1:35 Modern Russian AFV Holder Ties

Brackets and tie-down loops of modern Russian vehicles 1:35 (E.T. Model)

A universal photo-etched set in 1:35 scale from E.T. Model with small brackets, loops and clips of the kind that appear on the hulls and turrets of modern Russian armored vehicles. It is not a kit of a particular vehicle, but a stock of details for general use across models: the set is conceived so that the modeler picks from it as needed.

What the set is for

Real vehicles have surfaces strewn with small brackets, eyes and straps that hold tools, tarpaulins, drums, crates and the personal equipment of the crew in place. In a kit these items tend to be molded as part of the hull, that is thick and with no gap under the loop. Photo-etched parts, by contrast, are open, can be bent around the object being carried and look like a real strap. That tells most if you are building a load onto a vehicle or putting together a scene with a crew.

Building and painting tips

Use them at the end of the build, when it is clear where the load will actually be. Bend the loop around the object itself first, so that it follows its shape, and only then glue the whole thing onto the model. Degrease the metal with alcohol and make the joints with small drops of cyanoacrylate applied on the tip of a wire, otherwise the glue runs out and floods the surroundings. Spray a base coat for metal before painting. It is a good idea to paint the loops differently from the load they hold, otherwise the detail is visually lost; a final wash and dust then join them into one whole.

Who the set is for

• Builders of modern armor in 1:35 scale
• Modelers who build loads and equipment onto vehicles
• Diorama builders with lived-in, used vehicles
• More experienced modelers working with small photo-etched parts and tweezers

This is an accessory photo-etched set, not a complete model. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.