westdr6113

Since my last project is almost complete, I thought I'd share some pictures of my next project that is already underway. I'm building a SU-76i in Polish colors for my wife. I have not found any documented evidence that the Russians gave them any SU-76i's, but they got alot of other armor from them so it's plausible. Plus I'm building it on a Tauchpanzer hull anyways so it's not going to be historically accurate. But it will surely be unique. I've already installed all metal running gear. I also raised the last return rollers so the tracks would clear the rear dampers. From what I've been able to find it looks like most Polish armor was either left in it's orginal paint or painted a dark brown color overall. I think I'm going to go with the later unless I find something more interesting.

Dongskie

This is intersting coz I don't know how an SU76i looks like..

I'm following this build, goodluck on your project!

Dongskie

now i know..

looks like russian modified.

pattoncommander

Most of the SU-76i's were made up from Pz IIIs captured at Stalingrad. There are a couple different versions of it at a museum in Russia and at least one good coversion kit available. Mine was a very easy conversion with a minimum of trimming/filing.

Dongskie

Goodness! Where do you buy these (and other types) of conversions??

herrmill

Bill, that's a good looking SU-76 conversion. I've seen the earlier pics you'd sent but those stand out! [sm=thumbup.gif]

pattoncommander

You're going to have to check the German sites. I forgot where I got my kit. The guy that made the kit also furnished me with photos of the 2 SU-76is at a museum near him. The Sig 33 is also a relatively easy conversion and a little modelling of the Tauchpanzer can make it very realistic with nothing by sheet styrene and basic modelling skills. All Sig 33s were lost at Stalingrad, but it was a neat carrier for the massive 150mm howitzer.

herrmill

That's from the Modelinno out of Italy. Cost is 85euro for the base, German version is 89euro.

Perry S.

Bill,
Your SU-76i is awesome.
Perry

pattoncommander

here's the kit
Thanks James..I forget where I got it.

pattoncommander

my file numbers didn't match..try again. These are the progress shots. The HL gun elevation mech must be used by fixing a rod from the gun tube into the cam.

kclank

Here is mine. I made the version that did not use the Pnzr III cupola. Mine has an RX-18 MFU, DBC2-HL. Makes a great runner and fighter.

Panther F

Nice tank kclank. I always liked that conversion the best.

Ex_Pat_Tanker

It's a good kit, goes together really well (so long as you don't glue the gun shield on before you mount the gun - then its a real pain to assemble [:@] )
I used a pair of servo's to provide elevation and traverse, not sure it was worth all the hassle tho

The manufacturer has one on his evilbay.de page at the moment if anyone is interested.

pattoncommander

looks nice...I have photos of both, but since I had the cupola I thought I'd use it. If I do another, I'll make this version. Too bad more photos weren't taken and that none survived....I believe the Wehrmacht Panzerlehr Kaserne had a couple for driver training toward the wars end, but that was only a written account somewhere, so don't know if any actually survived. Only photos I have seen are the two at the Russian tank museum. Panther F, you got anything on this?

Ex_Pat_Tanker

this is the only example I found on the web - is there more?
http://www.achtungpanzer.com/gallery/su76i_gal.htm

pattoncommander

Nice pics, but Modellino sent me photos of 2 side by side, both variations, at a Russian museum, plus a couple line drawings. I'll have to look around...I must have them somewhere, including a short history of the SU-76i.

westdr6113

I havn't seen the conversion kit offered anywhere in awhile, but I havn't been looking for it either. I got mine from KCLANK about a year ago. So I'm not really sure where you could find one. I got the main gun mounted tonight. I mounted a HL recoil unit to the gun. It's mounted backwards so it should snap back and slowly travel forward. I can't remember who posted this before but I know someone posted mounting the barrel backwards was the easiest way to "fix" the recoil. I used some tubing from the hardware store to lengthen the kit's barrel to fit into the recoil unit. I had orginally glued the superstructure to the hull but removed it and added plywood mounts at the four corners. The superstructure is now held in place by 4-40 bolts with blind nuts. This will allow for easier access amd maintenance. I also prefer the version without the commander's cupola, but I am building this to the wife's specs. So it will be the command version.

kclank

Ahh your the guy i sold that extra kit to. Hey good luck with that.

westdr6113

[/quote]

Ahh your the guy i sold that extra kit to. Hey good luck with that.
[/quote]

Thanks.

Here is some pictures of a little progress. I mounted the elevation motor were the old turret rotation motor was. I was orginally going to add a spring to the top of the recoil unit similiar to the way HL does with their airsoft units. But there isn't enough room to squeeze it in so I added 7 grams of lead instead. I also mounted the El Mod CSI unit in the superstructure under the left hatch so I could change the battle configuration without opening the tank. The on/off switch is also located in this hatch. I moved the volume knob to inside the rear of the cupola. The last picture shows IMO the hardest part of the build. Getting everything to fit in the PZIII chassis. It was quite a mess but I did manage to clean it up. The top of the battery compartment is now actually clear of all wires because if it isn't the gun will not elevate. I didn't take any pictures before I closed it up thou. I've since added the first coat of paint. I'll have to try to get some more pictures later.