herrmill

Howdy folks! Its been sometime since I last visited, but Bill (Pattoncommander) recommended I post this to gauge the interest of the RC tanker community since a number of you guys tend to think outside the box when it comes to hobbies. Its not exactly a tank, but more of a hybrid weapon instrumental in the Soviet's success in the Great Patriotic War.

Steve Neill is currently developing an interesting kit for those of us who enjoy building something unique: a 1/25 BK1125 Bronkater armored gunboat or "tank ship".

This armored gunboat, developed by the Soviets in the '30s, was used extensively throughout WWII. They were several variants using whatever weapons could be obtained, but most were equipped using T-35 & T34/76 turrets some even with larger T34/85 turrets & Stalin Organ rocket launchers. Just like tanks, these gunboats were built with a narrow beam for rail transport & were used throughout the Eastern front from the initial days of the German invasion to the final siege of Berlin, & were instrumental in winning at Stalingrad. Used primarily in the narrow rivers & lakes of eastern Europe, many engaged in close encounters with German armor. You can find a brief history on the vessel including a photo of one sunk by a Ferdinand here [link=http://www.avalanchepress.com/RiverGunboats.php]Soviet Armored Gunboats[/link]

Steve's BK1125 is designed for RC at just under 37" long with FRP hull/deck, resin superstructure/turrets & brass/metal barrels/fitting kit. He plans to offer the kit with T34/76 turrets & is considering several optional weapons based on demand. I lobbied hard for 1/16, but it would have been a beast at over 5'. Even so, think of the possibilities this would offer in conjunction with a combat system against 1/16 tanks or VS' 1/24 IR line of Tigers & new Soviet tanks due this year. I know of a few guys already thinking of adding a waterway to their battlefield...

More details can be found on Steve's build thread [link=http://www.subpirates.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4020]BK1125 Build[/link].

Chuck

pzrwest

It wouldn't be too difficult to scale those plans up for 1/16th scale be a nice rc ship and the size would make it more stable in the water

brel

cool looking build cant wait to see the finished boat.

westdr6113

I agree, definitely cool, looks like a fun build too.

westdr6113

On second thou, I just pictured the combat ship guys firing 1/4inch ball bearings at my tank.[X(]

971wright

Dont panic lads they would strugle to get a grain of rice down those barrels there only 1/24 scale cant even fire BBs




regards pete

herrmill

Here are a few more photos of the boat & along with several of MIG's excellent 1/35 resin kit to give a better idea of what this beast will look like. MIG's kit will set you back €350 [sm=omg_smile.gif] & its only a display model!! I don't believe Steve's will be anything close to that.

The Russians still use a modern version that looks very similar to the BK1125 save for the modern arms & electronics.

herrmill

Steve's been busy with several builds, but he's got the hull plug almost finished with plating & welds completed this week. You've gotta love that armor belt on the hull's side & bottom to protect the engine compartment. I told him it looks as rough as any T34/76 that rolled out of a Soviet tank factory!

He's added a poll to gauge interest in the kit so feel free to visit & post your comments on his build thread posted above.

Chuck

herrmill

Thought you folks would appreciate these photos of a BK1125 diorama that were posted on the Steve's build thread today.

Chuck

BIGMIG

fantastic pictures,almost looks real-BIGMIG

Had to go back and look at this againA hell of a lot of work and detail went into this project-A guy could write a small book pointing out all the detail work that is shown-FANTASTIC WORK

BIGMIG

wackywheelz

Beautiful! I love making and collecting other peoples dioramas, and I've always loved dioramas featuring water (the gloss of the water)... absolute brilliant placement of all the bits and you can see the story without having to read ("we need that turret!"

Might have to do a sinking diorama myself, but all I have here are Tirpitz and Bismarck, both 1/350 and RC... dont think I'll be sinking those anytime soon lol

herrmill

Here's the latest photo of the hull master. Based on what I see & know of his plans, his kit will be as detailed as MIG's 1/35 resin model.

