Object 279 - work in progress

Dan M
So, i've started a while ago this unusual kit. A couple of impressions:

Pros:
- it builds into an impressive war machine; those four tracks and the big 130mm gun are intimidating; it really looks like something out of a sci-fi post-apocalyptic movie
- it includes sufficient parts to build two turrets; because of this it's possible to build both gun configurations

Cons:
- that black plastic is horrible; it's too soft and very easily damaged when cutting from the sprue; the PE parts for attaching the tow cable to the hull are so small and tiny that it's easy to lose them (they snapped in half while trying to bend them and the parts were lost forever to the carpet monster)
- the tracks are horrible, nothing like the magic tracks that Dragon used to do, they don't fit very well and they react badly to the Tamiya fine glue
- I really need to take better pictures, my apologies for the crappy ones

gorby
Looks very interesting Dan. I'm not really into tanks, but do like weird or unusual machines of whatever type – this seem to fit the bill, so I'll watch with interest. Not sure if I remember correctly, but I seem to recall that this monster was designed to survive a nuclear blast!

Dan M
Yes, that's correct. The tank had that elliptic shape, almost boat-like, in order to prevent it from being overturned by the shock-wave of a nuclear blast

Dan M
Painted the tank in the traditional "Russian green" 🙂. Or more likely an olive green color. This time I didn't do the usual post-shading as I've used a darker primer for my shadow coat.

Dan M
Thank you James! 🙂

Dan M
Small update: managed to work on the tracks. This time I tried a different technique, basecoated the tracks in a dark brown color, used a green grey filter on it, then added some diluted Rust Texture from the new Vallejo Weathering Range (dilluted to almost wash like consistency), then highlighted with some Vallejo Metal Color Steel. Everything in acrylics, no enamel.

Dan M
Painted all the details (tools, periscopes, MG, etc). Also mounted the tracks. This was the most difficult moment of all as they wouldn't fit properly. These are the worst link-by-link tracks that I've worked with so far. Had a hard time convincing the Tamiya green glue to work with them, they didn't fit well between themselves, they would keep falling apart on me ....in short, the worst.
Also assembled the figure included with the kit and primed it in black (actually a very dark german grey but looks black enough for me 😛 ).

Dan M
Thank you James! Yeah, I prefer the longer barrel as well. Looks more menacing 🙂. My wife doesn't like this tank, says it looks weird, more like a flying saucer than a tank 😄 (she likes the Pershing the more)

Ingo F
More like an turtle with a turret and tracks 🙂

Dan M
An ugly turtle 🙂. Have to paint the figure now.

Dan M
I've painted the figure that came with the kit. That was a lot of fun actually, not as difficult as I've thought. It comes with two AK-74 versions.

Scott Dutton
Looking great, you got a great result on the slime suit. You can get that in 1:16 as well, lots of fun and certainly different in cabinet

Dan M
Thank you Scott!

Ingo F
The figure looks very good Dan! First time painting a figure?

Dan M
Thank you Ingo! Well, about 10 years ago I was collecting a Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine army and I started painting some of the figures. It was mostly amateur work, nothing to be really proud of and I gave up a long time ago. But recently I started watching the Games Workshop youtube channel, they have some interesting tutorials there and decided I can give it a try.

So yeah, first time after a long break 🙂

What I think it's most difficult (at least for me) is painting the face and all the details like eyes, mouth, etc. This one has a gas mask on so it was easier. The true challenge will be when I paint a figure without it's face covered 🙂

Daan Baars
Very nice work! I need this in 1/24 scale!!

Markus Kutsch The Plastic Bench
Cooool .... screams for a diorama. .with Radiactive signs

Markus Kutsch The Plastic Bench
I think there a russian radioactive signs as well 🙂

Spanjaard
looking really good!

Dan M
Thank you everyone for your kind comments!