show us more!!

I'd like to Detailfreak but i cant edit the first post ..............

Anyway here's the Zil 157k tractor that i'll be building .

Trumpeter kit 204 includes parts for the Zil-157K and the SA-2 missile with its transport trailer .For this wip i'm building the tractor only and will build the trailer and missile later . The tractor must have 200 + parts on its own . The detail is very good . Close attention must be paid to the instructions and multiple dry fitting is a must .

Zil-157 specs .

Zil-157 is a general purpose 2.5 ton 6x6 truck . Production was 1958 -1961 USSR . The improved Zil-157K (with winch) was produced 1961 -1978. The engine is a gas 6 cylinder inline producing 109 hp with a manual transmission .

Here's the engine . It consist of 36 parts .

This is the front bumper /winch . I'll put a cable on it later .

Front axle . The wheels are positionable .

This build will take a while as this is a busy time of year . I may not complete the tractor  untill this winter . So far the kit has been interesting to build . I've had to pull some parts back off and re-position them because i didnt pay attention to the instructions . Its a good looking beast when done .

awesome start Shellback love the wiring

Clay

Back from week long vacation.   Really like the engine!!!  

Oh yeah, this is a nice kit. I built it in 2006. One dude who was rebuilding the engines of those babies told me they were supposed to paint all the rotating parts, like the fan and the pulleys red. That's how I did it in my model for extra interest. What paint scheme do you want to use on it? Good luck with your project and have a nice day

Paweł

No worries about the time Carl, just enjoy the ride! Looks good so far, nice job wiring up that engine.

Wow neat subject and the engine looks great, looking forward to seeing how she comes out!

Hey guys i'm glad to have your comments . Thanks for looking in .

Pawel , it does seem that the Russians like red engine parts . I found these pictures .

Later guys .

Fantastic work Carl, it really is a super kit, I have one and it is stunning, I love your wiring etc so far.

I have the Voyager set for this kit and I must say its a waste the kit parts are probably better than what Voyager decided to provide as etch.

Just a quick note, while researching this truck I found one on YouTube and there is a blocky looking thing on the passenger side, its actually a stove, check YouTube for it, its cool.

Terry.

Terry thanks ! I'll look for that you tube video . I was thinking about some p.e. for this build but so far havent looked into it . This picture of the chasis lets me know that this thing could use a lot of plumbing .dont know if i'm up to it .

Hiya Shell ;-)   the work on the engine looks spectacular !  If the rest of the build goes this way, you have got another home-run on your hands for sure

great start buddy

tread

Thanks for the comments Tread man

Almost 2 weeks later ...................

For sure this is not a kit for the inexperienced model builder . In fact a lot of patience is needed also . The details are great . There are very few knock out pin marks and hardly any flash . But ...............the plastic is of a soft type which makes for mushy glue seams . I used Testors (pink label) lightly and 2 days after glueing the joins they were still soft . Another point of contention is the assembly sequence . I'm not sure that whoever made up the instructions actually put the entire kit together .Maybe they only built the sub assemblys ? An example is the rear axles assembly . After putting that sub assembly together as per instructions i ended up pulling it apart and assembling it ON the frame so that i could get the rear axles to set flat on all four wheels . I had to replace some of the smaller pieces with white styrene because the kit pieces are just too fragile ......at least for my handling fumbleing ?)

Here's where the assembly sets now . Next i'll do some detailing with hoses and wireing . I might have more pics in .............2 weeks ?

Take care .

Keep at it Carl, you'll get it to submit eventually! Nice work on the wiring and other details.

Bill , i guess there's no hurry .............good thing . Thanks .

Looking real good... nice touch adding a lot of wirings!  Keep it coming buddy...

2 weeks ain't that long,buddy.... I'll be waitin' ;-)

Reminder: white headliner:

TomZ2

Andy , thanks for looking in again !

Tread , it seemed like it was a while for what i got accomplished . Thanks again !

TomZ2 , white headliner ? Who'd of thunk it ! I see where Eduard makes a p.e. set for this truck . Those pics will really help . Thanks .Their from Sprue Bros ? Off of their new site ?

Hey man, intresting project you have going on, dont see a lot of these here.  The frame is quit impressive and your plumbing is comeing along very nice.  From those pictures it looks as if there is plenty you could still add.  Will be waiting to see what you do.  With that high part count, misleading instructions and soft plastic sounds as if you have a little challenge on your hands.  I know your handy work will breeze right through as always.  Are you planning the hood open or some way to see the details?  Look forward to the next update.

Rob goood to hear from you ! I'm planning on having the hood open to show the engine detail . I dont know yet if the kit plastic hood can be posed open . Its a bi-fold arrangement on the realski. Eduard makes a p.e. hood for this kit that can be bi-folded ..............i may have to get it .

Thanks for taking a look !

With all that engine work, you definitely have to show it....I think you need the PE hood!!

Rounds Complete!!

Mike , that settles it ! I'm going to get that Eduard p.e. set by golley !

Thanks

This time i have done some plumbing . I ran the lines for the air brakes and the fuel lines . I'm not saying that the lines are exactly correct in their positioning . I did do research on the web and this is the i came up with .It looks like 99 % of this will be covered up on the completed model but the effort was enjoyable . The pe set from Eduard i cant find at Sprue bros or Squadron . According to the kit instruction the plastic hood parts can be bi-folded so i will go with that idea . Probably scratch build a lot of the under hood detail that kit leaft out .

Take care

Beautiful job so far and it is only 25 percent complete?!?!  Agree with y'all... keep the hood open!  Really hoping you will add a cup holder or two... LOL

Howdy!

Nice work on the plumbing! This is turning into something special. Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

Sweet work. I have a question: The prop shaft off the front of the transfer case, looks like it could be the PTO (power take-off) for a front winch, that's dangling so realistically.....did Trump mold it that way or do the U-joints actually flex like the realski (good word, btw)  and the shaft is actually dangling?

Andy , less than 15% complete me thinks . A cup holder..............good idea , maybe up on the dash ?

Pawel , thanks for looking .

RBaer , the u-joints snap together but its not a tight fit so i glued mine , except for that shaft that is dangling . I will hook it up to the tranny when i install the engine later . Here's a pic to explain the shafts up front . I put a coat of dark gray primer on it last night .