Campaigns: Active Campaigns
Campaigns that are either in planning or underway should be grouped here.
Hosted by Richard S.
MBT Campaign
SHAKY962
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
Joined: May 21, 2012
KitMaker: 765 posts
Armorama: 438 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 10, 2019 - 09:55 AM UTC
Igor
Congratulations!!!!! It`s a beauty
BunkerBuster
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Washington, United States
Joined: March 29, 2017
KitMaker: 157 posts
Armorama: 122 posts
Posted: Monday, March 11, 2019 - 05:31 AM UTC

Quoted Text

.....I still have to finish up, weather it, etc. but I can say that this kit isn't great. It's a collection of bits from several of their Abrams kits...which go back to 2003. Parts of this kit were used for Hobbycraft's Abrams.
It's typical of those early Trumpy kits but it also shows promise...sort of. I'm trying to be positive, but it's sort of a mediocre kit. There are parts that just don't look right. I put it up next to two other Abrams (Academy & Dragon) and they are all different.
The kit does come with alot of extra parts...which seems right for a 5-in-1 kit. I build alot of what-if so I'll use these. And I might be setting myself up for disappointment, but the plow and mine roller both look promising.

So next update will probably be the last. I've got to dig out some stowage to mask some of the turret fit issues. Besides... like a Sherman,an Abrams doesn't look right without stowage. And of course, finishing the paint.



It can be hard to keep builds casual. I have the A1 version I'm trying to finish. I went down the path of several aftermarket items, mainly stowage and tracks.

The plow takes some work to get cleaned up and fit together, but it comes out looking as good as the Tamiya plow.
petbat
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Queensland, Australia
Joined: August 06, 2005
KitMaker: 3,353 posts
Armorama: 3,121 posts
Posted: Monday, March 11, 2019 - 08:24 PM UTC
No matter what the issues Alex, you are doing a fine job.
Bluestab
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: December 03, 2009
KitMaker: 2,160 posts
Armorama: 1,906 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 - 04:11 AM UTC
Thanks all.

Yeah I bought the Trumpy Abrams for the mineroller and plow. I figured I'd find some use for the actual tank and this campaign fits that bill. I'm not one to try to fix bad kits especially if there are better kits out there. One idea that I had was to try to backdate the Trumpy Abrams to a M1. Thankfully, Panda has filled that void so this one will probably be reborn at some point as a what-if Abrams.

All that said, I have enjoyed the build...even with the kit's issues. I wasn't worried about the inaccuracies so I didn't have to worry about fixing them. The campaign got me to build it and keep it from gathering dust in the stash. And it comes with a bunch of usable parts for future what-if builds. Not bad for $23.
BravoTwoZero
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California, United States
Joined: June 11, 2009
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 370 posts
Posted: Friday, March 15, 2019 - 06:47 AM UTC
Hello everyone,
Here is my entry for this campaign. Takom's Tiran 4.


I took the picture last night.


Here's some more showing the last thread entry for this campaign.




One of the first things to do is to remove the bulge on the sides of the hull. I tested two approaches, first one is to saw it off.



The other is to clip it off using a side cutter.


Verdict, clipping it off is a better approach. I will be adding build progress to my ongoing thread about building T-55s.

Binge Build: Takom T-55s

Thanks,
Joseph
agriamodeling
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Budapest, Hungary
Joined: March 09, 2018
KitMaker: 206 posts
Armorama: 205 posts
Posted: Friday, March 15, 2019 - 09:59 PM UTC
An update on my Trumpeter T-80B. It was black primed earlier this week and looked insane.



A closer shot from the turret. That big rounded part under the turret is the top of a ironing-fluid can. It was inserted because the turret is not fixed at all to the hull - it must be typical for Trumpeter because my T-72 has same issue. As the turret did fall, it resulted seriuos damage to the AA-MG. Now it is fixed using this cap that is getting very deep into the hull.




agriamodeling
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Budapest, Hungary
Joined: March 09, 2018
KitMaker: 206 posts
Armorama: 205 posts
Posted: Friday, March 15, 2019 - 10:08 PM UTC
After fixing some issues observed after the primer dried, yesterday evening I sprayed the first attempt of final colour to the T-80B. I used MIG AMMO 056 Green Khaki from the Moder Russian Colours set and although initially it looks weird, I was very happy with the shade this morning.



