Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Frank3k on November 13, 2021, 12:42:10 PM
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This is a real world build of the Thunder Models 1/35 Caterpillar Sixty. The Sixty was built under license in Russia as the Stalinets S-60 and also formed the basis for the Stalinets S-65.
The build wasn't bad at all, albeit long; you're basically building a big engine, with some bits added to make it move - almost as an afterthought. Parts fit well and the PE (and copper wire) were easy to deal with. The only issue I had was with the fuel tank - the ends had a seam that was difficult to remove, so I just replaced them with a styrene disk:
(https://i.imgur.com/RjeQnLx.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Hc1eIl1.jpg)
I thought about painting it yellow, but decided to go with the blue-gray on the boxtop (and on some Sixties I found online):
(https://i.imgur.com/E2C3lFd.jpg)
The tracks are some I'd put together for a Trumpeter S-65 and they fit perfectly. Notice that the embossed "Caterpillar" and "Sixty" are missing from the radiator. Since Thunder makes the Stalinets version, the names are provided in PE form. Ugh.
I managed to get the "Caterpillar" onto the radiator. It doesn't look great, but it's good enough:
(https://i.imgur.com/0SIdRG7.jpg)
Please don't look at the headlamps too closely because they're liable to fall of. I think they're held onto the arms with maybe two or three molecules of plastic.
Getting the "Sixty" onto the sides - correctly spaced - would have been a real job. This is what the PE fret looks like (after I painted it red):
(https://i.imgur.com/zwbJSvL.jpg)
After some pondering, I scanned the PE section above and deleted everything that wasn't a red letter. I ended up with "SIXTY", which I printed several times onto decal paper. Next, I carefully trimmed each letter from the PE fret and using some Gator Glue, I aligned each letter over the matching letter on the decal. The darker red shows one set of PE letters glued onto the decal:
(https://i.imgur.com/ornBPXH.jpg)
I then cut and trimmed the decal to fit the radiator and applied it to the model. I think it looks OK - it was certainly easier than trying to apply the PE directly to the radiator part:
(https://i.imgur.com/T2HnJ5P.jpg)
I gave the tractor a good coat of clear to make sure everything stayed down.
One thing that Thunder forgot to add to the tractor is the dirt shield on the running gear. Since I had a spare, built Trumpeter S-65, I sacrificed its dirt shields. They fit perfectly. In fact, the complete running gear from the Trumpeter kit fits onto the Sixty body with only minor coaxing. I built the Thunder parts because they're better detailed than the Trumpeter parts.
I also noticed that almost every picture of the Sixty I found online has the control arms facing out from the driver's seat. Thunder has you build them facing inwards towards the driver, so I fixed that as well:
(https://i.imgur.com/QId0f4F.jpg)
Next is some weathering. Lots of it.
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Looking good!
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Definitely some excellent work going on there, frank! :smiley:
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Excellent work again Frank! The kit has certainly met its master in your hands. :smiley:
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I can't even guess what the final plot twist on this will be.
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I finished this one before I got tired of it.
The tracks were on right, but the ones on the left got a bit out of whack as I was posing the tractor. They're loose (and movable, if I decide to roll the tractor along the floor):
(https://i.imgur.com/IX76twc.jpg)
Right side:
(https://i.imgur.com/UlK2Rf6.jpg)
Left side:
(https://i.imgur.com/rk3i59O.jpg)
Weathering is a combination of clear dust color, some pigments, Tamiya panel accent, #2 pencil lead, a clear glaze with a few drops of sand and various Tamiya weathering powders.
(https://i.imgur.com/ffkxNua.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/02NSskJ.jpg)
"Yeah, we'll have to disagree which is the better Dead Kennedys album - "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death" or "Bedtime for Democracy" ":
(https://i.imgur.com/avz96cE.jpg)
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That looks great Frank! Just looking at it, I sense that I should be rummaging around for an oily rag to wipe my hands on!
Oh, and on the DK albums, I cast my vote for "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death" :smiley:
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The tracks were on right, but the ones on the left got a bit out of whack as I was posing the tractor. They're loose (and movable, if I decide to roll the tractor along the floor):
Yah, "if". Sure! ::)
Damn! Great job, Frank! :smiley:
The tractor looks fantastic, makes my efforts look pedestrian, but the figure of the big guy ... He looks almost real! :icon_surprised:
:icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:
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WOW -- Looks like a shrink ray project with figures added :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Grimy - Yes - need a rag to clean up after viewing....
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Thanks, guys. The weathering was actually very easy.
@apophenia - "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death" is the better album; it has "Holiday in Cambodia".
@Guy - the big guy is real - at least he's based on a 3D scan by ReedOak of a French guy (http://reedoak.com/#!/1-35-Modern-truck-driver-with-safety-boots-1-JL/p/59064558/category=13308143).
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@Guy - the big guy is real - at least he's based on a 3D scan by ReedOak of a French guy ([url]http://reedoak.com/#[/url]!/1-35-Modern-truck-driver-with-safety-boots-1-JL/p/59064558/category=13308143).
Yeah, but the paint work takes it to a whole new level! :icon_alabanza: 8)
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Terrific job!
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(https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/68465190/that-belongs-in-a-museum.jpg)
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I agree with Dr. Jones!
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Very nice !! Great weathering for sure. :smiley: :smiley:
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Winner!
Really nice work
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Daaaaaaayummm. Phenomenal!
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Thanks everyone! It is on display in a Swedish museum now - my Ikea DETOLF display case.
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:smiley:
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oof, that is some fine work! Congrats!
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:-* :-* :smiley: