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Hi everyone, It's been a while since my last post on Britmodeller, so I'll to make it up to you. This time it's APA-5D, Soviet airfield starter on Ural 4320 chassis. I made my first APA a few years back and it was a lot of fun for 8 months to build and paint 600+ parts. Back then I started with Omega-K/ICM/Revell URAL4320, with Eduard PE, but finished with fresh moulded Trumpeter. There was too many errors in the casting and I decided to take another shot with Trumpeter instead. I gave my 2nd conversion set from HAD Models to a fellow modeler who cannot afford it. A few months back I started with 3rd set, and this is my current project. This is APA-5D from Croatian Air Force, during CIAV 2016 airshow, held in Varazdin. There are a few things to clear up, prior further reading: 1. HAD Models covers APA model as used in Hungary, Poland, USSR/Russia. Here in Croatia we have a slightly different APA, and I will scratch build those details. This set is OOP for a long time. 2. This particular APA-5D is normally based at 91st Air Force Base, Pleso, but it was transferred to Varazdin for airshow, because our solo display MiG-21UMD stayed overnight there. Back in the 90's we had 92nd AFB stationed in Pula, but it was closed and all equipment and vehicles were moved to Pleso. This is why it's still written "92 ZB" on the port door. 3. Note that port cables are wrapped in fire hose. This is normal, since port side is frequently used for MiGs. I'll try to recreate fire hose with satin ribbon. 4. Front and middle axles use Michelin XZL tires, while Semperit Gigant Steel tires are on rear axle. No Ruskiis. Croatia got armored vehicles as a donation from US a few years back (M-ATV, MRAP....). This is where Michelin tires came from. 5. If you google Pula, Croatia you will notice it's on the coastline. And while other APA trucks are well preserved despite their age, this one got a full hit from sun, rain, wind and salt. So, no weathering is too much for this APA: faded colors, paint chipping, and rust. A lot of rust. Since my local hobby shop just started to import Trumpeter, the only URAL they have is late BM-21. There are a few things I'm missing from ordinary URAL casting, yet muffler should be better, for example. HEMTT is donor for Michelin tires, but it's already reserved for another modeler. I shall also use some parts from Voyager PE set and blackout headlights from Northstar.