Hooben T55a Build

[subdvr]

Hi All
A few pictures through putting together this great kit, sourced from Forgebear it has been a real treat to assemble, though I have to say the quality of the injection mouldings on the sprues has been a little dissapointing resulting in some cut fingers ( no doubt we all get these) and some loss of patience.
The kit allows for some customisation, ive added fuel pipes, not entirely accurate, but okay I feel, the foot rails on the turret are metal,as are the tethering holds, Ive also added XPM over the engine bay air vents.

I am currently at the dressing stage of this kit and putting in paint chips and weathering , so more pics to come soon.

[STEINER]

Great attention to detail, I like it. What electrics do you plan to use, Tamiya or HL.

STEINER.

[subdvr]

Thanks
Good question, the kit came with a recoil unit, elevation, rotation units and motors, so I think it will be Tamiya, Forgebear recommended the MF-06 (KV-1) unit, but to be honest, its all new to me, so will listen to recommendations.

[subdvr]

A few more pics as I get it weathered up:

[forgebear]

looking very good that t55a dave

[Von kraftwerk]

good work I love to have a T55,neat wear on the edges,what did you use for that good looking mantlet cover,also I like the turret tie downs nicely rounded feet,

[subdvr]

Thanks Dave, great kit!

VK, thanks for the kind comments, the mantlet cover comes with the kit, its made of nylon I think, and surprisingly, holds the paint well, it actually looks a bit like the front end of a piping bag. The turret tie downs are hand made from modelling wire, .5mm, bent and shaped using croc nose pliers.

[Von kraftwerk]

Don't be afraid to add a bit more Russki green showing thru,because the way you've done it so well I think it would look even better a bit more beat up,if you've ever seen any captured Iraqi kit you will know how beat up that sand paint gets,almost sand blasted!great job anyway they have to have looked new or nearly new at some stage,I've tried to make factory finish models,never works out once I get started lol!

[subdvr]

Know what you mean, seen one or two whilst in Iraq looking a bit sorry for for themselves, may have a play in an underexposed area, perhaps underneath.

[brizo58]

Hi All
Just started my T55 i got from dave on e-bay, great tank .Must say that the amount of sprue releaes oil was a surprize .Not had to wash my kits in hot water for a long time.Still just get on with it must say to the amout flash on the parts. But it "s going together relly well so far . i"ll try to get some photos on later ...Brian....