Bullbasket Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Well, like buses, you wait for ages, and then two come along. In this case, it's T-55's, but mine is what the Israeli's did to the ones that they captured, namely the Tiran 5. A brief history. During the 67 and 73 wars, the Israelis captured hundreds of T-54s and T-55s from the Egyptians and the Syrians. Not being able to get their hands on the number of Centurions and M-48s that they wanted, the Israelis set about putting their war booty back into service, initially mainly unchanged. These were as follows; Tiran 1; Unmodified T-54. Tiran 2; Unmodified T-55. Tiran 3; Israeli designation for unmodified T-62. Tiran 4; T-54 with major modifications. Tiran 5: T-55 with major modifications. Tiran 4SH; Tiran 4 upgraded with a 105mm main gun and other items. Tiran 5SH; Tiran 5 upgraded with a 105mm main gun and other items. Tiran 6; Ex Syrian T-62's with 105mm main guns replacing the Russian 115mm. There's also the Ti-67, but that's another story. So actually, I suppose that this is really a Tiran 5SH. As well as the Tamiya kit......... ......I'm going to use the Aber replacement 105mm gun, RB Models 7.62mm and 12mm mg's, along with the Voyager etched brass set and the Legend set for the fuel tanks. Progress on this will initially be slow as I'm still finishing my M1 and I have a trip back to the UK coming up, but I like to have something started even when I'm still into a previous build, otherwise I get withdrawal symptoms!! John. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Now this looks like an interesting project. Nice collection of AM too. Kind regards, Stix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 Yes, I've had this kit for a couple of years and have been gradually collecting the AM parts. Still got to get the tracks yet as the rubber bands are not what I want. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carius Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Let's go together with our T-55 projects my friend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 At the risk of adding to the cost burden, Blast Models do an engine deck correction (BL35255K): the Tamiya kit is a mix of Czech and Russian features, and the rearmost grilles are wrong for a Tiran. They also do a nice T-55 detail update set for the Tamiya kits, which includes the engine deck parts (BL35036K). I'll be watching this as I have the Tamiya kit too for a planned Tiran 5 with BTU-55, but I'm toying with using the Takom T-55 as a basis instead or waiting for the MiniArt T-55 (not listed for 2017 yet): I bought the Legend conversion before the Tamiya Tiran appeared. The AM parts count for this project is up to about £130 now. Takom have announced a Tiran 4 for 2017, which has considerably simplified that equally expensive sister project. What's the betting they'll sneak a Tiran 5 out too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripaman Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Another one to pull the chair up too. Regards Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 11 hours ago, Carius said: Let's go together with our T-55 projects my friend Slowly but surely. The tracks are what will slow me down, but hopefully, I'll be able to pick up a set in England. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 11 hours ago, Das Abteilung said: At the risk of adding to the cost burden, Blast Models do an engine deck correction (BL35255K): the Tamiya kit is a mix of Czech and Russian features, and the rearmost grilles are wrong for a Tiran. They also do a nice T-55 detail update set for the Tamiya kits, which includes the engine deck parts (BL35036K). I'll be watching this as I have the Tamiya kit too for a planned Tiran 5 with BTU-55, but I'm toying with using the Takom T-55 as a basis instead or waiting for the MiniArt T-55 (not listed for 2017 yet): I bought the Legend conversion before the Tamiya Tiran appeared. The AM parts count for this project is up to about £130 now. Takom have announced a Tiran 4 for 2017, which has considerably simplified that equally expensive sister project. What's the betting they'll sneak a Tiran 5 out too? So far, this is turning out to be one of the most expensive builds I've done. The kit alone was £46, and when you factor in the cost of p&p with the AM parts, I'm already past £100, and I haven't got the tracks yet!! I looked at the Blast site and they have the update set in stock, but there are a lot of parts that are not needed. Unfortunately, the engine deck is out of stock. That's great news about Takom and the Tiran 4 as that saves buying a T-54 and another conversion kit. Thanks for the info. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 3 hours ago, Ripaman said: Another one to pull the chair up too. Regards Richard You're very welcome Richard. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 NIce Project, a very nice stuff...Another success... Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Watching with interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 1 hour ago, FrancisGL said: NIce Project, a very nice stuff...Another success... Cheers John 1 hour ago, snapper_city said: Watching with interest. A long way to go, but it should be enjoyable. