discussion Jim R's AT45 Soviet Artillery Tractor. 1/72 scale TP Model,

[Jim R]

Firstly thanks to Peter for setting up this GB.

My build is this TP Model resin kit. I've not heard of TP Model and I've never built a resin kit so this could be fun! Mind you it only cost £10.50 delivered so if it does go wrong and end up in the bin I've not lost much.



You get some very simple instructions


A side view of what you should end up with


and a few resin parts which look reasonable.

 

[Steven000]

Interesting project Jim, love the instructions and looks like you got some nice parts for a decent price. Have fun

 

[Si Benson]

Model making meets DIY project…..looks like fun

 

[john hutton]

Morning Jim,
Looks like that could be quite an interesting build mate, will be keeping an eye out for that one once the GB begins. I will be in the same boat as you, i have a resin kit too, but my big fear is mine also includes the dreaded PE.......

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Chair pulled up and cup of T in hand Jim. Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Will join Jim, looks an interesting build.

 

[Mark1]

I have a 1/35 trumpeter version in the stash, you may inspire me to dig it out.

 

[Jim R]

I'll bet it's 100% better than this kit. The more I look at it the more issues I see.

 

[Mark1]

Jim, I've no doubt you will knock into shape.

 

[Jim R]

First a little background. Pre war the Soviets used the Voroshilovet artillery tractor and post war the AT-T. During the war, in 1944, the subject of this kit was introduced, the AT45. It was based on the T-34 chassis but wasn't really successful and only 7 prototypes were built and none entered service. Why TP Model decided on such an obscure vehicle to make a kit of I don't know.

So I've made a start. First thing I noted was that the moulding is far worse than I thought. I decided to start on the parts that looked really bad - the wheels. My thinking was that if I couldn't sort the wheels then the kit was for the bin!

The road wheels are doubles. I made to simple wooden frame to ensure the two wheels lined up.




The idler wheels were hopeless. The center was way out


The drive wheels were not much better. You can see that there was no way that the central knob on the right half was going to match up with the dimple on the left half!


Not too bad from the outside.


I decided to replace the centres that join the two halves on the drive and idler wheels. I sanded the inside of the wheel halves flat. You can see on the two idler wheel halves (at the bottom) just how 'out' the centre was.


Then I had to replace the rod bits on the drive wheels which were just odd blobs and I had sanded away.


So although it all looks as rough as a badger's a**e I think it may be ok. The wheels are only about 9mm diameter so ain't too bad in real size.

I'm glad I'm also in the rocket/missile GB as it will give me a break from this *&^%&^%!!

 

[Andy T]

Nice work rectifying that shambles.

I was tempted to build a resin kit for this GB but it looked like too much work. It now seems a doddle compared to what you have!

 

[john hutton]

Jim,
Fantastic work getting those Drive and idler wheels into usable condition mate. That was a good call getting the rough out of the way early. If things are going to go pear-shaped the earlier the better, in my opinion as well. However I am sure you can whip this little rascal into shape .

 

[Si Benson]

Doing a good job with the wheels Jim, they were a proper mess!

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Crikey Jim. This may be enough to put me off resin kits for life. Dont know how you pulled those wheels together, I think I would have given up.

 

[Steven000]

Nice work on those wheels Jim, looks like someone had a few beers while sculpting the molds...
Have fun, cheers

 

[Neil Merryweather]

A great piece of silk-pursery, Jim!
I can't help feeling this fear of resin models on here is rather overblown. It's just a bit more work, that's all. Although I guess if you've only ever built model kits made in Japan in the 21st century it might be a bit of a shock lol

 

[Jim R]

Thanks guys. As an intro to full resin kits this ain't a good choice.

A little bit of progress. Added the bolts(? - not clear from my reference) to the chassis.


Cleaned up the cab. I put in a piece of firm foam to support the fragile resin. Added door hinges using little lengths of rod.


Cleaned up the other cab and bonnet parts and with a little fettling it fitted OK.




All the wheels are complete although some ain't quite round!!


For the first time this morning I felt that it just might make it to completion

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

 

[scottie3158]

Jim,
Coming on very nicely, the little tweaks make all the difference.

 

[Steven000]

Looks all good Jim, nice improvements.