Tiran 4

[Gary Boxall]

Greg's 1949 T-54 blog has encouraged me to pull this one out of the stash....



I also have some T54 idlers on order (thanks for the head's up Greg) and hopefully an T54 engine deck too from Shapeways when it is ready. I'll be finishing this as a Lebanese version rather than IDF.

Gary

[Rob Matthews]

Well with 22 views to date and no comments let me be the first

Looking forward to this Gary - I Know I'm going to like the colour
I have never read anything about Lebanese armour though I'm aware Mig has done a book on the subject.

The Tirans were Arab derived war booty converted by the Israelis and very nice they look too, but where do the Lebanese machines ft in?

Rob

[Gary Boxall]

HI Rob

The SLA and the Lebanese Army were supported by Israel and they supplied a lot of arms and vehicles including the Tiran.


I may have to put this one back in the stash and find something else though as what I was planning on building might not be strictly correct Rather than build something that is potentially fictional, I need to do some more research If you thought the world of the Sherman was confusing, try a T54/55

Gary

[Gary Boxall]

Okay, so I was fed some bogus information and I was actually correct after all (not by anyone here I must add!!!!)

So, off we go...

First step is to remove the moulded on fenders...



A sharp scalpel blade and a few minutes later....



The upper and lower hulls are then cemented together and I've roughly applied some Tamiya putty and set this aside to cure....



Gary

[Olivier Carneau]

Nice but frightening start ! Better you than I who had to cut away the fenders
When I start mine, it'll be the Tamiya T-55 with the Blast conversion and Modelkasten tracks.

I guess you intend to paint it SLA blue.

Olivier

[Rob Matthews]

I agree with Olivier - Scary start

A scalpel Blade

Rob

[Gary Boxall]

That was the easy part

Rob - a scalpel blade is ideal. Just score and snap

Gary

[Ian Shumsky]

Will be watching with interest, as always.

[Mark Aldrich]

I am not worthy!!!!! Not in a million would I have cut off the fenders and replaced them with PE! You are my HERO!!!! Teach me Jedi Master!

[Gary Boxall]

Spent the last couple of evenings removing unwanted detail and filling holes with styrene, Tamiya putty and Mr Surfacer. Then varying grades of wet and dry - finishing up with 1200 grit to give a nice smooth finish....



Fuel filler cap has been relocated to the side as per T54 along with some additional bolt heads.







Gary