WIP: More work on the Russian Tank Destroyer SU-122

Most of the kit was partially built ages ago and some parts need regluing, resanding or replacing.I like the way this Tamiya kit designed the wheels. The parts fit perfectly. I hadn't realized that some of the parts were left to unglued and were just dry fitted for around a decade already without falling off! I also found the rive sprocket assembly quite clever, having no center rod as an axle but attaching directly to the underchassis but still freely locating. As you can see, the kit was designed to be motorized but I can't rememeber if it did come with a motor. The directions do not mention one so I believe the motor was an optional part. By the way, the directions of this kit are in Japanese, which I can't read so I go by the construction pictures.

The superstructure was quickly assembled but I found it too difficult to find the locator marks with the dark green plastic of the kit so I light sprayed a thin coat of primer. It made the task of locating the marks easier on the superstructure/fighting compartment but there were still some which eluded me. Instead, I'll be relying on reference photos, especially when it comes to attaching the stowage and other equipment.

The small valves, ports, etc. on the sides of the superstructure will have to wait until I get more reference pictures. The main gun, a 122 howitzer, is nicely done and I like the internal parts of the gun. Too bad most of it is inside the superstructure/fighting compartment.

Being a lazy git, I nixed the idea of changing the grab rails since I discovered that I ran out of wire gauge close to the size of the plastic ones. I also seem to be missing some of the visor hatches on the top of the superstructure/fighting compartment as well as the conical periscope. These will have to be remade then.

I'm also missing some of the brackets for two of the four external fuel cans mounted on the sides. Thgese will have to be scratchbuilt as well. Bit of trivia, I read somewhere that one of the cans was reserved for oil, rather than fuel.

Alll in all, a productive session. Hopefuly, I can finish this kit before Christmas. It had stayed on the to-do shelf for far too long already :)

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