Hobby Boss Achzarit

[Olivier Carneau]

Hi all
here is my current project. The box contains a number of Trumpeter T-62 sprues (mainly for the roadwheels and the tracks), 2 HB Merkava 3D sprues and of course the appropriate Achzarit sprues and the hull halves.
The level of detail is correct, the attachment points to the sprues are a bit thick and a lot of mold lines need a thorough cleaning.
Even though HB give an open rear corridor there is no interior to show. So I'll build the corridor close. Two PE plates supplement the plastic parts.

So far I have built the suspension. Then I'll assemble the tracks and glue them prior to adding the "fenders" because the access should be tricky afterwards.

The parts have been sprayed with Prince August IDF green (pictures later).

[Vincent Power]

Good to see your latest build Olivier. You are off to a good start.

Vincent

[Olivier Carneau]

Thank you Vincent.
I already have assembled one track. Still the other one to go and it is tedious as you need to clean 2 attachment points per link plus 2 bits of plastic. And you have 87 links per track.
Because of the odd shape of the upper hull I also had to paint the lower hull and the running gear before gluing the upper hull.
Will post pictures tomorrow.

[Olivier Carneau]

Here are more pictures. The both tracks are assembled and installed around the running gear to get the correct shape. They will be removed and painted before I add the upper hull.





The upper hull has a lot of details to add. For the moment I only put the hatches (still moveable) and the various tanks fillers covers. The corrider door is moveable however it will closed in the end.

[Olivier Carneau]

Today's progress.
The upper hull has been fitted as it does not prevent the good installation of the tracks.
On the left side I've added what I believe is the location of a fire extinguisher pull. I also have hollowed the conduits for the wires of the headlights and smoke dischargers.

[Olivier Carneau]

A lot done since the last time I posted. The build is nearly complete. I still need to asemble the 2 MAG supports.

[Steve Hutchinson]

Nice work Olivier
The masking tape basket looks really good
Well done
Regards
Steve H

[Vincent Power]

I agree with Steve. The basket looks amazing Olivier.

Vincent

[Philipp Gross]

Yep, the basket is a piece of art how did you do that?

Everything else looks extremely good as well! This APC sure is one mean looking machine!

Philipp

[Olivier Carneau]

how did you do that?

Thank you all.
Philipp, I first cut the vertical straps from masking tape and "glued" them onto my cutting mat. Then I cut and added the horizontale ones. I applied a drop of CA glue at the outer "crosses" to strengthen the whole thing and then I gently remove the net. When done I applied CA glue all over the outer face to make sure the bondage will resist to the manipulations.

At that time I should have removed the sticky effect of the tape as it proved a pain to work with while adapting the net to the slat bin. Adding CA glue made the net stiffer which helped give it the sagging.

Long process but quite easy to do.