Zvezda 1/35 Kamaz "Mustang"

[Guest]

Carrying on with my love of multi-wheeled things I received and started this kit today.

I doubt it's been seen much around here so I'll add plenty of sprue shots, but in usual recent Zvezda style it has lots of highly detailed and cleanly moulded parts. Let's hope I don't make a hash of nailing it all together!

Box shots to start

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The sides of the box (usual sturdy inner box with printed outer sleeve) has pictures of similar models in the range and the colour call outs in Zvezda and Tamiya paints. It's not an exhaustive list though, just some basic colours you'll need, the rest are on the painting sheet inside.

Inside the tightly packed box there's plenty of plastic

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Some very nicely moulded detail on show

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Tyres seem well made too. Sprue gates in the middle of a tread block, very little in the way of a mould parting line, and writing on the sidewalls

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For anyone that isn't used to Zvezda instructions they can seem a bit :dizzy: at first, but basically the sub assemblies are displayed in the margin, and once complete they get added as per the main diagram.

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Double sided full colour paint sheet.

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Well done if you've managed to make it this far lol.

The instruction start with the engine, and what an engine! So many parts that I lost count, even the two turbochargers needed assembling before fitting. The only thing I've omitted is the large cooling fan as it masks the whole front of the engine, which will make painting a nightmare I reckon.

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Thankfully there is an option to have the cab tilted forward so that all this detail can be displayed. That's probably the option I'll go for, or try and fudge something to make it moveable.

[Dave Ward]

Blimey, Andy, had the postie got to the end of your drive before you opened the box??
That looks like a lot of parts.................that engine looks very good - should keep you occupied for a day or so.............
Zvezda have a civilian Mustang on their Facebook page, that certainly looks different, but a quick internet search finds some different camouflage patterns for the Mustang
Dave

[Guest]

The bench was cleared and ready for it to arrive Dave :smiling5:

I've seen a few interesting camo schemes too. Undecided yet but looking at the number of parts I think I'll have plenty of time to decide!

[outrunner]

I reckon it will be a nice model when finished, a rub with sandpaper will sort the tyres no problem.

Andy.

[Guest]

I hope so Andy. If it doesn't it'll definitely be my fault rather than the kits!

So I moved on to assembling the chassis today. Again everything is made up of multiple parts. Thankfully there's very little clean up needed, mostly just the sprue scar, although some parts are so small I couldn't even manage that.

Loads of little bits added to the main rails, and some part for the suspension that I haven't figured out yet. I could really go the whole hog and add brake lines etc as all of the fittings/tanks/compensator valves are in, with connection points. I know how I am though, if I don't get them all arrow straight I'll wish I hadn't bothered. One to ponder overnight...

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And the rear mounted winch. For some reason this isn't fitted on the box build pictures, and I can understand why. Super fiddly with well over a dozen parts, it even has the chain & drive gears as a separate piece, even though they are buried within the chassis, never to be seen. Even the PTO prop shaft is 3 piece with moving joints.

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These are the parts making up the rear "bumper"

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After much swearing, tweezers in both hands, glue brush in my teeth, I got it together. Regular cocktail stick for scale.

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I then fixed the two chassis halves together. With several cross members, the winch, engine mounts, hoses and bumpers to line up I figured I'd better leave it to dry for an hour or so whilst weighted down, to ensure it was all square

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Once dry, and after adding some more pieces, I trial fitted the engine. I'm pretty sure I'll have to start painting or at least black priming very soon, as short of dunking it in a bucket I'll never reach some areas once it's glued together.

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Rear bumper / winch detail. The nylon string looks a bit funky here but it's the same stuff I've used on other Zvezda models and it looks reasonable once painted. Hook is not fixed so I could alter it's position later if I need to.

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[Dave Ward]

Andy,
when building up chassis from multiple parts, I always let the assembly dry off overnight, and next day, If I feel that some joints look a little fragile, I strengthen them with a few drops of CA. It's a bit belt & braces, but there's nothing worse than a chassis coming apart on final touches ( yes, I've had that )
Dave

[Guest]

Thanks Dave, I'm pretty much doing that.

I wanted to check the engine would fit since every point of contact was an extra bracket or mounting I'd glued on to the chassis. Just wanted to make sure I hadn't messed any of them up before it was too late.

After taking the pictures I've left it alone for the night.

Good idea with the ca though. Some of the parts have minimal gluing area so might benefit from a bit of reinforcement.

[outrunner]

Typical Zvezda I see, why use one part when 6 fiddly bits will do? Regards the painting Andy, a lot of the inner chassis will never be seen when the model is fully built up.

Andy.

[scottie3158]

Andy,
Lovely work so far mate. I have never built a Zvezda kit but they look pretty good, so may have to dip my toe.

[Guest]

Cheers Andy, I didn't realise you had built this. Anything I need to watch out for?

Thanks Paul. I understand their early stuff was a bit ropey (the one I built certainly was!) but I've done a few of their newer ones and they were up their with the likes of Tamiya for fit & finish. Just watch out for the instructions as I've had a few errors on others, but so far so good with this.


I got some primer on early this morning, including a few of the sub assemblies that go on at the same time as the engine.

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Then I've been spending a bit of time painting the engine. Tricky in the heat of the shed as it was drying as soon as I put it on, and my sweaty fingers have rubbed some paint off the exhausts, but much of it needs another coat and some weathering anyway.

I really don't like the new AK 3rd Gen lighter metallics. I keep trying but I might just throw them away to remove the temptation as I always end up repainting with Vallejo afterwards!

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[scottie3158]

Andy,
engine looks great, the colours have brought out the details.

[Guest]

Thanks Paul.

Will try and get some more done tomorrow, but the wife's birthday takes priority!

[outrunner]

Cheers Andy, I didn't realise you had built this. Anything I need to watch out for?

I have not built this particular model but was comparing it to the rocket launcher which is also a 3 axle chassis. I feel your pain with the heat as my workbench is in the loft and has been way too hot for days now, just means I can go out and play on the bike.

Andy.

[Guest]

I got a bit more done today, in-between pampering my better half on her birthday.

I finished off painting the engine and started a bit of weathering with a couple of washes. I'll do more later but I feel better for at least doing something to the parts that will be hard to access later. I've also done a bit of dry brushing to try and pick out some of the chassis details amongst the sea of black.

Radiator / intercooler / fan fitted, along with the air cleaner and various hoses.

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More hoses, the springs, transfer box and most of the exhaust system fitted. I'm trying something different with the exhaust. I've no idea if it'll work but I'm starting with them silverish (as they would be when new) then building some rust effects on top of that. Tail pipe isn't shown as it gets fitted a bit later but it's been drilled & filed out. Strange that they would mould it with a solid end when there's so much detail elsewhere.

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Then the first hiccup. I'm sure these aren't supposed to be this shape! A casualty of cramming so much into the box I'd guess as the upper part appears to have been squashed out of shape. Both rear axles (one on each of two identical sprues) were the same.

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But after some clamp and boiling water action, they straightened out nicley, and here are the three finished axles after the addition of several other parts. They need a bit more clean up when the glue dries, but at least they are straight.

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I've also made a start on some of the many other sub assemblies. I'm trying to paint as I go, which is taking a lot longer but I'm in no rush for a change.

[scottie3158]

Andy,
The chassis is beautifully painted. lets hope there are no more distorted parts to be found.