Bulgarian BLG-60M-2 AVLB
Комментарии
11 3 July 2019, 11:47

Is this already the camo-pattern, or still only the different materials coming together?😉
7 July 2019, 06:31

Thanks Cortex, Kace!
I'm nearing the end of two day's soldering session, so will post some new pictures later today!
Thanks also Slavo!
I'm using parts from 4 different kits(Trumpeter,Takom,Tamiya and MiniArt) plus some Plastruct styrene and copper/brass sheet and wire, thus the motley appearance.
But once the construction is over, I'll spray the usual camo-consisting of Bulgarian Dark Green only.😉
7 July 2019, 08:14

brass sheet work is great... handles and soldering. the motley look is always the most real...
8 July 2019, 04:28

Thanks Kace!
I'm dealing with the rear bridge support now(styrene and some piping).
Will post new pictures soon.
8 July 2019, 15:17

Keep fighting mate. 😄 Will follow your build for inspiration and mentally prepare myself for my own attempt to scratchbuild the soviet IMR-1. 🙂
1 August 2019, 17:33

Yes, the IMR!
I also thought of building it, but it came out the IMR-1 never served with my country's armed forces, thus it dropped out of my list of modelling targets.
Thanks Neuling!
I am currently building the most elaborate part sofar- the upper part of the laying arm.Bought 2 manuals(BLG-60M-2 and BLG-67) recently-not much drawings, but very good descriptions(helped identify the use of some features).
And was also promissed a scan of the NVA BLG-60M-2 Manual drawings.
Hope to be able to post some progress soon.
2 August 2019, 09:39

Very nice project. It's a pitty there is so few modern engineering vehicles available as a PS set.
3 August 2019, 20:50

Thanks Michal!
That's true- not much modern engineering vehicles in styrene while resin conversions(I know of) are way too expensive...
Thus the only option for me is scratchbuilding.
4 August 2019, 07:14

Scratch'n'Bash building is much cooler than using resin moldings anyway😉
It demonstrates genuine craftsmanship 🙂
4 August 2019, 20:38

I was sent an extensive walkaround of an ex-NVA vehicle and had to change/rework some elements to make them look the part.
28 August 2019, 18:30

Thanks Kace, love challenges 🙂
Thanks also Nathan!
Deployed Bridge length is 56 cm, with AVLB total length will be close to 1m. Huge 🙂
1 September 2019, 05:22

Thanks Choppa!
I always try to, and by the BLG-unlike some other vehicles- it is also feasible.
1 September 2019, 15:45

doh ! I meant "actually work" ... anyhow 🙂
it is a satisfying feature to include in a model, I'm glad I went to the trouble of including it on my Iron Wulf and Kugel Spatz 🙂
Here's hoping you can squeeze in some remote control gear so you can drive it about and lay a bridge just like the real deal haha 🙂
No pressure though,
a tall order in this scale and what you have achieved thus far is already an accomplishment !
1 September 2019, 18:05

It happened that I glued the hull together quite early in the build. So not much space for machinery/power source storage is available right now...
I did find some interesting push-pull dc motors, geared motors e.t.c. though , that could have been mounted to move the machinery. Next time 🙂
7 September 2019, 09:36

I was teasing a little there😉 😄
I suspect one might have to go up to 1/16 to have enough room for everything, although there's enough room for RC tracks and maybe a motorised turret etc. but the bridge laying stuff as well would be an impressive squeeze at 1/35 scale, but either way this remains an epic build !! 🙂
7 September 2019, 11:49

Agree with Bart, I think you are well beyond 50% of the build being your on creations... 👍
30 September 2019, 20:14

Thanks, Slavo and Choppa!
There are plenty of ropes, girders and struts to be added, plus 2 more bridge quarters(Styrene Eaters) to be built 🙂
30 September 2019, 20:32

A bridge tank, awesome. It's fascinating to watch them load/unload the bridge in the clips I've seen on YouTube.
2 November 2019, 17:27

Thanks Chris!
I build all elements movable, so the bridge should be deployable-at least manualy 🙂
3 November 2019, 14:10

J D, Alec, Ingo, Lenny and Paul- thank you for your flattering words, mates!
The BLG is by far the most challenging among all modelling projects I worked on.
I started building it almost 6 months ago and I will need another month, or 2, to finish its construction.And I promised myself I won't open any other box untill it's done 🙂
30 December 2019, 13:54

Thanks Tim, Paul and James!
Not so willed- my stash registered substantial growth while I was/am only building the BLG.My schedule of planned builds for next year is quite dense...
Anyway- the "beast" (almost 1 m. long when deployed) is nearing completion, then we'll see 🙂
30 December 2019, 19:46

Hi Angel I'm a little late but this is just awesome to watch! Is the whole bridge scratch build?
4 January 2020, 06:28

Thanks Konrad!
To your question- yes, the bridge is scratch build, as were the laying arm, the rear traverse and part of the stowage.
Other features were kitbashed from Tamiya, MiniArt and Takom T-55 kits, while the base is the old Trumpeter offering.
4 January 2020, 07:49

This reminds me of Fine Scale Modeler in the 90's and the mind blowing scratch built projects it featured. Superb build! Really inspiring! You have good references apparently.
4 January 2020, 09:27

Thanks gentlemen!
Black Baron- I collected 2 Bulgarian Manuals (not much drawings in there, but good explanations), while modelling buddies sent me some 350 pictures( including walkarounds of ex-NVA BLG-60's from Puetnitz Museum in Germany and Bulgarian BLG-60 undergoing overhaul at Army Maintenance Depot).
References are both a blessing and a curse- I had to redo some work already accomplished😉
4 January 2020, 20:56

Well I'm not, Bart!
I'm just a stubborn guy with grown up kids, who finds fun in (stupid- according to SWMBO) modelling challenges 🙂
Thanks mate!
7 January 2020, 20:52

After hiatus of almost 13 months I'm back to my BLG-60M2 build again.
There are a couple of features I need to build and then will prime the beast.
4 February 2021, 17:44

Angel, almost there... That beast is looking good with paint on, aldo same paint is hiding all of hard work you put in. Every rose have it's torn...
23 February 2021, 18:35

And a very good pool of refferencies 🙂
Thanks Bart, really appreciate your comment!
24 February 2021, 14:17

Some more photos of the finished model would be nice. 🙂 I think I see only three photos.
24 February 2021, 14:38

Thanks Treehugger!
I wish the BLG was a finished model, but it is still a work-in-progress... 🙂
Yet I got the message and next time I'll upload more pictures!
24 February 2021, 15:48