Magach 7C

[rbaer]

Well okay then, since I was waiting for paint to cure on the 2C, why not start another? I'm starting with the Takom M60A1 hull from one of their M48H kits, and will use an Academy Magach 7C kit for everything else. I really like these Takom kits, they go together quickly and without issues and are accurate. To get the right configuration for the "slick" hull the 7C is based off, all I had to do was move one return roller about 3mm and "delete" the number 2 shock on each side. I had the Friuls from the Academy 7C I scrapped a while ago, so I'm already here:
IMG_0914 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0913 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I really thought about doing the Nochri mine roller mounts, but I'd need some "I" beam, and that's just not happening right now, maybe later... Tan parts are Academy, more to come.
Stay healthy!

[joelsmith]

Russ, do you have a sign over the door to your workshop that says; IDF Rework Facility? I wish I could make as much progress in a week as you do in a day!

[rbaer]

No signage, need to keep the workshop's location somewhat under the radar.... And keep in mind, I'm lately building the "same thing" over and over, so I have lots of parts already grouped together, and even have "systems" for doing some things, so I can get a basic hull together in an hour or two. I hate to say it, but I found an IDF M9 'dozer kit in the stash, a Legend kit, that I'd forgotten about, and I just happen to have another M60 hull moving along nicely, so when I did the swing arms (pics to come soon, I hope) I was able to set it up with the front low, perfect for a raised 'dozer blade.

[rbaer]

Okaaaaaay, fenders and hull details coming along, almost ready to start the turret:
IMG_1292 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_1293 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
It moves along nicely when I'm using a good kit for the hull. The turret's next, all Academy, and not entirely "good".

[joelsmith]

Russ, your mantlet looks crooked.

[rbaer]

Yup, in the pic it does, it's a camera angle thing.

[joelsmith]

Okie dokie, I was beginning to think my lazy eye had gone to sleep.

[rbaer]

Nope, you're good.
Turret armor begun, lots of work getting it to fit while trying to represent the individual modules rather than it looking like one big hunk as Academy have done it. Not sure if this will work or not, but I do have pics of these tanks with the individual modules seriously out of alignment, so I shall press on.
IMG_1295 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[joelsmith]

If you press on too hard, it will look like one big hunk! ;<)

[rbaer]

I think I like it:
IMG_1298 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I was gonna jump on the Eduard PE set to get the basket floor, until I saw it was $35. Improv time!

[joelsmith]

Looking Real Good Russ!

[Leon]

Looking good Russ!

[rbaer]

Still at it:
IMG_1314 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[rbaer]

If I wanted to proceed on this one, I needed to do something with the basket floor, and since the only perforated steel etch I could fine was way out of scale, I just filled it in with thin sheet, and I'll throw some stuff in there to cover it. I thought about doing a vinyl cover, but it was rarely seen on these tanks, so I went this way:
IMG_1320 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Having that out of the way, I went ahead and started on the details back there, replace most of them with brass from scrap PE frets. Academy kind of skated here, and I thought a little brass would be better. I don't have info or pics on what the two brackets actually hold, only pics of them empty, and the Academy parts are just lumps, so I'll consider leaving them empty.

[rbaer]

No more stalling.
IMG_1344 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
It only took about eight sessions of figure painting to realize I needed to finish the details on this thing and paint, so I did, my usual Krylon camo khaki rattle can. All I had to do before painting was add a few stowage bits and finish the cupola, add the rest of the spare tracks here and there, and do the tent and stretcher tie downs on the front fenders. Washes and decals to follow.....

[rbaer]

Some detail painting has happened, and the gun tube is ready, finally.
IMG_1347 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[mustang1989]

Your attention to detail never disappoints Russ. Awesome stuff!!!

[rbaer]

Thanks Joe. I'm maybe a little obsessive about some stuff, but it keeps me happy. And speaking of "happy", you may have noticed something in the background of this last shot, another ESCI-based Magach coming together. I'm still trying to use up all these kits and AM I've accumulated over the last several years, which would be easier if I'd quit buying more.... I bought one each Academy and ESCI Magach6 at the last San Antonio show, too cheap. I couldn't help it, really.

[rbaer]

Close to finished, just needs skirts and tow cables, antennae, detail thingies......
IMG_1355 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Clean is the word here, per pics.

[rbaer]

Finished:
IMG_2796 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_2795 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_2794 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[mustang1989]

What a thing of beauty Russ! This one here just adds to the collection of great armor builds from you.