Shermaniac Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 9A52-2 SMERCH-M 1/35th scale Trumpeter 01020 Hmmmm!Now, here is the dilema??? Two at Once? This is a dilema many of us come across, especially these days with competition as it is - MENG or Trumpeter, Trumpeter or MENG - which one shall I build?Well, the £20 difference in basic costs does make a certain statement and as I already have the Trumpeter Scud-B on the back burner I decided on economy.A lot fewer sprues but much larger and, without sitting down for several hours to count them, the number of parts would look to be similar quantity. Costs in at £79.99 RRP Section 1 and 49 parts. Construction of the main chassis - right side At 322mm long and 20mm/35mm across this is the most important part of the chassis All jigged up on my Picador Blocks, the chassis is square and true. Section 2 and a further 25 parts complete phase 2 of the main chassis At this point, everything fits in extremely well with no surprises. So far, all parts are well engineered. The left side-member is not yet glued but is held in place with tape to ensure the cross-members dry correctly. A few more bits still to add. Next Time: Remaining Chassis & Engine 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 More Chassis Construction Tonight Section 5 Auxilliary Power Generator assembly and another 13 parts This is a busy looking build and I still have the Engine to do yet What I think is the auxilliary power generator (left) and main transfer box (right) Power Gen, Main Transfer Box and Compressed Air Tanks - Top View Section 6, the axle mount assemblies and the first of the PE parts Applied the Axle Mounts to the chassis sides but still have to add the PE parts At present, this is going well (better than my Chieftain that is!) Next Time: Other than building the Engine? It's the Fun part!!! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Lovely start Shemaniac! Detail on the kit looks rather good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robw_uk Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 so glad I cant afford this build ;-) thats an amazing block of work so far, so going to watch the build with interest 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted February 9, 2016 Author Share Posted February 9, 2016 Suspension Units All the suspension units are fixed in place. Although simple to construct they are fiddly and care must be taken at this point The 2nd front wheel station which operates on a torsion bar arrangement. All the wheel mount plates must finish vertical Note the placement of part B8 (centre of picture) with the notched portion at the top (shown upside down in the instructions) The rear wheel mount and a slightly different construction. These units also have a degree of flash plastic to clean off The left-rear stabilizer which locates between the 2-rear wheels does enable the vehicle to be in transport or launch mode I've noticed that as I move through the pages of the instruction the detail become more intense Next Time: Has to be the Engine! Otherwise, the rest won't fit 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Interesting build.....and a very nice job so far Sir! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Shumsky Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Great start - will be following with interest! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Great job so far. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted February 10, 2016 Author Share Posted February 10, 2016 (edited) Stabilizers and The Engine Both stabilizers are now glued in place. Soft plastic and flash required some filler on the joints Section 4, The Engine: quite a detailed element comprising 29 parts and most from Sprue P Quite the hunk of plastic: (L)75mm x (W) 30mm x (H) 35mm With clean-up, it took about an hour to build The squares of the cutting mat give you some idea of the size. The wiring is part P23 and comes in 1-piece A small amount of 'adjustment' was needed to seat the engine mounts into the chassis, but it's a nice fit Top shot with drive shaft. The engine and shaft are glued together but not to the generator or chassis There are a few issues with this kit in general Soft Plastic - needs care removing parts Mould Flash - quite a bit for such a new kit Fettling needed - some parts need some persuasion Other than that....... Next Time: Fuel Tanks, Stowage Bins etc in Section 9 Edited February 10, 2016 by Shermaniac 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfisti Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Hi Alan,very interesting build,sorely tempted by this kit,you are making it hard to resist lol!Oh,and don't you ever sleep? Dave. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Interesting build! Looking forward to more!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robw_uk Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 holy cow... love this build, it looks huge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 (edited) Stowage Bins Section 9, Stowage Bins, Fuel Tanks and Wheel Chocks - a very busy page on the instructions for what is so little at the end The circled item is a 'T' shaped part (top left - Ooops! Right of picture) is not identified anywhere else, nor is it numbered I've been bending PE the last couple of evenings. Result, 2 large and 1 small tank and a stowage bin Stepping briefly into Section 10 I have added the exhaust extensions - all can still be removed for painting shortly So far, so good Next Time: Wheel Chocks, Front bumper & Superstructure Edited February 12, 2016 by Shermaniac 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4rky Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 What a lovely build. Those instructions look a little too busy for me to handle, but you are doing a fine job. I assume the bit you have circled is in the the "top right of picture", rather than left. Is it the bit that should fit in the small hole on the front left of the tanks?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 What a lovely build. Those instructions look a little too busy for me to handle, but you are doing a fine job. I assume the bit you have circled is in the the "top right of picture", rather than left. Is it the bit that should fit in the small hole on the front left of the tanks?? I tend to give each page a couple of minutes to follow the build line. They do have feint arrows to show the sequence and not all of the pages are this detailed. Thanks for spotting my error and Yes, the small hole to the left of the filler cap has the air valve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 It seems a complex kit, but he is doing very well so far, Greetings 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 Front Bumper, Radiator and Launcher Platform Section 13, Large Stowage Bins and Mudguards. Plenty of PE bending here to make up the support frames Commencing the upper structure starting with the Front Bumper. Stepping into Sections 11 & 13 with more of the Cab Frame and Radiator Grill None of these parts are glued in place but they do fit extremely well - after a little fettling here and there! Section 12, the Launcher Platform frame - basic isn't it, and with some 'issues' which are immediately apparent I spent around 20 minutes on this as construct was relatively easy but the mold register was a bit off Dry fitting of the Launcher Deck which is quite a tight squeeze. All assemblies are removeable Looking massive and impressive as I now actively move to the upper-works. 6-Sprues of Rockets and Pods to come shortly! Next Time: Remaining Mudguards, Wheels and the start of the Cab Unit 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 NIce progress, and seem a huge kit!!!, cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 (edited) NIce progress, and seem a huge kit!!!, cheers Currently, the kit stands in at 9cm wide and 32cm long (3.5 x 12.5 inches) with more to come. Edited February 13, 2016 by Shermaniac 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Why do the Russians have to put eight wheels on everything? Just finished the suspension on a Trumpeter BTR 60 They do love to over engineer their kits. Incredible build so far. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Very impressive build so far Shermaniac. Lovely stuff! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 cool subject! The chassis is identical the Scud launcher, so I know what you mean by fiddly. But how great is the detail! Did you have issues with the front set of suspension arms and a resulting odd camber? I'm thinking it was probably just me.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Looks great! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 cool subject! The chassis is identical the Scud launcher, so I know what you mean by fiddly. But how great is the detail! Did you have issues with the front set of suspension arms and a resulting odd camber? I'm thinking it was probably just me.... I shall see once I add the wheels. Fingers X I shall have all 8 touching ground. 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