Takom SMK

Jeeves

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2025

• #1

Some progress on the SMK...got the base coat on using AMMO Atom acrylics. I'm recreating the one combat example of this beast from Finland which hit an anti-tank mine....I seem to have an affinity for wrecks as of late. Started drilling out the sprocket and next up are the tracks. Hard to tell of the suspension damage from the one photo...might leave them alone and just work on the snow after I get the whitewash on.

 

Rhino

Super Moderator

• Dec 15, 2025

• #2

Very cool so far!

 

jknaus

Administrator

• Dec 15, 2025

• #3

From: https://battlefield.ru/content/view/54/48/lang,en/
"Moving at the head of a tank column, the SMK drove toward a pile of crates, under which were concealed high explosives. The detonation of these explosives damaged the idler wheel and track and the tank stopped. The T-100 and KV halted nearby, covering the damaged SMK. Taking advantage of this cover, the SMK crew worked for several hours to repair their tank. However, they were unsuccessful and had to abandon the SMK in the neutral zone."

Hope that helps.
James

 

Jeeves

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2025

• #4

Thanks James...yeah it was left for two months I believe before it was finally retrieved. Finns weren't interested other than the photo (and my thanks to Saúl for giving me the clearer photo above) but used the other knocked out tank for parts.

 

Steve Ski

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2025

• #5

Great start on a funky rig, excellent pics too, btw.

 

Brokeneagle

Master at Arms

• Dec 16, 2025

• #6

looking good- an unusal but cool tank

....I seem to have an affinity for wrecks as of late.
Welcome to the dark side of modelling my friend! It will be hard to turn back to the light.

 

Sharkmouth

Information Overload

Staff member

• Dec 16, 2025

• #7

Brokeneagle said:

....I seem to have an affinity for wrecks as of late.

Click to expand...

Well, it IS russian so a normal state for it!

 

Jeeves

Well-known member

• Wednesday at 4:39 PM

• #8

Played around with some different whitewash techniques...first is the AMMO Atom Washable White dabbed on and feathered out with a damp brush...

Next is my own custom method of fine chalk dust mixed with water into a slurry and brushed on...

Finally is hairspray with regular AMMO Washable white acrylic over it and a damp brush to remove some...

Also saw where Squadron has track rollers to give terrain the look of a tank rolling over it...the KV ones were sold out so I made my own from a spare sprocket and track links...

 

Sharkmouth

Information Overload

Staff member

• Wednesday at 6:38 PM

• #9

Jeeves said:

Also saw where Squadron has track rollers to give terrain the look of a tank rolling over it...the KV ones were sold out so I made my own from a spare sprocket and track links...
View attachment 186994

Click to expand...

I used to use (before giving them away) vinyl kit tracks for that since I planned to replaced them with aftermarket. Yes, a long time ago as vinyl tracks are the rarity now.

 

moon puppy

Administrator

Staff member

• Wednesday at 7:06 PM

• #10

I used some spare Fruels I had with the Lee with mixed results. Like the idea.

 

Jeeves

Well-known member

• Thursday at 11:39 AM

• #11

I've got some of those for a Sherman in the spares...might make some various ones just to have as tools. Fruils I've never bought because if their cost but I do have some leftover Panzerwerk Design ones that'll do in a pinch

 

KLOTZEN

Beginner

• Yesterday at 10:00 PM

• #12

This is an interesting subject, I wonder who pulled the axles, the FInns or the Russians?

 

Jeeves

Well-known member

• Yesterday at 11:05 PM

• #13

The Finns pretty much left it alone...only shooting the photo after it ran over the mine. Afterwards, the Soviets did eventually move it

 

KLOTZEN

Beginner

• Yesterday at 11:16 PM

• #14

Makes it a question since the picture is with the Finns and the axles are already out. Are you mirroring the picture or just doing an in general representation?

 

Sharkmouth

Information Overload

Staff member

• Yesterday at 11:43 PM

• #15

KLOTZEN said:

Makes it a question since the picture is with the Finns and the axles are already out. Are you mirroring the picture or just doing an in general representation?

Click to expand...

Are you referring to the sprocket wheel hub cap?

As you see here, it happens and the drive axle is still there as it is quite substantial:

 

KLOTZEN

Beginner

• Today at 12:43 AM

• #16

Sharkmouth said:

Are you referring to the sprocket wheel hub cap?

As you see here, it happens and the drive axle is still there as it is quite substantial:


What is "it" that happens?

Click to expand...

 

Sharkmouth

Information Overload

Staff member

• Today at 1:15 AM

• #17

KLOTZEN said:

This is an interesting subject, I wonder who pulled the axles, the FInns or the Russians?

Click to expand...

KLOTZEN said:

Makes it a question since the picture is with the Finns and the axles are already out. Are you mirroring the picture or just doing an in general representation?

Click to expand...

Are you referring to this, in the red box, as a missing axle? I don't see any missing axles.

If so, then it does happen that the drive sprocket loses its cap during action:

If this isn't it, what are you referring to as axles being pulled and being out?

 

KLOTZEN

Beginner

• Today at 1:29 AM

• #18

Here's where I'm coming from.
This picture of the SMK shows the axles having been removed from the final drives.

Saul, your picture is rough, but I have others, although not much better.

All of these show the "sprocket wheel hub cap" missing and the axle in place.
This picture:

Shows the cap missing with empty hardware holes and the axle absent as well.
for clarification. This sectional drawing of a KV-1 sprocket hub (shaft), sprocket and axle.

Blue - Cap
Green - Axle
Red - Sprocket hub as marked in Saul's provided drawing.
The Yellow is the sprocket bearing retaining nut that holds the sprocket to the sprocket hub. Which, incidentally, appears distorted and out of round in the enlarged photo of the SMK final due to snow accumulation inside and out.

 

Sharkmouth

Information Overload

Staff member

• Today at 1:38 AM

• #19

@KLOTZEN, I see what you're referring to now. The axle, in green seems rather short to mesh with the final drive gears but I do agree that it is missing. So the red (labeled sprocket hub) is what kept the sprocket wheel on. I need to check the manual so get clarity on the final drive, perhaps a cutaway. Thanks for this! If I do find the russian manual (I'm sure I have it on one of my drives) I can find the nomenclature they used.
Thanks again!

 

KLOTZEN

Beginner

• Today at 1:50 AM

• #20

But wait! I have more.

The axle shaft only had to reach the output from the planetary set.

Green - Pinion from steering unit
Red - Bull gear
Blue - planetary and carrier.

These pictures are from the Preliminary Report No. 10 - Russian KV-1 -
Military College of Science STT Chobham Lane Chertsey February 1944