Swedish Strv.103B ("S Tank")-- finished pics!

Hey Guys,

I just wanted to post some pics of my Trumpeter 1/35 Strv.103B (more commonly known as the S Tank) Which I recently finished for the Winter Warriors GB, and had an awesome time building.

Here she is:

Any and all comments, criticisms welcome[:D]!

Thanks for looking,

Chris,

Chris, I honestly think that the paint and weathering is spot-on perfect for this tank!

Man, this is an excellent build!

I’m feeling the urge to break my model out of the stash!

Just one question–do you have a reference pic for the paint job? I’ve never seen a snow camo’d one; I just wanted to have it for my own reference?

All in all, a perfect rendition! [#toast]

Nice Chris… very nice indeed. I don’t know much about armor so I am speaking only from a ,'Holy crap that looks nice" perspective.[:D]

Good job Chris, what period is this in WWII?

Chris,

Nice job!!! I was following your build before I had to withdraw from the WWGB, but I am glad to see it finished. Really nice looking build.

That being said, I also have to say that, man, those Swedes make a funky looking tank! Do you have any idea of the ‘motivation’ or the ‘thinking’ that went into this design?

Raptor , the Swedish Strv. 103B was just phased out of the Swedish Military just a few years ago. It was one of their mainstay Tanks during the Cold War years. I believe that they are now using the Leopard II Main battle tank.

Not to take away from Chris.

Looks great, especially the dirt on the dozer blade and the camo.

Great job on that tank, Im doing mine for the winter warriors GB also. Im just slowed down by AP testing, but ill be back soon. Your tank definitely inspires me to get it finished though.

The image “http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/8008/oops7yt.gif” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.With exception of both outer headlight lens… this is just a wonderful build.

The image “http://www.killersklan.it/forum/smile/berlusca.gif” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.I love the look and the finish you have chosen to represent. That dozer blade is just right.

Looks like all but the last pic was taken outside in the daylight

The image “http://img115.exs.cx/img115/8895/signquestion3xd.gif” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.… that last picture looks like an inside shot.

Steve

The image “http://www.day.az/forum/style_emoticons/default/thinking.gif” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.I’m pretty sure they must have gotten the inspiration from the Germans E series paper panzers, you know E-10, E-25, etc…

Steve

I love the design of this tank! In fact, I love the design so much I have given the kit as a gift to 2 people! Good Job!

Thanks alot Wing-nut, Ian, MG42 Gunner and MadK! Glad you liked it.

Doog: Thanks! and unfortunately I don’t have a reference photo for this camo scheme. (while atleast not saved anyway.) I stumbled across the pic on google on the computers at school a couple months ago and didnt think to save it, I went searching on google for it yesterday and came up empty handed. Sorry, If I manage to find it at any point in the future I’ll send it to ya [;)].

Raptordriver: Thanks! and as MECHTECH said, The “S Tank” came out during the 60’s and was phased out of the Swedish army not too long ago. This particular vehicle (a “B”) probably would have served around 1980-84.

Bbrowniii: Thanks! From the little that I know about the tank it mainly has to do with Sweden being interested more in defense than offense, they went for the lowest silhouette possible. This is from Wikipedia:

–“Sven Berge of the Swedish Arms Administration proposed an alternative in 1956, given the codename S. Noting that the chance of being hit in combat was strongly related to height, he proposed that any new design should be as low as possible. The only practical way to do this was to eliminate the turret, which would also make the tank much lighter and simpler. Note however that its most likely opponent, the T-72, is only 2.2 meters in height with its turret vs. the 2.14 meters of the Strv 103. Occasionally tanks deploy themselves into ‘hull down’ firing positions, either purpose dug or using the crest of a hill, in order to reduce the exposure of the vehicle to enemy fire. In this firing position the distance between the bottom of the gun barrel to the top of the turret or vehicle determines the level of exposure. Because the Strv 103 orientates the entire tank to depress and elevate the barrel in a hull down position it has a very low apparent height and subsequent visual profile to the enemy. It can also lower the hull 13 centimeters. However such static use of a tank is at odds with the very concept of a tank, i.e. a mobile, protected gun platform able to bring heavy firepower to bear upon the enemy as you attack. Hence the S Tank is really a defensive vehicle.”–

I hope that answers your question [:)].

Steve: Thanks! The outer lenses are supposed to be the lights, and since Trumpeter molded them in solid green plastic, I had to paint them silver. The inside ones, are my attempt at “infa-red” lights but they didnt turn out quite as I would of liked and turned out more brown than anything. All of the pics except the last one were taken outside in the sun, while the last pic is one from last week when it was kinda cloudy.

Thanks for the replies guys [:D]!

Chris,

Townsy, great build. The weathering is spot on.

I like that last photo, really shows off the winter camo scheme.

Thats a great job Chris; spot on weathering, crisp construction, ditto the blade finish (bullseye!)

Thanks Panzerguy & JMart![:D]

Chris

Nice work…love the spade. I can see it in the dirt!!!

Nice camo job. Weathering looks good, just dirty enough to give me the smell of muzzle blast.

Rounds Complete!!

beautiful job, Chris— didn’t Renwal release this kit a long time ago in 1/32 maybe?-- anyone?-- neverthe less, a beautiful rendition-- they should have opted for clear lenses-- that would have been perfection— sorry not to detract–your build is 1st class[tup][tup]----tread[8D]

Thanks Redleg and Tread!

And I’m not sure about a 1/32 Renwall kit, but that would be very cool[8D].

How was this kit to build? Since I’ve seen your build I think I gotta have this tank! You did a great job. I’ve never done anything modern think I might have a wack at it.

Thanks! Doug

Excellent finish, and build. Are the tracks one-piece? Did they fit, length-wise, and were they pliable enough to lay down?