SWEDISH S-TANK STRV.103

[iambrb]

Hello to all! I have been away for awhile, toilin and working away, so sorry for my absence! At any rate, I spoke to “Da’-Pup-ster,” and that got me thinking, then I clicked onto s see what everyone was up to…and am again wanting back in….so here I am! I was looking at odd-ball armor, of which I have always been a fan, and picked this one up on the cheap! It is the last of the non-turreted tank destroyers, the Swedish Strv.103! This was one of the first tanks that used a Turbine engine (a’la’ M1 Abrams fame), featured a 3-person crew with loader.

Remember whe4n I said it had been awhile? Well, I goofed and hosed it up by spray-priming the darn thing before I started assembly….OOOPS! I could have had this dad-gum thing assembled by now if I did not have to scrape primer off every surface of ever dad-gum part! Oh well…I don’t mind showing off my goofs and gaffs…makes it fun! I am not thru, but as I was posting here I thunked (is too a word) it appropriate to show some work:

Would have had more done, had I not gone hunting this morning (would have been better off to stay home…it was cold! Came home and found someone trying to take up new residence on the porch!

Will post more pics (of the model)as I roll!

 

[reconron]

ooh yeah...the S-tank!!!



Greetings,Ron.

 

[iambrb]

Thank you Sir! Is it you or another that has the later Strv.122 tank they are working on? I am planning on camo'ing this one and the doing a White-Snow Splinter camo that I have seen on them.

Of course, I could do it this way as well:

 

[Iron Mike]

Nothing wrong with this start, keep on keepin' on!

 

[iambrb]

 

[Bagge]

Hi Nice start! Me like it yes i'm building the strv 122 and the camo is a pain but it worked out fine. picked up my S-tank today and i will go with the blue and yellow camo on that on! hahaha must have a little colour on the table when we go to the shows.
If you are lucky then you have a four colour camo on that one!!, here is the reciepe for the green tones that i used.
The colours are tamiya
Dark green: XF26 216 parts + XF69 100 parts + XF55 40 parts
Light green: XF5 170 parts + XF55 31 parts + XF4 10 parts
Black: XF69
the fourth colour was a brown but they skipped that to save paint and work, the winter camo is done so that they paint over the light green areas with white paint that they cleaned of after the winter.
Looking forward to see what you do with this one
//Mats

 

[Plastik Smurff]

 

[moon puppy]

Cold.. it was 60! Looks like a worm snake, figured your miniature panther would take care those type of visitors.

Tank looks good Bruce..

 

[iambrb]

Yes, actually, the outside cat, butter, AKA "Government Cat", so called because she sits outside and makes demands of the Government (and I am the Government!), was last seen making short work of it........

 

[iambrb]

OK – well, had to spend time repairing a toilet today…what fun! (NOT). Anyway, I did get it pretty much ready for paint. I have elected not to install the wading skirt and some other exterior assemblies, so that I can access to the running gear, and in posting this I see that I still have a little ventilation-type thingies (I think) on the very uppermost portion of the hull. When I apply the paint, I will take care of those items + the MG and a few others little bits required. But, here is the latest, with most of the little grab handles/camo hooks installed.

Look how low a silhouette this thing has! As a comparison, I pictured it beside my Egyptian T-55 I did some years ago. Even though it still lacks running gear, note how much higher the main gun is on the T-55 as opposed to the little Strv.103!!!!!

Well, she is basically primed now, just needing the paint….thank goodness it’s almost payday!!!! It may be a week or two before I am able to do anything else, what with deer season in the way, plus my son has an JROTC meet upcoming. Will try to post a bit more and soon!

 

[Iron Mike]

Looks like you made good progress today, looking forward to seeing the paint!

 

[iambrb]

Gang, let me tell ya, if you want true Southern Hospitality (unless you ask to touch his airbrush) and great instruction from a Heckuva guy, you should go by & see Moonpuppy!

I was having some issues with getting the mix right one the old airbrush, so Sir-Pup volunteered to take time out of his day for some basic, remedial-reminder instruction. I spent an immense amount of time taping, and for got my camera too, darn it, but here are the results!

and one of her flipped upside down to show off the built-in snow plow

This tank had two basic versions (at leat in kit form), one with jerry cans down both sides, and one with a 'skirt' that could raised to cross water obstacles. this is that version. So, I still have the running gear to tackle, + all the wading apparatus to install in stowed for, plus one or two piece that did not survive the extreme taping, but overall she looks pretty good!

Going to almost (almost, but not quite) a shame to cover all that pretty splinter-style camo!

 

[Iron Mike]

You didn't ask to use his airbrush, did you?? hmy: You would have gotten a better response if you had asked to use his tooth brush! Looks like you boys had fun!

 

[Leopard2]

That is a sweet looking paint job you got there. I still have the S-Tank sitting in my stash waiting. And looking at this build and the one of Strv 122 it might move up on the priority list quickly.

Joe

 

[jknaus]

Looks good. Excellent work
James

 

[moon puppy]

I enjoyed the visit also, as I told ya today, complex camo done well.

Good job!

 

[Bagge]

Good work with the masking tape!! i know what you been thrue!!
Started masking the turret for my Leo last week, but now there is something else taking my attention hahaha
Keep up the great work.
//Mats

 

[iambrb]

Thanks bagge, you compliments are an honor! I like what I am doing, but I do not think they match your skill level! This has been a real learner though - I think I actually LIKE doing all this camo!!!!

Got a bit more done tonight - wheels/tracks are on!

The tracks are a bit 'springy, and are right now giving it a nose-down profile....I am gong to have to work on that.

Oh, if you decide to build this kit, I really suggest putting the tracks on early, and waiting to the very end to install any exterior handles, smoke dis-chargers, or those little bits outside the tracks of the vehicle. All have now been glued back on at least twice, some quite a bit more!


My kid has JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in school) competition this weekend, + a school recognition Monday, so I might not get much done for a bit, but am terribly keen on getting the Winter Splinter-Camo on there so I can get to the weathering.....

I might not be posting much this week, but am looking forward to y'all's builds. Have a great week!

 

[jknaus]

I think it looks good a is. Leave it in a nose down. Actually thats how they aimed, adjusting nose height and left right. Nice work
James

 

[reconron]

That's looking pretty cool!

Greetings,Ron.