155mm M12 motor gun carriage (UM1/72)

[David Lovell]

Great work! I've read so many bad things about UM kits that I've never dared to try them. My main fear is the wheels and tracks (respect for going through with that!). I think if you replace the chassis you get a pretty good model that's not too difficult to build. Maybe I'll dare to try it at some point...

Hi ,this one was a pain probably the worst UM kit I've tackled ,but saying that there not relatively expensive compared to other manufacturers its the first allied build of theirs ive done so I cant comment ,but if Soviet vechiels are your thing then UM and UM MT have a tremendous choice to go at 35er's would die for some of it ,its over engineered somewhat but that i think is down to their moulding technologies ie no slide moulded hull tubs etc but they build ok ,people think all kits are like tamiya (no brainers) but a bit of fettling doesn't hurt and brings on your skills and confidence. Me I think there ok but one mans meat another man's poison.For this one patience was my best weapon. Dave

[David Lovell]

Well Dave, despite the kit doing it's best to spoil the party, it looks very good. I hope the primer doesn't reveal too many issues.

Na pretty confident Jim its cant be no worse than the build ,but as I said I've thoroughly enjoyed the fight certainly put more confidence in the locker for next time.

[David Lovell]

Well got the primer down and think it looks real good well wroth the trials and tribulations totally diffrent lets hope the paint job does it justice ,it did have the last word though I always dust off with the airbrush before I start with h blew one of the headlight brush guards off luckily seeing where it went.





Funnily enough I dropped it only on to the work surface but it dislodged the offending piece of resin that fell inside see first couple of pics will I put it back I doubt it all part of the story and you can't see its missing anyway. Primer shows what a great little (now its built)model its turned out to be. Dave

[vizenz]

That looks good Dave! :thumb2:

[A_J_Rimmer]

Superb work to get it looking that good.

[David Lovell]

So the saga continues just as you thought it was safe to go back in the water ,the whole spray job goes boobs up its like a curse from a tomb or such like


As you can see went all oily kind of thing ,restraining my self I calmly cleaned out the air brush and walked away ,a bit late but about twenty minuets later I had a light bulb moment went back and sprayed a coat of self leveling thinners over both models once again calmly walking away ,didn't bother to look untill the next day it did smooth it out and calm it down a bit.
So sat down at the bech/dining table and weighed the situation up ,after all the work I'd put in do I have a hissy and give it the big oooh ive had enough its beaten me or just bash on regardless ,sod it I'll not give in now but I'm not getting involved I'll just finish the paint job.
Wow the curse of the UM kit raises its finger of doom again ,how I never noticed this at the primer stage I don't know (check out the primer pictures)was just getting into it when I noticed

The front and rear wheel/suspension units were cracked in half so taking a a deep breath and a strong caffeine slug assessed the whole situation again this time taking everything in that my blind eye had dismissed ,so joint on barrel halfs could have done with a bit more attention ,resin front bit the crack had broken out again due to the wrestling match making it fit ,the etch head lamp brush guards were rubbish and needed new ones building ,the pulleys for the rear tail gate steps thing although fitted as per instructions were all upside down side inside out kind of thing so would need breaking off and putting back to allow for the cables/rigging ,so a bit like the song where do we go from here(into the bin I fear) no its no good having that hissy and waving the white flag the barrel and front plate can stay as is the other two I'll sort when the time comes ,so not done with too much grace or enthusiasm have at least bought it to a end because I suppose its not finished if you know what I mean ,still I'm proud of the fact I went the distance more of a draw than a win

Thanks all for your input ,help and encouragement I'll put the rest of the finished pics in the finished armour build bit. Dave

[scottie3158]

Despite the woes you had this has turned out to be a cracker, which is all down to your modelling skills and patience.

[David Lovell]

Despite the woes you had this has turned out to be a cracker, which is all down to your modelling skills and patience.

Thanks Paul I hope thoes that have read through the whole episode have enjoyed the journey ,its one of thoes where (as Mike scratch builder tells me) I can look at it now and hold it close im sure you know what I/he means ,I look at it even now and think you could have done thoes few blind eye bits you know but for all it was I can honestly say I've throughly enjoyed it ,its all to easy to throw the towel in but as you said patience has brought me the result plus the encouragement and help from all the fine fellows on here ,as much as I love my 72nd stuff after that I'm going to do a 35er next as I really enjoyed doing the shilka so keep em peeled . Dave