Academy Grant
Posted: 16 Jan 2023, 07:42
I picked this kit up many years ago and it languished in my stash, patiently waiting for me. However, with my self-imposed ban on anything Russian, limiting the kits available to build, the Grant finally had its turn. This version has the corrected suspension although Academy provides both in the box, along with a number of different styles of road wheels. This is also an interior kit, though it lacks the accuracy and quality of Miniarts newer offering. Anyway, here is the Box.
While I contemplated what to do I started on the interior. This is built upon a platform which is then placed into the lower hull. My sample was a little warped and needed some encouragement to fit correctly. Believe it or not, this is the complete interior supplied in the box. Some of the component placements are a little vague so I cheated and looked at Miniarts instructions. That was when I realised how much was missing but to be fair not much is actually visible so I plowed on. Next, I turned my attention to the upper hull. It's constructed of several pieces which are glued together to create complicated angles. I was worried about how this would go together but surprisingly it worked out nicely. Only a small amount of putty was needed and that could have been my fault anyway. My references showed some cast marks around the hull gun casement as well as attachment points for the optional dust cover. I made these from thin plastic.
Originally I was going to do this Grant as a burned-out vehicle in North Africa. Unfortunately, the skeleton tracks I wanted are obscenely expensive and that idea quickly went the way of the Dodo. While I contemplated what to do I started on the interior. This is built upon a platform which is then placed into the lower hull. My sample was a little warped and needed some encouragement to fit correctly. Believe it or not, this is the complete interior supplied in the box. Some of the component placements are a little vague so I cheated and looked at Miniarts instructions. That was when I realised how much was missing but to be fair not much is actually visible so I plowed on. Next, I turned my attention to the upper hull. It's constructed of several pieces which are glued together to create complicated angles. I was worried about how this would go together but surprisingly it worked out nicely. Only a small amount of putty was needed and that could have been my fault anyway. My references showed some cast marks around the hull gun casement as well as attachment points for the optional dust cover. I made these from thin plastic.