With a few of the new VS tanks, you can have your own "working" diorama, & if equipped with a WTC & ballast tank, you can even sink it. Maybe that's why he came up with the name Sub Pirates.

blitzkrieg65

Amazing Diorama a real work of art!

the Blitz

herrmill

Was advised the diorama was seen at Saumur this past weekend by a friend who was there to watch their annual tank demonstration. He's got some amazing footage of their Panther, Hetzer, SdKfz 251, Stuart, Sherman, etc.. that you can see here: http://www.youtube.com/user/buzomeu

WhiteWolf McBride

My Feedback: (3)

herrmill,

Any chance he would be interested in cutting frames and keel parts for a 1/16 LCM? I've seen many static ones, but I'm dying to make one thats water-capable and RC-able. Got a few beaches in town (and ponds with low launch points) and would love to be able to shock the guys by having a Sherman or one of my LAV's roll off the ship after I drop the bow ramp!

Dunno if it would be wide enough (if kept scale) to hold anything wider... but a bit of tweaking to the frames might be workable.

Anyone else be willing to spring for one? (If the price was right, I'd buy TWO)

WhiteWolf.

ArmChairGeneral

Very cool - thanks for sharing
I found this from a different era:
http://www.ancientalley.com/ancient/...t/seafloat.htm

herrmill

WW,

An LCM wouldn't be hard to do so contact Steve to see what might make some sense for you. Its certainly been done before in various scales - Umi, a gentlelady in Portland who you'll find on the boat forum who is into hard core model ship combat, has a large scale Japanese LST with working ramp!

Chuck

Red_Rabbit

Hi WW MB

Easiest way is to make german version called Siebel.
Here are few fotos of real one and 1/6-scale.

Yours,

RR

herrmill

Here are some photos of Steve's work over the weekend.

With the hull now done, he should have the prototype finished soon.

Chuck

herrmill

Here's a few more pics of the main T34/76 turret detail & smaller turret mounted on the wheelhouse.

Final kit details are still to be released, but Steve did state today that all barrels will be brass with the T34/76 using the standard short barrel. Deck fittings are a combination of brass & white metal castings.

Steve plans to make his kit look as gnarly as what the Soviets built, with show ripples, waves & dents in the hull just the like the real thing, cast turrets nice & rough, etc... Should make for a nice kit!

herrmill

More photos from Steve showing deck details & a neat technique using 2 mill aluminum tape for rivet & seam detail. Fittings & final detailing begin next week.

herrmill

Here are a few more photos from Steve as he winds down into the home stretch. He's doing the small parts & bits over the weekend & will start on silicone moulds next week. He expects the first batch of kits to follow early next month.

He initially plans to build these strictly to order so anyone interested should contact Steve at [link=http://www.subpirateshobbies.com]Sub Pirates[/link]

Chuck

herrmill

Будет концом! Das ist Ende!

The masters are done so I'll let Steve speak for himself:

OK. Listen up. The masters are done!

I am now evaluating my resources here hoping I don't need to go out tomorrow to get anything! I know people in hell want ice water. Hear that Merriman! Ha!

I'm just happy and full of myself because something that was started April 7th is done today. And mind you there were a few weeks in there where I did other things. Seemed like forever but the posts dates showed me it was far less time than I thought.

Molds and the build will be fast. So I'm getting excited.

Oh and you Irregulars. Here's my new boat! Want one? LOL!

Today I finished more small parts. Enough. If you want some barrels for the deck, an axe or other such items ask Kmot and or Chuck where to get them.

I will of course document the molding process. As many time as I have done this, Pete has done this and others it always helps to show that one guy out there that might of missed it.

I will be using GI 1000 RTV. One of the very best. Stone mother molds. But thin and light. Have you seen the price of epoxy lately? Gas goes up and so does it. Thus the very high price. I'll save it for the hulls and decks.

Here's some nice pictures of the finished stuff minus the small stuff which you have seen.

More tomorrow.

Steve

herrmill

Steve announced today he's going to hold a raffle to help kick off his new BK1125 Bronkater Tank Ship with the lucky winner getting one of the first kits.

Raffle costs only $10 & you can buy as many entries as you'd like before it closes on July 27.

Contact Steve at [link=http://subpirates.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4020&start=210]BK1125[/link] for more information.

herrmill

Some photos of the molding process for the hull. Deck will be next & he expects to be able to start casting parts by end of the week.

You'll want to visit his build thread for more detail to see how this experienced special effects artist does his thing.