2A3 Kondensator

Start of the lower hull 

Okb only gives you 9 spring struts(?) so I had to scratch build 1 

Size comparison to a 1/72 T-62M 

Test fit of the gun and breech 

The wheels need new bearings(axels?) so I sourced some brass tubing. 2.1mm for the outer and 1.6mm for the inner 

Brass tubing 2.1mm outer and 1.6mm inner to fit on the kits torsion arms  

Some soldering to make this contraption  

I’ve used AMMO A.MIG-083 ZASHCHITNIY ZELENO for the colour 

Drivers cab started.  

More parts added to the breech. Checking to make sure it all fits still 

The kit part is multiple PE pieces that unfortunately broke or wouldn’t work. So I scratch built a new part using plastic 

5pc support soldered for the rammer 

Part of the crane hoist assembly. The instructions are not clear so lots of guesswork with this  

Some more guesswork for the crane hoist 

Only need a little bit of scratch building to make it look good. OKB Grigorov didn’t provide a few parts so decent reference photos come in handy  

Missing in the kit is a tow cable that’s roughly 47.15mm long and 2 shovels. 

I used a shovel from my spares and scratch built one. Plus made a tow cable  

Started the plumbing on the rammer and breech. For this I’m using .020” fine solder 

Another view of the plumbing. More to add to this subassembly  

Missing power cable for the crane/rammer made from solder 

Hand rails made from brass wire 

Scratch built tow cable and PE bracket to hold the cable 

Improved the kit shackles with plastic rod 

Oops I should have double checked my wheel height. That sprocket is way too low  

Managed to get a better height on the wheels. The notches the arms are supposed to go into should be angled not horizontal like the manufacturer has 

First time using this style of tracks. They’re the Kit resin tracks. I used a hair dryer on low setting to help bend them around the sprocket and idler 

Some glue and weight to help set the tracks. Only had to remove 7 links 

Ran a hairdryer over the top to give some sags  

Ran a hairdryer on low over the top tracks to give some sags 

I noticed in reference photos at some point the gun barrel had a silver ring (possibly from recoil?) so I painted this ring with tamiya flat aluminum 

Painted the tracks and gave the left side a wash.  

Started mounting the fenders and drivers cab. Discovered the cab floor is too big and won’t sit properly  

Test fitting the cab. The cab inner walls need to be thinned  

Glued the gun and breech to the hull 

Some detail painting in the drivers cab 

After modifying the cab I test fit again and success it fits! 

I made the missing components for the kit crane using plastic rod and bras 

The travel lock went into another dimension so made a new one from plastic strip  

Rear fenders and exhaust shrouds fitted 

Made a missing hand rail on the drivers cab from solder 

I’m calling this done. It’s been a struggle at times but I’m happy with what I’ve got done