Well folks, with a show deadline looming (September 5), I decided I better get started on SOMETHING! I was going continue my never-ending Bovington Tiger II build (started last year), but that project is way too complicated to complete by the Sept. 5 deadline, so I decided to tackle the Trumpeter Osorio (thanks, DJ!!).
Here’s the box:
The EE-T2 version as tested by Saudi Arabia in the late 80’s has a nice, simple overall desert sand finish, so painting shouldn’t be too involved.
I’ve found quite a bit of reference material for this vehicle on the net, and a few websites about the Coree resin kit, but not much on the construction of the Trumpeter Osorio.
Has anyone built the Trumpeter Osorio kit or know of any websites that describe the build? With only a month and a half to go, I’d like to dive into the build armed with as much info as possible!
It seems like a nice, simple kit in the box, but you never know what lurks within until you crawl in!
Hi J-Hulk
You’re really got a great goal to your self. Osorio MBT never left the prototype development level and never served to any armed forces not even ours.
Only two tanks were built one for tests and evaluation for Brazilian Army and a second to Saudi Arabia trials
Perhaps the fact that Brazilian Army never placed an order for regular production machines, were one of the reasons Saudis decided for M1A1 Abrams
Osorio went very well at the trials but this lack of confidence by its own country’s armed forces, were critical to decision makers then.
These two prototypes are different and I get no detailed information about them but I know a folk here who is son of one of the chief engineers that worked on the Osorio development. This guy has every thing about these machines
Email me your questions and I’ll put you in direct contact with him.
If you wish to model this tank as they are today It is also very interesting because these two units now belong to the Brazilian Army 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment based at Pirassununga, São Paulo State.
Soon all regiment will be transferred to Brazilian 3rd Army which is in charge to guard all Southern States bordering Argentina ,Uruguay and Paraguay.
Write me your questions an I guess you will get a great source of info about this great tank which have never had a good chance to prove its qualities
Cheers
Aldo
Thanks for all the info and encouragement, folks![:)]
Build22, that’s one reason I chose it! I had never seen this AFV until Trumpeter came out with this kit in 1999, and I always thought it was a very cool-looking tank. And with one Tiger after another crowding the shows these days, I thought a fresh face would spice things up at the show in September!
Larry, that link is perfect. Exactly the kind of info I was looking for on the kit itself.
Aldo, welcome to FSM, and thanks so much for the info and the kind offer! What a great opportunity! If you don’t mind, I will email a few questions to you.
A few questions here, since it might be of interest to all: Are the two vehicles that were built actually in service with the Brazilian army now?
And are they both now equipped with the GIAT 120mm gun?
The designation EE-T1 and EE-T2 was very confusing in all the reference material I saw, too. So, the only vehicles that were produced were both EE-T1 (one with a 105mm gun and the other with a 120mm gun)?
I’m afraid I can’t offer anything in terms of tech specs, references, or anything else. I picked up this kit because it is fairly obscure, and you don’t see too many around. Let us know how it goes. Definitely a different piece of armour.
Domi, I noticed you included some aftermarket decals with the kit, from a Brazilian company called “Decals e Books.” How on earth did you find them? They look quite nice, but unfortunately, the vehicle I’m modeling is devoid of markings. Too bad!
Thanks, Joe! Having started the kit, I can see it’s not gonna be as easy as I thought (it never is, eh?). Quite a bit of cleanup, and some details need to be fixed or added.
But that’s the fun part, right?
I’m hoping Aldo will respond to this topic again…I do have some Osorio questions for him!
Nazis … and Brazilians! Well, a lot of them went to Brazil after the war, so I guess that makes sense. [;)]
Anyway, good luck with the build. It’s an interesting subject and should be a colorful buildup. I agree on the South African stuff, though. Isn’t their MBT the Elefant? I’d like to see a kit of that thing. The SA military fought a decent amount, especially during the Apartheid period. They are pretty good, certainly better than the friendly neighborhood opposition.
