MODERN RUSSIAN ARMOUR USED IN COMBAT - T-80U BUILD update 6th Jan 2025

[Brokeneagle]

I HAVE MOVED THIS THREAD ACROSS FROM THE PREVIOUS POST TO KEEP IT PURELY T-80U AND KEEP THE ORIGINAL POST AS A REFERENCE AND INFO THREAD.

My progress on the RFM T-80U..


This is my first RFM kit experience even though I have a number in my stash.
I will treat this build as an overall review at the same time as building so that this may help others decide on whether they want to purchase the RFM T-80, as there are a number of other companies offerring this kit. Amusing Hobby are about to release one with a full interior which has me thinking of purchasing that as well [just because I could leave the hatches open and a knockout with an engine would have been good for this one as the rear deck is slightly up in the photo].
I will have to do a little bit of a plastic card mock-up or present this scene just before the photo with the Engine deck completely shut. I can't use a T-72 engine as the T-80U had a different motor, powered by the 1,000 hp 6TD-6-cylinder opposed-piston, multi-fuel, two-stroke turbo-piston diesel engine to assist it with better range and speed and reduce the engine problems of the T-72 and T-90 models.

I am pretty excited about building some modern Russian tanks for a number of reasons, not the least being the excellent HD photos available on these subjects from the War in Ukraine . Up to now I have had a keen interest in the Russian armour in the Middle East but these euro cammo tanks have really grabbed me. Up to now they ere always on parade in Moscow and pretty boring and some of the other conflicts in Eastern Europe just hadn't grabbed me but the weathering and use of captured armour in Ukraine has pushed my button - finally some bent and battered new Russian stuff!
The other exciting feature is the amount of detail on these compared to the WW2 stuff and once it gets beaten-up a bit its gold!
Chassis stuff

The kit starts with constructing the chassis, which is a bit of a pain as it comes in 3 parts. I have only ever built tanks with a 1 piece chassis. The fit was good but it was difficult making sure both ends stayed in position. I also start with putting a hook in the bottom of the tanks so I can mount it in a holder.

The chassis has a number of large flash posts which need to be cut (circled in red) and these are across the model in general but at least they are always in hidden areas. I then built the suspension arms and springs which are very fiddly and time consuming. The front lower plates has some very nice mounting details and very realistically molded rubber armour mats that need to be removed carefully from the sprue. Great to add some exrea shape to though as they are a feature of the T-80U.

The engine deck is set-up so that you can have it open or closed with some PE detail added. I would like to show the engine deck slightly raised as in the photo but it all depends on how much engine detail I need to add.

So I thought I should also show the hook set-up so it doesn't seem so mysterious.........just fits in the AK vice.

Wheel time...........
I filed-off the tread pattern on the tyres to varying degrees to simulate wear and tear. I will put the most worn ones up front, next to the front wheel. I also collapsed the suspension on the leading left wheel as in the photo.

The next steps will be on the superstructure/ upper chassis and the turret.
I have made a start on the side plates and will be detailing these a little more by cutting sections out, adding scratches and replacing some of the molded latch pins and matching mounts so some are missing etc.
A start.....

Moving on to the upper chassis details....
more PE attached and body details........drilled out the small holes where the clips for the front rubber sheets are joined.


The mud guards are provided as seperate pieces, which is just the way I like it as it allows for much better control and application of dirt/mud. It is also better when attaching tracks, which has to happen before the guards and as they are seperate I didn't have to wait for the hull to be completed. So on with the dirt......applied with a brush and a bit of water using the excellent Tamiya dark earth. I also modified the front and rear mud guards to match the photos.

 

[Brokeneagle]

Jun 14, 2024
Tiny steps at this point. Turret is in progress but I am getting bogged down with the idea of scratch building the motor. I was hoping the Amusing Hobby T-80U with the full interior would come out so I could utilise the engine bay but I may wait and put that in later.
completed with some muddy texture added before the track guards go on.

I painted the base green in some places that were going to be difficult to get to later, as well as attaching the PE clasps on the track guard boxes and other various small PE parts. I also set about warping and bending the mud guards down from there molded postion, as I won't be attaching the ditching beam, which the original shape was molded over.

I will need to mod and add a little more detail to that guard mount as the kit is made to attach the full guard all the way to the last panel.

Next up the progress on the turret. Again, I have done some painting on the deep wading unit at the back because it will be difficult to get to some of this once I attached to the turret. I also bored out the MG posts, as the mounting hole was too small.

 

[Brokeneagle]

It's better to wait sometimes and this has been the case with the T-80U. I Knew Amusing Hobby were planning to release a T-80U with a full interior and I needed some details for the open turret and the special engine compartment. I checked last night and its available as a new release only direct from China on Aliexpress.......so I pulled the trigger ; I can't be bothered waiting until it gets 'downunder' in 8 months to a year and being $30 more anyway.

Waiting pays off sometimes

 

[Jeeves]

Very cool stuff! The January issue of Military Modelcraft International has a very interesting article on the secrecy behind the early origins of this tank, as well as a wrecked and burnt out model of the Rye Field.kit by Chris Meddings.

I don't have a T-80 in the stash currently but am building up Trumpeter's T-64 in Ukrainian livery at present.

 

[Brokeneagle]

I don't have a T-80 in the stash currently but am building up Trumpeter's T-64 in Ukrainian livery at present.

This sounds interesting........would love to see you do a post on the build.
I have alittle bit of info on the T-80 in my info post here :

MODERN RUSSIAN ARMOUR USED IN COMBAT reference photos and info

Yes but only at dusk when they laugh at each other for about 10-15 minutes. During the day they turn -up and sit in the trees looking for worms and snakes. They keep our place clear of snakes in the summer. Kookaburra's are my favourite bird. Very handsome with loads of personality. ....and yes...

modelersalliance.org

 

[Steve Ski]

Boy, you ain't kiddin on the detail issue. I can already see this one done, your progress is telling. Ruck On!