Ernest & Zack: Welcome guys!!!  

Thanks for the welcome!  I'm looking forward to building the JS-3!

ManCityFan, I noticed the rules say that kits already in construction are allowed?  If so, could I also enter the 1/35 Tamiya T-62 kit that I'm currently working on?  Its about 25% built, just the suspension and tracks done, and the upper hull cleaned up (sprue stubs, mold lines, flash, etc).

bufflehead

Thanks for the welcome!  I'm looking forward to building the JS-3!

ManCityFan, I noticed the rules say that kits already in construction are allowed?  If so, could I also enter the 1/35 Tamiya T-62 kit that I'm currently working on?  Its about 25% built, just the suspension and tracks done, and the upper hull cleaned up (sprue stubs, mold lines, flash, etc).

 

Plus, we get to see another WIP.  Everyone is happy. 

I will switch to this project in the roster.

Well, both of them sound cool Ernest, looking forward to one or the other or both!

Actually its both!  The JS-3 is more of a shake&bake kit, should be done quickly. The only change I'm planning is the tracks (if the MKs fit).  The old T-62 has some quirks so I'm doing some extra work to it...both should be fun!  I'll probably bounce back and forth between the two.

I'll start posting pics ASAP!

BTW Gamera, I looking forward to your MiniArt T-44.  I've got that one in the stash, but non-interior.  Its hard enough doing the outside of a tank!

Thanks Ernest, kinda wish I'd went with the exterior only version, I'm really bogging down here. I did sit down last night and cut out and cleaned up about thirty or so track links while watching YouTube videos.

I wasn't able to find much time during the holiday season, but did manage to get the engine-transmission painted:

Looking good Dutch!  Eager to see all that interior built up!

i am just throwing this out and i know it will be other places but what are you using to host photos since PB tanked?

BA-10 is coming along. was going to open it up but there is not much that can be seen. i am trying VALLEJO surface primer instead of Ace Hardware NOW. can use it indoors but i think the curing time is a lot longer for doing sanding and such. have an experiment going now. also started an AEROSAN for March club contest and have KAMAZ 6x6 and TYPHOON in the queue.

Waynec, I'm using Fotki.  Tried a few others and settled on Fotki as the most user friendly (for me).  I like their album system and simple sharing links.

With ManCityFan's kind permission I've also entered this partially built Tamiya T-62 into the GB.  It's about 25% complete, but I took a few WIP photos some time ago and I'll post them later.  For now here's what the build will consist of:

Unlike the Tamiya JS-3 which is a newer release, the old T-62 kit suffers from a lot of faults.  I've had this kit in the stash for about a decade and to address the problems I purchased a few aftermarket parts many years ago.  The turret shape is high on the list of problems so I found this at a local hobby convention.  Made by MB Models:

I also found these Armour Track workable track links at a hobby expo:

And these resin replacement wheels.  I lost the label many years ago, but I think they were made by "Tank Maker"(??)

I also have a metal 115mm gun barrel made by....?? and some other assorted AM parts that I may or may not use. 

Now I do have the newer and much nicer Trumpeter T-62 kit in the stash, but I just figured I'll build up some of my older kits first and use the AM parts that I already spent money on.  Probably a good way to reduce the stash!!

I have been using postimage.com

One more update for the evening:

I wanted to see if those Model Kasten SK-9 tracks would fit the JS-3 sprockets so I cleaned up and assembled a few of them.  They are a very close match to the kit vinyl tracks, just a wee bit smaller:

Do they fit the JS-3 sprockets?  You betcha!!  I couldn't ask for a better fit!

With that question answered its time to start building it!

great job on those builds so far all you guys! this is what i have so far I bought those metal tracks from friulmodel and its not as bad as i thought. The tank is comming together well so I got the tamiya T-55A its a step up from this old T-62A but Im still going to finish this T-62.

Thanks for the wellcome!
Slight change of plans:
I have lost the drawings to the Meng Terminator so can't start that one quite yet.
And one A-sprue has gone missing in the BTR-80A, don't know if that was me or Trumpeter - working on a solution tohether with my LHS.

So - stop gap is going to be the Tamiya SU-76M in 1/35:

Did not check the kit at all before the purchase - but I remember reading some positive reviews when the kit came out in 2016.

If I would have known that the tracks where mad up by 128 parts I would have hesitated - gave up on the MiniArt offering for that exact reason.

Anyway - built a small jig for the tracks assembly and am ready to start now:

bufflehead

One more update for the evening:

I wanted to see if those Model Kasten SK-9 tracks would fit the JS-3 sprockets so I cleaned up and assembled a few of them.  They are a very close match to the kit vinyl tracks, just a wee bit smaller:

Do they fit the JS-3 sprockets?  You betcha!!  I couldn't ask for a better fit!

With that question answered its time to start building it!

 

 

 

Glad to see they fit so nice. That's a relief. Look forward to seeing the progress. That JS-3 was a beast. I read a couple articles on it after seeing your posts. 

Hmm,
Making slow progress on the track links and started on the hull.
Breaking out off build sequence moving from step 3 to step 15 I get a bit nervous:
Is the gap between the upward armor plate and the engine deck OK?

Hey Sackgasse, welcome to the GB!  

Not sure about those gaps.  Hopefully someone else can chime in.

Lots of great work going on here!  Got to get back to my bench.  0 degrees here, and my bench is in the basement.  Brrr.

BA-10. Suspension system is not as robust as modern warwheels which is to be exoected. i think the paint is too dark so, even though that is the base coat, i am going to hit the outside, but not the chassis or under the fenders, with a lighter green.

