The Reality
Didn't find anything previously posted on the Odessa or STZ3 tractor, so have some background readings
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/soviet/soviet_NI_Odessa_tank.php#google_vignett (https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/soviet/soviet_NI_Odessa_tank.php#google_vignett)
All the footage available
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2FPtd0eR_o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2FPtd0eR_o)
The beauty of this is that due to the lack of documentation, it's ripe for WIFFery (particularly in armaments)
(https://i.imgur.com/CMxzBcs.png)
NI-1 Diagram:
1 — armoured hull,
2 — side armour,
3 — engine compartment,
4 — turret,
5 — fenders,
6 — track armour,
7 — machine gun armour,
8 — DShK machine gun,
9 — hook,
10 — toolbox,
11 — exhaust pipe,
12 — chassis beams,
13 — chassis front,
14 — tow hitch,
15 — idler,
16 — support roller,
17 — driving wheel,
18 — roller,
19 — DT machine gun
Note that the prevailing theory is turrets being salvaged from upgraded T28s.
This is the standard DP fitting.
(https://i.imgur.com/7dQRngI.png)
And these are 37mm alternatives.
(https://i.imgur.com/L8tWK2z.png)
In one memorable episode, the tanks entered a village occupied by German troops and while under fire were able to tow away 24 German guns.[citation needed]
https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/NI_tank (https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/NI_tank)
Umm.. time to drop an implied meme.
(https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/091/649/a35.jpg)
The Model
Everybody's favorite Steve Zaloga on the Odessa and the Vulcan Models' STZ3 tractor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNxbh-fruV8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNxbh-fruV8)
So there's been some old (as in old in the 90's) Soviet/Russian model instructions when I got the build sheet show in my pic below).
This one strikes me as being a resin kit. The Russian illustration above seems to be from a scratch-build instruction sheet.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohm-hitExAE/U7KvAMURRxI/AAAAAAAAIkQ/_P8b1lZkokM/s1600/Tank+Soviet+NI-3.jpg)
So I've had this 2019 3D Rendering from THINGVERSE in more-or-less 1/35th scale sitting around for a few years.
Pretty simple, like a scaled up ROCO MINITANK (one of my first loves)
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3398171 (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3398171)
My original intent was to build it up as a circa-1944 remote control vehicle slaved to a T35 Command Tank and armed with a rack of Panzerfausts, but it's better suited as a 2023 Christmas gift to a buddy with Ukrainian roots.
I knew I'd need barrels for the Dshk and DP LMG, so those were taken from the spares box (ESCI level quality matching the 3D print).
(https://i.imgur.com/VH7Xaxi.jpg)
First fitting, with our cigarette smoking crewman courtesy of the 1970's TAMIYA. He'll go out the door as a flat-black dummy, since the predictive audience will need something scalar.
(https://i.imgur.com/Ey53xHS.jpg)
Rather than mess with the factory settings on the DP-armed T28 turret, I did a test-fit of the Dshk in the hull gunner's position. Looked like it'd fit.
(https://i.imgur.com/nbVztFM.jpg)