see the teeth of the beast.

[RangerNeil]

Who doesn't love a good ammo rack!! Nice to see the teeth of the beast.

And installed!!


Next job is trying to work out how the hell the front shield is meant to go on. I'll swear Miniart either expect you to be psychic or have access to the real thing because the instructions sure as hell don't make locations clear.


And starting work on the crew weapons that are mounted on the inside of the side shields.

[digger303]

Those ammo racks look good and the ammo it self.

[Kevthemodeller]

Somewhat late on this one, but it's all looking good thus far

[Tomcat64]

Nice progress mate - ref the front shield I think I ended up cutting off the bottom locating things and sitting it flush.

Also when you get to the right hand upper section of the fighting compartment there's a stonking big box that fouled the superstructure when I built it; that might have been me being a prawn but worth a dry-fit or two to see if it fits ok.

[RangerNeil]

Nice progress mate - ref the front shield I think I ended up cutting off the bottom locating things and sitting it flush.

Also when you get to the right hand upper section of the fighting compartment there's a stonking big box that fouled the superstructure when I built it; that might have been me being a prawn but worth a dry-fit or two to see if it fits ok.

Thanks for the pointers sir!! I know the box you mean - seen it on the instructions and sprue. Once I get that front sheild to locate those superstructure are next on the list so advice taken!!

[RangerNeil]

And what was foretold has come to pass!! The superstructure is proving an absolute pig!! I had to resort to image searches on the web of the real thing to work out where the hell the front shield was meant to sit - then tape the two side pieces on to be 100% certain.








There was a kind of scuttle immediately behind the spare track links that had to be removed to let the shield sit more or less correctly. I'd like say I was smart enough not to bother using the retaining pin for the gun as I foresaw such issues - but the sad truth is I plain forgot to fit it before the bulkheads went in......

With the gun in place its an even bigger pain to align but it is doable:




However the "scuttle" piece removed now needs work done to get it to fit...


And then right at the end of the session the towrope that goes on the glacis decided to snap in half. So I'm trying the CA sution but if it goes again I'll have to cut the ends of andyry a si.ilzr dia thread or wire.

[digger303]

I sadly have to admit to having 2 of these in my stash, one is the boxing your doing i suspect and another one in the building diarama kit Miniart produced a while ago.

I'm really thinking they should be finding another home

[Tomcat64]

I just checked back on my nightmare again:

1. For the scuttle thing I ended up carving off the port side end of the locating bar thingy so it sat properly
2. I ditched the kit tow cable after it broke three times, and there was no way it was going to behave and curve like it needed to so I replaced it with some cable I had in my bucket of bits. It looks like there were spare eyes so they were CA'd onto the cable & bound with tape.

I know what you're going through

[RangerNeil]

I just checked back on my nightmare again:

1. For the scuttle thing I ended up carving off the port side end of the locating bar thingy so it sat properly
2. I ditched the kit tow cable after it broke three times, and there was no way it was going to behave and curve like it needed to so I replaced it with some cable I had in my bucket of bits. It looks like there were spare eyes so they were CA'd onto the cable & bound with tape.

I know what you're going through

I'm wondering if it will be better to assemble the superstructure off the vehicle then add it as one piece??

[Tomcat64]

I just checked back on my nightmare again:

1. For the scuttle thing I ended up carving off the port side end of the locating bar thingy so it sat properly
2. I ditched the kit tow cable after it broke three times, and there was no way it was going to behave and curve like it needed to so I replaced it with some cable I had in my bucket of bits. It looks like there were spare eyes so they were CA'd onto the cable & bound with tape.

I know what you're going through

I'm wondering if it will be better to assemble the superstructure off the vehicle then add it as one piece??

I think that's what I ended up doing... actually yes, that's exactly what I did although it needed CA & brute force to get it lined up and held in place I think that actually did the trick.

Also there are a couple of small plates at the top front corners of the fighting compartment walls and it wasn't clear how they should fit as I think the instructions implied they should sit on top of the walls rather than flush with them.

[RangerNeil]

I sadly have to admit to having 2 of these in my stash, one is the boxing your doing i suspect and another one in the building diarama kit Miniart produced a while ago.

