Trumpeter BTR-50PK Nearly finished

Dupes, The kit PE one is very flat and a nightmare to bend, even with the supplied jigs. Since it's PE all the joints are butted together. The reference photos I found show a very crude style of construction with no butt joints. The bars were layed over one another and spot welded. The one kit one probably could look ok, but in the same amount of time I built these that I felt were better.

Scratchbuilt? Wow. Those are a complicated little assembly.

Didn't like the kit ones, eh?

dupes

Trumpeter did a really nice job with those etch headlight covers.

Except those are not the PE covers that come with the kit... The kit ones a bit sad really. These here were scratch built from brass and styrene rod.  :)

Yes, the BTR50 and PT-76 are identical from the engine deck down. Pretty quick to assemble.

Edit - relation to the BTR-50 family. Just saw your BTR-60, and it's a completely different chassis.

Wow, that looks great!

Didn't realize that the BTR family and the PT-76 family were so closely related - slice off a turret and add an armored  hull box and you've pretty much taken care of all of the changes.

Trumpeter did a really nice job with those etch headlight covers.

Looking real good!  Agree with Bill... it will look GREAT with stowage next... maybe figures too?

Thanks, that is what I was hoping for.

Very cool, definitely adds some visual interest to the finish.

Thanks Bill. Those doors are meant to replicate replacement parts from another vehicle. A few minutes of air brushing and a simple ochre filter was all it took to make them appear different without having to repaint the base tan colors. On the artistic side, I also wanted to add some interest to the vast, flat and featureless tan top side.

Looking good Kenneth...have to ask since it's changed some since the last update, what's the story on the exposed green areas on the roof area?

Quick update here. It's almost done. No stowage on it right now probably very little if any in the end.

Thanks y'all. I love the HS method of chipping and I use it on just about every model to one extent or another. It can be used for extremely fine and subtle scratches or large patches of peeling paint.. Very versatile.

A great job, and a fine depiction of the wonders of the HS method!

real nice job on that chipping

Really good job with the HS.
The headlight guards are excellent!

Thank you for sharing!

Very Best Regards
Johan 

Mighty Fine Mighty Fine Ken

Us Rednecks might talk slow and work slow but those traits do have their benefits right?

Take all the time you need,she's a winner

Tony lee

Hello!

Nice work! I'm just building a version of this vehicle, the Czech-Polish TOPAS, but in 1:72 (here). I'll be watching, maybe I can pick up some tricks or details for my build from yours. Good luck with your project, have a nice day

Paweł

Thanks Richard. It's really pretty easy to do. There are only a few precautions and most of them involve not putting the top color paint on too wet (it will crack the HS) Keep the top coat thin and dry as possible. The other thing is go easy at first. You can always remove more. Too much water and scrubbing too hard, the top coat will start coming off faster than you want, be gentle and work slowly. The HS can be worked for months afterward so don't be in a rush.

Good job on that finish! 

I haven't tried the hairspray method yet.  I might have to give it a try.