BT-7 Model 1937 Early

Time for something Soviet... 

Step one has you install the most beautiful plastic springs ever done for a styrene model. 

Then you cover them up so no one can ever see them! 

Either I'm doing something wrong, or this model has major "fit" issues. 

Lots of filling, filing and sanding. Also used some plastic strip to fill a gap. 

It took 5.5 hours to get thru Step 3 (the finished body), but it was fun, and I like this model (so far).  

Moving to the front suspension, the instructions show Part B6 installed 180 degrees from what's proper. A hand written note and arrow on the instructions (errata?) tries to explain this, but I didn't understand at first. 

Finished front suspension. It's tricky, and I suggest clean all the parts and dry-fitting everything between steps 4 and 6 (inclusive) before gluing any front suspension parts! 

Lots of little reworking. 

Phot-etch screen versus the kit part. 

Engine vent louvers done. 

This is what it will look like once the screen cover is on. 

Starting to work through some of the extensive photo-etch I purchased separately. 

This model may become more metal than plastic! 

More metal added, and shovels. 

Ready to paint! 

Tamiya white primer, via airbrush. 

I found that by thinning with hardware-store, regular lacquer thinner (not Tamiya's), I can get a gritty textured effect that's great for pitted armor plate.  

Base coat for the three-color scheme is applied via airbrush. 

Other base colors applied by hand. 

Gloss coated and decals applied. 

Pin washed with black artist's oil paint mixed with mineral spirits, and dry-brushed with Model Master enamel. 

Finished!