Miniart T-70

[Philipp Gross]

Here's my entry....after much deliberation it seemed reasonable to use a kit I already have instead of buying yet another one

I first built the Miniart T-70 back in October 2007, if the photo's Exif data is to be believed. It wasn't exactly difficult to ignorant young me, but of course the end result left a lot to be desired. It might have looked a bit better if it weren't for that horrible Revell paint



Here's the real thing, belonging to a German security unit:



A lot more photos can be found here.

I'll build the same tank again, or at least one of the same unit. These tanks weren't modified a lot, the only German addition was a slightly odd rifle rack on the rear turret wall.

Back then I used Miniart's Beutepanzer kit. I don't have it any more, but this is mostly the same except for other decals and added photoetch:



I think I can souce the decals from my well filled spares box.

Kit contents....not very much, but all you need. My only aftermarket addition is a turned barrel by RB Model:


See you on the 1st

Philipp

[Bryan Krueger]

Will follow with interest. I keep wanting to build one of these but then get paralyzed with all the AM I'd want to put into it.

I'd have to go back to a Monogram Lee or Screamin Mimi kit to build one of my first armor kits again. And those weren't re-releases.

Wait a sec... is that really the ENTIRE kit?

[Philipp Gross]

Welcome aboard Bryan! Yep, that's all

Still waiting for Miniart to release an upgraded version with interior. Would be quite an improvement considering the large hatches. In the meantime the new T-60 should suffice

Philipp

[Philipp Gross]

Made a start on the T-70...



The added photoetch mostly concerns itself with the big air ducts on the hull. Instead of using the flimsy etched louvers I used some styrene L profile. I hope some black paint inside the hull will hide the gaping void...



Tracks and the rest tomorrow I'd say

Philipp

[Philipp Gross]

Definitely no tracks today I'm afraid. The links break if you're not extra careful and there are two ejector marks on each. Also there's also 5 spares per side. Miniart has since replaced these with newly tooled workable tracks which they sell separately, might look into that. These would have the extra advantage of allowing me to fit the track guards first.

Philipp

[Bryan Krueger]

Nice start! Pity on the tracks.

[Philipp Gross]

Thanks Bryan!

Ordered the workable Miniart tracks....much better...except that they tend to fall apart at the slightest touch and are better used like regular tracks.

Wrapped around the sprocket, fit isn't perfect but good enough:


Workable on the left, original kit tracks on right:


I'll write a quick review on them tomorrow with some more photos.

Philipp

[Philipp Gross]

Didn't get much done today (except eating way too much grilled meat), but here's at least a little update on the exhausts:



Speaking of grilled meat...the designers of this tank were kind enough to insulate the hot exhaust pipes....with generous asbestos wrappings. I tried my luck with strips of masking tape, looks a little rough but might be better once painted.

Philipp

[Philipp Gross]

Except for the tracks and minor touchups I think I'm done here:




Added a Notek light and a horn with better definition:


Finally the weird gun rack made from PE scraps:


The other brackets came from the kit's own PE. Which, by the way, could have really used some tool brackets. As it is now, it basically only covers things that were missing from the original kit. Miniart certainly has come a long way during the last 10 years. I dare not imagine how this kit would look if they made it from scratch today...

Philipp

[Bryan Krueger]

She's a Beute Philipp!

Much better details on the new tracks.

Yeah, it would be nice if they retooled or reworked the existing molds.