HOBBYBOSS BA-10 BOXART by bravow01, on Flickr

HOBBYBOSS BA-10 CHASSIS (3) by bravow01, on Flickr

HOBBYBOSS BA-10 CHASSIS (1) by bravow01, on Flickr

HOBBYBOSS BA-10 TURRET PAINTED by bravow01, on Flickr

HOBBYBOSS BA-10 BASECOAT by bravow01, on Flickr

Found these from Pegasus . they are BA-6s and i have a 1/35 BA-6 which will be done in Soanish Civil War Republican colors. just goofing and trying stuffwith these.

PEGASUS 1-72 BA-6 SMALL by bravow01, on Flickr

Hi waynec,
Interessting, that suspension and drivetrain looks very much the same as the GAZ-AAA.
Cant advice on the green with any kind of authority but i agree with you - I would want to get the color closer to molded color of those BA-6's.
Coming along fine though!

- 5 in Gothenburg but a beautiful day. Need to get out!
I hear they had -38 on Mount Washington, New Hamshire... would not go out there...

The issue with the gap is sorted, the front plate is supposed to protrude and the gap - well it is a Tamiya and when dryfitting the sideplate it is a 100 % fit.
So my take is that it should be there. 

Well, in order to make sure I don't leave anyone out great work all around guys!!!

Sackgasse - looks like you're figured out the gap issue and are moving along!  Not too sure how you deal with -5 temps though!!  Lowest its been in my town is 35!!

Wayne -  the BA-10 is looking good.  Love the intricate suspension of the kit!

Not much to post for a weekend's worth of work, but bench time was cut short due to working on a faulty washing machine (which still isn't working ).  Still, I did get some assembly done:

Lower hull/suspension is done.  Everthing went together quite well, but I'm suprised this Tamiya kit only has poly caps for the sprockets.  The rest of the roadwheels have to be glued.

Looking at the upper hull I noticed that it doesn't have any sponsons......  Ernest no likey! To scratchbuild or not to scratchbuild, that is the question!

I also spent some time on the MK tracks.  Every link has ejector pin marks on the inside face....Oh the horror!!

To fix this I used Mr. Hobby Dissolved Putty.....

I luv this stuff for filling in pin marks and other small places that standard putty is hard to use.  I simply put a small dollop of the dissolved putty on each pin mark with an old, small brush.

I like to let it dry overnight before sanding it down smooth.  Sometimes I find that a second application of the putty is needed on a few links.

I was worried that there might not be enough links in the MK set, so I checked teh kit vinyl tracks.  Each track has 82 links per side, but they are a bit larger than the MK links so I estimate the JS-3 will need 85-86 MK links per side.  I counted 176 MK links so that allows 88 links per side....just enough with a few to spare!!  Whew!

Looking good Ernest. Those injection marks in the track links though, I've done that before and it cost me a good chunk of what little hair I have left... 

Sackgasse

Hi waynec,
Interessting, that suspension and drivetrain looks very much the same as the GAZ-AAA.
Cant advice on the green with any kind of authority but i agree with you - I would want to get the color closer to molded color of those BA-6's.
Coming along fine though!

i found some lighter Vallejo Russian Green. i think i will overspray the top and sides but leave wheel wells and suspension the darker color.

getting ready to start a Dragon Ukranian BTR-70 for Februeary club contest. may do it in UN if i can find some 1/35 Aftermarket UN decals. Interesting the UN on the Ukranian BTR ar sans serif like Arial and the ones for the Pakistani BTR are serif like Times Roman. They are old so trying to bleach them.

Ernest....sink marks in every link?  Someone needs to be publicly flogged for that one!

...And so it begins. I am building a ICM T35. Last night I spent about 2 mind-numbing hours "cleaning up" track links. Luckily, no sink marks! This kit has 750 parts and here are 350 0f them...

Holy mackerel. I'm cheering you on bud. I found building the friul tracks, similar to these, was actually relaxing. Kind of like knitting. 

DasBeav

...And so it begins. I am building a ICM T35. Last night I spent about 2 mind-numbing hours "cleaning up" track links. Luckily, no sink marks! This kit has 750 parts and here are 350 0f them...

DasBeav

...And so it begins. I am building a ICM T35. Last night I spent about 2 mind-numbing hours "cleaning up" track links. Luckily, no sink marks! This kit has 750 parts and here are 350 0f them...

 

and this is why i do warwheels. sriously, this is why. or modern tanks with side skirts and rubber band tracks in case i break one i can wire it under the skirts. though i did pick up a British WW1 WHIPPET as it has decals for Red Army, White Army and Freikorps which works with the Russian Civil War class i am working on to teach in April

Thanks for the encouragement, Griff. Always wanted to build this monster. It will be my first go with links. I will be watching lots of YouTube videos! Waynec, rubber treads are usually the determining factor for what tank model I will build. In my small tank stash, half are link or track and link. Strangely, they have been in the stash the longest. I wonder why?

ManCityFan

Ernest....sink marks in every link?  Someone needs to be publicly flogged for that one!

Yep!  I with you on that one Dwayne!  I'm still cleaning up those pin marks after three days!

Dasbeav, cleaning up and assembling indy link tracks are typically one of the most tedious parts of building tank kits, but in the end they usually turn out quite nice.  I almost always prefer them to vinyl tracks, with a few exceptions.

Very little progress on the JS-3.  As I mentioned, I'm still working on the MK links, but I did decide to scratchbuild sponsons for the upper hull.  I'll post some pics in a day or two.