In the collection of most modelers there are series of famous models of armored vehicles, sometimes even whole panoramas. Many fans of plastic modeling will be interested in the technique of gluing tanks.
Tanks are an integral part of a complete collection of plastic models. Assembling a tank from ready-made sets of parts does not take much time, but the result is often simply amazing. In principle, modeling armored vehicles is almost completely similar to assembling ships or aircraft, but like other areas, it has its own characteristics.
Choosing the right model
For beginners, kits with no more than 100 parts are perfect. The assembly of such a tank does not require special skills and will give an almost complete understanding of the principles of modeling armored vehicles. You can take a risk and purchase a more complex model, but you should not approach gluing professional sets consisting of more than two hundred parts without having at least basic experience, otherwise the model will certainly have defects.
Toolbox and workplace
For gluing, you need model knives with round and straight blades, a set of files and a few strips of sandpaper. Naturally, you need to have two or three brushes of different sizes, good glue and a model rug. The work area should be well lit, and several cases should be prepared on it for storing small parts. Near the assembly site, you need to conveniently position the assembly card so that you can check with it without using your hands.
Body gluing
You should start gluing the tank from the base part of the model - the body. It can consist of two horizontal halves, it can also have a more complex structure. When the hull of the tank is glued together, you need to start assembling the turret. It usually consists of three elements: base, dome and trunk, each of which can also be prefabricated. The hull and turret have large and small details. Fuel tank, rollers and body kits can be installed immediately, while handrails, tools and guidance devices are best glued on after painting.
How to properly assemble and install tracks
The tracks at the tank consist of many small parts that must be carefully separated from the sprues and sorted into matchboxes. First, the locking link is assembled, to which the side guides are attached, then the scrapers are installed. This operation is repeated over and over again until the track is at full length. Before installing, the track must be painted.
Assembly of moving parts and small parts, painting of the tank
The tank always has a movable turret and barrel, there may be other moving elements: rollers or a machine gunner's post. They are assembled separately and cannot be installed without preliminary coloring. It is quite easy to paint the hull and turret of the tank itself, which cannot be said about small parts and active armor, if any. These elements are painted separately, and after drying they are glued to the model.
