Zvezda 1/35 SA-22 Pantsir ( Greyhound ) - by popular vote!

[Dave Ward]

Dave, the amount of detail and work you are putting in is amazing!! :thumb2: :thumb2:
You are definitely winning!! :tongue-out3:

My perception of these Zvezda kits has changed dramatically since you started this one.

Paul.
:smiling:

Zvezda still have the legacy of many tears of clunky inaccurate models produced last century, but the last 5 years or so has seen them make models that are up with the finest Far East makers.

One thing that Zvezda don't do is photo etch - for grilles, they supply fine nylon mesh, which you have to cut to size & CA in position.

I think it can look better, as it is actually 3D, and not 2D like PE.
Final box finished & primed.............


I find that there are more bits to add to the chassis, so I'll do that before detail painting
Dave

[Dave Ward]

There were more parts to add to the chassis than I first thought - now the only bits missing are a covering for the side radiator ( APU? A/C? ) & the lights.


Next up, after priming, will be some detail painting - not a lot, as not much will be visible after the bodywork & wheels are added.
Dave

[adt70hk]

Dave

That's looking very good indeed. I agree with you about the plastic mesh. I use print screening mesh for the same thing at 1/72 and it looks very good indeed.

Keep up the good work.

ATB

Andrew

[Dave Ward]

Primed - this is a rather awkward assembly, there are loads of spiky fragile bits sticking out, just waiting to be caught - and pulled off...................

The wheels are assembled - I washed the tyres in warm soapy water, in preparation for painting - but decided to leave them in the natural finish - they'll be weathered later

I may have to add the wheels to the chassis, just to allow it to sit safely on all 8 tyres.................
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Final update for the day. Wheels added, and the cab & load boxes dry fitted

I can see that fitting the cab will be a one way operation, not to be undone, so that will be left for quite a while. It's quite a large beast, and I reckon the missile/gun mount, and the radar will just about double the existing height!
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Seriously impressive truck this......

[outrunner]

Looking smashing Dave.

Andy.

[Dave Ward]

Gave washes to all the boxes, and added windows to the cab - getting late in the day/year so now having to use the camera flash..............


I've cut out masks for the wiper arcs, so that I can give overall 'dust' sprays, and still let the driver see where he's going

I'll unite the cab & chassis tomorrow - it could be tricky, as there's lots going on under the cab, and on top of the chassis - which is why I didn't really go to town on the detail painting!
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Chassis just about completed, loading platforms, ladders and hydraulic rams & other fragile bits left off for now
Adding the cab was a bit of a struggle, but got there in the end.

I can now actually start on the reason for this brute - the radar & armament!
Dave

[adt70hk]

Great work Dave.

That has turned out very nicely indeed. is that an A4 cutting matter underneath it? If so it gives an idea of just how big it is?

ATB

Andrew

[Dave Ward]

Great work Dave.

That has turned out very nicely indeed. is that an A4 cutting matter underneath it? If so it gives an idea of just how big it is?

ATB

Andrew

Andrew,
It's an A5 cutting mat - the model is big enough to cause me problems. Normally I shuffle assemblies around the work surface, but the Pantsir doesn't leave enough room for me to work comfortably! I have to either totally clear my bench of paints, glue, clamps etc, or keep the model on a shelf whilst I work on the rest! This is one of the reasons I don't make 1/32 aircraft ( at least for a while! )..................
Yes, I could get a larger bench, but that would just encourage me to have more paints & tools on the bench.
Dave

[Si Benson]

That’s some Impressive detail from Zvezda. Your handling it admirably Dave :thumb2:

[Dave Ward]

Armament mount started ( I hesitate to call it a turret ). Many pieces - needs care as lots of parts are 'handed', and its too easy to swap them around.

Some seams need a little attention, before I add the guns, but fit continues to be excellent.
I found an error in the instructions - part C7 in the 73 stage is incorrect

I had already used a C7 in the gun barrel assembly. A search through the sprue, for a 'bat' shape eventually came up with the correct number - C27. If this is the only assembly error in a model which has 677 parts, then it says a lot for Zvezdas' proof reading - If it was a Dragon Model, I'd be expecting the errors to be well into the double digits!
Next up will be the radar(s).......................
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Further work on the 'turret' The instructions are a bit vague in places, and dry fitting is essential


Tracking radar, and the missile tubes assembled, and awaiting a bit of seam sanding..................


I found a second mistake - parts 'G58' should be 'C58'

That's it for the day...............................
Dave

[minitnkr]

The "turret" is somewhat Gepardlike. Quite a beast. You're doing an excellent job on it. PaulE