Russian Topol ICBM Launcher - 1:72 scale - Hobby Boss

[pjgtech]

Been looking forward to building this one, ever since I bought it at the last Model show I went to.
It just caught my eye, for no other reason than it was something a little different.
TBH, its a bit daunting as for a 1:72 kit, its quite big and there are a lot of parts, most of which are pretty small, so it will deffo be a challenge.

Its a Hobby Boss , 1:72 scale, 15U175 TEL od RS - 12M1 Topol-M ICBM Complex (missile launcher with missile).
And Yes, that is quite a mouthful! Lol.... 8-)

Obligatory box and sprue shots....






There are a lot (a LOT) of parts!
And as its a 16 wheeler, there's a lot of suspension, axle and wheel parts!

The instructions are not the best I have ever seen, this lot took a bit of working out, but I think I've eventually figured it out!

And so we are off, first order of business is the suspension, done the first 2, only another 14 to go....!!!

They are actually a good fit, but I did have to drill out the holes where the struts meet the chassis, thats a lot of holes, x4 per suspension unit, so 16 x 4 = 56 holes.....
I think this may be a big job, but looks enjoyable.

[pjgtech]

Update, been beavering away at this one.
Wow, what a fiddly bloody thing this kit is!!!
The little suspension parts, little control arms, struts, tie rods, etc and trying to get the (many) drive shafts assembled, connected and installed, with various transfer boxes, gearboxes, engines, diffs and G*d knows what else, Lol, etc, so much to fit into a relatively small space.
Lots of tweezer action and much muttering under my breath, but we (mostly) got it all in....
This one has deffo been the hardest to assemble (for me) so far.
Could not get everything to line up exactly 100%, (drive shafts) but for me its close enough, and once its primed and painted, it will look a lot better.
A difficult kit, maybe one step above my competency level? but I am still enjoying it a lot, as I think this model will look great once its completed.


Tomorrow will be mostly priming and maybe painting this sub section, before moving on to the next section....

[pjgtech]

Really impressed with this kit, I noticed there is a flyer in the box which states this kit has new tooling (2023) and the parts are really nice, quite detailed, and very well produced, clean and crisp, despite many of them being very small!
There is virtually no flash, no large sink / ejector holes, so very little clean-up has been needed and the fit is really, really nice, everything, so far just fits together nicely.
NB: I had to drill out a few holes to fit the suspension parts to the chassis, but only because the holes were tight, I probably could have used a bit more force to get them in, but I did not want to break any, so just drilled them out a tad instead.
Bit more progress today, did some sub assemblies, and a bit of priming....Pics...

Main chassis almost complete, this is the underside.

Started on the main ICBM missile and its carrier....

Started on some sub assemblies, there seem to be lots! 8-)

Started priming the main bits so far, with my Acme paint booth (cardboard surround, with extractor fan and foam).....

Onwards.... 8-)

[flyjoe180]

Great start Peter

[Nicko]

That's a lot of fiddly little bits and an awful lot of wheels to paint Peter. Well done for taking it on!

Nick.

[pjgtech]

Todays little update...
Primed most things now, still a few little sub assemblies to complete.

Also managed to get the glass into the two little cabs without fogging, which I usually manage to muck up! So a little victory there, Lol!

Started the top coat painting, using a hairy stick, so first coat is always patchy! But it will get better with another coat.

[Airborne01]

That's a beast, but you're besting it mate!
Steve

[pjgtech]

Todays little update....
The two little cockpit interiors done, could not find any photos of the interiors, so have gone with a plain light grey with brown seats and decals added to the dashboards which seemed to go on ok.

Added bit more colour and detail to the main chassis, again I have no reference photos for these, so just went with main blocks in the main vehicle green and then highlighted the suspension in metal/chrome, as I did see another model with this suspension colour. I will be weathering them up a bit later.

Main sub sections have all had two coats of the main vehicle (Mr Hobby 303) green now and look ok, not up to an airbrush standard, but not bad for a paint brush job. They will be weathered and details highlighted later.

Still lots more to do, few more little sub sections to build, and have not even started on the (many) wheels yet, but slowly, slowly and all that... 8-)

[Stefee]

This looks very interesting, are the wheels and tyres separate parts and the tyres rubber?

[pjgtech]

Hi mate, yes, and yes.... 8-)

[pjgtech]

Photo of the wheels and the bag of rubber tyres, primed but not yet painted or assembled, yes, there's lots of the little blighters! Lol...

Been adding some detail to the main sections today, eg: highlighting metal gratings, some pipe ducting, the little fire extinguishers to the front of the main cab, window wipers, etc.

[pjgtech]

Did a bit more work on this one, slow progress, but we are getting there....
It was time to do the wheels, lots of wheels, Lol....!
Previously primed and painted them on the sprue.....
Assembled the first one, juts to check they go together ok, looked ok, etc, so the first one was done, only 15 more to go...


Wheel halves connected and glued....

All 16 wheels done, and looking ok. I will be weathering the wheels and tyres later.

I have now built up and painted all the sub assemblies, and all the other little parts etc and we are pretty much ready to start actually putting this vehicle together! Its all starting to come together.... 8-)

[flyjoe180]

A lot of wheels, looks good Peter

[pjgtech]

Started on the scary part, installing the (many) side modules, trying to get them all to line up and not look wonky!
Lots of connection points, drilled out some of the small locating holes as they seemed to be a tight fit, also have to line up various location points, pins, edges, etc, so quite a lot to think about and align before committing. I've done a few dry runs to check and double check...
Pics...
First couple of side modules installed, relatively easy, quite a nice fit.

Then the first front cab installed, quite fiddly as theres not really too many locating point on this module, so just have to try and line it up as best you can?

Then I installed the front stabiliser leg/outrigger to the little gap, on the far side, (the only option is in the raised and stowed position, there's no option to have them down or extended?) I realised I should have installed this before installing the side module, but managed to fit it in anyway!
The one on the nearest side is just a dry run, not yet glued....

Then it was on to the other side, the other front (longer) cab installed and then another side module.


Looking ok, not perfect, but I was happy to avoid getting them all out of line, which (so far) they seem to be ok.

[scottie3158]

Peter, sorry I have missed this up till now. Just had a catch up great work mate I bet that drive train was fun.

[pjgtech]

Lol, yes, but TBH although its been quite a fiddly and technical build, considering its only braille scale 1:72, it has been enjoyable, so far....

[pjgtech]

Made some more progress on this one.
Wheels are now on, painting is now pretty much all done, all side panels, and little storage boxes are now on, missile and launch support also all pretty much now done.
Still have to apply the decals and then final weathering to do.

Getting all the side modules on was a fiddly little job, lots of small location points, pins to line up, holes to drill out, etc.
They are not perfectly lined up, but for me, its close enough....
From the front.

And from the rear....

Have started some aging, weathering, touching up bits on the underside, the tyres will also get some more weathering.