SU100 Russian Tank Destroyer

[spruecutter]

Here's the WOT tank that I'll be attempting to replicate:-





And the Tamiya kit:-





The original sprues date from 1969 and were updated in this 2010 version. As well as including a couple of logs I think the texture on the hull and other parts were improved. Unlike some of the other tanks produced by Tamiya in this scale it doesn't have any parts for the interior.

I think it will suit this WOT build very well, if I have enough paint to cover it all!

[Paul]

Nice I've been wanting to do this one for while now, look forward to seeing it come together.

[McLeod]

Nice, that's going to be one impressive big beastie when its all done

[T3hGuppy]

Big girl you've got their.

[Coen]

Now that's a big chunk of fudge!
I've built a couple of 1/25s... you're going to need some shelf space for that lovely lady.

[Gav0909]

Awesome, this should be really nice.

[Tiger131]

superb choice love this tank looking forward to seeing how it turns out

[spruecutter]

I got most of the assembly done on this last night, below are some progress shots.

Its a very basic kit with only seven steps in the instructions. Most of the parts are large and relatively crude by today's standards. The T34 Dragon kits in this section are far more detailed. But this is a kit from the late sixties and at least the building is fast and easy, and apart from a bit of flash here and there, trouble free.

The suspension arms are added to the hull with springs and are held in place with poly caps:-




The wheels are big - but I still managed to loose one for a while there:-




I forgot to photograph all the sprues before starting the build, here's some that are still intact:-



All the wheels are on:-



The tracks are made from two types of individual links, and are moulded in a relatively hard rubber - just flexible enough to bend together:-


Track completed:-


Tracks on, and a quick test of the suspension:-


The inner faces were sanded to remove the numbers and make them look a little worn in:-


Most of the upper hull parts are on:-


Narrowing out the exhaust tubes:-


I did drill out the track links that go on the front of hull, but the rubber material doesn't drill too well, and the holes closed up:-











That was the easy part.

I've noticed a few differences between the WOT tank and this kit. Worse still the kit itself is different from the box illustration. Most notably with the large horizontal plate that sits above the gun mantlet. It's shown on the box but I couldn't find it anywhere in the kit, or mentioned in the instructions. Also the front mudguards may need to be altered, the kit versions look a bit too short on top. There is also a hatch on the rear of the upper hull that isn't present on the kit. I'll see if I can fabricate or modify these required parts.

[McLeod]

Nice one, I like the way the suspension and tracks go together, simple yet effective.

[Coen]

Wow you guys are making awesome progress.
Somewhat challenging builds too.
Very cool stuff.
I hope to get at mine tonight.
I'm envious.

[T3hGuppy]

Built already!!! damn quick lol.

[spruecutter]

The tracks and wheels took a while but the rest was basically two major hull parts with some accessories to add, one evening was enough. It'll take me months to get it painted though.

[Paul]

Nice progress

[spruecutter]

I added a bit of extra casting texture to the gun mantlet using Humbrol filler stippled with a toothbrush. Also in this view you can see that I've cut away one of the front mudguards (fenders) - this will be replaced with a longer version



Primed and base coated the wheels:-


and primed the upper hull:-

[Coen]

What did you use for primer there Sprue?

[spruecutter]

What did you use for primer there Sprue?

I used Vallejo Black Primer, with Tamiya thinner X20A

[Tiger131]

looking good buddy

[schweinhund227]

Clean build ! Tamiya hey ? nice to know and keep up the good work !

[russ2471]

I absolutely love the look of this kit mate another one to the wish list good work fella

[Tiger131]

that colour looks superb none of the detail will be lost

[spruecutter]

I've been searching the web trying to find references for the version of the SU100 featured in the WOT picture, without much success. I've come to the conclusion that it's probably more likely a picture of an SU85M.

Since my last update I've bought a Zvesda 1/35 SU100, and I have the early Dragon SU100 on the way, but I'm frustrated now that neither have all the parts to match, particularly the gun mantlet. The Zvesda kit is terrible by the way.

I still want to finish this 1/25th kit, but I think I'll have to withdraw it from the SIG, as I can't adapt the parts to match the picture. Alternatively, I could do the paint job to match, but the rear hatch, mudguards, mantlet and it's cover, plus other details won't be the same.

I don't want to give up on this one yet, but the SU85M Dragon kit is beyond what I can afford at the moment. I might have to settle for a 1/72 kit for the SIG and have this thread moved to another section.

Your views would be welcome.

Pete

Here's the Dragon kit of the SU85M that looks like the closest match

[Coen]

I just took a quick look at the SU-100 in game Sprue, both the SU-85 and the SU-100 used the same hulls. The differences were with the guns and the commander's cupola.
The SU-100 had the same cupola as the SU--85M but had a 100mm gun barrel.
I looked at both kits, the premium 85M (which I have in my own stash) and the 100 (which I have on my shelf) both kits will work to build up the game SU-100.
The trick will be in making sure you have the right in-game barrel. The game lets you have all sorts of silly barrels.
If you pick the 100mm D10S in game and screen shot that it will look like a real life SU-100 that you can build with the Dragon kits.
I hope that helps in some way Dude.

[T3hGuppy]

Id go with Coen on this one sounds like he knows what he's talking about unlike me

And I empathize with your plight of a bad kit.

[spruecutter]

Thanks Coen, I was hoping someone might be able to shed some light on things.

The later Dragon kit pictured above, no 6415 has both styles of mantlet. Unfortunately I'd seen a picture of the rear of this box showing both types available (the 2 in 1 kit) and thought it was for kit 6359 - the one I've just bought.

