Zetor 25 - Czechoslovak Air Force - WIP

1
November 7, 2023
The kit parts are supplied in a relatively small, handsome cardboard box that is strong enough to protect its contents. The kit parts are divided into four transparent bags. One bag contains the "large" cast parts, the second bag contains the small cast parts, the third bag contains the 3D printed towbar parts used for the Mig 15 and 17, and the fourth bag contains the reflectors cast in clear resin, two mini-plates with photo-etched parts for the tractor and towbar, and a small decal sheet.
2
November 7, 2023
Looking at the parts of the kit, it is clear that you will enjoy cutting and trimming the parts more than enough.
3
November 7, 2023
The instructions look very nice at first glance, but on closer examination it's not so great. At least the first two building steps are very condensed and for better clarity they should be broken down into smaller building units.
4
November 7, 2023
A step in the assembly instructions for part #18 shows that the instructions can be broken down into simpler units.

The instructions look somewhat unbalanced. The drawings of the first building steps show the assembly of so many parts that it makes them unclear. And then a building step with a single part appears. I'd like something in between.
5
November 8, 2023
The first parts are separated and cleaned.
6
November 8, 2023
I started the build by gluing the radiator grille to the bonnet.
7
November 8, 2023
I started the build by gluing the radiator grille to the bonnet.
8
November 8, 2023
I assembled the chassis and added the front axle.
9
November 8, 2023
I assembled the chassis and added the front axle.
10
November 8, 2023
The assembled chassis shows that the Zetor model will be no giant. 🙂
11
November 8, 2023
According to the instructions I added various tie rods and a steering rod made of thin wire.
12
November 8, 2023
According to the instructions I added various tie rods and a steering rod made of thin wire.
13
November 8, 2023
I am gradually adding more small parts. Because the resin parts are really small and fragile, I proceed slowly and carefully so as not to damage them unnecessarily.
14
November 8, 2023
I am gradually adding more small parts. Because the resin parts are really small and fragile, I proceed slowly and carefully so as not to damage them unnecessarily.
15
November 8, 2023
I glued another part to the bonnet.
16
November 8, 2023
I glued another part to the bonnet.
17
November 8, 2023
This is the result of today's work. The hood with the grille is just laid down at the moment without gluing it to the chassis.
18
November 8, 2023
This is the result of today's work. The hood with the grille is just laid down at the moment without gluing it to the chassis.
19
November 8, 2023
This is the result of today's work. The hood with the grille is just laid down at the moment without gluing it to the chassis.
20
November 8, 2023
This is the result of today's work. The hood with the grille is just laid down at the moment without gluing it to the chassis.
21
November 15, 2023
I started to paint the main parts and assemblies.
22
November 16, 2023
I painted the tires on the wheels. I'll get them dirty before mounting them on the model.
23
November 16, 2023
I highlighted the grid with black paint. Around the fuel tank cap I marked the dirt from the fuel. On the sides of the bonnet I stuck decals with the word ZETOR 25.
24
November 16, 2023
I added belt wiring for the fan and dynamo and a propeller for the engine cooler.
25
November 16, 2023
According to the photos in the operating manual I added wiring made of thin wires.
26
November 16, 2023
I glued together the exhaust from two parts from the kit. I painted it and glued it in place on the kit.
27
November 19, 2023
I've filled in the final details. The model is finished.
28
November 19, 2023
The towing device is almost ready. To complete it, a wire rope with lugs is needed to connect it to the legs of the main landing gear of the towed aircraft. I'll add the wire rope later. First I need to build the MiG-15 model to which I will attach the tow bar.

Comments

16 7 November 2023, 22:49

Ludvík Kružík
I will admit at the outset that I only build cars occasionally. I turn to cars (and now a tractor) once in a while to take a break from planes to return to them with all the more gusto.
In this case, moreover, I'm combining the pleasant with the useful, because I got a military version of a Zetor that pulled Migs instead of plows on airfields.

When I discovered this tractor, I liked it from the first moment. And when the military version came along, it was a done deal. I just had to have this!

7 November 2023, 23:41

Ludvík Kružík
I started working on building the model. This time it's really going to be an out of the box build. The kit is well made and contains all necessary accessories. Apart from a few thin wires there is nothing extra to make.
The kit parts are cast in resin and many parts are really small. Because the resin is fragile, I have to be careful and gentle when separating the parts so as not to damage the parts unnecessarily.

9 November 2023, 00:00

Robert Podkoński
Taking a seat here!

15 November 2023, 21:49

Ludvík Kružík
After adding some small parts to the tractor chassis, I sprayed the main parts and assemblies.
Now I will start to finish the parts and assemble the model.

15 November 2023, 21:50

Ludvík Kružík
Welcome, Robert!

15 November 2023, 21:52

Alec K
Great progress and cool subject 👍. Taking a seat as well.

16 November 2023, 13:15

Ludvík Kružík
Good to see you here, Alec.

It's not a plane, but it's plane-related. This tractor used to pull Mig fighters around the airport. 😄

16 November 2023, 22:24

Ludvík Kružík
Work on the model continues. I am gradually adding more details.

16 November 2023, 22:39

Alec K
Definitely a great accessory to any airfield dio. I am getting closer to building a MiG ("closer" being a veeery relative term), I think it's available in 1/72 so may have to add to wishlist 😄

17 November 2023, 13:31

Ludvík Kružík
I added the last details and finished the model. 🙂
Photos of the finished model are in a separate album here: Zetor 25 ‘Military w/Towbar for MiG 15/17s’, CMK 1:48 | Album by KLuK (1:48)

19 November 2023, 22:06

bughunter
Great work on a nice little kit! Did you use a primer on the resin parts?

24 November 2023, 18:09

Ludvík Kružík
Thank you bughunter! I really appreciate your words.

I didn't use any primer. The paints are sprayed directly onto the resin. I was worried that multiple layers of paint would cause some of the fine detail to be lost.
The only touch up before spraying the paint was to sand the surface of the model with fine sandpaper (#2000) and wash the entire model with detergent and then dry.

25 November 2023, 15:59

Project info

Zetor 25- Czechoslovak Air Force

38 images

1:48

Completed

1:48 Zetor 25 'Military w/Towbar for MiG 15/17s' (CMK 8063)

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