Zvezda 1/35 BT 5 TANK

[JR]

Hi.
While waiting for Bob's group build to start and waiting for some paint to dry on the Bike dio I decided to crack on with some more from the stash
First off I drew out a Hobby Boss 1/35 Russian .

Once the box was opened I began to have my doubts.





As you can see , some very small parts, even with an optovisor it look daunting. Even section 2 , just those small pins proved to be troublesome, as to the next part of section 2 those wheels, with two very small locating pins was enough. I went on to try the tracks, couldn't see to get the pins in, and then they didn't go in easily. That was it, pack it up and put it back along with the other Hobby Boss



Don't like to admit defeat but not worth getting upset about it, I just can't manage those Hobby Boss.Too detailed and small parts for me.
Really wanted to build them as part of my complete WW2 Russian and pre war armour.

Out with the Zvezda, a much more simpler model, with those wrap around tracks, as haven't any Fruils.



Very uncluttered instructions, a bit too plain at times.
in two hrs I had this done.



Some history tomorrow if any one is interested.
Tickets from Mrs Jones Management.
John.

 

[Jim R]

Hi John
No point in struggling. Some manufacturers love to use 10 parts when 3 would do.
This looks a nice kit. Building something Russian will make a nice change

Jim

 

[Steve Jones]

Looking forward to this one mate. Not many wheels though

I have a book all about the BT. I have dropboxed it over to you

 

[Dave Ward]

John,
nice! The BT series of tanks are an attractive range - never too sure of the wheels OR tracks suspension!
Dave

 

[Deleted member 7181]

I've just been up into the loft and got the emergency chairs out. We don't want to run out of seats gain.

 

[JR]

Thanks Jim, Steve ,Dave and Andy

 

[JR]

Just start the front and came a cropper. Stud snapped off, because it was over right.Redrilled it out and found a section of plastic covered wire



Section drilled out.


The snapped stud being removed!


C10 is the problem ( well the whole assembly is for me I just can't imagine how they should fit )


I can't see if this is the correct way for C10 to be .The drawing looks as if I'm right, but I don't want to mess it up.
So any help really appreciated.
John .

 

[Fernando N]

Nice and simple indeed John, I built a BT-7 from them once and construction was straight forward.

Seems the c10 bit is a suspension part to connect the first road to the idler wheel, maybe this pic can help you see how the wheels are meant to end up, it’s only the other side:

Decals were rubbish on mine, hope yours are better.

 

[Steve Jones]

From what I can tell John your C10 is on its leading edge. You need to turn it another 90 degrees so its flat and the bend is on the L/H side. This will allow C12 to lie flat on top of it with its end on top of the other part of the boggie. Also the long nut on top of the other bit of boggie needs to attach to the moulded part on the hull wall. Should have stuck to German tanks mate

 

[Dave Ward]

John,
a bit vague!
These are from the Italeri instructions - looking at the right hand assembly - part 10C passes through the hole in 8C, and locates in the hole in 3C/4C. Part 12C round stub sits on 10C, and the other ( square ) end sits on top of 3C/4C - I think! The other side is a mirror..............
Dave

 

[Jakko]

Seems the c10 bit is a suspension part to connect the first road to the idler wheel

I think it’s part of the steering mechanism. Remember BT tanks could be driven without their tracks, in which case the front set of wheels steered like in a car.

 

[Fernando N]

I think it’s part of the steering mechanism. Remember BT tanks could be driven without their tracks, in which case the front set of wheels steered like in a car.

Ah yes forgot about that, thanks Jakko.

Steering mechanism just like a WWII truck is a better match looking at the parts, sorry John..

 

[JR]

Morning gents, Fernando ,Steve, Dave, & Jakko thank you for the help.
With Steve and Dave's kind input I think I have the right angle of that part. Unfortunately I seem to have trouble understanding some drawings in kits.



This appears to be correct, if any of you could confirm I can carry on , thanks again for your help. Much appreciated.
John.

 

[Deleted member 7181]

Looking at the diagrams above, that's how I'd align it John. Maybe a few degrees either way depending on how it lines up to the other part (C12), but that looks close enough for a starting point.

 

[JR]

Thanks Andy I' ll and have a go

 

[Dave Ward]

John,
some of the drawings can be a bit vague/confusing - add to that the likes of Dragon proof reading, and you can end in a mess!. I spent several years creating engineering drawings, and when 3D CAD developed - I also did assembly drawings, and the technical text to accompany them. I can see the shortcomings of many instructions! All I do is sit there, and dry fit the bits every which way they can be! Eventually the correct way will be found!
Dave

 

[JR]

John,
some of the drawings can be a bit vague/confusing - add to that the likes of Dragon proof reading, and you can end in a mess!. I spent several years creating engineering drawings, and when 3D CAD developed - I also did assembly drawings, and the technical text to accompany them. I can see the shortcomings of many instructions! All I do is sit there, and dry fit the bits every which way they can be! Eventually the correct way will be found!
Dave

Dave part success ! the steering parts fitted perfectly , then it went a bit pear shaped. Those front light parts didn't fit , again the crappy drawing defeated me. I tried them every and each way, if they fitted the front track guard didn't , so left them off.




the light fell off as soon as I tried to slip into place, it just wouldn't fit.


Normal glue every where shot .




Wheels on, tracks , well I don't like these one bit, cheap and nasty, hardly fit together I can see this turning into a wreak !

John , some what p****d off .

 

[Steve Jones]

Step away mate. Theres nothing there that cant be fixed. Have another look at it tomorrow.

I can see those tracks are going to be a bugger to bend around the wheels. The Master from t'north may be able to come up with a good idea on how to bend them around the wheels but I fear it may involve strong glue, clamps and a lot of patience.

 

[JR]

Step away mate. Theres nothing there that cant be fixed. Have another look at it tomorrow.

I can see those tracks are going to be a bugger to bend around the wheels. The Master from t'north may be able to come up with a good idea on how to bend them around the wheels but I fear it may involve strong glue, clamps and a lot of patience.

Hi mate, really fed up with this, so much so that it nearly end up in the bin. Those internal things just won't fir, and as they tracks are beyond me I think a burnt out wreak, any photos would be helpful as I'm starting to want to go this way in future. Using a photo and modelling from it.

As for the track though about using some heat ! ( NOT FIRE )

 

[Steve Jones]

Here is link for a walk around of a BT 5

HERE

Looking at those tracks again - if you cut each link in half, (or did they come as single links and you have stuck them all together?) to make a single link, that go around the front and rear wheels, and then reglue each single link one at at a time in place, that might do it with a bit of filler/pigments???