1/35 Zvezda T-60 light tank

[KowboyKaleb]

Started this build as my first one back into the hobby in a few years. Figured it would be good to just dip my toes back in before building a dragon or Takom kit haha.

She's a small kit with only 2 sprues, not much detail, but I snagged it for 7 whole dollars so I won't much feel bad if I manage to cock the whole thing up haha

It's a 1992 molding and the decals are fairly yellow and fragile. I will probably be going with some form of aftermarket decal kit or just free handing the unit numbers on myself. I do also plan on building a small diorama for it.

 

[Jakko]

That's an … unusual line of reasoning: "Let me build a kit of known poor fit before trying one by Tamiya" But I suppose this means on the next one you'll find it's much easier to put together than expected

 

[Edbert]

Started this build as my first one back into the hobby in a few years. Figured it would be good to just dip my toes back in before building a dragon or Takom kit haha.

When I "came back to the hobby in 2024" I decided to finish a couple (from the 1990s) that I had in-progress before buying anything new.

Seems a similar story of masochism to me. But looking at the sprues you posted, I think you're being really mean to yourself compared to the ones i did. I'm impressed though, keep us posted with progress pics!

 

[KowboyKaleb]

That's an … unusual line of reasoning: "Let me build a kit of known poor fit before trying one by Tamiya" But I suppose this means on the next one you'll find it's much easier to put together than expected

I've never been accused of being particularly smart but we shall see how it goes

 

[KowboyKaleb]

When I "came back to the hobby in 2024" I decided to finish a couple (from the 1990s) that I had in-progress before buying anything new.

Seems a similar story of masochism to me. But looking at the sprues you posted, I think you're being really mean to yourself compared to the ones i did. I'm impressed though, keep us posted with progress pics!

I'm just excited to be back to into it, a little masochism is good for the soul haha

 

[Edbert]

good for the soul haha

100% agreement! There's a sorta famous quote that I paraphrase..."that which does not kill you makes you stronger", or in the case of melting plastic, if this does not discourage you, nothing will.

 

[TimM63]

Welcome to the madness.

 

[mustang1989]

Now this'll be fun to watch!!

 

[KowboyKaleb]

Well, I've gotten some work done on this lil ole T-60

It is going very meh of course general fitment is pretty bad so I've been liberally applying Tamiya putty, going to wait for it to cure before I crack on with the hull and turret

The mantlet area is probably the worst part of the turret, but that will be covered up once the armored section with the cannon is glued on.

One other discovery I've made is that this sealed 1992 Zvezda kit that was installed and opened by me, is in fact missing one of it's front drive sprockets...

So I think I will be building this kit as a knocked out/abandoned tank for the dio it will be going on.

I originally thought maybe I had dropped if or it fell out out of the box but going back and looking at the photos I originally took the day I unwrapped it shows it was never there haha

Still, even with all these lil bumps in the road I'm incredibly grateful to be back in the hobby!

 

[Jakko]

Good quality control at the factory there

 

[KowboyKaleb]

Good quality control at the factory there

Oh absolute quality I'm sure haha

 

[mustang1989]

Sometimes……stuff just falls through the cracks. Sounds like you've got a great plan in moving forward with the abandoned tank idea though.

 

[KowboyKaleb]

Sometimes……stuff just falls through the cracks. Sounds like you've got a great plan in moving forward with the abandoned tank idea though.

It was either that or make a silicone mold and make a new one out of resin, but that's too much work for a not particularly important kit.