Tinkering with..... S&S Models 15mm Ural Radio Trucks

 

Slowly getting back into the detailing after the Xmas break, tinkering with the new 15mm S&S Models Ural truck Radio / Office body for the zvedza Ural truck.

 

Speaking with Shaun the body has been designed to be deliberately generic, there are multitudes of real world options it would keep him busy for at least a year.

Strictly zvedza truck is slightly late for the October War project, so am battling with my inner rivet counter  whether to use it or not ( will try the body on a QRF Zil at some point ...) , however it will fit in nicely for my Iran Iraq project. 

I've decided to build one "as it comes" from S&S !(the one with the lime green cast) and the other two I have modified the rear doors to depict versions with a rear wheel stowage.

I anticipate modelling a large radar array on one, and I expect a radio mast on the other. 

 

As you can see I've opened up the cabs on the zvedza trucks, moderate work and I may well regret this later when I have to glaze them! 

 

Anyway just a sort intro into the build..... 

Arab Israeli - M577

As with just about everything I'm building for the 1973 war, I've had to do some detailing to make it suitable for the IDF. Information on '73 M577 is scarce so this mod is probably a mixture of fittings from '73 examples to '83 and possibly later. The M577 will be my HQ stand primarily for my M107s but can stand in for the M109 battery as well ( both will use the M548 ammunition vehicles) I think the M50 battery will have a M3 command track to go with its lorry supply train.

So...what I could pick up in the forums is the lack of antenna guards on the roof and removal of the rear stowed tent assemblage. Obviously the vehicle sides have the usual paraphernalia but I really like a reference with tubes holding artillery ranging poles so I took so artistic license.

I started with the Battlefront/ flames of War Vietnam version.

 As it comes before modifying

View of rear tent assembly

Start of adding mods, revised roof hatch and side stowage

The tent coming off was a right pain, should have used the dremel

Most of detail added and installed in base. Have decided all the AIW vehicles will be based, bases bought from warbases, excellent service!

I've added the ubiquitous rolled cover sheet, used to disguise and cover the vehicles when stationary. 

The initial primer coat shows up any surface problems (below) , so this is now ready for its foundation colours.

I think it needs a commander figure either talking to driver, or possibly with binos on the roof ( although I suppose the hatch his shut!) or maybe going in the rear. I have some spare dogs from Peter pig so this may be the opportunity to use one!

Progress is slowly coming on, notable updates

- Urdan copulas moulded by S and S models and work really well on the BF M48

- Khurasan M60s assembled and in the process of up detailing

- M50 left hand side track section complete so that will be off to Shaun soon. Looks like my first complete vehicle  will be on S&S model product list pretty soon!

- IDF artillery loads competed, and moulded, both tubes and shells, should have loads of Cold War applications, again they will be in the S&S catalogue.

Arab Israeli - Yom Kippur - developments

Been quiet for a while, trying to balance a new job, real life and  commissions, I'm not on top of things but it's getting better.

This is just a post to show some random developments, firstly an Urdan Coupola for my M48's. These will be off to S&S models this week to add to their rapidly developing 15mm range, heavily influenced by what I need for '73 :o)

Also working on some M109 vignettes, this is a test piece and needs more detailing. Each vehicle will have an accompanying M548 with more of the ammunition stacks and I'm working on some shells on ready use crates. Figures are BF Vietnam and chassis is QRF

And finally a teaser on my Egyptian air defence, a lot more work to do on these but you get the picture.

The MT55 is complete and available from S&S models, am currently finalising the M50 Hvss spg as the BF is the '67 version. Probably later in the year will see the Gilllois ferry, both water line and on road and the MTU20 Avlb. 

I've made some decisions and have decided to focus on the Sinai for starters and to base my vehicles. I'm opting on mdf bases from warbases. 

I'm slightly out of my comfort area but also working on Skyhawks, MIG 21's, 19 and 17's

These are stripped 1/100 diecasts, I'm working on weapon loads and am converting pilots out of BF and Peter Pig tanks commanders. This will go on magnetic flight stands.

The MIGs are plastic kits.

Some may find my starting points for my armies as strange (Avlb, artillery parks, air defence and planes!) But rest assured the M50's, Centurions, M60s and M48s will all come in time......