Thanks Tiger, I'm still working on her but slooooowwwwllllllllyyyyyyyyyy..............

Well I want to add my first WIP photo. Most of the parts have been primed, the main gun is a turned aluminum barrel and now onto the wheels, tracks and lower hull. As I mentioned before the tracks are individual links. Wish me luck.

Ben, I'm really looking forward to your S-Tank build. I'd go with the monotone green scheme myself, I think it suits the vehicle really well.

Tiger, it's always nice to see some Russian armor in here!

I should be able to get started on my Leopard 2 soon. So far I managed to do a quick dry fit of the Hull tub and the rear and top plates. Considering this is a Tamiya kit, I was a bit disappointed. The fit isn't terrible, but it isn't exactly one of Tamiya's standard "shake and bake" kits either.

Tiger: Lookin' good! You've got the road wheels loose and cleaned up, other than cleaning up the tracks you're on the down hill run now. 

I want to say thanks to all! 

Ben, looking forward to that S-tank.

Tiger, yours is coming along very nice.

Well I'm calling this done. Got some ratty looking pics. I'll try to get something better later on.

That is a nice build.

That is a nice clean T64. The metal tracks really add that sense of realism; and when I said clean I mean it looks like its ready for inspection.  which is a good thing. Nice work OJ.

Clicking on the photos to enlarge them really helps - there's a lot of surface modulation and detailing that doesn't show in the smaller posted images. Great work, John!

Colonel, Tiger and Mike, thank you all very much!

I swapped out the photos but these aren't much better. 

John: She looks fantastic!!! Love the slightly different shades on the ERA bricks.

ogrejohn

Colonel, Tiger and Mike, thank you all very much!

I swapped out the photos but these aren't much better. 

 

I don't know what you're talking about OJ. These pictures really bring out all the little nuances of your tank. The tracks look awesome and as Gamera pointed out the slightly off colors of the ERA blocks really give it a sense of realism.

As for me I've finished one side of my individual track links from Trumpeter. They are excellent links to work with and they look great, I was pleasantly surprised.

Many thanks Cliff!

Thanks Tiger! Those tracks are looking mighty fine! 

That is really nicely done John, i do like the finish. Looks very impressive with those blocks on.

Tiger: Those tracks are looking good! I've used links that come on sprues like that, they are easier than the regular style ones on the large sprues. 

Thanks Bish!

OK I finished the other side. I wonder why the second set of tracks goes together much faster than the first? Anyway I will be spending some time doing my grandson's present, so my time will be split. But I know I'll have this done before Thanksgiving. I hope.

They look perfect! It does get easier when you get into the swing of things. 

Slowly working my way though the tracks. I've just cleaned up and cemented in a zillion or so guide teeth. Weirdly there aren't enough teeth, no big deal- you won't be able to see them behind the skirts:

And the paint and the crew figures came in today:

Hey G, who did you get the individual tracks from? When I did my Abrams I went with AFV Club M1A1 & A2 tracks. The guide teeth were already part of the link, you just have to attach the outer track links, they are also workable. Anyway your tracks look good. I'm also noticing that MiniArt is producing some very fine and interesting models, figures etc. Their stuff is very nice.

Nice work on the tracks Cliff. Odd there wasn't enough guide teeth for the whole run. 

Thanks guys! Tiger, they're the DS tracks that come with the kit. DS is a new style of 'rubber band' tracks Dragon is putting in a lot of their new stuff. It can be cemented with normal cement and takes paint much better. 

I cut up the teeth sprue to make it easier to clean them up. I'm thinking now I should check the box or the trash to make sure I didn't miss some of them. 

John, that is one mean looking T-64. Congrats on getting her done! I love all the different shades of green on those ERA blocks.

Tiger, looks like you're making good progress on your T-72. I really like those tracks.

Cliff, DS tracks with separate guide horns, huh? Imo that kinda defeats the whole point of having them in the first place. They do look nice, but also very tedious  Btw, I'm very interested to see those figures built up and painted. I'm thinking about getting Miniart's Bundeswehr tank crew for my Leo 2.

The Dragon T-95 has 432 separate guide horns; that was a fun night of building.

Gamera

Thanks guys! Tiger, they're the DS tracks that come with the kit. DS is a new style of 'rubber band' tracks Dragon is putting in a lot of their new stuff. It can be cemented with normal cement and takes paint much better. 

I cut up the teeth sprue to make it easier to clean them up. I'm thinking now I should check the box or the trash to make sure I didn't miss some of them. 

 

And they are also replacing the magic Tracks is other kits with DS tracks yet it has the same kit number so you don't know what your getting until you open the box.

Clemens: Yeah it does seem like a weird choice. Still they weren't too much work. You should pick up the MiniArt set, they do great work- some of the best plastic figures I've seen. They're almost as nice as resin figures. Mine are assembled, not sure when I'll get around to painting them. 

Bish: Gee whiz. I don't personally mind the DS tracks but I would be nice to have different stock numbers so you know what you're getting. 

I am not a fan myself but yes, would be nice to have the choice. And they have not lowered the price either and peronally i think the DS tracks should be cheaper than Fruils.

But fortunaly a lot of the other companies are doing indy link tracks and i seem to be moving away from Dragon.

I agree with you completely, Bish.

Dragon's ridiculous price increases the last couple of years, combined with them taking more and more of their goodies out of the boxes (PE, Magic Tracks, clear parts with dials printed on) really keeps me from buying any of their kits nowadays.

Luckily, new Brands like Meng, Takom and especially Rye Field are slowly taking over with kits of similar, if not better quality at more reasonable prices.

Cliff, looks like I'll have to get me one of those Bundeswehr tanker sets then 

SchattenSpartan

I agree with you completely, Bish.

Dragon's ridiculous price increases the last couple of years, combined with them taking more and more of their goodies out of the boxes (PE, Magic Tracks, clear parts with dials printed on) really keeps me from buying any of their kits nowadays.

Luckily, new Brands like Meng, Takom and especially Rye Field are slowly taking over with kits of similar, if not better quality at more reasonable prices.

Cliff, looks like I'll have to get me one of those Bundeswehr tanker sets then 

 

Most of Dragons kits now are at silly prices £60 plus and a lot of them are just re-boxings of older kits. When you look at what those comanies you mention are producing and at much better prices, i think Dragon are going to kill themselves off at this rate. I had been planning on getting a Dragon panther D and both versions of the Tiger II, but now i will be getting the meng kits.

May I join with Tamiya's Merkava in 1/35?

Sure thing! I'll get you added to the roster.