I'm re-assurred now from your comments that I can still use that kit. I see what you mean about the gun differences. But I don't know if it has the mantlet that's different to the WOT tank I selected.

I don't have the WOT game so I can't check either tank. I picked up my picture from the web, and just dived in thinking the Tamiya kit would do. Both mistakes, I've learned now.

I wonder if someone would be kind enough supply me with some in-game pictures of an SU100? I think I'll abandon the one I've chosen and build what I can from the Dragon kit

I'll open this up to any choices as long as it matches the Dragon kit 6359 below

Pics: Dragon kit 6359 above, and the rear box pic of 6415 below:-

[Tiger131]

superb pick love the tank and superb kit to work with.look forward to seeing you get this going

[Tiger131]

ive got that tank and i should have the plastic barrel left in the kit. i will have a look tom and if i have it i can send you it if you like..

[spruecutter]

That's a kind offer Tiger Thank you very much.

Although from the look of this below, kit 6359 has most of what I need, it has the rear hatch, the correct gun and mantlet, but not the rounded mudguards. The winter track wotsits will help, plus tow cables that I didn't have before either.

The gun should be ok though, but thanks again mate

[Coen]

Here's mine if that helps.
I took them then realised that I had the wrong barrel loaded. If you need me to I can take a couple more shots with the right one and with different camo.

[spruecutter]

Brilliant, thanks for going to the trouble to get these. How could I not do one in honour of LordCoen now?

They are both interesting paint jobs that would pose different challenges. I think I'd like to do the white wash version without the muzzle break. The all round views will be really helpful. Cheers.

Pete

pst! Nobody mention the rounded mudguards

[Coen]

I can take shots of some of the other camo schemes if you want to check those out too.
It only takes a few minutes to put together.

[spruecutter]

You are tempting me, that camo above is starting to appeal to me more now too. I'll leave it to you mate, if you really don't mind, then some garage shots of the camo versions would be great if poss?

Thanks again

[Coen]

No problem.
I changed out the barrel for the correct one too.
If you see one that you like let me know and I'll do some all around shots if you want.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13

[spruecutter]

I'd like to jump in at the deep end with number 7, but I'll err on the side of caution with number 2 ( am I the cliche kid?)

I like the look of the splinter camo actually but I'd like something more authentic. A Number 2 all round please? Then I've got that and the white wash as a back up if it all goes wrong.

Thanks again, this has really perked up my interest in this build

[McLeod]

Hehe number 7 is what I'm going to be attempting on my T34, wish me luck lol

[Coen]

You're McLeod... 7... cuckoo.
That's a bugger.

Here's number two.

[spruecutter]

Excellent!, thank you so much Coen. I owe you one mate

I can put that Zvesda kit to good use now as a practice piece

[spruecutter]

Hehe number 7 is what I'm going to be attempting on my T34, wish me luck lol

brave man! the best of luck with that one, it will look fantastic

[Tiger131]

looking forward to seeing this tank and camo pattern

[spruecutter]

I've re-titled this thread to remove the Tamiya reference, as from here on I'll be building this Dragon kit instead



A quick run through the sprues








Assembly of lower hull and running gear


Upper hull partly assembled

[T3hGuppy]

You have been busy.

Great progress dude.

[Coen]

And he's off.... again.

haha. This is a really good kit Sprue, if you can muddle through the instructions it will build up really well.

[spruecutter]

And he's off.... again.

haha. This is a really good kit Sprue, if you can muddle through the instructions it will build up really well.

It was a bit tricky getting the two hull parts to stay together, but otherwise it's gone well so far.
I've been listening to your vids whilst building this, I think they work really well that way, its like having a friend around, good company.

[Coen]

Yeah I've been getting that a lot haha.
It's better than listening to the tick of the refrigerator eh?

[spruecutter]

Few more parts added to the hull.



I was going to leave the Photo Etched parts off this, for a quicker build, plus I haven't used it before and didn't want to get in a mess. Then I thought I'd try the rear grill out because I could use the solid kit part to form the shape. Shaping it was easy but retaining the shape whilst attaching it was a bit of a struggle.

Then I went for it with the fuel drums. First the moulded rings had to put cut off.


Surprisingly these PE rings were easier to fit than the grill, which I managed to ding a few times, and had to remove, re-shape, and fit again!
First I attached the rear part to the bracket, then added the drums.


Then the front part of the ring was attached to the bracket.


The result looks much better than the moulded plastic rings, but I'm sure I'm not alone in finding this stuff very tricky to work with. Most of that is due to having to learn a new way of handling parts and using superglue in a more precise way. It makes plastic modelling seem much simpler now.

[Coen]

Looks like you've figured it out buddy. They look perfect. A little damage to that grill is fine in my opinion. I always ding mine up on purpose for battle damage.
She looks great Sprue!

[spruecutter]

Here we go with a few update pics

Primed with Vajello Black followed by a thin coat of Russian Green




Base coat lightened




Yellow Green added to get to the WOT camo colour






First pass with the camo stripes to establish the general pattern. I'll have to harden up the edges next. I used a mix of Tamiya Flat Brown, German Grey and a bit of black.

[Paul]

Nice Paint job pete, it looks great

[Radzy]

Nice jobe here... one of the few tanks I really enjoyed playing in WOT... and the only summer camo that counts
And it looks really good.

[T3hGuppy]

That camo is really coming along dude.

Great job.

[Tiger131]

that colour pops buddy looks superb