Trumpeter 1/35 BTM-3 High Speed Trench Digger

[Dave Ward]

I've been struggling with my modelmaking mojo recently & been searching my stash to find something that would appeal - I found this at the bottom of the stash ( it's a big box! )

It actually says 770 parts, but 180 of those are the individual track links - even so, I think it's the largest number of parts an any model I've attempted ( and also one of the most expensive ). The whole thing is based on a heavily modified T-55 chassis reversed, so the drive sprockets are at the front. The whole feature is the bucket wheel - it looks complex, and it looks like a challenge.
I'll be putting up some sprue shots ( not all ) and detail shots - the instructions, typically Trumpeter, are 42 stages long!, and you get a real box full!
Dave

 

[Jim R]

I'll follow along with this most unique build. If the kit is like my current Trumpeter half-track there will be a vast number of tiny pieces. On mine the parts need a lot of clean up but detail and fit is good.
I hope this will reset your mojo.

 

[Dave Ward]

Reading through the instructions, it looks like I can build it in four modules, the chassis, the cab, the support deck/frame & the bucket wheel. I can see that painting is going to be tricky in places, as there a load of bits that will be visible, but not easily accessible. I got this from John in a Trumpeter sale - I think I paid around £50 ( a vast fortune for me! ) - you can still get it in the UK for £72-80.................
Dave

 

[Scratchbuilder]

Hello Dave,
Bit daunting with all those parts staring at you. I have their Scud and Launcher and must say thay after getting close to finishing the chassis I had to put it away for later, but still get it out when the mood takes me - do a bit and then away it goes again.
But that is an interesting subject you have there, and look forward to sitting in on the build.
Mike.

 

[geegad]

wow never seen one these in life or as a model so will be watching these come together

 

[boatman]

YES GO FO IT Dave it will be anintresting build an i'll also follow along a chair at the front please before the rest of the rabble turn up a tea an cakes at all or hobobs ?
chrisb

 

[Lee Drennen]

Dave never seen one those interesting build.

 

[Dave Ward]

I'm not going to post all 16 sprues,just the mildly interesting ones! The model comes in a big sturdy box 420mm X 297mm X !00mm. - A deep A3 box.
Full of sprues

All the sprues are very clean, absolutely no flash, but will need a fair amount of clean up, due to a lot of ingates and moulding pips.

All the chassis bits, most of which are from Trumpeters' T-55 models.

One piece cab & support deck - very nice mouldings


This sprue is really odd

It has the bits for a complete engine & transmission, but it isn't much use, as there is no way of displaying it ( ie bonnet open ), and it's no way complete, there's no cooling system, radiator etc. It's like Trumpeter started to do a complete interior, but gave up halfway!


The little bits - I can see that those tiny PE rivets/nuts will stay on the fret!!!
I'll post more pictures shortly.....................
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

The instructions are typical Trumpeter, b&w line drawings on 32 A4 pages, in 42 steps, they look reasonably clear

There are two colour vaiants, one overall green, the other in the typical Soviet 3-colour camo.
I think the camo version would complicate the painting too much, so I'm going for the overall Russian Green!
A few detail shots....................

One of the outer bucket ring sides

The large front grille ( pity there's nothing to put behind it! )


One of the four support rails......................


Chain drives for lowering & hoisting the bucket wheel


Sprocket wheels for the chain drives.

There is a massive amount of small parts, which mean nothing on the sprues, but add a large amount of detail during construction. It's certainly not going to be a quick build, and due to the large parts count, not for a beginner.

Watching the YouTube video, several things struck me - how dirty the thing would get, especially in damp soil! - another is the limitations of a machine like this. You would need a generally even surface, with no gullies or streams, a sufficient depth of soil above the bedrock. The soil would not have to be too wet ( It'd clog the guts up ), or too dry ( the trench would collapse ). It'd destroy any drains/pipes/cables - you'd need a bulldozer to clear up any walls etc. You couldn't use it near any built up areas. I can't imagine it tackling any real gradient. It seems particularly suited to Russian conditions - like open Steppe country, but very limited elsewhere.
Dave

 

[Andy the Sheep]

Dave, I'll follow your work with interest. That "mole tank" has always raised my curiosity since I first saw it on a tank encyclopedia.

Andrea

 

[Gern]

You say the instructions look pretty clear, but I'm confused by the pics of the bucket wheel frame you've shown. Part H7 looks like it is standing vertically against the plate securing it to the frame - part H32? If that's right, the only person I can think of that could fit it the way it's shown is Mr E M Escher!

Edit: I gotta ask 'cos I got one of these in the stash.

 

[outrunner]

It seems these are really popular as I also have one under the bench, will be watching and taking notes Dave.


Andy.

 

[Dave Ward]

You say the instructions look pretty clear, but I'm confused by the pics of the bucket wheel frame you've shown. Part H7 looks like it is standing vertically against the plate securing it to the frame - part H32? If that's right, the only person I can think of that could fit it the way it's shown is Mr E M Escher!

Edit: I gotta ask 'cos I got one of these in the stash.

I can see what you mean - but the only way I'll be able to tell for sure is when I actually try to fit the bits together! So, maybe a week ( or two ) into the build!
Dave

 

[stillp]

Interesting subject Dave, looking forward to watching this build.
Pete

 

[outrunner]

You say the instructions look pretty clear, but I'm confused by the pics of the bucket wheel frame you've shown. Part H7 looks like it is standing vertically against the plate securing it to the frame - part H32? If that's right, the only person I can think of that could fit it the way it's shown is Mr E M Escher!

Edit: I gotta ask 'cos I got one of these in the stash.

I have pictures of a built up model and part H7 does lie at an angle, it's just the drawing that makes it look strange.

Andy.

 

[Dave Ward]

Construction starts, not with the first stages:

I'm leaving the engine out, you can't see it, it has no cooling system & no transfer box to power the bucket - and doesn't provide any locations for further bits, a waste of plastic............
The chassis has all the bits added, primed & basecoated ( dark patches are undried paint - all bit fitted well, no problems.

Wheels, idlers & sprockets assembled, primed & basecoated

The road wheel tyres were primed & sprayed rubber black

My usual method of rolling a piece of paper & threading the tyres over - makes it easy to handle & spray.
Had a calamity - the quick release coupling failed between hose & airbrush - it uncoupled OK, but wouldn't shut the air off & I couldn't reconnect the airbrush again. A nuisance, I had to drain the air-tank, remove the coupling from the hose & because my airbrushes have the quick release spigot fitted remove those as well, before continuing the session. Not disastrous, but very annoying - I managed to get paint all over my hands & jeans..............
Dave

 

[langy71]

'Shift up lads !!', I'm in for this bad boy, anybody got any Jaffa cakes ?'

A good start Dave, looking forward to seeing you work your magic with this ..

 

[Tim Marlow]

What an interesting subject. Great start as well Dave. Are you going to make a base for it in use, or are you building it in transport mode?

 

[scottie3158]

Dave, I will follow along with interest. I have looked at this a few times but never got round to buying it.

 

[Dave Ward]

What an interesting subject. Great start as well Dave. Are you going to make a base for it in use, or are you building it in transport mode?

Tim,
I'm seeing how the model goes, I don't have to make a decision about bucket wheel up, or down until near the end of assembly. One of the major problems with showing the beast in operation is the sheer size needed, not only long & wide, but deep as well..............
Dave