BTR-80 hull + T-72 turret = BTR-72 tank destroyer (UPD #2 - Assembly complete)

[ChernayaAkula]

So, my 200th post here on Whatifmodelers.  Been a great time so far.  What better way to celebrate than post my first work in progress thread. So here goes...

I did this profile for the BTR-60/79/80 thread. A BTR-80 hull with the turret of a T-80 MBT.



Here's what will be involved in building this beast.



As can be seen I use the relatively recent 1/72 Trumpeter BTR-80 and the turret of the also relatively recent Revell T-72M1. The BTR-80 uses a grand total of 67 parts (all parts are shown above), but looks rather nice. The T-72 also looks very nice. Wonder what I'll do with the extra hull....

This is what it looks like out of the box...



...and about an hour later it looks like this. 



The troop compartment had a raised roof, which had to go. Also expendable was the old rotating assembly for the 14.5mm HMG turret. I also deleted most of the firing ports. I only kept those for the driver or radio operator (probably the latter). There'd be no room for infantry to use them anyway, as that's where the ammo would be stored.
The part in white styrene was to be rectangular and follow the lines of the BTR roof, but Revell's T-72 turret has a rather large rotating assembly, which necessitated the bays (hope that's the right term ). That's one thing that's not readily apparent when modding profiles. 





So, this is where I'm at. Hope to do some puttying and sanding tomorrow. After that, the assembly will be pretty straightforward with assembly of the rest of the BTR and the turret - and that's that. Stay tuned for more pics tomorrow....

[puddingwrestler]

Ooo. Interesting.

I believe the technical term is 'extendo bits', but bays works for me.

[BlackOps]

Looks like this is going to be a pretty nifty critter! Your off to a nice start 

[Maverick]

Nifty concept there Moritz.  I wonder if it would be stabler than the Stryker MGS?  Knowing Ivan, it'd be like cast iron & nice and heavy to alleviate any 'issues'.

Regards,

Mav

[Sisko]

Man that is all kinds of wonderful!

Would look good in some mid east camo!

[Taiidantomcat]

  excellent job on that new turret ring!

[rallymodeller]

Nifty concept there Moritz.  I wonder if it would be stabler than the Stryker MGS?  Knowing Ivan, it'd be like cast iron & nice and heavy to alleviate any 'issues'.

Regards,

Mav

Probably not -- the 125mm has pretty hellacious recoil, if you watch any vids.

But when has realism stopped any of us? Really? It looks cool, and that's what matters.

Maybe add a big-donkey muzzle brake?

[ChernayaAkula]

No new pics yet as I'm posting from a PC at the University.
Thanks for the kind words, guys! 

I haven't decided about the camo yet. I was leaning towards the tan, olive drab with black stripes type of camo. Like THIS.

Maybe add a big-arse muzzle brake?

Hmm, that's a rather interesting idea. May have to look into that. Maybe something like the PzH 2000 MUZZLE BRAKE? That should be fairly easy to make and yet be effective AND cool-looking.

I believe the technical term is 'extendo bits', but bays works for me.

Extendo bits it is, then! 

[Sauragnmon]

I was just thinking as I looked at your Extendo Bits, the forward layout of them is a little... flat, to a degree.  You might consider widening the base of them so as to provide something of a deflection angle, a vertical-degree slope.  The outsides are obviously far too extended as it is, so doing more to that might prove a problem.

Quite an interesting little tank destroyer concept though - might actually be able to also alleviate some of the T-72's driver-height requirements as well.  The Chinese had a concept for a tank hunter like that, an eight wheeled chassis... lemme look that up... *goes digging through the internet to Sinodefense, where he knows he's seen it*

Ah, here it is - http://www.sinodefence.com/army/artillery/ptl02.asp  Looks pretty nifty too.  Uses only a 100mm gun, but it also carries ATGMs that are based off the Russian model.

What If... the Russians wanted an amphibious, highly mobile tank hunting vehicle.

Looking good so far, Moritz, keep it up!

[Rafael]

Wonderful war machine, ChernayaAkula!!!

That roof surgery really went well

Rafa

[gunfighter]

That seems a nice counterpart for the american AGS, great idea!

[PanzerWulff]

I would like to try something similar using a ZSU 23-4 turret Great job so far I can't wait to see more 
"Panzer"

[ChernayaAkula]

Thanks, guys! 
A bit of an update. Was busy today so I the putty isn't sanded yet. But since I promised pics here are some that show the general layout of the vehicle once assembled (hull bottom and top aren't glued yet). The turret is still pretty nekkid, as there were some seams to be puttied. It will look a lot wider and longer once all the bits and pieces are attached.



Profile shot:


I will probably add a "big-arse muzzle brake" ^TM later on. 

Due to the camera angle, the extendo bits don't seem to extend as much as they really do.



Movable turret:



It's been a nice, smooth-going project so far. The fit of the Trumpeter parts is great. Some caution is needed with the rear two "axles". The first part to be installed has an A shape to it. The / and \ of the A need to have some plastic shaved off about halfway down to allow the second part with the springs to fit (will make sense if you see it). So watch out there!

I was just thinking as I looked at your Extendo Bits, the forward layout of them is a little... flat, to a degree. <...>

Yeah, you're right. I didn't pay attention to that, as I was happy the rather complex white styrene part came out the way it did with not too much fitting and adjusting. I measured the width a little too generous and didn't pay further attention to that. When it was all glued up I noticed the "extendo bits" do stand out a bit as the rest of the vehicle is well sloped.

I would like to try something similar using a ZSU 23-4 turret <...>

That should look pretty cool, too!

[Logan Hartke]

Very cool.  I take it you've seen the Cuban take on a similar conversion (though with older pieces)?



I wouldn't recommend firing with the gun pointed to the side!

Logan Hartke

[PanzerWulff]

Kinda reminds me of the south african Rooikat,More please MOOOOOOORE 
"Panzer"