Since I mostly model WW2 armor this will be a diffrent kind of project for me and I am lost in terms of buliding and weathering. For those that model this kind of subject your advice is greatly apreciated.
I don’t think a lot would change. Weathering wise dirt is still dirt, dust still looks the same and the usual parts would still rust - unless they’ve been replaced with different types of metals since WWII.
Some Google and book research may help on the assembly - particularly focusing on the T-72? Did it have any outstanding features?
Like you, I only build WWII (mainly German) so wait until the ‘modern armour’ builders reply to your threads.
I would definately imagine the quality of paint used on a very post war T-72 would be FAR better than that found on the old Soviet BT-7’s and T-34’s thus meaning less chips and fading! Someone will have the answers!
All the best,
Ben [t$t]
Any gray-ish, green-ish paint…
I am just starting an investigation of the many T-72 variants for a potential build and would like to know what version you were planning to build.
As I understand, there were Soviet domestic as well as export versions.
I would presume maintenance may differ depending upon the country using the tank as well as environment.
I’d weather it exactly as I would a German dark yellow panzer. Unless you’re doing it in dark green.
In that case, I’d use dust-colored (tan) washes, and aluminum or silver for light chipping. MIG pigments in “dust” shades.
That’s what I was thinking too exept German panzers saw actual combat and where used in diffrent enviroments. I plan to model a cold war 72 and would assume that they would experience diffrent terrain and situations. I am sorry if I am being difficult but I like to strive for realism.
In that case, you need some reference photos. You should be able to find tons on the internet, or there are some awfully good books you could purchase.
However, I don’t think that your ideas about combat vs maneuvers would necessarily preclude a tank from any LESS abuse. If anything, maybe I’d chip it a little less, but the dirt and dust could still be pretty much the same.
Most T-72 had a far longer service life than most WWII panzers. So fading is definitely in order. But they also served in a peacetime army mainly so lots of down time for maintainence. Reactive Armor came into Soviet service fairly late in the Cold War so it would be something towards the end of that era. But that is also the time when the multi color camo schemes became more prominent. Soviet tanks were not stowed heavily- a few tarps stowed over the snorkel tube and maybe a jerry can or two being the most common items seen, but camo such as pine boughs or straw during field exercises was not uncommon either. And like weathering any operational tank, once they leave the motor pool and hardball, mud and dirt grow on them rapidly.
You don’t necessarily need to show a lot of wear and tear.
Here’s a (parade?) vehicle with reactive armor identified as a T-72 B of the Belarussian armed forces:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?144492-Belarussian-Armed-Forces/page2
and other camo schemes-not every T-72 is only green
http://www.network54.com/Forum/47209/thread/1209824865/T-72B+variant+help
http://www.washingtonpost.com/2012/01/26/gIQAPt5BTQ_photo.html
What model of T-72 does the kit manufacturer say the kit is?
It is a old dragon kit and I say old because it was only 25$
Faded - yes, rusty - yes, dirty - yes, chipped, not so much.
Look at the overall paint. Not a lot of chipping evident.
Rust is apparent, as these have sat for years in A-Stan.
G
I found the box art here it is
Those areT-54s and T-55s G-man [;)] But they look a lot like the Serb/JNA T-72s/M-84s I saw up close and personal once upon a time…[whstl]
Here is a great shot of an opertaional T-72 with ERA bricks
Here is a link that might be usefull to you modeler#1
It is in German but the pictures are in Colour 
http://www.modellversium.de/galerie/22-militaer-fahrzeuge/2702-t-72-dragon.html
And here is a another link you might want to check out, this is Michael Rinaldis T-62M1 build posted in MMI May-11. An amazing build log and weathering guide.
http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/pictures?userid={F9F3E062-FE3B-4434-9898-193F749A47C4}&AlbumId={671EE068-EC9C-40F1-B68D-CA06276DC022}&GroupId={EBAD0073-9A31-4A2C-A2BC-735012A7E351}&nt=a
Very Best Regards
Johan
Thanks Johan Those where great refrences.
Pic 36: is that water?
Modeler#1
Dont use that one T-72 build with the multi layers of ERA bricks as reference. That was based off some Soviet Maskirova disinformation they did near the end of the Cold War. To defeat the ERA bricks ATGMs such as TOW II were equipped with a dual stage tandem warhead. The first stage would detonate any ERA brick/block contacted while the second stage would pierce the armor beneathe where the ERA had been. So the Soviets photographed some of their tanks with multiple layers of bricks to show they had countered the tandem warhead threat. Tests proved that it was a crock, but for a time (which was when Dragon orginally produced the kit) it was thought to be an actual set up.