1/72 SKOT 1 (OT-64) APC - ARMO Jadar - Workbench Part 2

Time for an update - let's see what can be fixed on SKOT model. Since there is no photo etched set for this kit, all upgrades have to be done from scratch.
Let's start from hatches. The kits has all the hatches in closed position.

1/72 SKOT 1 - Armo - closed hatches

I decided to open crew's hatches, since I planned to add figures of driver & commander. I gently cut off existing hatches, using razor saw, and drilled out corresponding holes.

1/72 SKOT 1 - Armo - opened hatches

1/72 S-300 PMU Gramble 30N6E1 Radar Vehicle PST IN-BOX

Recently, digging through my stash, I pulled out quite big box with with 30N6E1 radar vehicle from S-300 PMU (SA-10 GRUMBLE) rocket system. Model is made by Belarusian company PST. It contains 197 parts and measures 20,46 cm when assembled.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Gallery

Here's my completed 1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) tank from Trumpeter, as one of two such tanks tested in Polish Army, to replace aging T-34s. However, Poland decided to skip JS-3 tank, and chose T-54/55 over them.
The whole build you can check in previous posts, here's just quick summary. Painted with Model Master and Tamiya acrylics. Stock gun barrel replaced with aluminum one by JB Models. Cut-out turret hatches (unfortunately Trumpeter molded them shut) and scratch built inner side details. Drilled out headlights and added lenses from MV Lenses. Added fuel lines from wire.  Figures came from Preiser's "Soviet Tank Crew" set. Resin cobblestone base. Weathering with pastel and oils.
Here it is:

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - Polish Army (LWP)

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - Polish Army (LWP)

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - Polish Army (LWP)

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1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Completed

Finally I found some time to do long time due update on JS-3. Tank itself is completely assembled and received some weathering using pastels and artistic oils.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - weathering

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - weathering

Click READ MORE to see all the pictures.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 7

Time for the update of JS-3 build. The tracks were assembled and mounted on the wheels.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Tracks right side

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Tracks left side

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 6

After having assembly and priming done, I could go forward with painting. First I applied pre-shading using Tamiya Black XF-1.

Next, I airbrushed Model Master 4807 Russian Armor Green, lightened up with Tamiya White X-2.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 5

Finally I finished the assembly. The hatch is on the place, and I added blockade for it made from copper wire.

1/72 JS-3 - Assembled turret top

1/72 JS-3 - Assembled turret front

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 4

Some work done on JS-3. Gun barrel fixed in place and muzzle brake added.

Gaps on the turret had been filled as well.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 3

Work on JS-3 continues. After quite a struggle I managed to install metal gun barrel into the mantlet (I had to widen the opening). Having this done, I assembled the turret. Fitting is quite away from snug.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Turret's bottom

Assembled turret revealed rather serious gaps on both sides of the gun mount...

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Gun mount

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 2

I started work on JS-3 by assembling suspension parts.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Suspension

One of disadvantages of this kit are hatches, which Trumpeter molded in shut position. Since I prefer to include figures with my builds, I decided to cut them out.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Opened turret hatches

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 1

Among other modeling subjects, I definitely have a soft spot for Polish armor. While ago, when reading one of the books of that matter, I found the information about two JS-3 (IS-3) tanks delivered for testing to Polish Army (1946/1947). Eventually, Polish Army went straight for T-54/55, skipping JS-3. Both JS-3s are preserved in museums in Poznan and Warsaw.
Having this said, let's focus on the model kit. Trumpeter makes two versions of this heavy tank, JS-3 (which is going to be my victim here) and JS-3m (later version).

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter

1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc Dragon - Completed

Finally Firefly Vc is completed. Crew was mounted in their hatches (placing the driver was really tricky :)). Terrain was made with mixture of pigments, white glue and matt varnish. Vegetation was done with different products from Silflor and Polak companies. Decals came from 1st Polish Armoured Division Part 1 set by Armo (72408). This Firefly received markings of 1st Squadron, 2nd Regiment, 1st polish Armoured Division, in England, during Spring 1944.

1/72 Pz.Inz. 140 4TP Polish Light Tank - Modell Trans

Germany based manufacturer Modell Trans released resin model kit of Polish 4TP light tank.
Model kit is packed into small clear plastic box.

1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc Dragon - Workbench Part 5

Some family matters prevented me from more often posting, but hopefully everything will get back to normal. However, in meantime I was able to spend a bot of time modeling.
I managed to assemble the crew for Firefly. Parts for them came from Milicast British Tankers, Preiser RAF mechanics, and Airfix donated parts for driver. Here are three musketeers:

Before painting them, I checked if the fit into the hatches

1/72 T-34 Factory / Stash - Dragon, UM, Revell, Planet Models

I was stashing various T-34 model kits for a while, for planned future builds. Recently we were talking  with my friend from our local modeling club about different T-34 variants and respective model kits in braille scale. At the end, me and my buddies John and Tom, we took the challenge to build at least one T-34 (each one of us), which should be completed for NOVA Model Classic.
After a while, I started checking my stash for T-34s, since I knew I have some...
Here's what I found :)

I checked with John & Tom which one they build, and decided the same model kit will be my first casualty.

I hope it will be quick and fun build (Maybe this time...). Stay tuned!