Well, I’m converting a Zvezda T-72A into an Iraqi T-72M1 Asad Babil… As I have the excellent M1A1 AIM from Dragon, I need something from the other band… Here are the pics:
I’ve posted this earlier in a Spanish forum. That’s what I’ve done: a lot of epoxy putty and sanding was required for giving the turret the right shape, then the turret ring was lowered about 1 mm, using brand-new blades and some sanding. It’s not finished yet, I must give it the cast texture and some other minor details, but I want you to see this progress, as I’m using the original kit’s turret and I’m not using photo-etched sets or aftermarket items in my project, only some resin copies or spare parts from other kits. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks for watching. Most regards.
This was one of the many posts I read yesterday but I did not reply. After switching off my computer last night, I was just about put away some magazines when I noticed the front of one FSM. On the front cover it had “Build T-72 with Cookie Sewell”. On opening the mag I found that one of the builds was an Asad Babl!!. This build used the Tamiya kit though. It was the February 2001 issue, if you are interested,
Yeah, I’ve already read it, That’s why I sanded off about 3 mm from the turret front. First I applied the epoxy putty at the turret’s rear, and then sanded to shape. I added about 3 mm to the rear, matching to the plans I have, but at that time, I haven’t read the article, then I read it and it said that the hull roof is 3 mm short between the glacis and the turret front,. So, as I’ve added 3 mm to the rear, I removed these 3 mm from the front, now it match my plans perfectly. The next time I’ll post the finished turret. Most regards.
Excellent work Jose. I remember you posting questions regarding the neccessary mods to start this conversion, then nothing for a while. Glad to see the project is up and comming. Please keep this thread updated, I’d really appreciate to see this one progress…
Yeah… I’m still working on it, but all things I’ve done to it are minor modifications and you will not notice them… Another thing… I want a T-90 too, and I’ll purchase another T-72A from Zvezda… Why?.. Very simple: The Zvezda T-72B’s turret is a most difficult to correct, so I’ll make a resin copy of my modified T-72M1 turret and convert, the resin copy, first into a T-72B turret, then to a T-90S by adding the aditional ERA, etc. So I will no longer work in the turret until the person who makes resin copies will be making copies again (I think he is sick, because he don’t likes to wear a mask and resin gases are toxic, you know… so he’s taking a rest) And finally: Somebody in my country saw my modifications in the website and now he gives me his kits and I make the modifications or detailing for him… “Time is money”, you know… I don’t have so much time for my own kits. Anyway you’ll have an update, I’m looking for pics from the original Zvezda T-72 lower hull because I’ve already corrected the lower glacis and I forgot to take pictures from the unmodified part… Thanks for your interest. Most regards.
i know how it is when you post a thread. you impatiently wait for a flood of responses, but some times nothing happens. the pics look great as you really did you homework. i was thinking of doing a T-72 one day. i just finished an iraqi T-55 not too long ago, and it was a blast to do. although i would like the next iraqi tank to be “knocked out” by an AP shell. nice conversion on the turret. what kind of apoxy/putty are you using?
