SU '85 AN-BRI-RAMINATOR PROJECT

[HERMAN BIX]

I want a log on each side, and a good dusting, plenty of stowage if available, similar to the pics of the Panther-wheeled one, and others.
Actually Minsk liberation time is a very good look for one of these, lots of logs & plenty of stowage.
Since I sold the Cherkassy T34/85 ages ago I actually dont have a white washed Russian AFV, apart from a KV1 that has a bit of white cam on it
I still have the JS2 to do as a main project which is a summer one, and I have a sad old KV1 carcass which was going to be a conversion, so no chance to get another white washed Soviet project by the looks.

[HERMAN BIX]

A dust wash over the lower hull behind the wheels, and a light waft over of XF-57 Buff to bring it all together.
More on the rear than the rest, but a bit in the front around the now exposed tracks.
Went on an escorted mission today to find suitable logs.
All I could do was clump around pointing at possible options, and the kids picked them up
Once we got home I could select at my leisure.
Once I’d decided, outside they went to get sealed with the same stuff I use on the paint.
Otherwise the bark flakes and looks out of place.
They were then dusted over to the same degree as the tank.
To secure them I used twisted wire on one side (as seen in several period pictures) and the other I used fine chain( again as seen in period photos)
PVA glue went on the guards in the contact points to further attach both logs to the model.
An ok look.

Next is finishing the chain on the log when the glue is dry, then tools & accoutrements.

[MonsieurTox]

Great detailing and great weathering !

[SCHWEREPANZER]

Another tour de force by Mr, Bix. Nicely done!

[HERMAN BIX]

Great detailing and great weathering !

Merci Monsieur, its hard to get green looking like anything other than, well ya know, green

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51BQfPeSK8k

[HERMAN BIX]

Another tour de force by Mr, Bix. Nicely done!

Cheers Mr Schpzr, the real hard work was already done to an exemplary degree by Mr Raminator, and I am thankful for that.
In a different kind of way, every tank version of every nation has its point when it cant be painted any differently that the way it can be painted if you get me.
German, Russian, Allied...............they are painted the way they are, and there is not a lot of space for variation.
Captured stuff aside of course.

That aside, with a growing number of Soviet tanks, the quest for a point of difference is going to be ongoing for me I think !

[HERMAN BIX]

The PVA glue is dry and solid, so on with the job.
While the glue was setting I decided to make an ammo box to go on the back deck out of actual wood.
I have a load of suitable stuff from other projects, so I searched up the dimensions of the 85mm shell & case that they traveled in.
Scaled to our size, the 51mm long round comes in a box that is 70mm long, 12mm high, and 33mm wide.
Ive rounded the sizes for the sake of sanity!
A lot longer than the earlier 76mm rounds in their crates.
PVA again, bits of trimmed wood onto cardboard backing to add support, then once reasonably set, I filled the cavity with magnetic strip from the cheap shop to add weight.
Secured the lid & placed on the rear deck using embroidery thread as rope. Cant stand stowage items being perched on a tank by gravity !!
A light stain with MIG 1000 Brown wash for German vehicles wiped off seems to give the right look, & a quick dusting over with Buff to blend in to the rest of the tank.

Got into the suitable unit I.D. and casemate number for this relatively rare machine.
I left it a bit late(after the seal coat) so decals were off the books.
I had no hope of free-handing the numbers with any respectable outcome, so I turned to stencils used for my girls at school they are on holidays now so wont miss the sheet until first day of the new year............
While not perfect, they are close enough to an actual marking on an SU-85 in the 2nd Guards Tank Army- 9th Tank Corps spring 1945, which also allows the Panther wheels to make sense.
Lots of masking & positioning but they came out good.

Now I only have to do the tools & bicycle to finish it off.

[MonsieurTox]

Great detailing and great weathering !

Merci Monsieur, its hard to get green looking like anything other than, well ya know, green

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51BQfPeSK8k

Haha you're right, the Stuart was the first Olive Drab model I was doing, hard to make a monochrome looking interesting !
The bicycle is great !

[MITCH]

Beautiful achievement, I love the color rendering

[Ad Lav]

Great looking tank, a slimline Jagdpanther

Like the bicycle!