Flankerman Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) I have just started my Zvezda Topol kit - a 1/72 scale model of the Russian ICBM. This is the earlier 7-axle Topol - not the latest improved 8-axle Topol-M as some shops are advertising it as. The artwork on the box sleeve is striking - showing the TEL on its jacks raising the missile tube to the launch position. Two options are provided for - on the road and in the launch position - as shown on the reverse of the box sleeve........ The parts are all individually bagged in a stout cardboard box....... with a comprehensive instruction sheet. The build starts with the chassis - two long sections to which are added 8 brackets and three fuel tanks. Then you add 7 cross-members, a three-part transfer gearbox and two prop shafts. I couldn't decide whether to paint the inner sides of the chassis before fitting them together - but there are too many joins to cement, so I took the hit of having to paint the 'interior' after joining them - there isn't much room to do so. Also added at the rear is the pivot and actuating ram for the missile tube. Now we come to the REALLY complicated bits - the stub axles. There are 14 stub axles - each made up from two fiddly halves - and there are TWO SETS of axles - 28 parts in total The photo above shows the two halves on the left - and on the right are the two different sets -' on the road' version at left, and 'ready-to-launch' at right - note how the vertical damper is longer on the right - as the wheels would be when 'drooped' with the TEL raised in its jacks. This is amazing attention to detail - but it does make the build complicated - you need to study the instructions carefully - and make sure to use the correct set for whichever 'variant' you are building. For all its complication and excellent surface detail, Zvezda does not provide any interior to the crew cabs - the instructions simply say to paint it black - and to be fair, you can't see much inside anyway. The real thing is painted pale blue-green - so I may have a go at scratching at least some seats and a steering wheel. More later..... Ken Edited February 25, 2014 by Flankerman 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob P Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I've been waiting to see one of these in progress, have one on my Hannants wishlist. As you say, the loaded and unloaded suspension is a nice touch, will be watching your progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman2 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Nice start Ken, a great kit for the money. not my normal scale but it will look good on a desk. Glad you have started you as can point out any problems. I may Start my Topol after my 1/35 Maz-537 transporter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Ayrey Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Nice choice of subject and scale. Look forward to your progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinnerboy Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 how big is it mate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 It is 31cm long 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Can anyone answer the following questions???? 1. Which of the 7 wheels are steerable ?? - on the 8-axle Topol-M, the front and rear 3 axles appear to steer, leaving the middle two straight. I've looked at photos of the 7-axle Topol (MAZ-7917 tractor), it sometimes looks as though the front and rear axles steer but it isn't clear. But Zvezda only have steering arms on the front 4 axles - so I am confused. Is it only the front 4 axles that steer on Topol???? 2. When ready to launch - is the missile inside the container visible ?? - or is the end cap frangible and only shatters on launch?? In other words, does it need a scratch-built missile or not to display ready-to-launch?? Just curious..... Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 I can answer my own question 1. It's the front 4 axles that steer - I found this image showing it turning. Still need an answer for question 2 though... Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob P Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 The cap seems to fall away as the launcher erects. There is a video on youtube that shows it, if I can find it again, I'll post it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman2 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) Ken, hope this helps. Net Photos Edited February 19, 2014 by magman2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Thanks magman2 - those photos show it perfectly - especially the first one showing the domed end cap in the foreground. It looks like it needs a scratch-built missile inside the tube for the ready-to-launch variant - maybe just the first few inches though ?? I've had a bit of a mini-disaster...... when I tried to test-fit one of the stub axles, I could not get it to fit correctly - it was way too low. I pondered it for ages - before I realised that the 14 small brackets I had attached earlier - (see my third photo) were too low on the chassis sides.... These are the brackets that the stub axles attach too - so the whole geometry was way out. Although the glue had set, I had to carefully prise off all the brackets without damaging them, clean them up and re-attach in the correct manner. I blame Zvezda's instructions - it isn't very clear on where they fit - you can see them perfectly in subsequent drawings - but the actual artwork on the stage when they are fitted is too dark to be useful. Still - they are now in the correct place - so disaster averted..... I'm now onto fitting the stub axles... Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 The chassis is now sorted - after I removed and re-fitted all the incorrectly posistioned brackets........ All 14 stub axles are fitted - together with 8 steering arms and cross-brackets. The parts count so far is 90........ Underside view..... Incredible detail on each stub axle - all to be hidden under black paint.,,,,,,,, Note the slight damage to the bracket sticking up at top right - where I had to prise it off a re-attach it in the correct position ...... Transmission and transfer box...... Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman2 Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Good progress Ken, I don't think you will see the damage to the brackets, ones you have painted the chassis. Keep up the good work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 Whilst waiting for the black paint on the chassis to dry, I'm tackling some of the mesh grilles. They are well moulded - but I thought I'd 'gild the lilly' a bit..... Having cut out the moulded mesh and replaced it, I then realised that the 'box' (F20) onto which it fits needed opening up as well.... .... and, having opened it up, it needs something inside - so I cut down a spare stub axle and fitted it inside - to look like (maybe?) a generator or something. I have no idea what's inside the real thing - but once painted black it will look as though there is at least some 'gubbins' inside...... I'm also adding a bit of interior detail to the crew cabs......... These parts reveal the kits 'snap together' origins - there is a set of parellel bars that plug in to join the sides to the floor - so they have to stay. I found two seats in the spares box and scratched a third. I also fashioned two 'dashboards' and made a steering wheel out of a press stud. Once painted Eau-de-Nil (or Duck Egg Blue or Sky) it should look a bit better than Zvezda's black painted interior. I'm enjoying this....... Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 I jumped ahead in the instructions - and constructed the missile container....The whole thing is 31cm - 12+ inches long.Ken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlin Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Looking great Ken I've just got mine, the postie dropped it off on friday. Can't wait to get started with it. But I've got to clear the bench first so I'll have some space to work on. I'll follow your build closely. /Bosse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 A bit more progress.......Zvezda's instructions would have you assemble the side-mounted equipment bays onto the chassis bit-by-bit.But this might prove to be awkward when painting them green against a black chassis - so I'm assembling them off-piste.They are mounted onto two flat side plates (the mudguards really) - first the box to the flat plate, then the box front.I removed the side plates from the sprue, but left them connected together while they were assembled - I'll cut off the connecting sprues later.....I have also departed from Zvezda's instructions and made up the parts into as many sub-assemblies as I can - for ease of painting.....More later...Ken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Looking good Ken..thanks for finding out about the bracket locations...(albiet a little late...you make a fine beta tester !). It looks nicely detailed too...one ordered and on the way... Melchie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 (edited) I've always liked the look of the big MAZ multi-axle tractors - even more so when the wheels are turned.It adds a bit of drama and 'action' to the vehicle - so I have tried to reproduce it on my model.....The first 4 axles are steerable - the rear 3 are fixed, and all but the centre axle are driven.I should really have altered the stub axles and steering arms to be 100% correct - but they are rather fiddly - so I have just bodged it and glued the wheels on at progressively reducing angles from front to back.The tires are rubber - not everyones cup of tea - but once the tread area is scrubbed and they are plugged onto the plastic hubs, they look OK.The tires are 'handed' - so you need to make sure the tread is the same on each side - the vee is facing forward on each side.I also cut a slice off the bottom of each tire - to try to represent a loaded wheel. So, getting it to 'sit' on all 14 wheels, orient the tread and animate the steering angles..... I'm making a rod for my own back The 'ready-to-fire' variant should be a lot easier.......Onward.....Ken Edited February 25, 2014 by Flankerman 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 Having finished the 'On-the-road' Topol, I am now building my second Topol ICBM - this time in launch configuration.Although Zvezda provide the 'drooped' mainwheels, raising ram and deployed hydraulic steadying rams, they do not include any SS-25 'Sickle' ICBM missile.I suppose you could just leave the endcap on with the launch tube raised, but a study of video footage shows that the endcap is blown off as the tube is raised - so this and the missile needs to be scratch-built.There is no need to make the whole missile - only the tip is visible when the endcap is removed - so I used a 15mm dia plastic knitting needle .......The prominent raised bulges around the nose section are plug-moulded using white plastic card.It isn't 100% accurate - but at least it gives the impression of there being something inside the tube......The endcap has some internal structure - with three padded arms to steady the missile nosecone.... this great web photo shows the structure - with my scratched internals in the middle...My finished endcap......More later....Ken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlin Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 WOW Great work Ken. I think I can do that myself. And I'm lousy at scratchbuilding. So this is one idea I'm going to "steal" with pride /Bosse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Missile fitted...... (it looks a bit crude in the photo - much better by eye......)... You can't see much down the tube anyway...... ... but I might try to get rid of those seams... Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Seen this Flankerman.... http://lvm-studios.com/uncategorized/detail-conversion-kit-zvezda-topol-ss-25-sickle-172/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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