Tamiya 1/35 T-55

[stikpusher]

I completed this one a few years ago. I backdated the kit to an early production T-55 by altering the loaders hatch, removing the mine rake attachments on the glacis, and moving the snorkel storage location to original configuration on the extra fuel drums. I also added the fender external fuel cell plumbing and swapped out the kit tracks for some Trumpeter indy link tracks. Markings are cobbled together from my spares based on photos of Soviet tanks sent to crush the “Prague Spring” movement in Czechoslovakia in August 1968.

[406 Silverado]

What a good looking build Carlos! All the added detailing and weathering all added up to make this one come together well. Being that I'm not a hard core armor guy, what are these Indy tracks that I keep hearing about?

[stikpusher]

Thanks again Joe. Indy link tracks are just that, independent links that come in one of two form, workable or non workable. In either case, you assemble enough links together to get a full run of tracks for each side. In this case, I used some gluable non workable tracks. The most popular of the type are the metal workable tracks by Fruil Model. Those have to be assembled together with a metal pin to work, just like the real ones. 🤨

[TJ]

Great looking build Stik. The tracks do have that "heavy" look

[stikpusher]

Thanks TJ. Personally i prefer link and length tracks, as I’m not one to articulate the suspension and have the road wheels all up & down as when they’re on rough terrain. But with Link and length tracks or individual tracks, it’s much easier to get proper sag on dead tracks compared to one piece soft tracks.

[chromdome35]

What a beautiful build. You guys never cease to amaze me with your builds.

What was the base kit?

[stikpusher]

May 25, 2023 15:23:49 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

What a beautiful build. You guys never cease to amaze me with your builds.

What was the base kit?

Thank you CD. The base kit is the 2002 vintage Tamiya T-55A. 

[Medicman71]

That's an awesome build Stik!

[creading]

Another nice build. 

Cheers,
C.

[stikpusher]

Mike and C, thank you for your kind words.