Swedish Army, Strv 103C MBT - S-Tank

demarcation · Post by **demarcation** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 1:01 am

Colors/scheme look spot on to me, this build really is a shear pleasure to watch. Beautiful work mate!

RobBye · Post by **RobBye** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 1:03 am

TommyKillander wrote:I guess that a precut cammo-mask is a good investment. I couldn't find the J's work mask http://www.jsworkmodel.com/popup/PPA5080.jpg anywhere close, so I decided to have a go at it DIY-style.

I probably won't begin my own S-tank build for several months yet, so I had the time to order a masking set through an Australian ebay seller. I also bought the same RB barrel as you did Tommy. I figured out the correct assembly order, but I'd like to ask, what did you use to fix your barrel? CA glue?

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:31 pm

RobBye wrote:
TommyKillander wrote:I guess that a precut cammo-mask is a good investment. I couldn't find the J's work mask http://www.jsworkmodel.com/popup/PPA5080.jpg anywhere close, so I decided to have a go at it DIY-style.
I probably won't begin my own S-tank build for several months yet, so I had the time to order a masking set through an Australian ebay seller. I also bought the same RB barrel as you did Tommy. I figured out the correct assembly order, but I'd like to ask, what did you use to fix your barrel? CA glue?

Yes, I used CAglue for the barrel. Acetone worked fine for cleaning up excess glue.

..dont forget the barrel support before you glue the barrel together - I did that mistake...

Good luck with your build, mate!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:35 pm

demarcation wrote:Colors/scheme look spot on to me, this build really is a shear pleasure to watch. Beautiful work mate!

Thanks, the kit have been a pleasure to build sofar. Some minor issues but no showstoppers. Now the fun part begins with paint and weathering

Cheers

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 4:01 pm

Looks great love the camo scheme

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:23 pm

Jack wrote:Looks great love the camo scheme

Thank you, Jack!

Cheers!

rodrant · Post by **rodrant** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:26 pm

Looking very nice that camo scheme !

Nice build so far !

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:48 am

rodrant wrote:Looking very nice that camo scheme !

Nice build so far !

Many thanks, António!

Cheers!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 8:11 pm

Hey guys!

I have finally assembled the tracklinks and got them painted today.

First I scratched the rubberpad surface of the tracklinks with a coarse sanding stick.

Then I painted the tracks with XF-85 Rubber Black and masked the rubberpads.

The metalsurfaces have been painted with X-10 Gun Metal and then "oversprayed" in a couple of quick passed with highly diluted XF-57 Buff at 10-15 cm range. The tracklinks got a worn cast-metal look since the buff colour took away much of the sheen. I had to touchup a couple of rubberpads since the masking tape where misaligned in a couple of places.

I have also painted cammo-pattern on the sides.

This basically concludes the painting, so I will start chipping and weathering now... Good Stuff!

Cheers

patrickroos · Post by **patrickroos** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 9:43 pm

Fantastic work Tommy!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 9:44 pm

patrickroos wrote:Fantastic work Tommy!

Thanks!

...with a little luck I might be able to finish this one within the deadline

Cheers

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat Aug 22, 2015 2:35 pm

Hello!

I did some chipping using the stipple-technique (drybrushing using a sponge on a stick) where I first used Vallejo 71042 Cammo Grey Brown on the first pass and then very very little 71036 Mahagony on the second pass. I have tried to restrain myself and be very restrictive with the chipping - it's so easy to overdo it

I have a also added a couple of rust-streaks with Vallejo Rust tones.

Next up is gloss coat and decals... I will also weather the tracks with washes so they are ready for final assembly.

Cheers

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Sat Aug 22, 2015 2:48 pm

Awesome Goodness....

Keep up the good work... It looks amazing !

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat Aug 22, 2015 5:54 pm

schweinhund227 wrote:Awesome Goodness....

Keep up the good work... It looks amazing !

Thanks mate!

Tommy

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat Aug 22, 2015 6:08 pm

Hey guys,

I'm trying to complete this tank within the timeframe of the GB, so I'm quite busy with it at the moment. I'm trying to do as many steps in parallell as possible since there are a lot of waiting time for weathering and coats that needs to go on.

I have done the last detail painting now and glosscoated everything. The black/yellow warning markings on the back is for the casing ejection hatch - you would not want to stand around that hatch when the gun is fired and a shell casing is ejected

I have also weathered the tracks using Ultimate Light Dirt wash. I will complete the weathering of the tracks once they are installed.

