ZSU-23-4 SHILKA

[martslay]

Hi, everybody!

In March I have begun to do the ZSU-23-4 SHILKA Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun model from MENG (TS-023). By agreement with MENG I have to write article about construction of this model. Therefore, this subject will be a draft copy of future article.

In parallel I collect the ZSU-23-4/4M model from new Chinese firm HONG Model. I will periodically compare the specified models.

So, we will start...

Box of the big size with colourful drawing. It is difficult not to notice such box on the shelf of shop. Quantity of details big. I didn't begin to consider - laziness.
Quality of details fine: there is no shift, defects of molding... Details don't demand processing. It is enough to process places of separation from a framework.
Road wheels gather from two parts, the rubber plug is inside inserted. It is convenient at installation.

Here that is made at the moment:

[Tojo72]

Oh boy,this one is on my list,will be following.

[martslay]

Welcome!))

[dierk]

Of course I'll be watching this!
Looks like a great kit - but those indy links are going to be a pain to both get off the sprue and then to clean up! Shame Meng didn't manage to put the casting gates on the outer edges of the links rather than the inner edges...

[wbill76]

Definitely going to follow along with this one! Nice!

[martslay]

Thanks and welcome Dierk&Bill!

[Leon]

Off to a nice start Martin! I'll be following along.

[martslay]

Apr 16, 2016 12:14:29 GMT -5 Leon said:

Off to a nice start Martin! I'll be following along.

Many thanks Leon!

[deafpanzer]

A lot of guys want to get this kit... bet you will have many interested followers for this build. Great start... pulling my chair now.

[martslay]

Small updating after holidays.

[dierk]

Nice progress Martin! Looks like the towcable is plastic - I'm wondering how you fit it: did you have to bend it?

[Tojo72]

Nice progress,those tracks look like a bear with 3 spue attachment points,will you use them or go after market ?

[martslay]

May 4, 2016 9:41:08 GMT -5 Tojo72 said:

Nice progress,those tracks look like a bear with 3 spue attachment points,will you use them or go after market ?

On this model I shouldn't use after market. All details only from a box.

Nice progress Martin! Looks like the towcable is plastic - I'm wondering how you fit it: did you have to bend it?

MENG has made a plastic cable of such interesting form. I didn't even process it. There is nothing to process, quality very good. 

[jsteinman]

[Leon]

Nice progress Martin!

[martslay]

May 4, 2016 10:11:23 GMT -5 jsteinman said:

I remember this sack with popcorn  

Just bought a 50 pound bag - I hope that is enough!

[martslay]

May 4, 2016 11:09:21 GMT -5 Leon said:

Nice progress Martin!

Many thanks Leon! It is necessary to work with this model a lot.  

[tobias5555]

Good and clean build.

[martslay]

May 4, 2016 12:09:02 GMT -5 tobias5555 said:

Good and clean build.

Many thanks tobias5555.

[wbill76]

Off to a great start!

[martslay]

May 4, 2016 18:21:33 GMT -5 wbill76 said:

Off to a great start!

Thank you very much, Bill!

[nicely11b]

Looking good so far! It's another one on my wishlist so I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

[Deano]

Cool beastie !! great start too !

[sturmbird]

I'd forgot all about this build! I have the same Meng kit, and it's nice (still trying to get all those parts back in the box). I found a few photos of them in Checknya, and I think that's what I'll do whenever I find time to start it.

As a side note: I'm going to build a ZSU 57 for a Vietnam Easter 72 build. Hope to have the kit on order before the end of the month.
gary

[panzerjager2]

Shilka, VERY BERRY COOL