This is Tamiya's 1:35 SU-122, an older kit with some of the foibles that come with the territory: one-piece tracks, open sponsons, polycap hubs, and a design which was once meant for motorization. Still, it was inexpensive, has excellent fit, is quick and easy to assemble and finish, and it builds up into a nice likeness of this interesting, purposeful-looking subject. Really enjoyed this one!
This was built OOB except for the chain, the radio antenna, and a plastic rhinestone for the headlight. The kit includes a commander figure which I didn't use because I'm still too chicken to try painting figures. One of these days!
In case anyone here intends to get this kit, I'd like to point out a mistake I made. Tamiya gives you brackets for the external fuel tanks, so I glued them in place, but when it came time to instal the tanks themselves, I found they already had the brackets moulded integrally. I think Tamiya's intention was that modellers could just use the tanks as they are, but if they wanted to display the kit with a tank removed, then they could use the empty bracket. I foolishly did both, which is why the tanks look a bit blast-eyed. Oh well!
All the best for the weekend!