The searchlight cable (top right side of the turret, in front of the TC cupola) is the molded-on part was scribed seriously. (I always re-scribe all possible panel lines etc... to enhance the depth and shadow effect during the weathering process. It does make sense, I think.) I also drilled a hole to the end-hook part, I believe it looks quite realistic now.





The Voyager PE exhaust is completed now and looks much better than the platic version, provided in the kit.


And finally two top side view about the model. There is another evening needed to finish the basic colour, including the wheels, too. Probably on the next weekend.






Tamas
agriamodeling
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Budapest, Hungary
Joined: March 09, 2018
KitMaker: 206 posts
Armorama: 205 posts
Posted: Friday, March 15, 2019 - 10:16 PM UTC
Hi Joseph,

I am following your build with high interest. I built a Tiran 5 version using Takom's T-55A plus aftermarket conversion kits (resin set from Blast and PE from Eduard). There is the Trumpeter Tiran 6 in my stash, too.
All three tanks are beautiful beasts.

Tamás
Scipio2010
#401
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Washington, United States
Joined: December 08, 2013
KitMaker: 323 posts
Armorama: 221 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 17, 2019 - 04:17 AM UTC
Progress has been slow on my T-62. Hoping to get the weathering done over the next two weeks.

zontar
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Hawaii, United States
Joined: August 27, 2006
KitMaker: 1,646 posts
Armorama: 1,557 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 17, 2019 - 07:18 PM UTC
Aloha All,

Many fine builds coming together for this campaign. Great work guys!

Small progress on my part. Painting complete and decals with clear coat, as well as some stowage bits. Weathering next.







Happy Modeling,
Zon
Igorbc
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: December 11, 2015
KitMaker: 101 posts
Armorama: 95 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 - 06:04 AM UTC
Postman brought me this one.
what is the salary of a forensic anthropologist
Braille
#135
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California, United States
Joined: August 05, 2007
KitMaker: 1,501 posts
Armorama: 1,485 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 - 04:02 PM UTC
Been lurking mostly, fought off four head colds within the last 2 months or so. My daughter is bringing these colds home from school for me to sample and I must let you know that it’s tough on the old body. Really knocked the initiative out of me to do much of anything but I’m back.

Some great modeling taking place here and some of you have already finished your builds, and even a few of you building more than one! I need to step up on my game and do some building here.

~ Eddy
Alex2011
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: May 13, 2018
KitMaker: 58 posts
Armorama: 36 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 - 07:25 PM UTC
Hi everyone,

after moving to a new home and some troubles on the job, I finally Manager to get some things done on the Chieftain.
I hope, I can finish this model by the end of the campaign...
So, that's what i've done untill now.


BTW, all the models shown here are absolutely stunning!! I hope that some day i'll reach this Level of professionalism.


Happy modelling
- Alex
Alex2011
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: May 13, 2018
KitMaker: 58 posts
Armorama: 36 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 31, 2019 - 01:54 AM UTC
Hello all,

that's where i'm now with the Chieftain. Now I have to wait for the Masterclub tracks (old/destructed). They will arrive next week, hopefully.
Regarding the paintjob, I have to do some touch-ups, and then comes the camouflage net from Voyager. And the broken mirrors have to be repaired.




But first a clear coat, some decals, again clear coating and finally weathering (nothing new to all of you)

- Alex
Hangelafette
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 22, 2012
KitMaker: 344 posts
Armorama: 315 posts
Posted: Friday, April 05, 2019 - 01:13 PM UTC
The Chieftain is looking great Alex.

Construction of the T-90MS is almost complete, I have sprayed an initial coat of AK Russian Greyish Yellow. Since the upper run of the tracks will be hidden by the skirts, I did some cheating.



Overall it has been a very enjoyable build, much easier than the Trumpeter T-72/T-90 kits.

-Nate
BunkerBuster
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Washington, United States
Joined: March 29, 2017
KitMaker: 157 posts
Armorama: 122 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 06, 2019 - 07:39 AM UTC
Finally returned to the Miniart T-54. Almost ready for paint, still need to finish cleanup on the roadwheels and install the hub covers. Decided to go with a set of masterclub tracks, which ended up needing a ton of clean up. Got to practice my microsurgery skills with some of the smaller PE. I'll be so glad when this thing is done.



agriamodeling
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Budapest, Hungary
Joined: March 09, 2018
KitMaker: 206 posts
Armorama: 205 posts
Posted: Monday, April 08, 2019 - 06:11 AM UTC
Hi Nate,

Very impressive build! I did not know this configuration so far, the entire tank looks very futuristic compared to the traditional T-72 line.

