T-54A Budapest 1958

Tank 221 

Miniart Profile 

Reference picture 

Reference picture 

Reference picture 

Reference picture 

Didn't take pictures of the first few steps, but here is the result: the major parts of the hull complete. 

Detailed working suspension. Tip: do not pre-assemble the torsion bars with the arms, but insert the bars from the other side and glue them down; then attach the arms at the other end. The bar ends do not fit through the holes in the bottom hull part when assembled as per the instructions. 

Back plate, lacking most major components so far. Will add them when the hull is closed up so nothing willl break or come off. Hopefully... 

The inside of the hull. Nothing will be seen of course, as the tank will have all hatches closed. Still, looks good! 

The other side. Also very fancy despite the lack of all other inside bits in this version :-D 

Rear deck, just layed down, nothing glued. Fiddly bits all around, very thin and easily broken if you're not careful.  

The drive wheels, assembled out of order i think. Will put them on later 🙂 

Ah, the dangerous part. Gun breech. Does not fit very well in the trunnions (?) as can be seen in the next picture.  

In place on the turret bottom, with co-axial machine gun. Again, finely detailed and small parts but fitting very well. Note: hull top plate not glued in place yet but that fit is just beautiful.  

The bit that goes on top of the trunnions. Badly warped, and nearly unusable. I think i will leave it off as it can't be seen anyway.  

And for effect with the turret top. Looks suitably Russian: mean, ugly, just not green yet. And again very nice work by Miniart with this kit. Lots of fiddly little breakable parts but it just fits.  

Spent some time on the machine gun. Very detailed, very good, very lots of parts :-D I did manage to remove the mould connector, aka the MG mouting pin, on the under side ???? Will have to replace it with a piece of plastic rod I guess.