Andy Moore Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 This is Panda's new T-15 Armata, the IFV stablemate to the T-14 Tank, which I finally finished just before Christmas after a prolonged build that nearly saw me throw the thing in the bin on more than one occasion. I won't say it's a terrible kit, because it isn't, but there are so many frustrating little niggles with it, that it just became a pain to build. The upper hull was so warped that I had to use a G-clamp when joining it to the lower hull, and most of the parts were covered in flash and heavy mould lines that ran straight across details. The instructions bore little resemblance to the parts in the box, and when they did they were often so badly drawn that it was hard to tell where parts needed to go. Then we have the photo etch. A lot of the etch parts needed complex folds but, unlike any other PE fret I've ever used, Panda didn't bother to etch any folding lines onto the parts, which made it almost impossible to get accurate, clean bends even using a bending jig. It's a shame really because the detailing is very good. It seems like the initial design work was done to a very high standard, but then the tooling, instructions and packaging was done by a bunch of monkeys. From the box you just get the option for the May day parade scheme with the orange and black St. George stripes, but the included decals are more yellow than orange, and out of register too, so I went with a hypothetical operational scheme. Thanks for looking Andy 40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oriskany Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Great job Andy, i love your weathering effects! About Panda, i have their M-ATV, it's a good kit well detailed, but the engineering of parts is too complicated and plastic too much soft... It's a sin, their subjects are very interesting, like BMD and Armata families 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAG058 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Another stunner Andy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAYELL Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Andy, Do me a favour and do a bad one....pleeeease Brilliant as ever I am always anticipating the next one to drool over Cheers Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Andy I think I have managed to spot a mistake with your model photos it says 2016 Come on now it is 2017 thought you would have sorted that Another cracking build by the way. beefy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinhow Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 I don't know what to say... just awesome, superb build! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Israel Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 (edited) Yet another masterpiece...fantastic build! Edited January 4, 2017 by Israel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Israel Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 As for now, I'll pass on Pands's kits: almost every one of them seems to have serious issues. Despite this, yet you've managed to build a piece of art out of it. Now, that is class I do not have... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 For all the niggles it turned out rather well (I'm currently practicing 'understatement'.....How am I doing? ). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 In spite of everything, as you have accustomed us, a magnificent job.A very unusual vehicle for now ... Cheers Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Glad you didn't bin it as the end result is brilliant. The weathering is first class. Really like the Russian flag. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Nice work Andy - the flag on the rear adds just that little bit of colour to contrast with the filth 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Moore Posted January 4, 2017 Author Share Posted January 4, 2017 Cheers guys Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeKay Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Stunning once again Andy!!! Brian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carius Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Another superb job my friend. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Portaler Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Well, off to a good start for the year in my book ! Had you not said anything about the build quality I'm sure none would have picked up on it, the end result is just that good. Good job mate ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rammius Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Awesome build ! This machine really looks like a modern IFV should. We`ll wait for MENG kit, imagine how awesome that will be 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reini78 Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 and once again a top notch build 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcap Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Fabulous paint, weathering and overall execution. A faultless (finished) build! Gary 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Cracking build,outstanding finish Andy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwality8 Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 What a beast!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scanlan Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 One of the best painted AFV's I've ever seen....I might give up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazB Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Cracking build, Andy, especially getting over all those hurdles Gaz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Moore Posted January 10, 2017 Author Share Posted January 10, 2017 Thanks everyone On 09/01/2017 at 00:38, Scanlan said: One of the best painted AFV's I've ever seen....I might give up. Thanks Scanlan. Don't give up though! There's nothing that special here. Just a basic camo scheme, with a load of gunk plastered all over it Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Another Fab and inspiring build. Your pics are so impressive as well. I'm interested to know what light sources you use? Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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