Cheers!

papatika · Post by **papatika** » Sat Aug 22, 2015 8:05 pm

Nice work m8! I like the chipping very much!
Do you plan to add weathering to the tank itself? Like some splattered dry mud?

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat Aug 22, 2015 9:14 pm

papatika wrote:Nice work m8! I like the chipping very much!
Do you plan to add weathering to the tank itself? Like some splattered dry mud?

Thanks papatika!

Yes, I will do splattered dry mud (probably Light Dirt) on the dozerblade, lower backplate and sides of the tank. For the rest of the tank I will do something else (grime, dark dirt maybe). I'll see what I have time to do

I will not go ham with the weathering since the 103s where regularly cleaned and checked, normally after exercises.

Cheers

demarcation · Post by **demarcation** » Sat Aug 22, 2015 9:42 pm

It looks epic mate! The subtle chipping adds even more realism to the build, can't wait to see the final result!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sun Aug 23, 2015 3:41 pm

demarcation wrote:It looks epic mate! The subtle chipping adds even more realism to the build, can't wait to see the final result!

Thanks demarcation!

Cheers!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sun Aug 23, 2015 3:56 pm

Decals on!

A couple of reflex decals where missing in the kit;: there should be white at the front, orange at the sides and red at the back. There where only red ones in the kit so I had to make the others from my stash of decal leftovers, a Hasegawa Eggplane in this case

There is a troop telephone at the back for communication with infantry. The decal from Trumpeter said TELEFAX

but the correct text should be TELEFON

I will not put a fascimile equipment in my 103 so I will keep that decal on the transfer paper...

Cheers!

JonMW · Post by **JonMW** » Sun Aug 23, 2015 6:35 pm

This is going to look really awesome when it's done.

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Tue Aug 25, 2015 9:48 pm

JonMW wrote:This is going to look really awesome when it's done.

Thanks Jon!

Cheers

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Tue Aug 25, 2015 10:05 pm

Hey guys!

I have started to weather the tank and sofar I have completed the running gear. I will complete the lower hull tomorrow with some Ultimate Light Dirt wash touchup and some splash effects. I might also adjust the wash on the track links to make it more in balance with the rest of the tank.

I saw a trick on YT where you load a brush with wash and use the airbrush airflow to get the splash effect. I will try that on my benchmule first so I get the hang of it.

Dryfitted the sides using some white-tac

Rear panel and tracks

Cheers

papatika · Post by **papatika** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 7:48 am

Can't wait to see the final result!
Keep up the great work!

patrickroos · Post by **patrickroos** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 11:13 pm

Me neither...

MarkVerploeg · Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:25 am

Looks awesome
The method you mentionned with the wash can be done without a airbrush too
Just use a stiff brush and rub you finger over it when you hold it close to the model or rub it against a piece of cardboars feom a milkcarton or cerealbox
It gives the same effect and is usefull for those among us that don't own a airbrush
It does give a nice effect though and is even better when you use several colors

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 8:31 pm

MarkVerploeg wrote:Looks awesome
The method you mentionned with the wash can be done without a airbrush too
Just use a stiff brush and rub you finger over it when you hold it close to the model or rub it against a piece of cardboars feom a milkcarton or cerealbox
It gives the same effect and is usefull for those among us that don't own a airbrush
It does give a nice effect though and is even better when you use several colors

Thanks for the info, Mark - it seems much easier than trying to use an airbrush. Is a toothbrush good for this ?

Cheers

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 8:43 pm

papatika wrote:Can't wait to see the final result!
Keep up the great work!

patrickroos wrote:Me neither...

Thanks guys!

Yeah, I'm looking forward to see the final result too, I've invested a lot of time and some money aswell into this kit... This by far the most complicted build I have done sofar in my modelling career.

Ok, 'nuff rambling

I have weathered and sealed all small parts now and I have also mounted the sides of the tank and prepared upper hull and sides for weathering.

The sideskirts are made of rubber, so there is a potential for some funky chipping there - but I'm in a hurry so I will not do that. I will, however, try to add some dirt-streaks under the grille.

The shovels and MG are completed and ready for final assembly.

Tommy

MarkVerploeg · Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:38 pm

TommyKillander wrote:
MarkVerploeg wrote:Looks awesome
The method you mentionned with the wash can be done without a airbrush too
Just use a stiff brush and rub you finger over it when you hold it close to the model or rub it against a piece of cardboars feom a milkcarton or cerealbox
It gives the same effect and is usefull for those among us that don't own a airbrush
It does give a nice effect though and is even better when you use several colors
Thanks for the info, Mark - it seems much easier than trying to use an airbrush. Is a toothbrush good for this ?