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Interesting stuff, definitely on my "to do" list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 11 hours ago, phildagreek said: Interesting stuff, definitely on my "to do" list. It's been on my "to do" list for a couple of years now. I thought that it was time to give the Shemans and cruiser tanks a rest, so this was a good choice. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wogga Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I have few voyager etch kits for my Chieftain stash it will be interesting to see what you think of them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 It'll be a while yet, but I'll let you know how I get on with it. I've never used Voyager stuff before. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonofjim Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Great project , I do like a bit of IDF Armour ,and a T-55 to boot ! You have a very nice selection of AM there also John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted February 12, 2017 Author Share Posted February 12, 2017 15 hours ago, sonofjim said: Great project , I do like a bit of IDF Armour ,and a T-55 to boot ! You have a very nice selection of AM there also John. Yes, I've got a bit of a thing going at the moment for IDF tanks, what with this and the M1 that I'm doing and an M51 that I finished not long ago. Apart from the Aber barrel, the other AM stuff is new to me so fingers crossed. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonofjim Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 40 minutes ago, Bullbasket said: Yes, I've got a bit of a thing going at the moment for IDF tanks, what with this and the M1 that I'm doing and an M51 that I finished not long ago. Apart from the Aber barrel, the other AM stuff is new to me so fingers crossed. John. Something really neat about IDF isn't there ? You'll get along great with Voyager etch John , I think I must have 75+ sets in the stash and they are my number one favourite etch co . Legend are also fantastic and again you should find them a breeze and a pleasure to work with . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 You've grabbed m attention and got me looking up Tirans. The Takom offering sounds promising Looking forward to seeing this unfold. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted February 12, 2017 Author Share Posted February 12, 2017 2 hours ago, sonofjim said: Something really neat about IDF isn't there ? You'll get along great with Voyager etch John , I think I must have 75+ sets in the stash and they are my number one favourite etch co . Legend are also fantastic and again you should find them a breeze and a pleasure to work with . Gotta agree there. With an M50 and M51 built in 1/35th, an M50 scratch built in 1/48th, the M1 in WIP and now the Tiran 5, plus I've got another (albeit later version) M50 to build, I'd say yes, I do find something neat about IDF tanks. I also have a hankering after doing the M1 Super Sherman once I've got hold of a suitable kit. I'll let you know how I get on with the AM stuff. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted February 12, 2017 Author Share Posted February 12, 2017 2 hours ago, robgizlu said: You've grabbed m attention and got me looking up Tirans. The Takom offering sounds promising Looking forward to seeing this unfold. You're very welcome. I'm pleased to say that Takom haven't just duplicated what Tamiya have already done, but announced a different model, namely the Tiran 4. Now I don't have to buy a T-54 plus expensive conversion kit, just expensive AM stuff!! John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 I said it would be slow in starting, but finally, I've begun putting it together. Visit to Blighty over and I've now got the Fruilmodel tracks (and very glad that I have). I've also got the Blast Models update set which includes the engine deck. Not a great deal of progress, but at least it's up and running. The only problem that I had with the tracks was when I used thin super glue on the end connectors. I used too much on one side and it flowed right through the links and welded them together. I think I got away with it this time, but I'll be using thick super glue in future. As an aside; Fruilmodel give you plenty of links. So much so that I had around 70 plus left over. Do a couple more and I'll have a free set!! John. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plasto Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 The Tracks are looking good. For mine I opened the holes out to 0.6mm and used some 0.55mm wire I had here that gave more or less a close tolerance fit so I forwent superglue... If you are going to use some 'track fluid' on them to blacken them then I can suggest from experience that you need to soak them in some degreaser and really scrub the links to get the release agent out of the track patterns as if left it repels the blackening solution. Have fun... Plasto 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carius Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Wow John great progress with the tracks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now