I'm really thinking they should be finding another home

Never thought I'd say this about a kit - but if I were you Digger I'd move one at least to a new (and unsuspecting) home!!! There were a couple of times today when it came within a gnats whisker of gettng the "see a wall - throw it at it" treatment.......

I just checked back on my nightmare again:

1. For the scuttle thing I ended up carving off the port side end of the locating bar thingy so it sat properly
2. I ditched the kit tow cable after it broke three times, and there was no way it was going to behave and curve like it needed to so I replaced it with some cable I had in my bucket of bits. It looks like there were spare eyes so they were CA'd onto the cable & bound with tape.

I know what you're going through

I'm wondering if it will be better to assemble the superstructure off the vehicle then add it as one piece??

I think that's what I ended up doing... actually yes, that's exactly what I did although it needed CA & brute force to get it lined up and held in place I think that actually did the trick.

Also there are a couple of small plates at the top front corners of the fighting compartment walls and it wasn't clear how they should fit as I think the instructions implied they should sit on top of the walls rather than flush with them.

100% right on having to use a combination of CA and brute force!! I'm surprised I never wound up breaking the wheels & tracks! As said above - I very nearly came close to slinging it at a wall a couple of times in sheer anger and frustration.....
Anyways, some 6 hours later this is the state of play:
Insides of the superstructure


All on after a considerable battle.










Last few parts being painted before fitting:


And the damn towrope snapped again just as it went through the last hook..


I'm having one last go at fixing it then its the spare eyes and length of wire/thread route. I measured the kit supplied item at 103mm between eyes.

[digger303]

I think I'd just replace the rope with wire....far easier.

I just had a perverse thought....A group build of this nasty kit A MEDAL if you finish it

Your doing very well.

[Stokesy44]

I just had a perverse thought....A group build of this nasty kit A MEDAL if you finish it

You Sir, are a sadist Sir!

[Stokesy44]

Its looking better all the time. A good return for all the hard work

[digger303]

Badge of honour to say I built this kit and it looks good

[Tomcat64]

...
I just had a perverse thought....A group build of this nasty kit A MEDAL if you finish it

Sooo... I've finished one, and Mr Ranger has nearly finished one... so that leaves me with two questions

1. Where do we collect our medals from?
2. Who do we know that has admitted to having at least two of these abominations in their stash??

[digger303]

...
I just had a perverse thought....A group build of this nasty kit A MEDAL if you finish it

Sooo... I've finished one, and Mr Ranger has nearly finished one... so that leaves me with two questions

1. Where do we collect our medals from?
2. Who do we know that has admitted to having at least two of these abominations in their stash??

I know what you mean I've been scratching my head trying to work out who that was.....I wish my memory wasn't so damn dodgy.

[Stokesy44]

It wasn't me

[RangerNeil]

"Abomination" doesn't even come close!! But - the vehicle is finished bar a bit of weathering:




Just got the crew to do now - which looks to be as bad as the vehicle. Sprue diagram says its sprue G - but the assembly/part numbers are shown on the painting guide - and the figure parts are labelled a, b, c etc. Again the fit leaves something to be desired.




From what I can gather from the interwebbie N. Korean troops used the standard Soviet Obr-43 uniform but for some reason opted for the dark green Shinel (great coat) used by Soviet Border Patrol. Which means the great coat needs repainting as I initiallly did it in the normal Soviet grey. The Telegroika - padded suit - also was standard Soviet issue.

[RangerNeil]

Figures A through E now in progress....

[digger303]

Good catch.

[Stokesy44]

Figures are looking good. They'll be a great add to the kit

[RangerNeil]

Thanks both!!!
Little bit more done tonight - doesn't look it - but 4 hours+ work...

[RangerNeil]

Figures are finished - so project is finished more or less. I'll post pics in the finished section later, just been summoned to dinner!!

[digger303]

[Stokesy44]

Nice work, great perseverance on a kit that really deserved the boot!

[Quax]

I think you've done a terrific job, I don't know why Tomcat made such a fuss doing his one......
This is a kit that I think I'll stay far, far away from but bravo again!

Paul

[Kevthemodeller]

Oh that's nice

[RangerNeil]

Thanks both Just trying to sort a suitable display base out and then it will go in the finished thread.