Cheers

It could work but it would be a bit big
But i actually ment a stiff paint brush
Not the soft ones you use for detail or figure painting
More like the ones you get in a model kit gift set (the ones with paints and some brushes)
I suggest you try some different brushes and test it on a scrap piece of styrene

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Fri Aug 28, 2015 6:34 am

MarkVerploeg wrote: It could work but it would be a bit big
But i actually ment a stiff paint brush
Not the soft ones you use for detail or figure painting
More like the ones you get in a model kit gift set (the ones with paints and some brushes)
I suggest you try some different brushes and test it on a scrap piece of styrene

Thanks! Ok, I think I understand what you mean.

Cheers

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat Aug 29, 2015 1:23 am

Hey guys!

Strv 103 is almost completed now. I did some weathering today and have prepared the tank for flat coat and final assembly tomorrow.

I thought that every part needed where already finished, but today I realised that I had forgot the antennas

Trumpeter suggests that I should use stretched sprue, but I like to make things complicated so I will use two pieces of a guitar string instead.

Cheers

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat Aug 29, 2015 5:37 pm

Hey Guys,

Been a hectic day today with weathering, matte coat, final assembly and touchup work. But the 103 is completed!

Unfortunately I missed my window of opportunity to take good outdoor photos, so I had to take a couple of mug-shots with poor light-conditions before the rain started.
I apologize for the quality of the photos, hopefully I can make a proper setup tomorrow and take better photos for the Final Reveal.

Stay tuned!

DBMiller · Post by **DBMiller** » Sun Aug 30, 2015 2:23 pm

How on earth do people deal with that splinter scheme?! It would kill me!

MarkVerploeg · Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Sun Aug 30, 2015 2:50 pm

Great work Tommy
I really like this modern day stug like tank
The camo and weathering really bring it to life

RobBye · Post by **RobBye** » Sun Aug 30, 2015 3:32 pm

I'm sad to see this end, because I thoroughly enjoed following your progress. You did an outstanding job Tommy, and congrats on the beautiful Strv!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sun Aug 30, 2015 7:29 pm

DBMiller wrote: How on earth do people deal with that splinter scheme?! It would kill me!

Only swedes are crazy enough to come up with something like that....

MarkVerploeg wrote:Great work Tommy
I really like this modern day stug like tank
The camo and weathering really bring it to life

Thanks Mark, good luck with your build when you decide to start it!

RobBye wrote:I'm sad to see this end, because I thoroughly enjoed following your progress. You did an outstanding job Tommy, and congrats on the beautiful Strv!

Thanks Rob, it was a pleasure to do the research, build it and post updates in the buildthread.

The Final Reveal post can be found here:
viewtopic.php?f=415&t=14275

Thanks all for following this thread - you're all awesome!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:24 pm

The thread have been updated with links to Flickr instead of Photobucket

Damn... I really enjoyed this build. Probably one of my best sofar and the one that I'm most proud of

Sorry for the bump of the thread.

Tommy

Hiortintexas · Post by **Hiortintexas** » Sat Dec 12, 2020 9:31 pm

I was lazy and used a blue sharpie and got very good result.

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat Dec 12, 2020 10:20 pm

Hiortintexas wrote: ↑Sat Dec 12, 2020 9:31 pm I was lazy and used a blue sharpie and got very good result.

Awesome that you have found the build-thread for this build!

Tommy

Hiortintexas · Post by **Hiortintexas** » Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:49 pm

Hi, did you keep the commander's cupola on during the camo painting ? Looks like the pattern is aligned to the hull pattern, but I did not see it on the earlier pictures where you start start the camp painting.

(I'm dreading the camo painting as this is my first try at airbrushing

.

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Mon Jan 11, 2021 5:51 pm

Hiortintexas wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:49 pm Hi, did you keep the commander's cupola on during the camo painting ? Looks like the pattern is aligned to the hull pattern, but I did not see it on the earlier pictures where you start start the camp painting.

(I'm dreading the camo painting as this is my first try at airbrushing .

Hey Hiortintexas,

I painted the cammo on the hull first and then I aligned the pattern with that for the commanders cuppola, which I painted separately (if I remember correct).

Best of luck with the painting, it's a bit daunting but look at reference pictures and start with the lighter colours; I painted them in the order Tan, Mid Green, Dark Green, Black.

The 4-colour splinter cammo is applied in a very specific pattern, but I didn't do that - I just looked at pictures to get a feel for which types of patterns and shapes that where used and after that I "winged it"

Tommy