Zvezda 1/35 SA-22 Pantsir ( Greyhound ) - by popular vote!

[adt70hk]

Dave

That is looking really good indeed. The kit is looking very impressive indeed too, with some great detail.

ATB

Andrew

[Dave Ward]

Andrew,
it's certainly not a weekend kit, and I still haven't started on the real features of the Pantsir, the missiles, guns & radar - a marathon, rather than a sprint! Luckily, I think I can split them into 3 modules, radar/gun missile/control, and virtually finish them before final assembly.
Dave

[adt70hk]

Andrew,
it's certainly not a weekend kit, and I still haven't started on the real features of the Pantsir, the missiles, guns & radar - a marathon, rather than a sprint! Luckily, I think I can split them into 3 modules, radar/gun missile/control, and virtually finish them before final assembly.
Dave

I kind of got that impression although it looks more like an ultra-marathon rather than the standard 26 miles.

ATB

Andrew

[Dave Ward]

Cab fitted out - decals added etc - You may be just able to see them in the finished model!

There are still some things to add - apart from the windows, but the wing mirrors etc will be left off, as they are a bit spindly. I assembled one hub, to see if I could fit the tyre over it ( I can ). I'll put this aside now & move on to the actual reason for this vehicle.
The weapons base & control cab assembled.

There are no assembly pins or formers, just bevelled edges, but with careful clean up, the whole lot can be assembled by wicking TET into the joints. The fit is as near perfection as you could wish, no gaps, or overhangs. I have to say I was very impressed on how these bits went together.
I couldn't resist getting the chassis out & trying the various bits on it!

It's getting bigger! and still a long way to go!
Dave

[scottie3158]

Dave,
Nice process, looks to be a very good model.

[Steven000]

Wow, this is advancing very fast :thumb2:
Looking good Dave
Steven

[outrunner]

Great progress Dave, I am putting one of these on my to do list.

Andy.

[Guest]

Impressive looking kit Dave, that chassis would be the end of me, seem unable to keep them square !

[David Lovell]

Great stuff Dave the kit itself looks to be up with the best (why shouldn't it be) ,its a shame this hobby creates plastic and paint tarts , if you stood this along side a equivalent from say trumpeter or meng and said take one how many would grab the Zvezda branding, I e got a fair few of their 72nd in the stash the more recent stuff puts the big boys to shame ,keep it coming looking forward to that paint job .Dave

[Mickc1440]

Just had a catch up with your build and what an impressive kit, great work so far.

[Dave Ward]

Great stuff Dave the kit itself looks to be up with the best (why shouldn't it be) ,its a shame this hobby creates plastic and paint tarts , if you stood this along side a equivalent from say trumpeter or meng and said take one how many would grab the Zvezda branding, I e got a fair few of their 72nd in the stash the more recent stuff puts the big boys to shame ,keep it coming looking forward to that paint job .Dave

Dave,
brand snobbery is part of the game - after all, if it comes from the Far East, and costs twice as much, then it MUST be better. No PE? can't be any good! So far, I haven't come across any area in this model that would have been improved by PE - Zvezda have moulded all the tiny bits that other makers would use PE.
The latest Zvezda models are on a par with the FE makers, OK, their output is slanted to their home market, but when you get models like the Pantsir, I'm happy with that.
Their 1/48 Aircraft are superb, I've done the La-5N and the PE-2, and both were a real pleasure to make ( I've got the Yak-3 and the Su-2 in the stash to look forward to! ).
I'm afraid the paint job may disappoint - I'm going for a Syrian overall sand finish, I think it gives more opportunity for weathering than the Arctic camo!
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Missile/gun base & control cab finished & primed...............

The final box - which I assume is where the main electronics reside, is again a 6 part assembly mostly bevelled edges, but two tiny pins to aid assembly. Didn't assemble as easy as the other two, but my blood sugars are rather low, and my hands aren't as steady as they should be, but after poking & prodding together went together rather well.

There's ladders & large handrails to add to this bit, so I think I'll leave that alone for a while, until I get some carbs & sugars into the system.
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Trickiest part of this model so far! The instructions would have you assemble the two ladders off the model

I tried, but I just couldn't get them to stay together - the parts C76 are just too fragile & flexible........................
The solution is to add the C76 to the 'box' - this stiffens it up & you can add the other parts ( even so it's very fiddly )

It still needs a bit of straightening, but I'll let the glue go off a bit, before attacking it again..............
Dave

[prichrd1]

The instructions would have you assemble the two ladders off the model

Dave, the amount of detail and work you are putting in is amazing!! :thumb2: :thumb2:
You are definitely winning!! :tongue-out3:

My perception of these Zvezda kits has changed dramatically since you started this one.

Paul.
:smiling:

[Tim Marlow]

Looks a great kit to be honest, and you are doing a stellar job on it.