Marks zvezda MSTA-S s.p howitzer. 1/35

[Mark1]

Hi all, well there's no turning back now! The saw came out and the cutting has begun :smiling6: this is so I can fit what would be the rubber skirting/apron(sure there's a technical name!) in etch.
Put some colour behind the wheels in case it's difficult to get at later.

[Mark1]

All four corners now removed ready for etch, inner wheels painted and on, next will be to finish putting the tracks together then they will be painted and then fitted as one piece hopefully,some testing first as instructions say to put together the pieces on the wheels,I think my way will be easier as it means no gluing after painting them as one piece,the outer wheels will then go on and pretty much hold the tracks in place.

[Dave Ward]

Mark,
actually, you've no need to add the top run of track - it can't be seen when the side skirts are on. I did add them, because I wasn't sure if they would be visible

The Zvezda way of track construction takes away any problems of fit & the tedium of assembling individual links, a pity more makers don't follow their lead!
Dave

[Guest]

I’ll second Dave’s suggestion: leave off the top run, it won’t be visible and will make it much easier to get the track on correctly, because you’ll never find yourself needing to add or remove half a link to make things fit

[Dave Ward]

I’ll second Dave’s suggestion: leave off the top run, it won’t be visible and will make it much easier to get the track on correctly, because you’ll never find yourself needing to add or remove half a link to make things fit :smiling3:

Jakko,
the Zvezda tracks are so good, that I've never had to fettle, or fudge their assembly, it's just a matter of saving time on a soon to be hidden feature!
Dave

[Mark1]

Well I managed to build the tracks off the wheels so I can paint them easily and they go on no problem.
Have made a start with the turret and all going well, this kits hasn't thrown up any problems yet!

[Tim Marlow]

This is coming along very well, and so quickly! I must say it looks a great kit :thumb2:

[Dave Ward]

One thing about Zvezda tank kits - there's no interior, there might be details on the inside of hatches, but that's it! - either you add figures, or everything is buttoned up!
Dave

[Tworrs]

Coming along nicely Mark.

[Mark1]

This is coming along very well, and so quickly! I must say it looks a great kit :thumb2:

Coming along nicely Mark.

Thanks guys

[Mark1]

One thing about Zvezda tank kits - there's no interior, there might be details on the inside of hatches, but that's it! - either you add figures, or everything is buttoned up!
Dave

Buttoned up suits me fine :smiling:

[Ian M]

Looking very nice. I like a Big Gun!
If some of the moulded on detail like the straps on the boxes at the start of the build, they can quickly be sharpened up a bit with a panel scriber or very careful use of a scalpel blade to scrape the softness out of the corners.

I must say that this looks like a nice 'little' kit.

[Mark1]

Looking very nice. I like a Big Gun!
If some of the moulded on detail like the straps on the boxes at the start of the build, they can quickly be sharpened up a bit with a panel scriber or very careful use of a scalpel blade to scrape the softness out of the corners.

I must say that this looks like a nice 'little' kit.

Cheers Ian, good tip, I will try to remember that for next time :thumb2:

[Guest]

In my books any one who can do tracks like that is good, top work Mark.:thumb2::thumb2::thumb2:

[Mark1]

In my books any one who can do tracks like that is good, top work Mark.:thumb2::thumb2::thumb2:

Thanks John but zvezda has gotta take a lot of the credit.