Tamas
agriamodeling
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Budapest, Hungary
Joined: March 09, 2018
KitMaker: 206 posts
Armorama: 205 posts
Posted: Monday, April 08, 2019 - 06:14 AM UTC
Hi Ken,

This T-54 looks great with the mc tracks, very realistic, IMHO. For which army/nation do you plan to paint it?

Tamas
agriamodeling
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Budapest, Hungary
Joined: March 09, 2018
KitMaker: 206 posts
Armorama: 205 posts
Posted: Monday, April 08, 2019 - 06:18 AM UTC
Hi Alex,

Did you receive the new tracks? I have a similar Chieftain in progress so I am watching your progress with interest.
I read somewhere that those mirrors were not very practical on the real tanks so mostly removed. You could probably consider not to repair them...
BunkerBuster
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Washington, United States
Joined: March 29, 2017
KitMaker: 157 posts
Armorama: 122 posts
Posted: Monday, April 08, 2019 - 12:31 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Ken,

This T-54 looks great with the mc tracks, very realistic, IMHO. For which army/nation do you plan to paint it?

Tamas



I will be using the kit decals for a Russian tank in overall Protective 4BO Green. I got the model almost completely painted yesterday, including the road wheels. I just have the tracks and some other small details to finish before decals and weathering.

I'm feeling good about this build. It was the last kit I started back in December and it didn't languish for too long on the shelf of shame. I don't have a good track record with finishing full interior kits. I have seven other builds at the paint and decal stage at the moment. I should have those pounded out before summer. I'm hoping to have 20+ builds completed this year, all from the shelf of shame.
Alex2011
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: May 13, 2018
KitMaker: 58 posts
Armorama: 36 posts
Posted: Monday, April 08, 2019 - 05:05 PM UTC
Hi Tamas,

yes, I got the tracks yesterday, and they look really fantastic. I'll build them, as soon as there's time.
And thank you, for the tip with the mirrors. Maybe I'll find some photos in the net which show the Chief without them.
Aside from my "incompetence", the kit is real fun to build, as you will surely See.

Happy modelling

- Alex
Klaus-Adler
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODELGEEK
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Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: June 08, 2015
KitMaker: 1,505 posts
Armorama: 840 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 13, 2019 - 10:20 PM UTC
well i tried to order replacement turret storage bins fro the my tamiya challenger 1 tank but the company is out of the game and i can't source any from anyone so....

it's to the scratchbuilding i go and i have made some covers out of tissue paper, copper wire and 2mm masking tape.

maximus8425
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: May 12, 2006
KitMaker: 331 posts
Armorama: 320 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 14, 2019 - 02:38 AM UTC
Hi Alex, I crewed Chieftains for 7 years and in that time never fitted wing mirrors once. The arms were folded down against the sponsons to keep them out of the way. Also the barrel thermal sleeves were never painted, just the fume extractor would get a coat and the muzzle. if you are going to fit a cam net over it though I don't suppose that will matter.
Alex2011
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: May 13, 2018
KitMaker: 58 posts
Armorama: 36 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 - 06:24 PM UTC
Hi everyone,

@ Max
thanks for the Info with the mirrors. I will leave them off.
But now I have another question: the sleeve around the gun, which colour was it? More like khaki, or more brown or like a mixture of both? Or did it have a total different colour?
Thanks in advance..


@ Tamas
So, after trying to put the tracks of my Chieftain together, I must say that there's a small problem. The pinholes are to narrow. The tracks on my T-80 were perfect, but not these. Don't misunderstand me, the casting is superb (!!!) but the fit is questionable. So now I'm waiting for some 0.65mm to arrive. When the postman brings them, I can enlarge the holes, insert the pins and maybe add a tiny drop of CA (if nessessary).

Happy

- Alex
petbat
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Queensland, Australia
Joined: August 06, 2005
KitMaker: 3,353 posts
Armorama: 3,121 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 - 07:04 PM UTC
Wow a lot of fantastic builds going on here. So many guys doing great work. And new recruits joining up.

Guess I need to get my digit out.....