I can see it now: "Comerade! Are you left handed and small? Have we got a job for you!"

GMorrison

Will the auto-loader be stuffing the gunner into the breech?

 

Nope... the auto loaders were not introduced until the 125mm gun tanks, the T-64, T-72, and T-80. Before that they had the left handed short statured loaders on their 100mm and 115mm gunned tanks: T-54, T-55,  and T-62.

Will the auto-loader be stuffing the gunner into the 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.

Looking good, never thought of scratchbuilding a breech. 

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....

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.

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

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...

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... 

No, but thats a thought.

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

GMorrison

Spread out a map of downtown Prague...

 

For a base?

Spread out a map of downtown Prague...

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.

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

Nice hatch fix

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

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

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...

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.

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

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. 

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

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

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....

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

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

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

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...

Nice technique on building the track links