T-55S "Samovar"

Users' choice

This gallery has 2.52% of the users' votes.

By: Ilya Cherkashnev

Manufacturer(s): PST/ModellTrans

After-market parts: ACE PE tracks and net, wheels from the colleague on a hobby, copy Trumpeter’s tanks, boxes, roof МТО, cables from Eureka XXL, the Browning from Dragon, another from СМК, Goffy. Decals from ACE.

Description: This updating represents completion by the Israeli masters of tank T-55. Base color a salfmade cocktail, dirt Tamia acrylic, and on finish СМК and МiG pigments.

Judge 1: You’ve done a nice job here with this interesting variant of the old T-55. You’ve accomplished some nice depth to you finish, and the stowage adds yet more visual interest to your model. The weathering is superb, with only a couple of areas where the dark wash looks to have pooled (eg LH smoke discharger box). There are a couple of build issues that I notice though. The aft roadwheel on right side is out of alignment with the other wheels, sticking outboard by a noticeable amount. Also on the right hand track under 2nd & 3rd road wheels from front, the track (fold) looks slightly delaminated. The track sag coming off the left hand idler looks very natural but the run off of right hand idler isn’t quite as nice. While on the tracks, I also note that some of your finish has worn off the ends of the track links, exposing the base copper colour, so you may want to touch that up. Your finish is top notch so just a little more attention to detail on the running gear, will definitely elevate the overall impression of your work. Nice work. Wayne
Judge 2: The overall look of this model is not bad. The first thing to mention is the colour. You said it's your own mixture. We all know, that the israeli tanks are wearing a so terrific colour, that is simply impossible to mix out. And I'm afraid you couldn't do this as well. This is simply too green. If we see the details of the model, there are some little, but important mistakes to mention. Some gaps on the border of plastic and resin part (like the engine hatch). Uncompleted paint of little details (like jerry can on the left front mudguard). The uncontrolled weathering with the oils, and the pigments, that make the result a bit rough. It's visible, that you have the skills also for the construction and for the paint process, but you still have to pay more attention for little details, and for cotrolled, logical paint work!
Judge 3: I like the T54-55 series tank they are have a great shape. As has already been pointed out there are a number of problems with wheel alignment, it's very important to get the basic construction elements right because when they aren't they really attract the eye of the observer. The paint work is not bad with the exceptions pointed out above, again attention to the small details really pays dividends. With more time spent getting the basics under control your modelling will certainly move up to the next level, good work.