I was away at Boy Scout camp at the time, but I always followed the news.

So I heard about it when we returned to civilization. It seemed to be a full scale Soviet Invasion.

It was indeed. Something like 200,000 Warsaw Pact troops were involved. And my take is that they used the lessons learned from Hungary 1956 as a guide. The vehicles were distinctly marked in case of combat, and there was no half hearted first attempt. It was not "bloodless" as characterized by some, but casualties on both sides were minimal.

Well, I did get some bench time in today. I began adding parts to the top deck- some fender braces, the side armor beneath the turret ring, and some engine deck hatches

I also painted the lower hull sides and road wheels using Mission Models Faded Russian Olive, and then I assembled the lower track runs and formed them to the running gear. So far, so good...

Hopefully I can get more bench time in tomorrow...

Nice technique on building the track links

Thank you Sprue. I'm trying to get to bottom section nice ant tight, while I want the upper run to have the characteristic sag of Soviet tanks. So far, so good...

I like that idea with the tracks, never thought of that one.

It does work quite well, doesn't it? :)

Looking good! Gosh I hate track links, nice to see you've got them about halfway done.

Bish, Mike, and Gamera, thanks for looking in. Today was more bench time working on the tracks for the most part.

Upper runs of the tracks done

and construction begun on the turret

With the tracks done, the hardest part is behind me now....

Again nice work there. With the tracks out of the way she should be a cruise straight along to the paint booth. 

Looks great so far. I like the idea of using the rubber band to secure the tracks. 

Stik,

Looking great so far...and I have to echo what has already been said. Very cool technique with the rubber band, the tracks look amazing. 

Nice job on the tracks.That turret looks like it has some nice texture to it, nicley done.

Thanks guys. I'll be nickel and diming progress on this over the next several days before and after work. But no long bench sessions again before Sunday...

Bish, the turret does indeed have a nice cast texture. This kit is a real beauty. I highly recommend it, or any of Tamiya's T-55 family such as the Tiran or Enigma that are based off of this kit.

So I had a small dilemma with my conversion backdate of the turret- the loaders hatch opening was just a tad too big for the Trumpeter hatch from my spares bin, if I choose to have the hatch closed...

rummaging thru my spares bins I did come up with another Trumpeter spare hatch ring, but it was a bit oversized initially. So I cut off the fittings and sanded the exterior circumference until it would fit the Tamiya opening

Glued in place...

And now much better...

That's all the updates for today...

Nice subject mate, should come out a treat! I will be keping an eye in this one

Thanks for looking in fjs. This is quite an enjoyable build so far.

Nice hatch fix

Nice fix there! I probably would have left it open and stuck a figure in there though! 

Sprue and Gamera, thanks. G, I was looking at the figure option, but I really don't have one that looks quite right and matches the kit TC figure. Believe me, I was trying to find something. But then there is the empty space seen below and I start thinking breech, sidewall stuff, seats... I am doing my best to keep this quick and mostly OOB.

Spread out a map of downtown Prague...

GMorrison

Spread out a map of downtown Prague...

 

For a base?

No, but thats a thought.

I was thinking spread over the hatch. With an Ivan pointing his finger...

GMorrison

No, but thats a thought.

 

I was thinking spread over the hatch. With an Ivan pointing his finger...

 

No, only German TC figures are molded pointing... Never Russian...

I did find a good figure in a set in my stash who is sitting and smoking. Now I gotta see if he matches up well with the kit figure... 

Last nite after work, and today before work I was able to squeeze in a couple of sessions at the workbench. I added lots of little fittings to the turret.

I'm around half to two thirds done with the basic turret now... nice and simple...

Looks like nice detail straight outta the box. Looking great bud. 

Griffin25

Looks like nice detail straight outta the box. Looking great bud. 

 

It is indeed a very well detailed kit OOB. If you like post war Soviet armor, this is one you should not pass up.

More progress today...

I built up the left side fender stowage boxes

and the mesh grills for the engine deck

and then since I can't find a single photo of a T-54/T-55 involved in Operation Danube that has the upper glacis hardpoints and attachment rods, I filled in their mounting holes

I built up the fuel drums and snorkel for rear plate stowage

and lastly I decided to add a gun breech in case somebody takes a look in the open hatches that it's just not an empty black hole and there is something to see. I scavenged up a gun breech from my spares bin and modified it to resemble that used in the T-55

and I added a few bits to the turret- grab handles and rear marker

So with everything placed together, I'd say I'm about at the 80% complete for construction. 

I still have to add the lights to the turret and glacis, and then plumb and add the fuel tanks on the right fender, and a few other small bits....

Looking good, never thought of scratchbuilding a breech. 

Thanks G. It's just enough to show something in there. That was only about 20 minutes to do once I found the items.